RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesNew York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe
The New York Yankees offense is struggling right now, and Cody Bellinger's injury only makes things worse.
The Yankees are currently without Aaron Judge, Bellinger and Giancarlo Stanton. On top of that, they seem to have no actual solution for third base and shortstop, where Anthony Volpe and Ryan McMahon continue to struggle. Knowing Judge, Bellinger and Stanton could return soon, the Yankees are unlikely to add a superstar outfielder or designated hitter. However, adding an infielder could do wonders for the offense if that infielder were Luis Arraez.
Luckily for the Yankees, the San Francisco Giants will be sellers at the deadline, and Arraez is a rental they could look to deal away. He is hitting .326 with an .811 OPS on the year. He has improved his slugging while maintaining a high average. Not to mention, he is having an elite year defensively at second base. Defense was always seen as a downside for Arraez, but that is not the case this year.
How would Arraez fit in on the Yankees? Well, for starters, he would slot in at second base. That would allow the Yankees to move Chisholm to third base or shortstop, getting rid of either Volpe or McMahon as a regular. McMahon has already started to lose at-bats, so perhaps it's time the Yankees make a permanent change.
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Since Aaron Judge got hurt, the Yankees have the highest strikeout rate in the big leagues. Arraez has struck out just 20 times all year. He has struck out multiple times in the same game just once all season. He would insert a reliable bat into the middle of a lineup that is suddenly trying to produce runs without three of its biggest power threats.
Arraez is not going to fix all of the Yankees' problems. However, adding him and then calling up George Lombard Jr. at some point might. If Lombard is called up and the Yankees get Arraez, they would suddenly have an infield with Ben Rice, Arraez, Chisholm and Lombard. When they get Bellinger, Stanton and Judge back, hopefully before October, they would have a very dangerous lineup.
Arraez is a rental, who the Yankees could get without giving up a Top 100 prospect. The only downside is that he is left-handed, and the Yankees really need a right-handed bat. However, Arraez hits well against both southpaws and righties.
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