Latest Yankees rumors prove Oswald Peraza isn't safe after Ryan McMahon trade

The New York Yankees added slugging lefty third baseman Ryan McMahon on Friday, a slick defender with a few holes in his swing who may or may not be very excited to get out of Colorado. His .686 career OPS against left-handed pitching (80 points lower than against righties) indicates that McMahon may be a longer-term project during his 2.5 years in the Bronx, and could use a right-handed complement.

SNY's Andy Martino confirmed that logical next step on Friday afternoon, appearing live prior to the Yankees' series opener with the Phillies. In other words, while Jorbit Vivas was demoted after Friday's loss, Oswald Peraza shouldn't get too comfortable on the bench, either.

Per Martino, the Yankees still plan to pursue right-handed bats who can handle third base like Amed Rosario, Willi Castro, and familiar face Isiah Kiner-Falefa. The process might not end with a straight platoon in practice, but it will give the Yankees heightened flexibility to manage McMahon.

Any of the trio would send Peraza into DFA limbo; he's out of minor-league options.

Yankees Rumors: Oswald Peraza's roster spot could be taken by Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Amed Rosario, Willi Castro

Rosario, no stranger to being dealt midseason to contenders after winding up on the Dodgers in both 2023 and 2024, is hitting .270 with a 109 OPS+ in part-time duty for the Nationals. Kiner-Falefa is ... well, his normal self with the Pirates this season, hitting a powerless .268 with one homer and a 79 OPS+.

Castro is by far the most intriguing name of the trio - especially because all signs in Friday's rumor mill pointed to something significant bubbling with the Twins.

Will a blockbuster actually come to fruition? Could turn to dust. Could be one of many false starts that dominate the discourse this time of year.

But, given that feelers seemed to be out around controllable closer Jhoan Duran as a Yankees target on Friday - as well as additional pieces - the addition of the versatile Castro can't be ruled out just because the Yankees nabbed themselves a left-handed starter at third base on Friday.

Regardless of where the Yankees land here, it's good to know that McMahon's arrival did not signal the end of their pursuit of adding a utility body (as well as someone who could potentially spell Anthony Volpe at shortstop).

Let's see if it snowballs beyond Castro, or if the Yankees keep their pursuit conservative. Either way, Peraza's last-ditch effort to provide value with a single and stolen base last night saw him ironically stranded on second - a familiar position, and a potential look into the future.