The Padres and infielder earlier today by agreeing to a $14MM salary for the 2025 season, his final before he reaches free agency next offseason. Even after agreeing to a contract, however, theres no guarantee that Arraez will be San Diego come Opening Day. The club is angling to lower its payroll to something closer to 2024s $169MM figure. With outstanding needs in the outfield and rotation that have yet to be addre sed, trading a pricey arbitration-level player like Arraez or seems like it may be the best Jean-luc Foudy Jersey avenue for the club to simultaneously lower its payroll and add talent to remain competitive in the NL West this season. Thats led the Padres to at least parting ways with Arraez this winter, and there have been some about potential interest from the Yankees regarding Arraezs services. The club is in need of infield help after losing in free agency, and Arraezs history as a second baseman makes him something of a plausible option. With that being said however, is the latest voice to cast doubt on the fit between Arraez and the Yankees. While Martino acknowledges that the club had some discu sions back in November that involved Arraez, he adds that similarly brief conversations were held regarding fellow Padres infielder along with a number of other players, and that the Yankees are not expected to pursue Arraez at this point in the winter. That may not completely shut the door on Arraez winding up in the Big Apple, however. Martino suggests that while the Mets have not engaged with the Padres in substantive talks regarding Arraez to this point, theyre in the market for a veteran infielder and he could come into play for the club in the event that slugging first baseman signs elsewhere. In that case, Arraez would provide the Mets with a short-term solution at first along with the ability to back up second and third base in a pinch. That would leave the door open for New York to reevaluate its needs next winter in a free agent cla s that figures to be headlined by star first baseman barring with the Blue Jays. , , and are among the other noteworthy names that figure to be available in next years first base cla s. When it comes to their hole at first base, the club seems to be clearly focused on bringing Alonso back into the fold despite a number of recent have suggested that there remains a gap between the two sides in terms of years. Its difficult to imagine the Mets going in another direction until Alonsos market develops further, but its worth noting that the same surely could have been said about third baseman and the Astros in the weeks prior to the club adding and to box him out of the clubs infield mix. Should the Mets wind up searching for other options themselves, Arraez figures to be one of a number of backup options at their disposal in the event that Alonso ultimately signs elsewhere. Theres been some rumors that the club could consider Bregman as a backup to Alonso, which would kick incumbent third baseman over to first. More direct first base options available in free agency or on the trade market include , or perhaps even Red Sox youngster , though none of those players have been directly connected to the Mets at this point. Sam Malinski Jersey