Yankees' Aaron Boone lists 3 horrible third base solutions
01/28/2025 03:42 PM
Yankees manager Aaron Boone addressed the team's ongoing infield dilemma on WFAN Tuesday afternoon, naming DJ LeMahieu, Oswaldo Cabrera, and Oswald Peraza as potential third base options heading into the season. While the Yankees could still look to add a legitimate starter at the hot corner, these are the current choices on the roster.
Jazz Chisholm is expected to remain at second base, where his range and athleticism make him a better fit, but third base remains a glaring vacancy. The Yankees have options, but none of them are particularly convincing for a team looking to win a championship.
DJ LeMahieu's Steep Decline Raises Concerns
LeMahieu might be the most experienced of the bunch, but his offensive regression over the past two seasons makes him a far cry from the player he once was. In 2024, he slashed .204/.269/.259 with just two home runs and 26 RBIs over 67 games, posting a disastrous 52 wRC+. For context, that means he was 48% worse than the average MLB hitter—simply not good enough for a team with title aspirations.
At 36 years old, LeMahieu's power has fallen off a cliff, and his bat speed isn't what it used to be. Defensively, he remains solid at third, but his lack of offensive production makes it hard to justify him as the everyday starter unless the Yankees have no other choice.
Oswaldo Cabrera is More Valuable as a Utility Man
Cabrera is another player Boone mentioned, but his best role is as a Swiss Army knife rather than a full-time third baseman. Last season, Cabrera slashed .247/.296/.365 with an 88 wRC+, meaning he was 12% below league average at the plate.
While he did show some promise defensively, playing 566.1 innings at third base with seven defensive runs saved, his offensive inconsistencies make him difficult to rely on as a full-time starter. Cabrera's value comes in his ability to play all over the field, and forcing him into an everyday third base role would limit his effectiveness as a plug-and-play depth piece.
Oswald Peraza is a Defensive Asset but Lacks the Bat for Third
Peraza's name being thrown into the mix is interesting, but he's far better suited for shortstop or second base, where his defensive skill set shines. He played 99 games in the minors last season, hitting .246/.341/.394 with 13 home runs, 60 RBIs, and 24 stolen bases, good for a 94 wRC+.
While his defense is an asset, his offensive production has yet to translate to the MLB level. Not to mention, he's more comfortable up the middle, and moving him to third base feels like trying to force a square peg into a round hole.
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Yankees Still Have Time to Make a Move
It's clear that the Yankees’ internal solutions aren't particularly inspiring, which makes it all the more likely that general manager Brian Cashman is still monitoring the trade market. Boone's comments suggest the Yankees are preparing to roll with what they have, but history suggests they're rarely content heading into a season with glaring weaknesses.
If they want to seriously contend in 2025, acquiring another premium infielder is a necessity, not a desire.
