TRADE: Yankees Land 3rd Baseman In 3-Team Deal

The New York Yankees have acquired some speed for their infield in a 3-team trade, and in fact seem to have found themselves their Opening Day starting third baseman.  The Yankees have obtained Jon Berti from the Miami Marlins, and manager, Aaron Boone says he could start at the hot corner on Thursday if he arrives in Houston by then, where the Yanks open the season against the Houston Astros.

TRADE: The Yankees are acquiring Jon Berti from the Marlins, per multiple reports pic.twitter.com/akT566JXXb

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 27, 2024

The Marlins send infielder Berti to the Bronx in exchange for the Yankees No. 28 prospect outfielder John Cruz and Tampa Bay Rays outfield prospect Shane Sasaki. The Rays receive catcher Ben Rortvedt.

With DJ LeMahieu and Oswald Peraza out for the beginning of the season, Berti could see quite a bit of action at third base. But once some reinforcements arrive, as the manager notes, the veteran can still find his way into the lineup, as he's also played shortstop, second base and all three outfield positions in the majors. 

“With DJ being down, [Berti] very much figures in the third-base mix,” Boone said. “Hopefully once we’re whole, he serves as a guy that can play all over the infield, and can even play some outfield. Quality hitter, bat-to-ball, can steal a base. I think he’s a really good addition for us.”

Berti, 34, slashed .294/.344/.405 with 16 doubles, three triples, seven home runs and 16 stolen bases for Miami in 2023, while the year before, Berti led all of baseball in thefts with 41 SBs.

Photo: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports