The Yankees are still shopping for third base help, even with Opening Day just around the corner.
New York’s roster looks dramatically different heading into 2024. They’ve lost Juan Soto to the crosstown Mets while adding Max Fried, Paul Goldschmidt, Cody Bellinger and Devin Williams. They’ve also moved on from Alex Verdugo, Gleyber Torres and Anthony Rizzo.
But there’s still a glaring hole at third base. It was a position of need last season before Jazz Chisholm Jr. arrived at the trade deadline, and it’s back to being a question mark with Chisholm shifting to second base this year.
The Yankees are actively looking to address the hot corner, according to Yankees insider Brendan Kuty of The Athletic.
“The club will keep an eye on who else may become available this week as other teams begin to hone their rosters,” Kuty writes. “The club seems especially motivated to upgrade at third base, a league source told The Athletic, targeting a right-handed bat to play alongside Oswaldo Cabrera — a switch hitter who’s better from the left side.”
This need for right-handed power at third has fueled speculation about Nolan Arenado, the five-time Silver Slugger who seems to be falling out of favor in St. Louis. But Arenado doesn’t really fit what the Yankees are looking for right now.
He’d require everyday playing time and a significant financial commitment for a team that’s already pushing its payroll limits. The Yankees appear to be hunting for a platoon partner for Cabrera, not necessarily a blockbuster addition.
Recent history suggests they’ll make a move, but it’ll likely be more modest. “Don’t forget: Last year, they traded for infielder Jon Berti on March 27,” Kuty noted. “In 2023, they signed outfielder Franchy Cordero on March 30.”
So while the Yankees aren’t done tinkering with their roster, fans shouldn’t expect a headline-grabbing move at this stage. They’re looking for the final piece to complement what’s already been a transformative offseason.
