The New York Yankees struggled in June, failing to post a winning record as they lost ground in the race for the top spot in the American League. As the calendar flips to July and the MLB trade deadline approaches, another potential target has emerged on the club’s radar.
According to the New York Post‘s Jon Heyman, the Yankees will keep a “particular eye” on third basemen ahead of the MLB trade deadline, with Los Angeles Angels infielder Luis Rengifo among the players they’re interested in this summer.
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- Luis Rengifo stats (ESPN): .226/.272/.307, .579 OPS, 4 home runs, 19 RBI, 24 runs scored in 257 at-bats
Rengifo, age 28, is in the last year of his deal. The veteran switch-hitter is having one of the worst seasons of his career, entering MLB games today with his lowest OBP since making his debut in 2019. However, from 2022-’24, he posted a .273/.323/.431 triple-slash line with a .754 OPS, averaging 13 home runs and 12 steals per season for os Angeles with a 6.3 bWAR total.
Acquiring Rengifo would allow New York to move Jazz Chisholm Jr. to second base, with D.J. LeMahieu becoming a utility player. While Rengifo isn’t strong defensively at the hot corner, New York’s infield defense could improve with Chisholm at second.
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- Luis Rengifo contract (Spotrac): $5.95 million salary in 2025
What’s unclear is whether Los Angeles would be willing to move Rengifo. The club is 6-4 in its last 10 games and now finds itself competing for a playoff spot. The Angels haven’t made the playoffs since 2014, though, so being anywhere near contention may result in the team operating as buyers at the trade deadline.
If that proves to be the case, the Yankees will likely pivot to Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa and potentially Colorado Rockies third baseman Ryan McMahon.
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