Yankees fans can't help but feel bad for Oswald Peraza after comments post-trade

At this year's trade deadline, the New York Yankees snuck in a move that fans weren't really able to process until all was said and done. Former top prospect Oswald Peraza was sent to the LA Angels in what was a surprise because many believed he would've gotten DFA'd.

Peraza sent a lovely goodbye message to the Yankees and their fans, and it had everybody in their feels for a moment. Peraza assuredly did not pan out as a top prospect, but he's still human and wish things had gone differently.

And so did the fans! Most firmly believe the Yankees ruined his development after arbitrarily anointing Anthony Volpe the starting shortstop (after Peraza had already debuted and impressed, which included postseason reps in 2022). Then, to make matters worse, the Yankees didn't even trade him. They kept him around for another two-plus years until his value tanked, and traded him for nothing. Everybody loses. The Yankees could've gotten a premier asset for a Peraza-centered package two years ago. Peraza could've had a fresh start without feeling slighted. Why is this the way this organization does business?

It's even more upsetting knowing the kind of person Peraza is. He spoke on his departure from the Yankees recently, and you can feel the pain in his words. He was clearly a bit shaken up with how it all went down, and he was particularly disappointed in himself for being unable to deliver. Here's what he told The Athletic earlier this week:

“When it comes to wearing the Yankee uniform, it’s a lot of pressure, but it’s also a lot of responsibility. I was trying to do my best to not let that weigh on me, because all I could do is play baseball. And yeah, carrying that uniform, it does have a weight to it. But I know the type of ballplayer that I am.

“It all comes down to opportunity. I was accustomed to playing every day in the minors. That helped me — seeing the pitchers a whole lot more, seeing their stuff. Even if I had a bad day, I had the confidence I would play the next day. And that part helped me work on what I needed to work on. Right now, I’m not adapted to that, I’m not accustomed to that, but I know it’s something I’ve got to learn. Because I know if I were to have the opportunity to play every day, I can look at these guys better because they’re really good pitchers. And it helps me make the adjustments I need.

“When the move came up, I had a bit of nostalgia. It’s the team that gave me the chance, that signed me and gave me a shot at the major-league level. But that’s part of baseball. I arrived here, I’m learning. I’m turning the page."

As many suspected, the way he was jerked around by the Yankees clearly hampered his development. And it's not like they gained much from it. Volpe is decidedly below-average when it comes to analyzing all facets of his game. His offense hasn't improved (and actually might be worse), while his defense (though it has improved lately) has taken massive steps backwards this year.

Peraza deserved better in pinstripes, whether that was afforded to him through a fair competition or a trade years ago so he wouldn't have had to waste away with a team that clearly didn't value him to the extent they probably should have. When we say "fair" competition, we're not saying the 2023 spring training battle with Volpe was necessarily unfair, it just felt misplaced because of what Peraza had already accomplished. At that point, he was not an equal with Volpe, and Volpe didn't do anything overly impressive to suggest he was far and away the better candidate. Peraza was ahead in the pecking order, and 20 spring training games probably shouldn't have tilted the scales in the manner that they did.

What's done is done, though. Yankees fans have no reason not to wish Peraza the best. But this should serve as a reminder of how the Yankees have failed to maximize their assets over the last decade, whether that be for their own use or as trade bait when trying to improve the roster externally.