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Quality Depth Options Available For Yankees At Third Base with DJ LeMahieu Out

The New York Yankees’ third base options appear pretty slim after the latest update on DJ LeMahieu. Manager Aaron Boone told reporters on Sunday that LeMahieu likely will not play on Opening Day due to a “pretty significant bone bruise” on his right foot. LeMahieu’s performance in recent years has declined, largely due to previous injuries to this same foot.

Both LeMahieu and the Yankees don’t want the injury to linger throughout the season and will express caution during the rehab process. While that’s likely the right call due to the injury history of the foot and the impact it had on his performance, the Yankees desperately need LeMahieu.

New York already will miss projected backup Oswald Peraza for at least six to eight weeks with a sub-scapular strain in his right shoulder. Now, Oswaldo Cabrera is expected to see the most reps at third, with the glove-first Kevin Smith slated as the utility backup infielder.

For what it’s worth, Boone told reporters that the team is comfortable with Cabrera at the hot corner to start the season. However, many evaluators opine that a utility role best suits Cabrera. Plus, neither Cabrera nor Smith possess track records of quality MLB offensive production.

With third base an offensive position, and the Yankees in World Series-or-bust mode, there might not be a big leash for the Cabrera/Smith tandem. Fortunately for New York, some veteran third basemen recently re-entered the open market. While these players are past their prime and would be on rosters if they were guaranteed contributors, they are arguably better short-term options than Cabrera or Smith.

Quality Yankees Third Base Depth Options Available

Mike Moustakas

Mike Moustakas has produced three consecutive below-average offensive seasons (a combined 76 OPS+) and was recently released by the awful Chicago White Sox after a bad spring (.195/.283/.317). The 35-year-old played well with the Colorado Rockies early last season, but struggled down the stretch with the Los Angeles Angels.

Although his best days are behind him, Moustakas might represent the best fit due to his lefty swing and clubhouse leadership. In his prime, the three-time All-Star was known as a slugger with solid walk and strikeout rates. While all three aspects of his game have declined with age, he still pulls the ball in the air at an above-average clip. This is perfect for Yankee Stadium, and Moustakas still has enough power to take advantage of the fit.

A further note in his favor is his solid production against right-handed pitchers. In 310 plate appearances against righties, Moustakas hit .254/.303/.418 with 11 homers, good enough for a 96 sOPS+ (100 is league average production). Additionally, Statcast shows that Moustakas would have been projected to hit four more homers if he played in Yankee Stadium last year.

While these numbers will not carry the team, the Yankees would take this adequacy while LeMahieu recovers in a heartbeat. Moustakas also comes with a great reputation in the clubhouse, so his addition would not hurt the team that way either. Among the options available, the Yankees would be wise to take a low-risk gamble on Moustakas and see if their ballpark can accentuate the remaining power left in his bat.

Eduardo Escobar

Like Moustakas, Eduardo Escobar comes with a great clubhouse reputation, although he is coming off a poor 2023 and an even worse spring. While nothing went well last season, Escobar produced great Sweet-Spot percentages in 2021 and 2022 while posting a decent xSLG and Barrel percentage. Plus, he still crushed southpaws in 2023.

In 116 plate appearances against left-handers, Escobar hit .284 with a .769 OPS and four homers. These numbers are slightly better than what the league produced in this split. Plus, after the New York Mets benched him last year, Escobar seemed to adapt well to a bench/pinch hitter role. As a pinch hitter, he posted a 1.250 OPS, albeit in just 16 plate appearances.

The Yankees might prefer a righty bat, like Escobar, to replace the right-handed LeMahieu. Plus, the team could express concern that adding Moustakas would make the lineup too left-handed. While the Yankees could theoretically split the third base role between Moustakas and Escobar, there is likely just one roster spot available. Escobar could have an advantage due to his switch-hitting abilities and prowess from the same side as LeMahieu.

Additionally, Escobar comes with a track record of taking young players under his wing and putting the team first. Even if he is around for just a month, he should help the young Cabrera learn and grow as a big leaguer while using his New York experience to help Juan Soto adapt if needed.

The Blue Jays released Escobar less than a week ago after signing him to a minor league deal in mid-February. He did not win a roster spot with Toronto, but the Yankees could add him at a low cost to bolster the third base depth in April.

Josh Harrison

Josh Harrison struggled in 2023 with the Philadelphia Phillies. However, he hit around the league average from 2020-2022 while displaying solid Whiff and Strikeout rates. Plus, he provided solid defense at multiple infield and outfield positions. He is a valuable player when healthy, and it’s possible to attribute injuries to last year’s struggles.

Harrison, presumably at full strength, bounced back and played decently this spring. Before the Cincinnati Reds released him, he hit .250 with a .600 OPS in 20 plate appearances with no walks and one strikeout. Although this isn’t great production, it’s much better than the production from Moustakas or Escobar. If anything, it displayed his health and could indicate a potential rebound in 2024.

While Harrison hits as a righty, he does not possess stark platoon splits. Unlike Moustakas and Escobar, Harrison hits righties about as well as he hits southpaws. With one roster spot open, this might play into Harrison’s favor.

Furthermore, in his career, Harrison has 2,331 1/3 innings at third base, 5,081 1/3 innings at second, and 926 2/3 innings in the corner outfield. Metrics don’t love his outfield play, but view him as a solid glove with average range at second and third. The Yankees have a lefty-heavy outfield, and Harrison’s ability to fill in the corners could serve as another advantage in his favor.

How Shortstop Plays Into Yankees Third Base Depth Options

While the injuries to LeMahieu and Peraza impact third base, they have similar impacts on shortstop. Right now, Smith represents the main backup third baseman and shortstop. In fact, he is the only infielder the Yankees currently have on their projected bench.

Out of the options above, Escobar can play shortstop in an emergency while Harrison last saw meaningful time at the position (57 innings) in 2021. He might be a serviceable option to fill in for about a week if needed, but not more.

The Yankees lineup would improve, even if only marginally, by adding one of the three veterans above for third base depth. They are not stars and should come with moderate expectations, but can have a legitimate impact on the roster.

However, the team overall would be hurt by not having a legitimate backup shortstop on the roster. New York might not have any other choice but to start Cabrera at third and keep Smith as the backup infielder.

The Bombers also don’t expect LeMahieu to miss much time and currently expect him back at some point in April. Perhaps Cabrera can hold the fort down for a couple of weeks, but the Yankees shouldn’t be willing to risk getting off to a slow start.

Adding Moustakas, Escobar, or Harrison as third base options will improve third base depth while increasing the Yankees’ floor. Every win will matter this season in a competitive American League. These veterans could help claim that important win in April that the September Yankees won’t have to get.

 

Photo Credit: © Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

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