PAUL DEJONG COULD PROVE TO BE A SOLID SIGNING

I’ve always had a soft spot for Paul DeJong, and even though I wasn’t expecting fireworks from him this spring, having a guy like that waiting on the bench is exactly the kind of quiet insurance a team loves. He’s been around the block, understands the flow of the game, and feels like the type of veteran who could slide into the New York Yankees clubhouse without missing a beat.

Despite signing DeJong to a minor-league deal, Pete Caldera of NorthJersey.com has floated the idea that the former All-Star could sneak onto the Opening Day roster. That possibility becomes even more realistic if Oswaldo Cabrera isn’t fully ready after losing most of last season to an ankle fracture.

If that happens, DeJong suddenly becomes a very useful piece. With starting shortstop Anthony Volpe expected to miss time while recovering from shoulder surgery, the Yankees could use someone who brings both experience and flexibility to the infield. DeJong’s deal reportedly comes with a $1 million payday if he makes the big-league roster, and what he offers is pretty straightforward: steady defense across all four infield spots and a bat that still has some pop in it.

With Volpe likely out until at least May following labrum surgery, DeJong is basically competing to help hold the line early in the season. Jose Caballero is expected to handle most of the fill-in duties, but DeJong gives the Yankees a veteran option who’s been in big moments before.

And honestly, let’s be real for a second—if Volpe weren’t in the picture at all, the Yankees probably wouldn’t skip much of a beat running with Caballero and DeJong. Between the two of them, there’s enough defense, experience, and occasional power to keep things steady.

That’s why bringing DeJong in this offseason might end up looking like a sneaky smart move. It’s not flashy, but sometimes the best roster decisions are the ones you only notice when you suddenly need them.