Yankees Eye Baltimore Orioles' Jordan Westburg to Solve Third Base Challenges
The New York Yankees are considering a trade for Baltimore Orioles third baseman Jordan Westburg as they seek to strengthen a problematic position ahead of the offseason. While wary of free-agent options, the Yankees view Westburg's offensive and defensive contributions as potentially valuable despite his injury history.
Selected photograph — Jordan Westburg warming up before an Orioles vs. Padres game. (source description; check relevance before publication) · Photo: Reunion / JordanWestburg / CC BY 4.0 · Original image source · Licence
As the New York Yankees look to address ongoing struggles at third base, the trade market has come into sharp focus, with the Baltimore Orioles emerging as a key potential partner. The Yankees have been dissatisfied with the performance of their current third baseman, Ryan McMahon, and have prioritized finding a more reliable player to fill the role for upcoming seasons.
Free agency has offered limited attractive alternatives, particularly due to concerns about defensive ability as seen in the case of Teruaki Sato, causing the Yankees to redirect their efforts toward trade acquisitions. The Orioles, who are open to exploring trade discussions broadly across their roster — except for first baseman Pete Alonso — could provide a solution aligned with the Yankees’ needs.
Among the Orioles’ players, 27-year-old Jordan Westburg stands out as a candidate. Westburg’s offensive numbers include 18 home runs with an on-base plus slugging (OPS) of .792 in 2024 and 17 home runs with a .770 OPS in 2025, demonstrating consistent power and run production. Defensively, he has been solid at his preferred position, contributing positively in advanced metrics like Fielding Run Value. However, his career has also been impacted by injuries, notably requiring Tommy John surgery that sidelined him for the 2026 season. Stats
The Yankees’ interest in Westburg underscores a strategic move to improve third base via a player who combines offensive capability with defensive reliability. The Orioles, in need of upgrades in starting pitching and outfield positions, may find mutual benefit in negotiating a trade. While Westburg’s injury history introduces an element of risk, the Yankees appear willing to consider that in their push to solidify their infield.
This potential transaction could have broad implications for both teams as they position themselves for greater competitive balance. The Yankees, coming off seasons marked by inconsistency at third base, hope to minimize that vulnerability. Meanwhile, the Orioles look to bolster other areas while potentially parting with a player who has shown promise but whose long-term health is uncertain.
Further discussions and evaluations will likely continue through the offseason as the Yankees weigh Westburg’s fit with their roster and the Orioles determine their willingness to part with him. The pursuit highlights ongoing challenges teams face when balancing talent, health risks, and roster needs in professional baseball’s complex trade landscape.