The New York Yankees are known for making big moves to secure high-profile players. Even this offseason, they have made major signings, but they are yet to land a solid player to complete the ‘roster’ puzzle. Even the owner Hal Steinbrenner’s public criticism regarding the team’s financial flexibility suggests that the team has its own constraints when it comes to spending. So now they are in a delicate position—finding a perfect fit for the infield while balancing the financial concerns.

The team has secured several stars like Max Fried, Cody Bellinger, and Devin Williams. However, they are still in need of a solid replacement for the third base. As Ken Rosenthal pointed out: “The question is how much are they going to be able to spend, and Hal Steinbrenner has been pretty clear that maybe the line has been drawn now, or at least they aren’t going to go too much above where they are.”

Ken further noted that while the Yankees are actively seeking a third baseman, they are unlikely to pursue any of the major names on the market. “I don’t expect it to be Bregman, and I don’t expect it to be Arenado,” Ken emphasized, adding that these two players might be fit and available, but their high costs could restrict the Yankees. Rosenthal also noted the approach of the Yankees for this arising issue should be calculated, strategic, and cost-efficient moves rather than flashy and blockbusters.

Who should the Yankees go for?

The New York Yankees aim to solve the missing key piece case of the roster jigsaw puzzle while keeping in mind their financial constraints. The question isn’t just about who the Yankees can add but how they’ll navigate the delicate balance of maintaining competitiveness with spending concerns. To maintain this balance, they are eyeing a Marcus Stroman trade, who could be the key for salary shedding. Stroman’s $18.33 million salary for the 2025 and 2026 seasons is a significant chunk of change, and moving him could open up the space for a third baseman.

However, if the trade doesn’t take place, the Yankees will be forced to look for in-house options. Oswaldo Cabrera, coming off a solid year off the bench, could transition himself into a full-time third-base position. Meanwhile, DJ LeMahieu and Oswald Peraza could also offer good options for the infield roles. Beyond their internal options, the Yankees have other potential trade targets in mind, with Eugenio Suarez standing out as a top offensive third baseman.

While top players like Alex Bregman and Nolan Arenado are out of the question, the Yankees will have to rely on a strategic trade or internal options. Now, only time can tell how the Yankees will complete their infield search.