Despite his best efforts, New York Yankees third baseman Oswald Peraza has been unable to capitalize on the opportunity to secure a regular role. With a change in the team’s circumstances approaching, the trade that seemed likely for some time might soon become necessary.
The Yankees have faced an ongoing competition for the third base position, but the results have been underwhelming. DJ LeMahieu was expected to start there at the beginning of spring training, but he’s been sidelined with a calf strain since March 1. Oswaldo Cabrera has stepped in and filled the role admirably, though the Yankees would prefer to use Cabrera’s versatility across multiple positions. This has opened the door for Peraza to take control of the third base spot, but his performance at the plate has been lackluster. In 23 at-bats, he’s recorded just five hits, maintaining a .217 batting average, which mirrors his career mark of .216 over 255 at-bats across four seasons.
At this point, it might be time for the Yankees to accept that Peraza’s ceiling may be as a utility player—a light hitter with a decent glove who can cover third, second, and shortstop. This isn’t what the Yankees hoped for when Peraza was considered one of their top prospects from 2020 to 2023. Given his background, other MLB teams are sure to be keeping an eye on him, which presents a key question for the Yankees in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, LeMahieu is making progress from his calf injury and is set to begin a minor league rehab assignment soon. Yankees manager Aaron Boone provided an update, stating that LeMahieu could start his assignment as early as Sunday or Tuesday. The Yankees are optimistic about his swift recovery and hope for his smooth return to the lineup.
With LeMahieu’s return on the horizon, the Yankees face a dilemma regarding Peraza. He’s out of minor league options, meaning any attempt to send him to Triple-A would require him to pass through waivers. Given his age, past prospect status, and defensive abilities, Peraza would likely attract interest from other teams, and the Yankees could risk losing him without any return.
To avoid this, the Yankees may explore a trade for Peraza. One potential option could be a deal with the San Francisco Giants, who have expressed a desire to acquire a young, athletic shortstop. A possible trade could send Peraza to the Giants in exchange for right-handed pitcher Mason Black. Black, a 25-year-old who debuted with the Giants last season, has struggled in the majors but has shown promise in the minors with impressive strikeout numbers. He could offer the Yankees valuable rotation depth, and unlike Peraza, Black still has minor league options, providing greater roster flexibility.
