Oct 28, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Yankees former playing Derek Jeter greets New York Yankees third baseman Oswaldo Cabrera (95) after throwing out the ceremonial first pitch before game three of the 2024 MLB World Series between the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

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Yankees, Who’s Playing Third Base?

Everyone loves Waldo!

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

That said, they’ve at least found some solutions. Ben Rice has slotted in at DH. 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.

But what about third base?

It’s a question far too many people have been asking for way too long.

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.

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

But again, what about third base?

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.

So, who’s playing third base?

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 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.

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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.

So where does that leave Oswaldo Cabrera?

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

He’s played good defense. He’s hitting .333 with a .900 OPS this spring. He’s the ideal utility guy – plug him in anywhere, and he delivers. But is he the answer at third base? Or just another stopgap?

And if the Yankees actually believed in him as a full-time third baseman, why are they still looking for an upgrade?

Oswaldo Cabrera ties up the ball game in Houston! #OpeningDay pic.twitter.com/ZkSBaPigpA
— MLB (@MLB) March 28, 2024

Reports indicate they want a right-handed bat to complement Cabrera, which, if we’re reading between the lines, means their faith in Peraza is basically nonexistent.

So now, two things seem likely:

Peraza is done in the Bronx. He’s out of options, and the Yankees aren’t about to commit to a guy hitting .200 with a .498 OPS in 40 spring at-bats.
The Yankees want to make another move at third base.

The Yankees are in a mess of their own making. Cabrera is a perfect utility piece, he can fill in anywhere, pinch-run, steal a base, give Volpe a breather, provide insurance in the outfield, but is he really an everyday third baseman? Can he be? Maybe. He’s certainly shown the potential.

But right now, he’s also all they’ve got.

Across the league, third base isn’t exactly a talent-rich position. It’s top-heavy, and after the big names, the options fall off fast. So maybe, the best-case scenario is Cabrera holding things down well enough offensively to compensate for a less power-heavy second base, while Jazz Chisholm Jr. who’s at second, is able to produce as expected.

Maybe that balances things out. Maybe it doesn’t. But that’s what the New York Yankees should be hoping for. And of course, no more injuries…

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One thing, however, is for sure – Oswaldo Cabrera is a guy worth rooting for. He does things the right way, is a hard worker, gets the job done, brings the good vibes, and brings the energy this team desperately needs.

Also, don’t forget: last year, the Yankees traded for Jon Berti on March 27. In 2023, they signed Franchy Cordero on March 30. So something could still be coming.

Oswaldo Cabrera

Yankees

Mohsin Baldiwala

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Mohsin Baldiwala is a Master’s student in Journalism and freelance content producer who got hooked on baseball through Seinfeld’s hapless George Costanza. The same reason why he’s a Yankees fan. He writes about sports because he believes it can offer a brief escape from the world’s chaos. Even if that means enduring the heartbreak of the 2024 World Series.