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. and Paul Goldschmidt have had solid seasons, shortstop Anthony Volpe seems to be actively regressing, while third base remains a gaping black hole with Oswald Peraza and freshly-recalled Jorbit Vivas currently manning the hot corner.
Other than perhaps relief pitching, 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.
Five Infielders for the Yankees to Target at the Deadline
Isiah Kiner-Falefa
Starting off with a former Yankee, Isiah Kiner-Falefa would make a lot of sense 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.
Maikel Garcia
Maikel Garcia 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.
9. Maikel Garcia
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
— Running From The OPS (@OPS_BASEBALL) July 20, 2025
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Willi Castro
If the Yankees are looking for a solid defensive infielder who can still hit, this is their guy. Willi Castro not only has one of the best defensive arms in the league, but he has put up consistent numbers at the plate, averaging a .745 OPS over the past three seasons. The Minnesota Twins have a lot of players who could be dealt at the deadline, and the extremely versatile Castro could very well be one of them (bonus: he’s also a switch-hitter).
Little league HR for Willi Castro!#MNTwins
pic.twitter.com/jcIHb7JwJw— Twins Talk (@LetsTalk_Twins) July 20, 2025
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Luis Urías
Luis Urías is not the best fielder, but he has a lot more potential offensively than New York’s current options at third. He can be an above-average hitter, and he hits right-handed, which is exactly what New York specified they were looking for. The 28-year-old wouldn’t come at a high price, and he can also play second and shortstop if necessary.
Amed Rosario
Amed Rosario would be a good fit for Yankees. Played a lot of 3B this year. .802 lifetime OPS vs. lefties (.845 this year). Suarez is top target but many would qualify as upgrades.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 21, 2025
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Despite their interest in the 29-year-old over the past few offseasons, the Yankees never pulled the trigger. Now, though, it might be in their best interests to do so. Amed Rosario has been spotty offensively, but this season has been one of his best in a long time (he’s currently slashing .273/.315/.432 with the Washington Nationals). He’s a free agent at the end of this season, and his defensive versatility would be useful on top of an average to above-average bat.
Main Photo Credit: Mike Stobe/Getty Images
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