The New York Yankees made a key decision by benching DJ LeMahieu. They may still want an upgrade at third base, as Oswald Peraza is not the best offensive option.
Peraza has an OPS below .500 and his batting average is .157. Despite hitting .300 since May 30, Aaron Boone has made it clear that LeMahieu will have a bench role and that Jazz Chisholm Jr. is the second baseman moving forward. Boone described third base as a physical challenge for LeMahieu, and the Yankees clearly could not keep sacrificing their infield defense with him at second base.
With LeMahieu stuck on the bench, the Yankees will have to hit the trade market to find a better offensive option at third base. Sports Illustrated's Karl Rasmussen suggested a trade for Gio Urshela, who started 263 games for the Yankees from 2019-2021.
"A reunion with Gio Urshela could be a possibility for the Yankees at the trade deadline," wrote Rasmussen. "Urshela wouldn't be a flashy addition, but he's familiar with the organization having previously played in the Bronx from 2019 to '21. Urshela has played in just 38 games this year and has a .629 OPS, but if New York doesn't want to spend big on a third baseman at the deadline, the 33-year-old could be a less expensive option."
The Yankees have been linked to Eugenio Suárez, Ryan McMahon and Ke'Bryan Hayes in rumors. However, Urshela would be a more versatile option. He would essentially be a slightly better version of Peraza with a little more upside.
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It may be easier for the Yankees to directly replace Peraza. Adding an everyday third baseman who does not provide defensive flexibility would mean the Yankees would need to keep Peraza as a defensive utility. That would then force them to move on from LeMahieu one way or another. If he is going to be on the bench, he is essentially just a pinch hitter with no value defensively.