MAJOR-BREAKING: Trade Pitch Has Yankees Acquiring Former 39-Home Run Slugger From Rival.

The New York Yankees are looking to fill a gap in their infield, and one proposed trade has them addressing that need by making a deal with a division rival. After losing Gleyber Torres to the Detroit Tigers in free agency, second base is now an open spot for New York.

While they could move Jazz Chisholm Jr. from third base to second, that would leave a vacancy at third. To solve that problem, Newsweek’s Drew VonScio suggests a trade where the Yankees acquire Brandon Lowe from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for two pitching prospects.

The proposed trade would send Lowe, a second baseman, to the Yankees, while the Rays would receive LHP Brock Selvidge (the Yankees’ 7th-ranked prospect) and RHP Cam Schlitter (the Yankees’ 26th-ranked prospect).

This trade would benefit both teams, as New York would fill their second base void, while Tampa Bay gains pitching prospects and clears some cap space. Lowe, who has a $10.5 million club option for 2025 and a potential $11.5 million option for 2026, is coming off a season in which he hit .244 with 21 home runs and 38 RBIs. His career-best performance came in 2021 when he hit 39 home runs and drove in 99 RBIs.

Selvidge, drafted in the third round of the 2021 MLB Draft, spent last season in AA, going 7-6 with a 4.25 ERA across 16 starts. He is projected to reach the majors by 2026. Schlitter, a seventh-round pick in 2022, pitched at A+, AA, and AAA levels last season, posting an 8-8 record with a 3.36 ERA. He, too, is expected to reach the majors in 2026.

Trade analysts believe this deal could benefit both sides. VonScio noted that with the Cincinnati Reds acquiring Gavin Lux from the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Yankees could pivot to Lowe, a consistent presence in Tampa’s lineup. Lowe has been a reliable contributor, hitting at least 20 home runs and driving in more than 55 RBIs in three of the last four seasons. This makes him an attractive option for the Yankees as they seek to strengthen their infield.

The Yankees’ search for an infielder continues, and they have been linked to other potential moves. ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported that the Yankees had talks with the San Diego Padres about acquiring Luis Arraez and were also interested in Gavin Lux before he was traded to the Reds. Despite the trade rumors, the Yankees have yet to make a move for an infielder this offseason, leaving many to wonder if a deal for Lowe or another player is on the horizon.