Yankees make long-awaited roster moves everybody's been expecting for weeks

Brian Cashman really wasn't lying when he said Everson Pereira could be a top prospect that helps out the New York Yankees in 2023. Unfortunately for the general manager, the call to help out the 2023 Yankees might be a bit too late.

At least it's happening, though. Per Jack Curry of the YES Network, the Yankees are promoting Pereira and Oswald Peraza for Tuesday's series opener against the Washington Nationals. We apologize for the folks who wanted Austin Wells. We did, too.

But this is a start for a team that rarely ever extends itself in calling upon young talent to help an ailing roster. Pereira can help the Yankees address their seasons-long left field vacancy while Peraza can assist in improving the organization's horribly weak depth at the MLB level.

The two have been on fire for the Scranton RailRiders -- along with Wells -- and will probably be better than whatever the Yankees are trotting out there every day. And it only took an eight-game losing streak and getting swept by the Sox (and all but officially eliminated from the postseason) to influence the no-brainer decision.

The Yankees optioned reliever Greg Weissert to Triple-A after Sunday's loss and we can expect another move to follow (Oswaldo Cabrera, Jhony Brito?) before Tuesday night.

Yankees make long-awaited roster moves everybody's been expecting for weeks

Pereira couldn't have a more wide open chance to make an impression on the Yankees with Billy McKinney and Jake Bauers flailing in the second half in addition to Greg Allen mostly wasting away on the bench.

The Yankees' No. 3 prospect has hit .312 with a .937 OPS in the first 35 games of his Triple-A career, providing rare evidence that a position player can succeed right off the bat after getting the bump from Double-A. Acting on this will only help get them to where they need to be faster.

As for Peraza, he never really belonged in Triple-A. He conquered the level offensively and defensively, but the Yankees opted for top prospect Anthony Volpe and a glut of underwhelming veteran infielders. Peraza showed he can be a positive influence at the tail end of last season and didn't get the fairest of shakes to kick off 2023, so it's only fitting he gets another chance so the Yankees can better assess 2024.

There are still roster spots that could use an upgrade/change. Fans are hoping these overdue moves spur further action before 2023 ends, because Wells (and maybe a few others) should definitely be here when rosters expand.