For a team chasing a World Series title, the New York Yankees are now facing a serious problem they can’t afford to overlook any longer.
Versatile infielder Oswaldo Cabrera, often seen as the team’s all-purpose safety net, is expected to miss the rest of the 2025 season after undergoing surgery for a fractured left ankle.
From Utility Player to Everyday Fix
Cabrera wasn’t part of the long-term solution at third base when the season began. Still, he served as the Yankees’ go-to option in the short term — reliable, adaptable, and constantly available.
Although his offense left much to be desired — batting just .243/.322/.308 with a lone home run — his true value came in his ability to fill almost any position across the infield or outfield. That flexibility gave manager Aaron Boone key options in constructing lineups throughout the season.
But now that weapon is gone.
A Bigger Loss Than Just Stats
The Yankees didn’t lose a slugger — they lost a roster stabilizer. Cabrera filled defensive gaps out of necessity, not dominance, and his absence exposes a soft spot on the roster that’s hard to cover up.
With Cabrera out, DJ LeMahieu, freshly back from his rehab assignment, will likely assume the everyday role at third base. While he posted encouraging numbers in the minors, he’s still 36 years old and coming off a lackluster 2024. Whether he can consistently contribute over the long haul remains a big question.
Brian Cashman Now on the Clock
Yankees GM Brian Cashman was already expected to be active ahead of the trade deadline. Now, that’s no longer a plan — it’s a necessity.
Potential targets like Jazz Chisholm Jr., who can handle both second and third, offer flexibility. But third base clearly emerges as the more urgent need. Depending on the health of the rest of the lineup, the Yankees may pursue either a left-handed contact hitter or a glove-first defender.
Expect them to monitor LeMahieu closely in the short term, but there’s no denying a move may be required to keep championship hopes alive.
Another Opportunity for Oswald Peraza
The injury also reopens the door for Oswald Peraza, who now finds himself in line for increased playing time.
Oswald Peraza
Though he has yet to live up to the hype, the Yankees don’t have many internal options — and will likely lean on Peraza until they make a trade. He brings defensive potential and is still young enough to develop, but time is running out to prove he belongs at the big-league level.
If he can deliver solid at-bats and make an impact defensively, he might just change the narrative around his future in the Bronx.
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