At the start of the offseason, the New York Yankees decided not to extend an offer to Gleyber Torres and instead launched an extensive search for a reliable infielder. This search has been far-reaching, leaving fans and analysts wondering what GM Brian Cashman had in mind.
The Yankees’ decision to move on from Torres stemmed from two key issues: his poor defense and his inconsistency at the plate. As a result, Cashman’s priority has been to find a player with strong defensive skills and a more consistent bat, narrowing down the options significantly.
Cashman’s search quickly ruled out several potential candidates, including Alex Bregman due to his high cost, and Luis Arraez, whose defense left much to be desired. As the offseason progressed, it became clear that any player Cashman might target could impact the team’s competitiveness for next season, especially with the Yankees’ World Series aspirations in mind. This focus has now turned to two free agents: Enrique Hernandez and Yoan Moncada, both of whom present risks for a team aiming for a championship.
Enrique Hernandez, a utility infielder and outfielder, has had some solid moments in his 11-year career, but his recent performance raises doubts. Last season, he posted a disappointing .229/.281/.373 slash line with a .654 OPS and 12 home runs over 362 at-bats.
Enrique Hernandez
His career .238 batting average offers limited upside, and his power would be further limited at Yankee Stadium, with Baseball Savant estimating his 12 home runs would have been cut in half if he’d played all his games in the Bronx. While Hernandez is known for his postseason heroics, he doesn’t appear to be a significant upgrade over Torres.
Yoan Moncada, once a highly regarded prospect, has shown flashes of potential, but his career has been marred by injuries and inconsistent performance. After a standout 2021 season where he hit .315 with 25 home runs, Moncada has struggled to maintain that level of production.
His career average now sits at .254, and he has struggled with offensive consistency, showing both a low floor and high ceiling. Cashman likely sees value in Moncada’s switch-hitting ability, but his injury history over the past few years—missing significant time in 2024—raises concerns.
If the Yankees decide to take a chance on Moncada, it may be wise to sign him as a backup infielder, as relying on him as an everyday player could backfire given his injury history and offensive inconsistencies.
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