{"id":31163,"date":"2025-03-20T20:37:23","date_gmt":"2025-03-20T19:37:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theplayoffs.news\/en\/?p=31163"},"modified":"2025-03-20T20:37:29","modified_gmt":"2025-03-20T19:37:29","slug":"yankees-whos-playing-third-base","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theplayoffs.news\/en\/yankees-whos-playing-third-base\/","title":{"rendered":"Yankees, Who\u2019s Playing Third Base?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The New York Yankees’ payroll is north of $270 million – fourth highest in the league. Yet, they still have too many<\/em> gaps. DH. Third base. A rotation that is one<\/em> injury away from completely imploding (even more than it already has). And if we’re being extra critical, left field.<\/p>

That said, they’ve at least found<\/em> some solutions. Ben Rice has slotted in at DH<\/a>. The rotation, while fragile, is pieced together for now. If the Jasson Domínguez-in-left-field experiment flops, he can always shift back to center, allowing a more defensively sound option like Cody Bellinger or Trent Grisham to take over.<\/p>

But what about third base?<\/p>

It’s a question far too many people have been asking for way too long.<\/p>

Last year, after the trade deadline, Jazz Chisholm Jr. held down third base with some charisma, but he’s back where he belongs – second base – teaming up with one of the league’s better defensive shortstops, Anthony Volpe. That should be a pairing worth watching.<\/p>

First base? Pretty much settled. Paul Goldschmidt should be the guy, while Cody Bellinger could come down from the outfield<\/a>, and Ben Rice could provide another option.<\/p>

But again, what about third base?<\/p>

New York Yankees wanted DJ LeMahieu to win the job outright this spring, but he went down with a calf injury, in, what one would think is hyperbole, two at-bats. Moreover, he hasn’t been fully healthy since 2020.<\/p>

So, who’s playing third base?<\/p>

Right now, it’s Oswaldo Cabrera. A switch-hitting utility man (better from the left side) who plays solid defense and brings a ton of energy. He’s probably<\/em> the Yankees’ best option at third, but it’s not exactly a resounding vote of confidence. Cabrera (eight starts) and Oswald Peraza (10 starts) have led the team in playing time at third this spring, with LeMahieu sidelined.<\/p>

ALSO READ: Red Sox’s Alex Cora Defends Yankees Manager Aaron Boone Amid Constant Criticism<\/a><\/strong><\/p>

Peraza, once a highly regarded prospect, has hit .184 in 38 at-bats. The Yankees have never really trusted him as a big-league starter since he lost the shortstop job to Anthony Volpe, and he’s not doing himself any favors. If they can’t find an upgrade, they might roll with Peraza simply for his glove, but that’s a desperation move at best.<\/p>

So where does that leave Oswaldo Cabrera?<\/p>

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Oswaldo Cabrera makes it a 4-hit night and drives in two big runs for the @Yankees<\/a>. pic.twitter.com\/BC31cptELB<\/a><\/p>— MLB (@MLB) March 30, 2024<\/a><\/blockquote>