Yankees acquire utility man Jon Berti from Marlins
Marlins third baseman Jon Berti takes up his position during the first inning of a spring training game against the Mets on March 2 in Jupiter, Fla. Credit: AP/Jeff Roberson
HOUSTON — On the final day of Yankees spring training Monday, general manager Brian Cashman made this much clear when it came to his bench:
What appeared to be a set Opening Day roster still could change and, reading between the lines, likely would.
“We have our internal candidates that we have a feel for who they are,” Cashman said. “But externally we’re evaluating all the options.”
A better one presented itself Wednesday and the Yankees jumped, acquiring utility man Jon Berti from the Marlins.
The 34-year-old Berti, a righthanded hitter who provides speed on the bases and can play second, third and shortstop as well as all three outfield spots, slashed .294/.344/.405 with seven homers and 16 stolen bases in 133 games last season with Miami. He stole an MLB-best 41 bases in just 102 games in 2022.
With Houston starting lefthander Framber Valdez on Thursday, Berti is expected to be in the lineup and play third base. Oswaldo Cabrera, a switch hitter who generally is better from the left side, will also see time at third in DJ LeMahieu’s absence.
The three-team deal, which included the Yankees sending third-string catcher Ben Rortvedt to the Rays and outfield prospect John Cruz to the Marlins, solved what had been a major area of worry with LeMahieu out indefinitely with a bone bruise on his right foot.
“Before Berti, the infield depth was something I was concerned with,” manager Aaron Boone said. “That’s why I think it was so important for us to get a guy like Jon Berti, who cannot only be a starter in this league at a number of positions but then, hopefully, once you do get whole, then you have really an elite utility guy.”
As for LeMahieu, it was been a slow-go in his recovery and Boone did not paint an especially encouraging picture. Toward the end of last week, LeMahieu started taking some swings and Monday he took ground balls on the back fields at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa.
“It wasn’t great. The pain is still in there,” Boone said of the ground-ball session. “So we want it to be things that you’re able to tolerate. Whether that turns into hitting and fielding in a couple days, I don’t know.
