The third base situation for the New York Yankees remains an unsolved mystery this offseason. Although the Yankees have Aaron Judge in their lineup, there’s still some suspicion over who may play the third base. The New York Yankees have focused on a cautious approach under the ownership of Hal Steinbrenner. They are willing to go for young players and not go after big names, given that they have already lost several players like Juan Soto, and now, Giancarlo Stanton and Luis Gil, due to injuries.
They even lost their ace pitcher, Gerrit Cole, as he undergoes Tommy John surgery. So, what solution the Yankees may be thinking of at the moment? Alas! Nothing has been decided yet. MLB insider Max Mannis shared a post on X on March 17, stating, “I still have a sneaky suspicion that the Yankees Opening Day third baseman isn’t on the roster yet.” That’s true, and it makes things even more difficult for the Yankees and their manager, Aaron Boone.
The team ended their spring training with third baseman DJ LeMahieu; however, he had a terrible 52 wRC+ last year, and it was on the decline. Following this, LeMahieu got injured right at the start of the Grapefruit League and got sidelined, leaving the Yankees in a complex situation. And now there will be a lot of challenges for them to finalize a roster that they intend to carry out for the March 27 season opener against the Brewers.
I still have a sneaky suspicion that the Yankees Opening Day third baseman isn’t on the roster yet
— Max Mannis (@MaxMannis) March 16, 2025
However, with the tough decisions looming for the Yankees, as per Max Mannis’ statement, the club could look at some other players. “We are not there yet,” Aaron Boone was quoted saying, as the Yankees would focus on assessing the players, evaluating them, and then making some decisions that could solve the 3B problem. Boone wants to hear from everyone and take their ideas and opinions, and that debate certainly will shape the roster perfectly.
The Yankees instill their faith in other players amid the injuries
With a big question on who may play the third base, Oswaldo Cabrera is likely to gain a chance to showcase his skills in the full-time role. Cabrera had a pretty good 2024 season, posting a .247/.296/.365 slash line along with 36 RBIs and eight home runs in his 109 games. As the Yankees gradually move to naming the 26-player squad that is expected to be on March 27 at the Yankee Stadium, chances are high that they will also look at Jasson Dominguez. But that doesn’t end here!
The Yankees have been monitoring Dominguez’s defensive actions in left field; however, Brain Cashman feels that he can also be a good option at the third base. Meanwhile, Ben Rice has emerged as a hero right after Giancarlo Stanton’s injury and may even seize the Yankees’ third base position. His 2024 performance in the minor league games at both Double-A and Triple-A is impressive, as he posted 24 home runs, displaying his raw power and potential as a potential offensive option too.
Amid the speculations surrounding the New York Yankees’ 3B spot, who according to you may make the cut? Let us know in the comments below.
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