Emotional Oswald Peraza pleads for Yankees roster spot: ‘Just looking for opportunity’

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Once viewed as a key piece of the Yankees’ future infield, Oswald Peraza now stands at the edge of a career crossroads. As Spring Training draws to a close and roster decisions loom, the 24-year-old finds himself caught in the uncertainty of a numbers game — one that could see him in the Bronx on Opening Day, or potentially out of pinstripes altogether.

“Just waiting to see,” Peraza said Sunday after the Yankees’ final home spring game. “It’s a decision that’s not up to me. I’m just looking for the opportunity. If it’s there, I’ll be right there to take advantage of it.”

Just two years ago, Peraza was the leading candidate to win the Yankees’ starting shortstop job. But that opportunity slipped away when then-rookie Anthony Volpe stormed through camp and claimed the position. Volpe’s rise was meteoric; Peraza’s response was uneven. Now, with no minor league options remaining and no guaranteed role, the clock is ticking on Peraza’s Yankees tenure.

Entering Spring Training in 2025, Peraza faces a make-or-break scenario. With no minor league options remaining, he must secure a spot on the Yankees’ 26-man roster or risk exposure to waivers, making him available to other teams. This predicament underscores the urgency for Peraza to demonstrate his value, particularly as the Yankees seek to finalize their roster amidst injuries to key players like DJ LeMahieu and Giancarlo Stanton. ​

A Yankees spring with high stakes — and low results

Oswald Dair Peraza, born on June 15, 2000, in Barquisimeto, Venezuela, signed with the Yankees as an international free agent in 2016. His early years in the minor leagues showcased his defensive prowess and offensive capabilities, leading to his addition to the Yankees’ 40-man roster after the 2020 season to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. In 2021, Peraza advanced through multiple minor league levels, culminating in a .259/.329/.448 slash line with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in 2022. ​

Peraza made his MLB debut on September 2, 2022. In limited appearances that season, he impressed with a .306 batting average over 49 at-bats. However, the following seasons presented challenges. In 2023, he appeared in 52 games, posting a .191 average with two home runs and 14 RBIs. The 2024 season was further marred by a subscapularis strain in his right shoulder, sidelining him for 6-8 weeks and limiting his MLB appearances to just four games. ​

With a potential platoon role at third base available this spring, Peraza had a chance to carve out a spot. But as of this week, he’s slashing just .174/.269/.196 with a .465 OPS in 52 Grapefruit League plate appearances. It’s a steep drop from the bat the Yankees were hoping to see — and a concerning continuation of offensive struggles that have followed him since his brief MLB stint in 2023, where he hit .191 over 52 games.

Still, not all has been lost for Peraza

Both manager Aaron Boone and general manager Brian Cashman have praised Peraza’s steady glove, reinforcing his value as a plus defender.

“He’s been excellent defensively,” Boone noted recently. “He’s made all the plays, and that’s something we certainly don’t take for granted.”

But in a Yankees camp crowded with competition — and pressure — defense alone might not be enough.

Peraza in limbo as Yankees weigh options

The harsh reality? Peraza is out of options. The Yankees can’t stash him in Triple-A without first exposing him to waivers. And with his youth, defensive value, and top-prospect pedigree still holding weight in front offices across MLB, it’s unlikely he would go unclaimed.

If he doesn’t make the Opening Day roster, Peraza could be designated for assignment or traded — a scenario that’s grown increasingly realistic as the team continues exploring outside help.

Boone echoed the ambiguity. “We’re still watching how the market unfolds in the next few days,” he said, suggesting the club may look externally for reinforcements, particularly a right-handed bat to balance the lineup.

Yankees loyalty is highlighted in emotional appeal

Despite the uncertainty, Peraza hasn’t lost faith in his abilities — or his dream of wearing Yankees’ pinstripes long-term.

“The Yankees are the team I’ve always wanted to play for, even back when I was a little kid,” he said. “They were the first team to give me a chance to become a professional baseball player. Obviously, given the chance, I’ll be right there to hopefully take advantage in the best way possible.”

When asked if he still believes he belongs in the big leagues, Peraza didn’t hesitate. “I felt really good throughout camp. Definitely want to have better numbers, but I think I’m confident enough to get to where I want to be.”

Third base picture: Crowded and complicated

Peraza is part of a fluid third base picture that includes Oswaldo Cabrera — currently projected as the starter, particularly against right-handed pitchers — and Pablo Reyes, a non-roster invitee who has quietly surged this spring.

Reyes, a 30-year-old utilityman, has impressed Boone with his positional versatility and offensive consistency. Through 50 spring plate appearances, Reyes owns a .275 average with a .775 OPS, and his experience against left-handed pitching adds to his case.

“Pablo’s been really solid,” Boone said. “He’s shown us he can do a lot of things — play all over the infield and give us good at-bats.”

That versatility could give Reyes the edge in a roster spot battle. Peraza, meanwhile, has primarily played shortstop and third, with less positional flexibility.

Cashman eyes a bat, Yankees need arms — Peraza likely trade chip

With DJ LeMahieu’s injury still lingering and Giancarlo Stanton expected to miss early-season action, the Yankees’ infield depth is under pressure. But instead of relying on internal options alone, the front office continues to scan the market for a veteran right-handed bat who can help balance the lineup.

“We’d be happier if we can add a little more right-handed thump,” Cashman admitted this weekend. That pursuit might lead the Yankees to move on from Peraza — either in a package deal or to make 40-man room.

The situation mirrors the one former prospect Estevan Florial faced in 2023. Florial made the Opening Day roster only to be designated for assignment days later, ultimately clearing waivers and returning to Scranton. But unlike Florial, Peraza is unlikely to go unclaimed. He remains a former top-100 prospect with elite defense and untapped offensive potential — traits coveted by many clubs.

The Yankees have just days to finalize their Opening Day roster, and Peraza’s fate hangs in the balance. He’s no longer the prospect with time to develop quietly in Triple-A — he’s now a young big leaguer at a make-or-break moment in his career.

For Peraza, the dream remains alive — but the countdown has begun.

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