Under-the-Radar Trade Target Could Boost Yankees at Third Base

The Yankees’ trade deadline search for a third baseman has mostly centered on big names like Eugenio Suárez, Ryan McMahon, Ke’Bryan Hayes. But CBS Sports’ Mike Axisa floated a name that won’t light up your Twitter feed... yet makes a lot of sense.

Ramón Urías.

The Orioles infielder doesn’t come with All-Star hype or a big contract, but he might be exactly the kind of move Brian Cashman needs to make. Urías, 30, is under team control through 2026, hits lefties well, and plays solid defense—traits the Yankees could desperately use at third base.

Here’s the logic: the Orioles have improved under interim manager Tony Mansolino, but they’re still 10 games under .500 and 7½ games back in the AL Wild Card race. More importantly, they’d have to leapfrog seven teams to get in. That’s a steep climb, and it makes Baltimore a likely seller.

Axisa framed it this way: “Urías is a better version of Peraza, basically. He wouldn’t be the sexiest name for the Yankees, but he would be an upgrade, and it is highly likely he will be available this month.”

Urias, like Peraza or Isiah Kiner-Falefa, another third baseman the Yankees have been linked to, can also back up at shortstop. That adds the versatility GM Brian Cashman likes as well.

Peraza still isn’t hitting, and now it's been more than just a cup of coffee in the majors. He's been given the room to win the job and he clearly cannot.

Urías may not solve everything, but he gives Aaron Boone a steady glove and a right-handed bat who can hit lefties. That’s more than the Yankees are getting right now.

While Urias would be expected to be less costly than the big names the Yankees are exploring, there is reportedly some concern the Orioles would add a tax for the division rivals.

Still, Urias could be cheaper and smarter. At this point, the Yankees don’t need flash, they need functional. Urías might be just that.