*This is a prediction*
The New York Yankees head into MLB free agency with a defined set of priorities: add a right-handed bat, strengthen infield depth, and maintain long-term roster flexibility around cornerstone players like Aaron Judge.
With expectations set by both ownership and manager Aaron Boone, the front office understands that not every upgrade needs to come with a massive contract or national buzz to make a real impact.
In fact, for a roster built to compete immediately in the American League, some of the most effective additions are the quieter ones made along the edges. That’s where veteran infielder Kyle Farmer becomes a realistic and logical option for the Yankees.
Farmer won’t steal headlines in the Bronx, but he checks multiple boxes Boone and the coaching staff value: positional versatility, a right-handed bat, and reliable infield defense. For a team centered around stars like Judge, the ability to add stability without disrupting the clubhouse or payroll is critical.
If the Yankees are looking for a low-risk move that complements their core while addressing clear roster needs, signing Kyle Farmer could prove to be one of those understated decisions that pays off over the course of a long season.
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Farmer recently declined his player option, officially making him a free agent and available without any trade cost. At 34 years old, he’s not a cornerstone addition, but that’s not what the Yankees need from this spot on the roster.
What they need is a competent, right-handed hitter who can handle third base and provide depth across the infield, exactly what Farmer offers. His availability on the open market also means New York can address this need without sacrificing prospects or payroll flexibility.
Offensively, Farmer’s numbers won’t jump off the page, but context matters. He finished the season hitting .244 with two home runs and 16 RBIs, and his OPS+ of 80 sits below league average. Still, evaluating any hitter stuck on a struggling lineup requires nuance.
Run production opportunities were limited, and opposing pitchers had little reason to pitch around him. In a deeper Yankees lineup with protection and more traffic on the bases, Farmer’s contact-first approach could play up slightly.
Defensively and structurally, Farmer makes a lot of sense for New York. He is a natural third baseman but has experience across the infield, giving the Yankees flexibility in managing rest days and injuries over a long season.
His right-handed bat also balances a lineup that can skew left-handed at times, particularly against division rivals with strong lefty pitching.
Financially, Farmer checks another important box: affordability. He is unlikely to command more than a short-term, low-cost deal, making him an ideal depth signing rather than a risky investment. That allows the Yankees to continue pursuing bigger upgrades—such as pitching—while still addressing multiple needs.
As USA Today’s Bob Nightengale noted, the Yankees are aggressively searching for a right-handed bat, preferably at third base, while also exploring rotation help. Kyle Farmer may not be glamorous, but he fits the brief. For a win-now team, those kinds of signings often matter more than fans realize.