TORONTO — Oswald Peraza, widely regarded by scouts as the Yankees’ most reliable defender across multiple infield positions, continues to face challenges at the plate—issues that have fueled speculation about a potential trade. Despite his elite defensive skills at third base, shortstop, and second base, Peraza’s offensive struggles are becoming a liability, prompting the Yankees to explore other third base options ahead of the July 31 trade deadline.
During Monday night’s 4-1 loss to the Blue Jays, Peraza made a critical throwing error in the fifth inning that led to a run. He acknowledged the mistake, saying, “It’s a play I’ve got to make.” Unfortunately, his miscue was followed by another throwing error from shortstop Anthony Volpe, allowing an additional run to score. The Yankees were unable to bounce back, falling further behind Toronto in the AL East.
Peraza’s offensive performance has not improved. He collected an infield single in three at-bats but is hitting just .150 with a .454 OPS over 67 games this season. His career numbers are equally underwhelming, posting a .190 average and .550 OPS in 141 games since 2022. Despite once being a highly regarded prospect in the Yankees’ system, his continued struggles at the plate have limited his impact.
Hopes were high for Peraza entering the 2025 season. After spending more time in the minors than the majors from 2022 to 2024, he made the Opening Day roster and was expected to share third base duties. However, his bat remained quiet, even after injuries created more opportunities for regular playing time. The team briefly experimented with moving other players, such as Jazz Chisholm, to third base, but no clear solution has emerged.
Peraza remains focused on his preparation, stating, “I focus on the work. I trust the work and keep doing it every day.” But with rookie Jorbit Vivas also struggling and the Yankees in urgent need of offensive help, general manager Brian Cashman is expected to pursue a third baseman before the deadline. While trade rumors swirl, Peraza insists he’s not letting them distract him, choosing instead to concentrate on improving his performance and making the most of every opportunity.
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