Yankees likely will have to choose outside route for third base help

New York Post

11-07-2025

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It may be Eugenio Suárez or bust for the Yankees.
The Yankees would have loved for DJ LeMahieu to find the fountain of youth this season and allow them to go forward with him and Jazz Chisholm Jr. in the infield.
But it became painfully obvious that wouldn't happen, which led them to deal with the inevitable Thursday by releasing LeMahieu with $22 million remaining on his contract, one day after designating him for assignment.
That doesn't mean they've solved their infield issues, though.
With Chisholm making his third straight start at second base in Thursday's 6-5, 10-inning victory against Seattle, the Yankees went with Jorbit Vivas at third — following three consecutive starts at the spot for Oswald Peraza.
Vivas has played a decent amount of third base in the minors and has one unfortunate similarity to Peraza: He hasn't proven he can hit in the majors.
So that leaves the Yankees with two uninspiring choices at the position — or the even less experienced J.C. Escarra — at least until they acquire a third baseman before the July 31 trade deadline.
As general manager Brian Cashman said Wednesday, 'There's no right time to do any moves.'
The other — perhaps more important — issue is the fact there's not much available on the trade market as the Yankees look for improvement.
Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suárez could be a target for the Yankees before the trade deadline.
Denis Poroy-Imagn Images
It's a reality the Yankees and Cashman have had to deal with when they tried to pick up a third baseman during the offseason, but saw options sign elsewhere while they waited for Juan Soto to make his free agent decision.
Though the bigger names are the Cardinals' Nolan Arenado and the Rockies' Ryan McMahon, the two potential options who wouldn't add much to their long-term payroll are the Diamondbacks' Suárez, who will be a free agent after this season, and Ke'Bryan Hayes of the Pirates.
Suárez, though, will be one of the most sought-after players prior to the deadline if the Diamondbacks opt to sell, and they opened Thursday 4 ½ games out of the final NL wild card spot.
Suárez will turn 34 next week and has an .883 OPS, tops among qualified third basemen.
Yankees' Jorbit Vivas (above) and Oswald Peraz will split the time at third base for now.
AP
With Cashman also saying Wednesday he'd be searching for rotation and bullpen help this month, it's uncertain they can get everything they want.
Then there's Hayes, a defense-first player, but Charlie Hayes' son's bat has been wildly disappointing since a solid 2023 season at the plate.
The Yankees have shown interest in the 28-year-old, but had counted on his production being better, as he entered Thursday with the worst OPS (.585) of any of the 18 qualified third basemen.
Next on the list of non-productive third basemen is another possible Yankees target, Luis Rengifo of the Angels, as The Post's Jon Heyman has reported.
He was more productive each of the previous three seasons but has struggled badly this season.
Meanwhile, the 34-year-old Aronado's offense has slipped badly over the past three years, and he's owed nearly $50 million through 2027, and McMahon, 30, has also slumped the past three seasons and has over $35 million coming to him.
As for their current options, Vivas — the lefty swinger in the lineup Thursday who went 0-for-2 with a strikeout against Seattle righty Bryan Woo — was hoping to make a positive impression.
'It's a great opportunity right in front of me,'' Vivas, 24, said through an interpreter.
He's put up decent numbers against both righties and lefties in the minors, but if the Yankees are looking for an upgrade, there are only long shots on the current roster.