Yankees' Potential Luis Arraez Trade Makes Sense Under One Condition

The New York Yankees are looking for more bats between now and the MLB trade deadline, and while their primary search is at the catcher position, they are also apparently interested in adding offensive talent elsewhere.

In fact, Jon Heyman of The New York Post has reported that the Yankees have already inquired about San Francisco Giants star Luis Arraez, who would be a welcome addition to a lineup that has been languishing without Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton.

The problem? Arraez's position.

Arraez is a second baseman, and while he has manned other positions in the past (like first base, for example), he is refusing to move off of second.

Considering that the 29-year-old is in the middle of a Gold Glove-caliber year, that is entirely understandable.

Arraez is slated to hit free agency over the winter, so surely, he wants to remain at the position at which he excels. Plus, New York is already employing a combination of Ben Rice and Paul Goldschmidt at first base.

In theory, Arraez could serve as the designated hitter until Stanton returns, but what happens when Stanton gets back? Where would Arraez play then?

Unless the Yankees aren't expecting Stanton to return (and all indications are that they are), the only logical scenario in which New York could acquire Arraez would consist of the Yanks jettisoning Jazz Chisholm in a separate deal.

However, the Yankees seem to be dead set on keeping Chisholm through the year, this even though he is slashing just .225/.300/.415 on the campaign.

Arraez — who is hitting .320 with an .805 OPS and has three batting titles under his belt — would comprise a significant offensive upgrade over Chisholm. Yes, New York would be sacrificing power, but Arraez is the superior all-around threat.

But the Yanks don't appear interested in making such a swap. So where is the interest in Arraez actually coming from?

Unless the Yankees do have a plan to ship Chisholm elsewhere, the idea of them landing Arraez simply doesn't make sense, as enticing as it may be.

Again, I absolutely think New York should entertain the idea of making the switch from Chisholm to Arraez, but that doesn't look to be on the agenda in the Bronx.