The New York Yankees concluded their season with a World Series loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games, marking the end of a tumultuous year.
With the championship now decided, the MLB offseason has kicked into high gear, and the Yankees face several critical decisions. Foremost among these is the future of Juan Soto, a pending free agent, alongside that of second baseman Gleyber Torres, who is also set to enter free agency.
MLB analyst Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report suggests that the Yankees may let Torres walk and instead trade for Brendan Rodgers of the Colorado Rockies.
While Rodgers, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2015 draft, has yet to fully realize his potential, he has shown productivity when healthy.
Reuter highlighted that Rodgers won the NL Gold Glove at second base during a strong 2022 season, contributing significantly with a .267 batting average, 13 home runs, and 54 RBIs this past year. He could pair with Anthony Volpe to form an elite defensive middle infield for the Yankees.
Rodgers, who has one year remaining on his contract at $6.77 million, is expected to bring defensive stability rather than offensive firepower to New York.
Torres, on the other hand, was acquired by the Yankees in 2016 as part of the Aroldis Chapman trade with the Chicago Cubs.
He made his MLB debut in 2018 and has been a vital player for the team. Earlier this year, Torres expressed his desire to remain with the Yankees, stating, “I want to be a Yankee for life,” though he acknowledged uncertainty about his future.
In 2024, Torres played 154 games, hitting .257 with 15 home runs and 63 RBIs. His postseason performance included a .241 average with two home runs and eight RBIs.
However, the Yankees’ defensive struggles were evident in the World Series, where they committed three errors in Game 5, ultimately contributing to their defeat.
Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández noted how the Yankees’ mistakes opened the door for the Dodgers to capitalize, saying, “We just took advantage of every mistake that they made that inning.”
With a total of 90 errors committed during the regular season, the Yankees’ defensive weaknesses were a significant issue, with Torres leading the team with 18 errors.
Trading for Rodgers could address these concerns and bolster the Yankees’ infield defense as they look to rebound in the 2025 season.
