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3 Yankees prospects Brian Cashman should still call up after Florial-Cabrera moves

By Adam Weinrib |
LAKELAND, FL - MARCH 01: Oswald Peraza #96 of the New York Yankees bats during the Spring Training game against the Detroit Tigers at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium on March 1, 2020 in Lakeland, Florida. The Tigers defeated the Yankees 10-4. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
LAKELAND, FL - MARCH 01: Oswald Peraza #96 of the New York Yankees bats during the Spring Training game against the Detroit Tigers at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium on March 1, 2020 in Lakeland, Florida. The Tigers defeated the Yankees 10-4. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
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Good news, Yankees fans! Super sub Oswaldo Cabrera and outfielder Estevan Florial (on his third big-league tryout) are here to save the day! Maybe. Possibly. Hey, it’s something.

But if the Bombers really wanted to create some turnover, there are plenty more names on the horizon who could help stabilize the MLB roster in 2022-23. They should probably be given a head start now while the Yankees have a sizable AL East lead, too, instead of being thrown into the fire if it shrinks.

The Cabrera and Florial promotions oddly came at the right time — or, at most, a day or two late. The Yanks are reeling, but both men present obvious upgrades (Florial over Aaron Hicks, the worst player in baseball, and Cabrera over injured DJ LeMahieu/Josh Donaldson). Even if it doesn’t work out, it doesn’t look like the Yankees were pressing the panic button. They were merely relying on talent in the pipeline to fill gaps.

They could go further, though. The Yankees still have bullpen options to test out, a reeling catching duo, and a super prospect hanging out at Triple-A. Sure, these proposed moves would take some 40-man wiggling, making them (sigh) unlikely. But if the Yankees get some spark from Wednesday’s action, imagine how much better it could get if some more electric rookies joined the roster down the stretch?

The less Josh Donaldson stench, the better.

3 Yankees Brian Cashman should promote after Estevan Florial, Oswaldo Cabrera

Oswald PerazaSpt Woosox Sale8 0707
Oswald PerazaSpt Woosox Sale8 0707 /

3. Oswald Peraza

Yes, it’s probably time to just go ahead and promote the highest-ranking top shortstop prospect in the system, too. Cabrera/Florial is nice, but it’s a half-measure. It’s a utility guy for the final spot on the roster and an outfielder with a long swing who hasn’t hit well in the bigs before/is hitting .257 in August, his worst month since April.

Adding Oswald Peraza (or, hell, Anthony Volpe!) would’ve been the “go for it” move. The Braves-style move. It could still happen, post-service time manipulation deadline. It could. It won’t, but it could.

Peraza put the cherry on top of his recent acclimation to Triple-A by drilling a spectacular line-drive homer to left on Tuesday night, erasing a 9-0 deficit and flipping the game to 10-9 in favor of Scranton. That was his 17th blast of the season, eight of which have come since July 1. After hitting .197 and .216 in April and May, the 22-year-old Peraza has posted months of .303, .300 and .317 in August ever since.

If Volpe’s getting credit for his impressive midseason adjustments a level below, Peraza deserves the same praise for unlocking the upper minors at the perfect time.

Once Peraza arrives, he could be in the bigs to stay — which could get awkward, considering an already-fragile Gleyber Torres might be watching his replacement in action. Still, if the Yankees need him, there’s no reason not to press the button.

Jul 21, 2013; Scranton, PA, USA; A general view of PNC Field during a game between the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders and the Louisville Bats at PNC Field. The Bats defeated the RailRiders 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 21, 2013; Scranton, PA, USA; A general view of PNC Field during a game between the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders and the Louisville Bats at PNC Field. The Bats defeated the RailRiders 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Greg Weissert

No, Greg Weissert is not on the 40-man roster at the moment. But that needs to change this offseason if the Yankees are serious about fielding their best and deepest possible bullpen in 2023. So why not change things around now?

Here’s something that makes zero sense to me: Why wasn’t Weissert already Rule 5 Draft eligible if he was drafted by the Yanks in 2016? Regardless, he must be protected when the time comes. Weissert was already the type of arm a pitching-rich team like the Yankees typically loses in a standard offseason, and after his 2021 season (1.64 ERA, 60 Ks in 49.1 innings), he easily could’ve stuck elsewhere.

This season at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre has been even more dominant. Weissert has used his wipeout slider to strike out 65 batters in 44.2 innings pitched, maintaining an 0.92 WHIP in the process (22 hits, 19 walks). He’s converted 17 of 18 save opportunities, only getting tagged for three homers all year.

If Ron Marinaccio can do it straight out of the minors, emerging as a coveted back-end option out of nowhere as a 19th-round pick, then Weissert can surely do it as an 18th-rounder. Much of the focus remains on Stephen Ridings’ return (and rightly so, he’s a known quantity), but perhaps more energy should be directed Weissert’s way.

Or … less energy, if the Yankees want to not protect him and keep him a secret.

Somerset Patriot catcher Josh Breaux #19, leave the field prior to staring Tuesday nightÕs game for the Double-A Somerset Patriots. The Patriots take on the Akron RubberDucks (Cleveland Indians) at TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater.
Somerset Patriot catcher Josh Breaux #19, leave the field prior to staring Tuesday nightÕs game for the Double-A Somerset Patriots. The Patriots take on the Akron RubberDucks (Cleveland Indians) at TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater. /

1. Josh Breaux

Admittedly, this one’s a stretch for two reasons: Kyle Higashioka is going nowhere (as long as Ben Rortvedt’s struggling), and Josh Breaux is currently on the Triple-A IL rehabbing a back injury (say hi to Clay Holmes at the masseuse!).

But the Yankees have lacked thump behind the plate for so long, and Jose Trevino could use a real running mate, especially as he begins to slump back towards career norms. He’s beloved for a reason! And catcher remains a deserted position in MLB, and he’s one of the best in baseball, offensively and defensively.

That Higashioka upgrade, though … if your starting catcher is this spectacular behind the dish, it’s alright if the backup rakes a little bit extra. Breaux somehow isn’t on the 40-man, but there’s an easily-cleared spot: Luke Bard, sorry, buddy.

You could certainly do worse for a September call-up than a catcher whose adjustment period to Triple-A lasted the blink of an eye. After getting promoted midsummer, Breaux went on a miniature rampage, hitting .313 with a .968 OPS and four homers/nine walks in 18 games. You want to talk about a spark? There’s no telling whether Breaux is ready to compete over an extended stretch, but he could certainly give Trevino a breather and sock four homers in a week.

Home runs sound mighty nice during this current dead zone. It won’t happen, but it’s not so far outside the box that it’s not worth covering.

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