No clear winner for Yankees hot corner, headache spills over

As the New York Yankees make final preparations for their 2025 campaign, their list of concerns continues to expand. While injuries to Gerrit Cole, Luis Gil, and Giancarlo Stanton have captured the most attention, an unresolved situation persists in the infield—specifically, who will handle third base duties. Rather than pursuing a significant upgrade, General Manager Brian Cashman has apparently settled on a shared arrangement, leaning on Oswaldo Cabrera and Oswald Peraza to collectively fill the position.

A lackluster platoon approach

According to Andy Martino of SNY, the Yankees appear committed to splitting time between Cabrera and Peraza at the hot corner when the season begins. This arrangement suggests that neither candidate has sufficiently distinguished himself to claim the everyday role, leaving the Yankees in a precarious position.

Oswaldo Cabrera, 26, has shown modest promise during spring training, compiling a .286/.333/.393 batting line with one home run and two RBIs. His impressively low 10% strikeout rate indicates consistent contact, but limited power production and overall offensive impact raise legitimate questions about his suitability as a starting third baseman.

Oswald Peraza, 24, finds himself at a critical career juncture. Having exhausted his minor league options, the Yankees must retain him on the major league roster or risk losing him through waivers. Through 11 spring contests, Peraza is batting .250/.357/.292 with just one RBI and has yet to demonstrate meaningful power. His troublingly low slugging percentage makes it difficult to justify an everyday role at a position traditionally requiring significant offensive contribution.

A temporary measure without clear resolution

At most, this third-base timeshare appears to be an interim solution, yet there’s no indication of an impending improvement. The Yankees haven’t been credibly connected to any external third base acquisitions, despite fan enthusiasm for a potential trade involving St. Louis Cardinals standout Nolan Arenado.

Budget considerations present additional complications. Sources indicate the Yankees are reluctant to increase payroll further, which substantially limits acquisition possibilities. Having already committed significant resources to Max Fried and other key additions this offseason, Cashman may be unwilling to allocate additional funds, particularly given the growing necessity for starting pitching reinforcements following Cole’s injury.

Yankees’ expanding candidate pool

While Cabrera and Peraza represent the presumed favorites, Jorbit Vivas and Pablo Reyes have also emerged as potential contributors at third base.

Vivas, a recent acquisition, is recognized for exceptional contact ability but lacks substantial defensive experience at third. Reyes, a veteran utility infielder, offers positional flexibility but has never established himself as a regular starter at the major league level.

MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch reports that Cashman has suggested the Yankees might implement a rotating third base arrangement if none of these candidates emerges as a viable everyday solution.

Should the Yankees consider a trade?

Given the uncertainty surrounding third base, the Yankees would be well-advised to explore external options. With Stanton’s availability in question, the team potentially faces a significant void at designated hitter, further emphasizing the need for another impact bat in the lineup.

Acquiring Nolan Arenado represents the ideal scenario, particularly as reports indicate the Cardinals may be willing to move their veteran third baseman. Adding Arenado would immediately strengthen the Yankees’ infield defense and provide a proven middle-of-the-order presence. Importantly, it would allow Cabrera to return to a utility role where he excels by providing depth across multiple positions.

However, financial limitations may prevent such a transaction. If the Yankees have truly reached their payroll ceiling, obtaining Arenado or another premium third baseman becomes exceedingly difficult.

A strategic gamble looks imminent

For an organization with championship aspirations, entering the season with an unresolved third-base situation represents a considerable risk. While the Yankees have invested substantially in strengthening other roster areas, their reluctance to address third base remains perplexing.

Should Cabrera and Peraza underperform, the Yankees may be forced into seeking a trade early in the season, adding further complexity to an already challenging start. Whether Cashman maintains his current approach or eventually secures an upgrade, one reality remains evident—third base represents a significant concern the Yankees cannot indefinitely ignore.

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