Familiar Name Could Fix the Yankees' Infield Problems, Says Former Mets GM

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Kristie Ackert | Last updated Jun 2, 2025 10:10 PM ET

On Monday night’s SNY broadcast, former New York Mets acting general manager Zack Scott weighed in on the Yankees’ ongoing infield challenges, offering some fresh ideas for potential trade targets.

Or maybe not so fresh.

“I took a look at the potential market. It doesn’t look great,” Scott said. “I mean, maybe a little better at third base and I kept coming back to IKF with Pittsburgh, maybe coming back to the Yankees. He’s having a good season.”

Isiah Kiner-Falefa spent time with the Yankees and is quietly putting together a solid year. His versatility and defensive reliability could make him a valuable infield option for New York, especially as the team searches for stability in its infield mix.

Scott also highlighted some other options at third base, noting Rockies infielder Ryan McMahon’s surprisingly strong performance this season. “He’s performing a little better than the surface for the Rockies,” Scott observed.

Of course, there’s also Cardinals star Nolan Arenado, but Scott acknowledged the difficulty there. “The Cardinals are playing well,” he added, making a trade for their slugging third baseman less likely.

On a different note, Scott pointed to the Mets’ surplus and floated Jeff McNeil as a potential fit for the Yankees. McNeil’s bat and versatility could offer an upgrade or added depth, depending on how New York’s roster shakes out in the coming weeks.

The Yankees are watching their infield carefully. Jazz Chisholm, Jr. is expected to return from the injured list before Tuesday's series opener with the Cleveland Guardians at Yankee Stadium. He will return to third base, where he played after being acquired from the Marlins last season. That allows DJ LeMahieu to play second base, where he is more comfortable, which the Yankees hope will help him produce offensively.

He's coming off a four-hit game on Sunday, but if the two-time batting champion can't contribute steadily, the Yankees could look to bring in help. Kiner-Falefa was never a fan favorite, but after seeing the inconsistency in the infield the last two years, he could be welcomed back.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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