The New York Yankees have found themselves at the center of a perplexing offseason mystery: despite knowing they had no intention of retaining free agent second baseman Gleyber Torres, the team failed to make any significant moves to secure a replacement. As the offseason has moved past the traditional New Year’s midpoint and into early January 2025, the Yankees have been linked to several potential candidates for the position.

Among the names floated are Luis Arráez, a three-time All-Star with the San Diego Padres, Gavin Lux, the former Los Angeles Dodger who was recently traded to the Cincinnati Reds, and Edouard Julien of the Minnesota Twins. There has also been considerable buzz surrounding the possibility of the Yankees making a blockbuster trade for high-priced shortstop Carlos Correa from the Twins, as well as rumors connecting them to Jeff McNeil of the New York Mets. However, as of yet, none of these potential moves have come to fruition.

In an unexpected twist, USA Today’s MLB insider Bob Nightengale recently reported that the Yankees have shown strong interest in another second baseman—Brendan Rodgers of the Colorado Rockies. According to Nightengale, the Yankees have already held talks with Rodgers, indicating that they may be considering him as a potential replacement for Torres.

Rodgers, a former first-round draft pick and once regarded as one of the top young talents in baseball, is now a free agent after the Rockies opted not to offer him a final year of arbitration. The 28-year-old infielder, who won a Gold Glove in 2022, has seen his career derailed by injuries, which has prevented him from living up to the lofty expectations that followed his selection as the No. 3 overall pick in the 2015 draft. His potential was undeniable early on, and in 2019, he was ranked as the top prospect in the Rockies’ system.

Despite these setbacks, Rodgers had a strong showing in 2022, appearing in a career-high 137 games and winning a Gold Glove. However, shoulder surgery limited him to just 46 games in 2023. In 2024, Rodgers played 135 games, hitting 13 home runs and posting a .721 OPS. While his performance has been inconsistent due to injuries, the Yankees seem to see value in him that the Rockies no longer do. With the Yankees reportedly targeting him, it appears they are willing to take a chance on a player who was once considered one of the brightest young stars in the game, hoping that he can rediscover his form in New York.

Rodgers, who earned $3.2 million in 2024, is projected to be valued at $56.4 million over a four-year contract by Spotrac, though his recent injury history may make him available at a lower price. For the Yankees, the potential to acquire Rodgers at a reduced cost presents an intriguing opportunity to fill a critical infield position while taking a calculated risk on a player with significant upside.