Yankees Make Unexpected Trade Amid Latest Losing Streak originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

If a savior emerges in the coming weeks to rescue the New York Yankees’ season, it won’t be veteran catcher Alex Jackson.

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The free-falling Yankees traded Jackson, a 29-year-old backstop currently at Triple-A, to the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday morning. Baltimore sent international signing bonus pool money, and will later give the Yankees a player to be named later or cash considerations.

Baltimore recently lost three catchers over two weeks. Jackson’s arrival could mean a trade involving ex-Yankees All-Star Gary Sánchez is imminent.

Jackson, the 2014 No. 6 pick of the Seattle Mariners, is a career .132 hitter with six home runs, 24 RBIs, and a .456 OPS in 340 MLB plate appearances. He batted .122 in 139 at-bats for the Tampa Bay Rays last year.

New York Yankees catcher Alex JacksonDave Nelson-Imagn Images

It’s been more of the same thus far, with Jackson posting a .226 average, 10 homers, and 34 RBIs at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

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The Jackson trade comes amid the Yankees’ six-game losing streak and catcher Austin Wells’ lingering hand injury. Wells is playing through a circulation issue in his left index finger, and the Yankees haven’t shown any indication they’ll place him on the injured list.

Only weeks after holding a seven-game lead in the AL East, the Yankees have fallen to 48-41 and trail the Toronto Blue Jays by three games. The 39-49 Orioles are 7 1/2 games back in the Wild Card race.

Related: Yankees Facing Massive Oswald Peraza Problem After Latest Loss

Related: Yankees Must Pursue Reunion With $7.4 Million Reliever Ahead of Trade Deadline

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 6, 2025, where it first appeared.

Yankees Facing Massive Oswald Peraza Problem After Latest Loss originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

Amid an ugly stretch featuring new issues, the New York Yankees still haven’t answered the Oswald Peraza problem.

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Calling Peraza a replacement-level player feels generous, even if the fourth-year utility infielder enters Sunday literally worth 0.0 bWAR. The 25-year-old is batting .159 with three homers, 13 RBIs, and a .502 OPS over 138 plate appearances for the free-falling Yankees.

Things aren’t getting better for either side, especially not after Saturday’s 12-6 loss to the crosstown Mets. The Yankees have lost six straight and now sit three games behind the Toronto Blue Jays. In fact, the Yankees are tied with the Tampa Bay Rays for second place in the AL East.

We can’t put all of the blame on Peraza, especially not when the pitching staff has collapsed over the last week. Yankees pitchers have allowed six runs in six of eight games, and they’ve been outscored 49-30 to start July.

New York Yankees third baseman Oswald PerazaJohn Jones-Imagn Images

As for Peraza, he remains on the roster partly because he has no minor-league options left. Never mind that his batting average hasn’t been above .200 since May 12, and he’s 7-for-42 since June 1.

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Peraza is a lifetime .196 hitter with a .275 on-base percentage in nearly 400 plate appearances. He’s a light-hitting infielder with no real plate discipline, but he’s getting regular at-bats on a supposed World Series contender.

We’ll see how much longer Peraza sticks around in the big leagues, especially after the Yankees signed former Cincinnati Reds third baseman Jeimer Candelario on Saturday. Another infielder, Nicky Lopez, signed with the Yankees on Thursday.

However, don’t be surprised to see Peraza stick around through the July 31 deadline—and, given the Yankees’ hesitation to give up on players, if he makes it to Game 162. If the Yankees haven’t cut bait yet, one must wonder if the club would realistically do so during the regular season.

Related: Yankees Must Pursue Reunion With $7.4 Million Reliever Ahead of Trade Deadline

Related: Former Yankees Bust Linked to Padres in Recent Trade Prediction

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 6, 2025, where it first appeared.

NEW YORK — Call it the good kind of problem. The New York Yankees (30-19) lead the American League East by five games. They’re getting perhaps another historic season from Aaron Judge, production throughout their lineup, and their starting rotation has been on fire. Sure, they lost Juan Soto to the New York Mets and Gerrit Cole to Tommy John surgery. But the Bronx is anything but burning.

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However, there’s a nonzero chance of a little awkwardness coming up.

Jazz Chisholm Jr. (right oblique strain) appears to be nearing a return from the injured list. DJ LeMahieu has looked rejuvenated. But the Yankees can’t play both of them at second base at the same time.

Before the Yankees beat the Texas Rangers 1-0 on Thursday afternoon, The Athletic asked LeMahieu and Chisholm whether they would be willing to move to third base when Chisholm returns.

Both said yes. Neither sounded thrilled about it.

“It’s whatever,” Chisholm said, shrugging. “I already did it.”

“Yeah,” LeMahieu said, “I feel really comfortable right now (at second base). I’m sure we’ll deal with it when we get there.”

Chisholm and LeMaheiu each also said the Yankees hadn’t yet broached the topic with them.

“We’ll cross that bridge when we get there,” manager Aaron Boone said.

Third base makes the most sense for one of them since the Yankees have been using the light-hitting Oswald Peraza and Jorbit Vivas at the position. Oswaldo Cabrera had been getting regular playing time at third base before fracturing his ankle May 12 in Seattle. He’s likely out for the season.

It wouldn’t be a new position for either Chisholm or LeMahieu.

Chisholm switched from center field to third base when the Yankees acquired him from the Miami Marlins at the trade deadline last year. It was a new position for him at the time. But Chisholm hasn’t played there since the World Series. He didn’t play any games there in spring training, either.

LeMahieu played one game at third base during his rehab assignment with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this year. He hasn’t been primarily a second baseman since 2021, when he played 83 games at the position. Since then, he’s bounced mostly between third base and first base.

Advanced metrics are split on whether either player was good at third base last year. They each performed poorly in terms of Defensive Runs Saved (LeMahieu -1, 37th overall; Chisholm -2, 42nd overall) but well in Outs Above Average (Chisholm +6, 8th overall; LeMahieu +5, 9th overall).

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Both players appeared to pass the eye test at third, though. Chisholm experienced slight growing pains in terms of knowing the nuances of the position but made up for it with instincts, athleticism and a strong arm. LeMahieu seemed somewhat limited going side to side but had steady hands and made accurate throws.

Both also seem to favor playing second base. Chisholm was an All-Star at the position in 2022, and he has rated well and looked comfortable there this season. Three of LeMahieu’s four Gold Gloves came when he was primarily playing second base.

The Yankees are eagerly awaiting Chisholm’s return to the lineup. Though he was hitting .181 when he went on the IL, he also had seven home runs and a 101 OPS+. LeMahieu has also looked solid at the plate. He had four hits in his first 12 at-bats, including a homer, before going a combined 0-for-6 in the first two games against the Rangers. He was given the day off Thursday.

It’s unclear how long a rehab assignment Chisholm will need. He said he’s “ready to go back out there” and that he doesn’t feel pain in his oblique. His return seems not too far off.

And so does the Yankees’ decision on their good problem.

(Photo of Jazz Chisholm Jr. from April: Elsa / Getty Images)

In the chess game of Major League Baseball, the Kansas City Royals are strategizing their next big move. Not traditionally seen as a heavyweight in the market, the Royals possess a unique opportunity to leverage the talent overflow from the league’s giants. The New York Yankees, New York Mets, and Boston Red Sox are among those facing a luxury problem: a surplus of skilled position players with not enough innings to go around. This scenario sets the stage for the Royals, who are keen on transforming their underdog status into a tale of strategic triumph, to potentially acquire players who could shine brighter with the opportunities Kansas City can offer.

A Glimpse into Potential Midseason Acquisitions

The Royals’ radar is tuned to several promising talents who could significantly benefit from a change in scenery. Among these, the Yankees’ Oswald Peraza stands out. Once celebrated as a top-100 prospect, Peraza’s path to regular Major League play has been obstructed by a crowded infield and the rise of Anthony Volpe. Despite a less than stellar batting line this season, Peraza’s potential remains untapped, suggesting that regular playtime with the Royals could unlock the player he was always meant to be.

The Mets’ Brett Baty presents a similar case. With increased playtime in recent games, Baty has shown flashes of the capability that once made him a highly touted prospect. However, the Mets’ lineup is a tough puzzle to fit into, and Baty’s future could hinge on his ability to outshine his competition consistently. Should the Mets decide to shuffle their roster, the Royals could position themselves as an attractive destination for Baty, offering him a platform to establish himself as a Major League hitter.

Perhaps the most intriguing prospect of all is the Red Sox’s Ceddanne Rafaela. A beacon of defensive excellence, Rafaela has already demonstrated Platinum Glove potential in his brief Major League tenure. While his offensive game might still be a work in progress, Rafaela’s youth and contract situation make him an enticing target for a Royals team looking to build a competitive core for the future.

The Angels’ Hidden Gem

Beyond the East Coast’s talent-rich teams, the Los Angeles Angels harbor a potential game-changer in Jackson Roberts. Known for his power at the plate, Roberts has emerged as a “hot commodity” in trade discussions. With a background as a Division III All-Region designated hitter, Roberts’ transition to talking and writing about sports has not diminished his allure on the field. The Royals, always on the lookout for impactful bats, might find in Roberts an unexpected key to unlocking their offensive potential.

A Strategic Play for the Future

As the Royals navigate the trade market, their focus is clear: identify and acquire undervalued talent that can thrive in a new environment. This approach not only offers a pathway to immediate improvement but also aligns with a long-term vision of building a resilient and competitive team. By capitalizing on the talent logjams of baseball’s behemoths, the Royals can craft a narrative of strategic ingenuity and competitive resurgence.

In the grand scheme of things, the Royals’ midseason maneuvers could serve as a testament to the power of opportunity. For players like Peraza, Baty, Rafaela, and perhaps Roberts, Kansas City represents a chance to redefine their careers. For the Royals, these potential acquisitions symbolize the hope of transforming potential into success on the field. As the season unfolds, the impact of these strategic plays will become evident, potentially marking the beginning of a new era for the Kansas City Royals.

The Yankees dropped a heartbreaker on Saturday, in what was an otherwise positive afternoon. A combination of five pitchers kept the Phillies scoreless for eight innings, while the lineup put up seven runs against Philadelphia’s staff, but it was all for not. Aaron Judge homered for the first time in 2025, and the Yankees cruised for a stretch before a devastating ninth inning left them stunned.

Cam Schlittler started things on the mound for the Yankees, and the 24-year-old largely looked good. He tossed four innings, during which he gave up three hits and a walk, but struck out two and did not allow a run to a semi-full Phillies lineup. Kyle Schwarber woke him up early with a leadoff double to open the game, but Schlittler was able to evade any damage, as was the case with any further Phillie baserunners.

The Yankees opened up the scoring in the bottom half of the second, when Anthony Volpe doubled into left field, before eventually being scored on a groundout from Jasson Domínguez. Their lead grew to three in the following inning, when an Oswald Peraza walk brought up Aaron Judge with two outs. He promptly took a 2-0 pitch from Jesús Luzardo and roped it into left field for his first homer of the spring.

It was a booming two-run shot, and continued to put a damper on Luzardo’s afternoon. The Phillies’ lefty ultimately surrendered six earned runs on seven hits and two walks across 4.1 innings of work. It was his final tune up before the regular season, and the Yankees lineup made it a rough one.

That rough stat line was thanks in large part to the very messy fourth inning. It saw the Yankees being walked three times and a hit-by-pitch, while singles from Domínguez and Peraza plated a couple of runs, and Aaron Judge knocked a sac fly to plate another. When the fourth inning ended, the Yankees had taken total control with a 7-0 lead over the Phillies.

The Yankees bullpen continued to hold up their end of the deal for the second half of this ballgame. Mark Leiter Jr. looked sharp in his work during the fifth inning, where he struck out the side, all swinging. A cast of Geoff Hartlieb, Colton Brewer, and Rob Zastryzny continued to keep the Philadelphia side of the scoreboard blank, and kept the latter half of this ballgame relatively drama-free — for the most part.

Their successors ran into serious trouble in the top of the ninth closing things out, which began with a 7-0 Yankees lead. It was a day to forget for minor-league arms Eric Reyzelman and Leonardo Pestana. Seven hits, a walk, and a brutal error turned this game on its head, and put the Yankees on the ropes. The enormous inning was capped by a three-run home run from Robert Moore, which officially locked in this game as a major blunder, surely leaving a bitter taste in the Yankees’ mouths.

It’s spring training, so they’ll likely move on from this one, but this is about as bad as it gets. None of those responsible will see the Yankees roster to begin 2025, but that doesn’t take away from how rough it was to watch.

For the Yankees, there was still plenty of positives to take from this one despite the crushing end. Paul Goldschmidt finally returned to the lineup after his back was barking over the last week or so, while Judge had his first big game of the spring, swatting his first homer and racking up three RBI. For what it’s worth, Judge went homerless during last spring, so it seems only fair to assume he’ll have an even better 2025 season.

The Yankees only have a trio of spring training games left, which they’ll likely use to get some final looks, and to get their guys into a groove before kicking things off against the Brewers, hopefully shaking off whatever Saturday’s game was. The light at the end of the tunnel is almost here.

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