Orlando Arcia Reportedly Had Yankees, Mets Minor League Offers Before Rockies Contract

Shortstop Orlando Arcia reportedly drew interest from both New York teams prior to accepting a deal with the Colorado Rockies.

Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported Wednesday that the New York Mets and New York Yankees offered him a minor league deal. However, the Rockies offered him a major league deal, and he seized the opportunity.

The Braves designated Arcia for assignment to make room for Ronald Acuña Jr. when they activated the 27-year-old from the injured list.

While Arcia had been with Atlanta since it acquired him from the Milwaukee Brewers during the 2021 campaign, he lost his starting shortstop job to Nick Allen this season. That made him somewhat expendable, especially since the National League East team needed to make room for a star in Acuña.

Arcia was an All-Star in 2023 for the Braves and helped lead them to the World Series title during his first year with the club.

That the Yankees and Mets were reportedly interested is notable, as they are both playoff contenders who may have seen Arcia's postseason experience as a valuable asset.

However, he struggled at the plate to start the 2025 campaign with a .194/.219/.226 slash line, zero home runs and one RBI through 14 games. He also hit just .218 during the 2024 season despite appearing in 157 games.

If nothing else, the Rockies likely see him as a veteran leader who can help turn things around after an abysmal start to the season. They are the worst team in the league at this point with a 9-46 record and will surely be sellers at the deadline.

Perhaps their status as likely sellers will open up a spot for Arcia in the everyday lineup, as Ezequiel Tovar is currently occupying the role of starting shortstop. Yet Tovar could be a trade candidate, which would mean Colorado would need someone to step in and play the position.

And it now has Arcia to do just that if needed.