MLB
HOUSTON — The Yankees have discovered their infield insurance coverage.
On the eve of Opening Day, the Yankees are buying utility infielder Jon Berti from the Marlins in a three-way commerce that can ship catcher Ben Rortvedt to the Rays and outfield prospect John Cruz to Miami, The Put up’s Jon Heyman and Joel Sherman confirmed on Wednesday.
Berti, 34, can play third base, second base and shortstop, plus has expertise in all three outfield spots.
He hit .294 final season with a .748 OS and 16 steals in 133 video games final season.
The Yankees wanted somebody like Berti with DJ LeMahieu beginning the season on the injured checklist due to a bone bruise on his proper foot.
That was set to pressure utilityman Oswaldo Cabrera into motion at third base, although the Yankees might select to make use of Berti there recurrently till LeMahieu returns and have Cabrera transfer everywhere in the diamond.
Within the course of, the Yankees bought one thing of worth for Rortvedt, who was out of minor league choices and was third on the catching depth chart behind Austin Wells and Jose Trevino.
Rortvedt, initially acquired from the Twins together with Josh Donaldson and Isiah Kiner-Falefa forward of the 2022 season, did a pleasant job catching AL Cy Younger winner Gerrit Cole within the second half of final season however didn’t make a lot of an impression offensively.
For now, it seems that second baseman/left fielder Jahmai Jones might fill the ultimate bench spot after being claimed off waivers from the Brewers throughout spring coaching. Jones can also be out of minor league choices.
Berti, a right-handed hitter, is underneath contract by means of 2025. He stole 41 bases in 2022 and recorded 5 Defensive Runs Saved at third base final season.
Cruz is an 18-year-old who spent final season enjoying for the Yankees’ rookie Florida Advanced League workforce.
He was ranked the Yankees’ No. 28 prospect by MLB pipeline.
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