UPGRADING THE YANKEES 3RD BASE POSITION

Let’s not sugarcoat it: the New York Yankees’ third base situation has been about as stable as a Jenga tower in an earthquake. And the root of all this chaos? The injury bug that bit DJ LeMahieu right in the calf — literally.

DJ was supposed to be the answer at third this season. The Yankees wanted him there. They needed him there. And then boom — he strained his left calf during spring training and has been on ice ever since. Now, finally, we’re hearing some positive news: LeMahieu is expected to begin a rehab assignment in the coming days. No official return date yet, but the gears are moving. He’ll need a full tune-up before he’s ready to groove back into the big-league lineup.

While DJ’s been out there channeling his inner Forrest Gump in physical therapy, the Yankees have been doing their best impression of a game show host asking, “Who wants to play third base today?” The default option has been Oswaldo Cabrera — a switch-hitting sparkplug who’s more “everywhere man” than “everyday man” at third. And look, Oswaldo’s been solid. He plays hard, he hustles, and he’s doing what’s asked of him. But in my opinion? He’s being miscast in the lead role when he should be the ultimate supporting actor.

Enter Oswald Peraza. Yes, he’s on the roster. No, he’s not hurt. Yes, he’s breathing. And yes, he’d kill for at-bats. Peraza is a better fielder than Anthony Volpe — yeah, I said it — and while the Yankees remain steadfast in keeping Volpe at short (because they glaze him), Peraza should be getting a serious look at third. The guy has range, a cannon for an arm, and most importantly, the hunger to prove he belongs. Put him on the field, let him shine, and suddenly you’ve solved two problems: you’ve given Cabrera his rightful utility role back, and you’ve added some defensive flair to the hot corner.

But wait — the fine folks at Empire Sports Media have been cooking up something even spicier. First off, credit where credit is due: Empire’s been busting their butts and building a fantastic site full of smart takes, sharp analysis, and the kind of ideas that make you lean in. And Dylan Backer? Dude deserves a round of applause for this nugget of gold.

In a recent piece, Backer pitched the idea of trading for Yandy Díaz from the Tampa Bay Rays. Yep, that Yandy Díaz — the guy with a lifetime .802 OPS and a reputation for barreling baseballs like he’s making wine.

Backer writes:

“Diaz would be a perfect fit for the Yankees, as they need more right-handed hitting and a reliable everyday third base option.”

Couldn’t agree more. Yandy is in the final year of a team-friendly three-year, $24 million deal. The Rays are always pinching pennies, so they might actually consider moving him instead of shelling out more cash for a new deal. The Yankees could capitalize.

Yandy’s not just a good hitter — he’s one of the best contact hitters in the game. No windmill swings, no chasing sliders into the dugout. Just pure, professional, bat-to-ball action. Imagine him hitting in Yankee Stadium with that short porch calling his name? Delicious.

So let’s recap the third base madness:

DJ’s injury threw a wrench into the plans. Cabrera’s been admirable, but belongs in a roaming role. Peraza deserves a regular shot, and frankly, he’s been criminally underutilized.

Empire Sports Media’s got the vision — and they might just be onto something with the Yandy Díaz plan.

If the Yankees want to steady the ship at third, they’ve got a few cards to play. And if Cashman is smart (jury’s still out), maybe he starts reading Empire Sports Media a bit more closely.

What do you think, Yankees fans — is Yandy the missing piece, or should we start the Oswald Peraza Revolution?