Relating to the Yankees, Jovan Alford of Sports activities Illustrated suggests the Yankees think about buying and selling for Rays shortstop Taylor Partitions through the 2026-27 offseason.
Alford cites Partitions’ very worthwhile defensive metrics and flexibility within the infield that the Yankees might use after defensive struggles at instances this 12 months from the likes of 21 12 months outdated rookie shortstop George Lombard Jr. and 31-year-old third baseman Ryan McMahon.
Alford’s Reasoning For Yankees Partitions match is sensible
Alford notes that Partitions’ recreation affords little offensive worth, which is true: in 124 video games this 12 months, Partitions hit simply .222 with 2 residence runs, 36 RBIs, a .607 OPS, and a .309 OBP. However Partitions makes up for what he lacks on the plate with protection at a premium place. Partitions has posted +21 DRS (defensive runs saved) in 2026, the fourth-highest amongst lively gamers this season, in response to Rays MLB.com beat author/reporter Brian Murphy.
Since his 2021 debut, Partitions has gathered +73 DRS (defensive runs saved), which places him third amongst lively gamers over the past 5 seasons, Murphy stated.
The thought isn’t far-fetched, with Partitions nonetheless below contract, given the Rays’ small-market historical past of buying and selling gamers for worth. The newest Yankees-Rays commerce got here on the 2025 MLB commerce deadline, when the Yankees acquired right-handed hitting utility infielder Jose Caballero from Tampa Bay for outfielder Everson Pereira and a PTBNL (participant to be named later).
Partitions will enter his age-31 season in 2027 with a $3.1 million membership possibility, up from $2.45 million in 2026, in response to Spotrac. Partitions isn’t set to turn into a free agent till 2028, per Spotrac. Whether or not the Rays think about transferring Partitions this offseason stays to be seen. The Rays drafted highschool shortstop and left-handed hitter Grady Emerson with the No. 2 total choose on this previous 12 months’s MLB Draft in Philadelphia.
Rays Potential Younger Shortstop Of The Future
With Emerson’s projected ETA at 2029, per the MiLB website, says he goals to succeed in the majors by 2028, a lofty aim for an 18-year-old, however definitely attainable. The Rays even have 25-year-old Ben Williamson, whom they drafted in 2023, within the infield combine, in addition to 31-year-old Jorge Mateo, a former Yankees prime prospect in 2016 earlier than being traded to the then-Oakland, now-Sacramento, A’s for right-handed beginning pitcher Sonny Grey.
Given the Rays’ present depth and what they’ve of their minor league system, it appears unlikely they’ll transfer on from Partitions in a commerce this offseason. Nonetheless, given Tampa Bay’s market, nothing is off the desk in the event that they get what they need in return.
Regardless of being division rivals, this commerce would make sense for the Yankees from a defensive alignment and depth standpoint. The Yankees’ offseason faces quite a few questions on qualifying affords for gamers like nearer David Bednar, they usually have a number of impending free brokers, together with Bednar, Chisholm Jr., Grisham, Goldschmidt, Schreiber, Hill, Rosario, Yarbrough, Blackburn, and Fulmer, in response to Spotrac’s free company tracker. Six of the Yankees’ ten free brokers are bullpen arms, per Spotrac.
So one factor undoubtedly on the Yankees’ agenda this winter is addressing the bullpen heading into the 2027 season. As for different strikes, that is still to be seen however there’s particular potentialities, perhaps even issues no one sees coming.
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