Second baseman Gleyber Torres was a fixture in the New York Yankees’ lineup since his MLB debut in 2018. He recently signed a one-year, $15 million deal with the Detroit Tigers, leaving a hole on the infield in the Bronx. Could veteran Whit Merrifield be an option to replace him?
General manager Brian Cashman filled the Yankees’ hole at first base with 2022 National League MVP Award winner Paul Goldschmidt. New York could leave Jazz Chisholm Jr. at third base for 2025 or shift him back to second depending on the club’s needs.
The Athletic’s Brendan Kuty discussed the Yankees’ potential infield options as the start of spring training continues creeping closer. While there are internal options such as Oswald Peraza, Oswaldo Cabrera and DJ LeMahieu, they’re far from sure things for a team with championship aspirations.
Among the external options available to the Bombers, Kuty mentioned Merrifield, who is currently a free agent.
“The Yankees were also in contact with Merrifield after the Philadelphia Phillies cut him in July,” Kuty wrote. “Merrifield landed with the Atlanta Braves, posting a 93 OPS+ in 42 games. He turns 36 later this month.”
Merrifield led MLB in hits during the 2018 (192 hits) and 2019 (206 hits) seasons while playing for the Kansas City Royals. His production has gone downhill in recent years, most recently posting a .625 OPS through 335 plate appearances in 2024.
If other options don’t work out, it would be an inexpensive alternative for the Yankees. Spotrac has projected Merrifield’s current market value at one year for $1.5 million.
