The Tuesday Discussion: 2b and/or 3b?

December 17, 2024

***

This week we asked our writers to respond to the following:

It seems the Yankees have a hole at second or third base (depending on where you see Jazz Chisholm playing).  How would you fill those positions?

Here are their replies...

***

Ed Botti - Since Jazz Chisholm is not a third baseman, and since they traded away Caleb Durbin, who some thought should be given a shot to play 2nd Base in 2025, and they appear to have closed the door on Gleyber, I would immediately put Chisholm at 2nd Base (more on that below), leaving third base open.

I’d love Arenado, but he is trending in the wrong direction and is signed through 2027 with $52MM left. I am not shutting door on him, but…..

I would call Colorado and see what it would take to land Ryan McMahon. He may not be Craig Nettles, but he would be an huge improvement over Jazz at 3rd.

He has 1 year left on his existing contract ($12,000,00) with incentives for a player option in 2026. He does strike out too much for me (32%) but if he moves to the bottom 3rd of line up and given a full spring to shorten swing, cut his launch angle and move the ball around, I think he is worth a one year shot at 3rd. He posts up nearly every day, he is a lefty and has a fielding % of .973%.

Having said all of that, I would still call San Diego about Arraez to play 2nd  (wanted that deal done last May with Miami) . If they can get a deal in place, I’d move on from Jazz as well. Maybe either Colorado or San Diego could have a spot for Jazz.

***

Andrew Hefner - At the moment I see Jazz Chisolm playing third everyday next season. Alex Bregman would be a great addition to have but I think that he would end up getting a very unfriendly contract that would not help the team out in the long run. Jazz can be just as good defensively if he goes all in on playing the position this offseason and in spring. If you asked me a few days ago about second base, though, I would have said Caleb Durbin was the answer, but with him gone there are not many in house options to go with. If it were possible, I would try to bundle Nico Hoerner into the Cody Bellinger trade to solve two problems in one move. I have nothing against moving Jazz back to second, but if it were up to me, try to keep Jazz where he is, forget Bregman, and round out the infield nicely with a real second baseman (Or, you know... re-sign Torres?). 

***

Derek McAdam - If the Yankees are looking to go a cheaper route with acquiring an infielder, Brendan Rodgers could be a decent pickup.

Bringing in Rodgers would most likely mean that Chisholm stays at 3rd, but it would solve one of the holes that the Yankees have in the infield.

Rodgers doesn’t have a ton of power, but he has been a good, consistent and hitter over the past four seasons. The Yankees need as much hitting as they can possibly get.

***

Paul Semendinger - I would prefer that Jazz Chisholm moves back to second base.  I wouldn't reject Alex Bregman outright.  I'm done with the cheating talk.  It's tired and old, and as I have shown, other teams have cheated.  Willie Mays was on a team (1951 Giants) that basically did the same thing as the Astros.  If Mays were available as a 30-year-old, I'd sign him.  Of course.  But, I fear Bregman wants too many years.  If that's the case, I'm not interested.  Bregman for 4 years, yes, sign me up.  If it is more, I'd pass.  I do not want Nolan Arenado.  He's on the wrong side of his career.  I wonder what the Pirates would want for Ke'Bryan Hayes. He's not great, but I have a feeling (maybe just a hope) that he could have a big year as a Yankee.

***

Cary Greene - I think the appropriate course of action is to look to fill second base internally - perhaps moving Anthony Volpe to 2B if Oswald Peraza can cut the mustard so to speak. Is Jorbit Vivas an option - I'm not certain. Perhaps a competition in Spring Training could be conducted. On one hand, maybe DJ LeMahieu shows up healthy and is able to help but on the other hand, there are plenty of ways the Yankees could fill their infield opening(s). 

What the Yankees need most right now is a productive bat and possibly, another starter and another top-shelf reliever. I'm out on Alex Bregman, Paul Goldshmidt, Nolan Arrenado, Pete Alonso and most of the others - including Gleyber Torres. I'd rather the Yankees focus on building a dominating pitching staff while also adding a corner outfielder, someone with a bat. Teoscar Hernandez, to me, is the play and that means the Yankees should handle their infield issues with in-house options. Chisholm can play both third base and second base, so using him at both positions and cobbling a solution together is the play that allows for other areas of team need to be addressed. 

Is there enough money to sign Christian Walker, Teoscar Hernandez, Tanner Scott? I'm hoping there is, but it would require the Yankees to perhaps trade Marcus Stroman. The Cubs are rumored to be willing to trade Cody Bellinger and Nico Hoerner, with the Mariners interested in Hoerner as well. Bellinger isn't high on my list, but I'm in favor of signing Waker, Hernandez and Scott and rather than attempting to trade for Hoerner - who happens to run like the wind and is an above average fielder - I'd rather see the Yankees try to install Peraza and or try to revitalize LeMahieu (who still has very good range). 

***

Ethan Semendinger - Just be patient. The Yankees are going to swing a deal with the Chicago Cubs any day now for Cody Bellinger and Nico Hoerner. Bellinger will become the Yankees new first baseman, Hoerner will be the Yankees new second baseman, Volpe will play shortstop, and Jazz Chisholm will stick at third base (with an offseason to prepare and train there).

Note: If this happens, I will need the New Jersey Devils to make a trade with the San Jose Sharks for Nico Sturm immediately to pair with Nico Hischier and Nico Daws. Then, the Giants (or Jets) will have to trade for Nico Collins from the Houston Texans in the NFL offseason. I'll want every professional athlete in the Big 4 named Nico in the NY/NJ area, ASAP. It'll be like the Giant picnic in Totowa each year!

***

Tim Kabel - I would sign Alex Bregman and move Jazz to second base. I think this would greatly improve the Yankees defense in the infield. Because it would only be one move in a series of moves they have to make, it would help to deepen and balance the lineup.