{"id":104516,"date":"2025-07-22T01:09:49","date_gmt":"2025-07-22T05:09:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=104516"},"modified":"2025-07-22T01:10:22","modified_gmt":"2025-07-22T05:10:22","slug":"infielders-yankees-should-target-trade-deadline","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/07\/22\/infielders-yankees-should-target-trade-deadline\/","title":{"rendered":"Five Infielders the Yankees Could Target at the Trade Deadline"},"content":{"rendered":"

Despite owning one of the most productive lineups in baseball, the New York Yankees are lacking in one key area on the diamond: the infield. New York’s total team OPS sits at the top of MLB at .789, yet their OPS from infielders alone dips to .687. They don’t make up for this drop with excellent defense, either; though Jazz Chisholm Jr.<\/a> and Paul Goldschmidt<\/a> have had solid seasons, shortstop Anthony Volpe<\/a> seems to be actively regressing<\/a>, while third base remains a gaping black hole with Oswald Peraza<\/a> and freshly-recalled Jorbit Vivas<\/a> currently manning the hot corner.<\/p>\n

Other than perhaps relief pitching<\/a>, the Yankees must make acquiring another infielder their top priority this trade deadline. Here are five utility infielders who could potentially upgrade New York’s infield and turn their midseason slump around.<\/p>\n

Five Infielders for the Yankees to Target at the Deadline<\/h2>\n

Isiah Kiner-Falefa<\/h3>\n

Starting off with a former Yankee, Isiah Kiner-Falefa<\/a> would make a lot of sense<\/a> if the Yankees prefer to acquire a high-quality platoon player rather than a true starter. His bat remains below average at best, but he is still a much better option at the plate than Peraza. Although his defense (his best quality) has been a bit worse than usual this year, he still remains a very useful player who won’t come at too steep a price.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Jul 13, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa (7) hits a single against the Minnesota Twins during the seventh inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Nick Wosika-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Maikel Garcia<\/h3>\n

Maikel Garcia<\/a> is in the midst of a career year, having just been named an All-Star for the presently 48-52 Kansas City Royals. Despite making a run to the ALDS just last season, the Royals could be sellers this deadline, and Garcia is likely their best player whom they’d be willing to give up. Besides a major lack of power, he is an all-around third baseman who would solidify a fragile Yankee infield.<\/p>\n

\n

9. Maikel Garcia<\/p>\n

Garcia is finally showing us the potential that was garnering talk back in 2022-2023. He has a career high in HR (8), while posting an impressive .295\/.351\/.448 slashline, and posting a career best 120 wRC+ and 2.5 fWAR. He also has elite plate discipline. pic.twitter.com\/lGS7NsNoN7<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Running From The OPS (@OPS_BASEBALL) July 20, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n