Nationals' latest move all but confirms Yankees aren't signing a third baseman

It's officially the point in the offseason where all the available options for the New York Yankees to "upgrade" their starting infield aren't necessarily upgrades. Still, there's a benefit to adding an experienced bat to the mix that includes Oswaldo Cabrera, Oswald Peraza and DJ LeMahieu.

The bench used to matter, after all; having a well-traveled bench stocked with veteran specialists used to allow a manager to mix and match in the late innings. Outside of the keen March addition of Jon Berti last year, the Yankees' bench typically consists of whichever players fail at cracking the starting lineup. "Bench" doesn't have to mean "also rans" or "guys whose large contracts are keeping them here, so they have to go somewhere" for every team in the league. Unfortunately, that's how the Yankees have come to define it.

While it's hard to be infuriated by Sunday morning's news that the Washington Nationals have signed infielder Paul DeJong to a $1 million contract to split third base/DH duty, the move did seem to signal that fans can now take the Yankees at their word.

If $1 million is too much for a third baseman who cracked 24 home runs last season and was tied to the Yankees earlier in the offseason, then they're happy to either convert their utility guy to a starter or trot LeMahieu out.

Yankees letting Nationals sign Paul DeJong for $1 million all but closes the book on third base pursuit

When Brendan Rodgers signs elsewhere, that will officially slam the Yankees' third base search book shut. Yes, we're officially past the point where even the underwhelming potential additions from early January are frustratingly pursuing other opportunities.

Unrelated, but Alex Bregman looks really great in a Boston "B" and seems happy to be there. No need to keep up, though.

The Yankees don't need to make a splash (there are no splashes left to make), but it would be foolish not to add an extra surprise on a minor-league deal in the coming days. The best part about the second and third weeks of spring training are those days when a familiar face shows up out of nowhere, cleanly shaved and ready to hit .143 in 16 March at-bats.

Otherwise, as we move the goal posts for the 100th time this offseason ... Jose Iglesias, welcome to Tampa?