Following the injury to DJ LeMahieu, the New York Yankees’ third base competition withered down to Oswaldo Cabrera vs Oswald Peraza. There’s not necessarily a massive problem with that, but it’s certainly not encouraging after Giancarlo Stanton’s injury.

And truth be told, Cabrera is best deployed as a super utility option whereas Peraza still has a lot to prove (and is a career shortstop). How do the Yankees keep finding themselves in these far from desirable situations?

On Monday, Peraza got the start and went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts. Neither player has had an impressive showing so far on the offensive side of the ball, but they’ve been fairly sure-handed with the glove, so at least that’s reassuring.

During the YES broadcast of the content against the Pirates, manager Aaron Boone was asked about the team’s situation at third base and DH, given the LeMahieu and Stanton injuries. Thankfully, the DH role is less of a worry because Boone can do his best to cycle in as many players as he’d like while taking guys off their feet.

Third base, however, is a problem. Whoever will be starting there come Opening Day, as of right now, will be inexperienced or not a natural third baseman. Perhaps things can change, though, if we’re to take anything away from Boone’s response live on the air.

Aaron Boone provides some insight on the third base and designated hitter position battles. #YANKSonYES pic.twitter.com/UJGMuoHGsG

— YES Network (@YESNetwork) March 4, 2025

Yankees Rumors: Could NYY strike third base trade before Opening Day?

“We’ll see if something emerges from camp or, you know, things happen in and around baseball … moves happen late, so, we’ll see,” Boone told the broadcast. Ah, yes, moves indeed do happen late but … what could that even be?

A quick scope around the league and we’re just not even sure what this would be. Are we revisiting the Nolan Arenado trade talks with the Cardinals? What about Alec Bohm from the Phillies? Ke’Bryan Hayes from the Pirates? Bohm seems attainable and feels like a legitimate upgrade. Arenado feels like settling for a big name. Hayes is a risky play given his injuries and comes with a notable financial commitment.

Is there something we’re missing? Because we feel like we would’ve been on top of it given how the Yankees’ third base issues have dated back to the start of last year. They’ve played the waiting game too long and are now suffering the consequences as the expected outcomes have occurred — well, at least the expected outcomes everybody else saw coming.

We’re not going to sit here and rule out a trade before the start of the season, but we’re also not going to act like whatever deal is agreed upon will change the Yankees’ fortunes drastically.