Aaron Boone is already sketching out the Yankees’ infield picture for 2027, and Luis Garcia Jr. is in the mix for more than just first base or designated hitter work.
The trade-deadline pickup has spent his time in pinstripes at first base and as a DH, but Boone said Garcia could also get reps at second base or third base next season. That would be a notable turn for a player who was mostly a second baseman over five seasons with the Washington Nationals before moving to first late in the 2025 season because of defensive issues.
Garcia’s glove work has been the question mark. His numbers were rough, with a -17 DRS and -7 Outs Above Average.
Even so, there was a brighter note in 2024, when he posted a career-best +5 OAA. Boone’s view is that the Yankees may be able to tap into more of his infield versatility if the roster breaks the right way.
That possibility matters because Jazz Chisholm Jr. is set to hit free agency, which could open up a spot at second base and perhaps third as well. The Yankees also appear set to use Ben Rice as their primary first baseman next season, while the DH role will be covered by Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge.
Offensively, Garcia gave New York plenty to like in 2026. He hit .277/.309/.521 with 30 home runs and 92 RBI between the Yankees and Nationals, giving the club another bat to work with even as the defensive fit gets sorted out.
Boone also pointed to Garcia’s infield feel when asked about the possibility of moving him back toward second.
''Watching him move and take ground balls and throw, he's got a lot of infielder qualities to him,'' Boone said.
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Nationals Are Betting On A Painful Strategy Fans Know Well
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For Washington, that means accepting a familiar kind of discomfort in exchange for a clearer long-term path. The Brewers have paired trades with a strong homegrown base, while the Rays have made the trade market a central part of their identity, and the Nationals appear willing to borrow from both blueprints as they try to build something more sustainable. It is a strategy that can test a fan base in the short term, but it is also the sort of approach that can change the trajectory of a club if the moves keep landing. [Read more 🡒]