The Yankees have been actively exploring infield options to address their glaring need at second base. On Monday, rumors tied them to Padres’ three-time batting champion Luis Arraez and Gavin Lux of the Dodgers.
Lux ultimately landed with the Cincinnati Reds in a trade, while Jon Heyman of the New York Post suggested that Arraez is not seen as a great fit for the Yankees due to his defensive struggles. By Tuesday morning, a new name entered the mix: Brendan Rodgers of the Colorado Rockies.
Brendan Rodgers Emerges as a Trade Option
Bob Nightingale reported that Brendan Rodgers could be a potential target for the Yankees. At 28 years old, Rodgers brings a mixed bag of skills that may leave Yankees fans wondering if he’s truly the solution to their infield woes. Last season, he played 135 games for the Rockies, hitting .267/.314/.407 with 13 home runs and 54 RBIs. While those numbers aren’t disastrous, Rodgers’ 88 wRC+ highlights his struggles to produce offensively in a way that would justify the Yankees parting with valuable assets to acquire him.
Unlike the dynamic Gleyber Torres, whom the Yankees lost this offseason, Rodgers has never been an above-average hitter throughout his career. He’s shown some pop and an ability to make contact, but his lack of consistency and below-average on-base skills leave much to be desired.
Defensive Concerns Add to the Uncertainty
Rodgers isn’t just a middling offensive player; his defensive metrics paint an equally concerning picture. Last season, he logged 1093 innings at second base, committing eight errors and producing a .985 fielding percentage. While that may seem respectable at first glance, his -4 defensive runs saved and -3 outs above average suggest he’s a liability in the field.
For a Yankees team that prides itself on shoring up its defense behind an elite pitching staff, adding a below-average defender like Rodgers feels counterproductive. If anything, his defensive struggles could compound the issues the Yankees are already facing in stabilizing their infield.
A Questionable Fit for the Yankees
With Rodgers available, the Yankees would be acquiring a player with more bench upside than anything else. Compared to the production Torres brought to the table, Rodgers would be a noticeable downgrade offensively.
While Luis Arraez and Gavin Lux represented more intriguing, albeit imperfect, options, the idea of Rodgers as the Yankees’ answer at second base seems like a step in the wrong direction. If Rodgers is viewed as depth rather than a starter, the move might be more palatable. But if the Yankees expect him to anchor their infield, it could create more problems than solutions in the wake of Torres’ departure.
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The Yankees need a player who can complement Aaron Judge and Gerrit Cole in their prime seasons, and Rodgers simply doesn’t move the needle in that direction. While the search continues, the front office will need to decide whether to prioritize a higher-upside option or risk taking a lateral—or even backward—step with Rodgers.