The New York Yankees were unable to make any significant upgrades at third base this offseason. As it stands, they’ll likely platoon Oswaldo Cabrera and DJ LeMahieu at the position once LeMahieu recovers from injury. Both players had subpar seasons last year, and if third base continues to be a weak spot, the Yankees might be forced to make a move.
There were rumors surrounding a potential trade for Nolan Arenado, but those talks never came to fruition. Looking ahead to next offseason, Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette will be a free agent. The Athletic’s Jim Bowden predicted that the Yankees would sign Bichette and transition him to third base, with a five-year, $147 million deal.
Bichette had a rough 2024, slashing .225/.277/.322, but is aiming for a bounce-back season as he heads into his contract year. His struggles last season are considered an anomaly, as he hit .306 in 2023. Bichette is a two-time All-Star and has led the American League in hits twice during his career.
- Bo Bichette
However, despite his strong bat, Bichette has no major league experience at third base. He has only played shortstop and second base in the majors and the minors. That said, position switches aren’t uncommon, and Bichette is expected to adapt well to the change.
With Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Anthony Volpe under contract through 2026, the Yankees’ infield is mostly set, but Paul Goldschmidt will be a free agent after the 2025 season. If the Yankees sign Bichette, they could also try to add his good friend, superstar Vladimir Guerrero Jr., to bolster their infield further. The Blue Jays attempted to extend Guerrero this offseason but failed to reach an agreement. Regardless of what the Yankees do at first base, acquiring Bichette to play third would undoubtedly be a major upgrade for their lineup.
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