Yankees Trade For Utility Player Jon Berti, Find Short-Term Replacement For DJ LeMahieu

by Patrick MoquinMarch 28, 2024, 4:53 pmDaily Digest, News >

On Wednesday, the Yankees finalized a three-way trade with the Marlins and Rays to acquire utility player Jon Berti. The six-year veteran will likely fill in for the team at third base while DJ LeMahieu recovers from a bone bruise on his right foot.

“Really excited about this,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “Feel like we’re getting a really good player. Obviously, with DJ being down, he very much figures in at the third-base mix… Quality hitter, bat-to-ball, can steal a base. I think he’s going to be a really good addition for us, whether he’s playing in an everyday role or when we’re more whole in that utility role.”

In order to get Berti, the Yankees dealt catcher Ben Rortvedt to Tampa Bay and center fielder John Cruz to Miami. Rortvedt has appeared in the majors for two short stints with the Twins and Yankees in 2021 and 2023, respectively. Cruz is an 18-year-old prospect and has not yet been promoted from rookie ball.

In return for a backup catcher and young prospect, the Yankees are receiving a much-needed third baseman with extensive experience in MLB. Berti hit .294 for the Marlins last year with seven home runs, and he has proved capable at multiple positions. Even when LeMahieu returns, he could find work in the outfield as needed.

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New York was pegged as a contender early in the off-season after the team successfully traded for Juan Soto with one year remaining on his contract. An injury to ace pitcher Gerrit Cole puts a damper on the season to come, however, and several other setbacks have put the team on the back foot as Opening Day approaches.

Players like Berti will not make the difference on a team that already includes the likes of Soto and Aaron Judge, but the Yankees’ hope is that they can plug enough holes early in the season until they can return to full strength. If they can survive some lean stretches in the spring, the team can prove extremely dangerous as the season rolls on.