Gone are the days when Alex Rodriguez was posting MVP-caliber numbers as the Yankees’ primary third baseman. Since A-Rod’s last game in 2016, the team hasn’t had a player at the hot corner who has hit 30 home runs, driven in 100 RBIs, or made an All-Star appearance.
With Aaron Judge once again leading the Yankees’ offense, New York may need more support in their lineup to contend for another AL pennant. One clear area of need is third base, where, as noted by Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller, the Yankees have seen a “revolving door” of options this spring, including Oswaldo Cabrera, Oswald Peraza, and Pablo Reyes.
“This isn’t surprising,” Miller writes. “The Yankees tried to address their third base situation last season by trading for Jazz Chisholm Jr., even though he hadn’t played third in the majors before. However, after Gleyber Torres left via free agency, they moved Chisholm back to second base and never fully addressed the hole at third.”
With that in mind, Miller suggests three potential upgrades at third base, starting with St. Louis Cardinals’ eight-time All-Star Nolan Arenado.
A 10-time Gold Glove Award winner, Arenado was rumored to be a target for the Yankees during the offseason, although they never seemed seriously in pursuit. The Red Sox, however, were linked to Arenado before they signed Alex Bregman.
Miller also mentioned Tampa Bay Rays veteran Yandy Díaz as another possible fit. Though Díaz has primarily played designated hitter and first base in recent years, he has 290 career games at third.
Despite a slow spring start, Díaz posted impressive numbers in 2023, including career highs in runs, hits, doubles, home runs, RBIs, and batting average. He also earned an All-Star selection, Silver Slugger, and the AL batting title.
The final option is Arizona Diamondbacks’ Eugenio Suárez, known for his power. While his career batting average stands at .248, Suárez has consistently hit for power, with 281 home runs across his career. He has hit 30 or more home runs in five seasons, including 2023, when he hit 30 home runs and drove in 101 RBIs.
Suárez, though struggling early in 2025, has hit five home runs, tying for the NL lead.
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