Championship rosters rarely get built in July, but for the Yankees, that month could decide whether this year ends in heartbreak.
The team has survived with patchwork solutions at second and third base, but the tape is starting to come off at the seams.
The infield remains a glaring hole despite the record
The Yankees have racked up wins, but no one’s pretending the infield is close to postseason-ready with the current group.
DJ LeMahieu has looked like a shell of himself, while Oswald Peraza and Jorbit Vivas have done little to inspire confidence.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. will help when he returns to man third base, but second base remains a weak spot for the Bombers.
Brian Cashman doesn’t need a superstar — he just needs someone competent enough to move the needle in October.
A potential solution from a familiar foe
While names like Isiah Kiner-Falefa have been floated as depth options, ESPN’s Jeff Passan suggested a far more intriguing idea.
Tampa Bay Rays infielder Brandon Lowe could be a sleeper target if the Yankees can pull off a rare deal with a division rival.
Lowe isn’t a perfect player, but he brings just enough pop and production to be a worthwhile upgrade at the position.
He’s hitting .242 with 11 homers and a .725 OPS, showing signs of life with a 108 wRC+ that ranks above league average.
Why Lowe fits the Yankees better than most
Lowe’s left-handed swing is tailor-made for Yankee Stadium, where the short porch could turn his doubles into home runs.
Passan noted that, despite poor career numbers in the Bronx, the potential fit could be “a match made in heaven.”
Statcast supports that sentiment — Lowe ranks in the 86th percentile in average exit velocity and makes consistent hard contact.
His defensive metrics at second base aren’t great, with -4 outs above average and a .982 fielding percentage over 427 innings.
But the Yankees could live with slightly below-average defense if the bat adds legitimate production to the bottom of the lineup.
Would the Rays actually deal him?
That’s the big question.
The Rays currently trail the Yankees by 6.5 games in the division and could be deadline sellers if they fall further behind.
Lowe has a club option for 2026, giving him extra value beyond just a rental — which could make a trade harder to pull off.
Still, if Tampa decides to reshuffle and retool, they might be willing to move Lowe while his value is solid and his salary manageable.
The Yankees must stay aggressive
The Yankees don’t need a superstar at second base — they just need someone who can help stabilize a crumbling bridge.
Lowe isn’t a dream acquisition, but he could be the kind of gritty addition that makes a real impact in October.
Cashman has the roster to go for it all — now it’s just about making the right midseason move to seal the deal.
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