The New York Yankees, holding a commanding 5.5-game lead in the AL East, are poised to shake up their infield as early as Tuesday night against the Cleveland Guardians. With two-time batting champion DJ LeMahieu potentially shifting to second base and former All-Star slugger Jazz Chisholm Jr. transitioning to third, the team is exploring bold trade options to bolster their roster before the July 31 deadline. One name in the mix? Tampa Bay Rays’ veteran second baseman Brandon Lowe.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan recently floated the idea of the Yankees pursuing Lowe, a 2019 All-Star known for his reliable bat. Lowe, currently hitting .242 with 11 home runs, 31 RBI, and a .725 OPS for the inconsistent Rays, could theoretically slide into second base, allowing LeMahieu to stay in the lineup and Chisholm to settle at third. Chisholm, who previously played second base before an oblique injury sidelined him in late April, is reportedly nearing activation, setting the stage for this new infield alignment.
Passan highlighted Lowe’s potential fit, noting, “Lowe’s left-handed stroke and the short porch in right field at Yankee Stadium feel like a match made in heaven.” However, Lowe’s career numbers in the Bronx tell a different story. In 39 games at Yankee Stadium, he’s managed a .175 average, eight home runs, and a .655 OPS—hardly inspiring confidence.
Despite the Yankees’ need for infield depth, Lowe may not be the ideal target. The team already faces a logjam at second base, which prompted Chisholm’s move to third, even though he expressed reluctance about changing positions. Unlike LeMahieu and Chisholm, who have shown versatility, Lowe has limited experience outside second base this season, with only two starts at DH and no time at third base. His days in the corner outfield also appear to be in the past.
Brandon Lowe puts @RaysBaseball ahead with home run No. 11 đź’Ş pic.twitter.com/0tc6coILby
— MLB (@MLB) May 28, 2025
Financially, Lowe’s $11.5 million club option for 2026 makes him a pricier acquisition compared to other infield trade targets. At 31 years old (turning 31 on July 6), his cost and lack of positional flexibility could complicate a deal. The Yankees, under manager Aaron Boone, seem committed to keeping LeMahieu in the lineup and are fully invested in Chisholm, despite his tendency to rack up strikeouts.
For the 30-29 Rays, trading Lowe could make sense if they shift focus to 2026 and embrace a rebuild. However, a Yankees-Lowe partnership feels like a long shot unless the team plans a dramatic lineup overhaul. With Chisholm’s activation looming and LeMahieu entrenched, the Yankees may find better-fitting infield options to maintain their AL East dominance.