With the regular season about to get underway, the New York Yankees still have decisions to make regarding their infield. Shortstop, first and second base have been decided for quite some time, but the third base slot remains a question mark. Despite looking for a definitive answer throughout Spring Training, there is still no standout candidate to take on third. In a Yankee lineup that has already begun to fracture at its seams thanks to injuries, it is imperative that the team finds an answer, at least a temporary one, at the hot corner.
Who’s Starting on Opening Day?
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Manager Aaron Boone has all but confirmed that the team’s starting third baseman on Thursday’s opener against the Milwaukee Brewers will be Oswaldo Cabrera. The switch-hitter has been a serviceable platoon player in his first three seasons, particularly with his defensive versatility. According to Baseball Savant, Cabrera’s OAA (outs above average) hovers around 2, meaning that he’s a slightly above average defender. However, concerns with the 26-year-old don’t come with his fielding abilities, but rather his offensive production. In 108 games last seasons, Cabrera slashed .247/.296/.365, clubbing 8 homers and driving in 36 runs. Notably, most of his success at the plate came against right-handers, so the Yankees may want to find a player who can hit against left-handed pitching.
An External Solution May Be Necessary
Though Cabrera is the best option for the Yankees currently have, he still ideally won’t be the everyday third baseman. Most of his value comes from the bench, so unless he takes a huge step forward this season, New York will have to look for external options at third. Unfortunately, DJ LeMahieu is out with an injury for the foreseeable future, though it’s very unlikely that he would’ve regained his All-Star form at age 36. Even worse, former top prospect Oswald Peraza did not prove himself at all worthy of starting at third. The 24-year-old posted a ghastly slash line of .167/.273/.188 over 20 games this spring. Out of minor league options, the Yankees must either keep him on the roster in a bench role or attempt to send him through waivers.
According to Brendan Kuty of The Athletic, “The club especially seems motivated to upgrade at third base, a league source told The Athletic, targeting a right-handed bat to play alongside Oswaldo Cabrera.” The Yankees are no strangers to making early-mid season moves, notably when they acquired infielder Jon Berti from the Miami Marlins on March 30 of last season. Of course, it’s highly unlikely that they’ll search for a high-price, long-term solution (say, Nolan Arenado) that they were rumored to be doing over the offseason. General manager Brian Cashman stated that the team has already allocated most of their financial resources already; so if the Yankees want to upgrade at third, it’ll have to be a cheap, short-term deal. Players who fit in a platoon role include former fan favorite Gio Urshela and Luis Urias of the Athletics, and Jose Iglesias of the San Diego Padres.
Current Outlook
For now, it appears that Cabrera will take the reins as the team’s primary third baseman. Easy as it would be if Cabrera becomes a solid hitter this season, the Yankees should be on the lookout for an upgrade. They could count on LeMahieu when he returns, but they should not at all count on an aging infielder who posted a WRC+ of 52 last season. Their lineup already has some weak spots other than at third, so if the team wants to have a lineup that can compete in October, they’ll have to make some changes at the hot corner.
