The Yankees have been linked to such free-agent first baseman as Christian Walker and Pete Alonso this winter, and talks seemingly stay ongoing in some type with the Cubs about Cody Bellinger’s availability. Latest studies counsel that the Yankees and Cubs are upwards of $10MM aside in deciding how a lot of Bellinger’s wage can be lined by Chicago, and the New York Submit’s Jon Heyman writes at this time that not a lot has modified within the stalemate between the 2 golf equipment. As Heyman places it, “it’s a matter of ’who blinks first,’ if ever.”
If none of those targets find yourself being a match, the Yankees are “additionally contemplating” a number of different backup plans. Based on Heyman, these choices embody signing free agent Carlos Santana, or exploring a commerce for the Guardians’ Josh Naylor or the Rangers’ Nathaniel Lowe. Given how Yankees GM Brian Cashman often casts a large berth in checking in on quite a few gamers each offseason, it’s in all probability protected to guess that extra than simply these aforementioned first basemen have drawn some degree of curiosity from New York.
Signing Santana can be probably the most straight-forward and cost-effective transfer of the bunch, as Santana will nearly absolutely require only a one-year assure as a result of he’s getting into his age-39 season. Regardless of his age, Santana rebounded from just a few middling seasons to submit a .238/.328/.420 slash line and 23 house runs for the Twins over 594 plate appearances in 2024, whereas additionally profitable the AL Gold Glove at first base. The mix of offense and protection translated to three.0 fWAR for Santana, the third-highest of his 15 Main League seasons.
This manufacturing will benefit Santana a increase on the $5.25MM he obtained in his one-year take care of Minnesota final winter, however issues over his age and doable regression will in all probability restrict his wage. Signing Santana would even be a comparatively low-upside play, whereas buying and selling for Naylor or Lowe represents a better ceiling for manufacturing.
Buying and selling for Lowe would additionally imply greater than only a one-year dedication, as the primary baseman is arbitration-controlled by way of the 2026 season. Projected for a $10.7MM wage this 12 months, Lowe is coming off one other strong season that noticed him hit .265/.361/.401 with 16 homers over 565 PA, and Lowe additionally delivered high quality protection as a Gold Glove finalist behind Santana.
There was a bit of buzz about Lowe’s doable availability heading into the commerce deadline final summer time, however nothing in the way in which of concrete studies that Texas was severely contemplating shifting the 29-year-old. In re-signing Nathan Eovaldi and buying and selling for Jake Burger, the Rangers are actually aiming to return to rivalry in 2025, however shifting Lowe to deal with one other want on the lively roster is a believable tactic. For the reason that Rangers are identified to be searching for left-handed hitting, nonetheless, nonetheless, dealing such a lefty swinger in Lowe would solely serve to tilt the lineup additional to the correct.
Buying and selling Naylor would even be an imperfect transfer for a Guardians staff that wants offensive assist, however Cleveland has usually regarded maximize its return on notable gamers by buying and selling them earlier than they attain free company. Naylor is subsequently a extra clear-cut commerce candidate than Lowe, and Naylor’s projected $12MM arbitration wage gained’t break the financial institution. Whereas Lowe or the switch-hitting Santana would additionally good suits hitting at Yankee Stadium, the quick porch in proper subject appears taylor-made for Naylor’s left-handed energy bat, and it’s straightforward to think about Naylor topping his career-best whole of 31 homers (set in 2024) over a full season within the Bronx.
Kyle Manzardo and Jhonkensy Noel are the likeliest candidates to step in at first base for the Guardians if Naylor is traded, although that’s placing further strain on a pair of inexperienced gamers, plus the Guards would additionally want some further first base/DH depth in that situation. Cleveland can also be in want of outfield assist, although the Yankees won’t be a slot in that sense since they’re searching for outfielders themselves within the wake of Juan Soto’s departure.
