It’s only January of this year, but we have heard almost all of the teams are going north and south for their offseason quest. The record-breaking Juan Soto took the baseball fans by surprise, but it needed something of the same caliber.
Rumors have connected the New York Yankees to San Diego Padres infielder Luis Arraez. However, the Yankees’ interest appears to be less substantial than initially thought. Andy Martino of SNY clarified that the Yankees only made a brief inquiry about Arraez last November. Since then, they have not pursued the matter further. In contrast, the New York Mets are showing a more genuine openness to potentially acquiring the three-time All-Star.
And that could particularly happen if their current first baseman, Alonso, opts to sign elsewhere. The Mets have been actively engaging with multiple teams regarding Alonso’s future. They are willing to pivot to Arraez if necessary. The Mets view this as a more viable trade option. Arráez has a .323 batting average, making him a temporary solution at first base if Alonso departs.
The Mets are "slightly more open" to adding Luis Arraez than the Yankees are, reports @martinonyc
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) January 9, 2025
No substantive trade talks with the Padres have taken place
More from Andy here: https://t.co/5193dEbeHS pic.twitter.com/y0vsE4CTUd
Although Arraez’s defensive metrics do not meet expectations. He’s ranking at the bottom in outs above average among both second and first basemen. He recently avoided arbitration with the Padres, agreeing to a one-year, $14 million deal. With his contract set to expire at the end of the season, the Mets may find themselves in a solid position to enhance their lineup if circumstances align favorably.
Also Read: New York Yankees Set To Add Another Southpaw Pitcher To Strengthen Their Rotation
The New York Mets Could Reunite With Jose Iglesias
The Mets are getting their maths done if they get to part ways with Pete Alonso. There is a high possibility of reuniting with beloved All-Star Jose Iglesias this offseason. While Alonso has been a key player for the team and remains their top priority after the acquisition of Juan Soto, the Mets won’t hesitate to consider alternative options for their infield.
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If Alonso does leave, the Mets are poised to transition Mark Vientos to first base, which would open up a need at third base. Re-signing Iglesias could provide the Mets with a cost-effective solution. Despite being long removed from his All-Star days in 2015, Iglesias had an impressive performance last season.
Wouldn’t be surprised if he’s waiting for the Mets to ask him to come back https://t.co/brrOhFUAWF
— Tyler Moore (@TylerMoore614) December 24, 2024
He had a fantastic season with a batting average of .337, an on-base percentage of .381, and an impressive slugging percentage of .830 over 85 games. Plus, he’s known for his standout defensive skills. For the Mets, having him on the team could be a considerable advantage, especially with some uncertainties about their current infield lineup.
Players like Jeff McNeil have been struggling at the plate, and Ronny Mauricio is just coming back from an injury. Bringing in Iglesias would not only add stability to the team but also give the Mets more options from the bench. He could be a great addition, especially if there are any issues with Pete Alonso’s contract negotiations.
Also Read: BREAKING: Juan Soto Shatters MLB Record With $765,000,000 Contract With The New York Mets
