TAMPA, Fla. – With a lack of infield depth ranking as one of the Yankees’ significant concerns ahead of Opening Day, the club acquired versatile speedster Jon Berti from the Marlins on Wednesday afternoon as part of a three-team trade.
The other pieces of the three-team trade saw the Yankees ship catcher Ben Rortvedt to the Rays while shipping outfielder John Cruz, the Yankees’ No. 28 prospect, to Miami. Rays outfield prospect Shane Sasaki, who was not ranked among the club's Top 30 prospects, has been dealt to the Marlins.
“I’m really excited about this. I feel like we’re getting a really good player,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said.
Berti exited the Marlins’ workout on Wednesday and is traveling to join the Yankees in Houston, where the Bombers are set to open the regular season against the Astros.
Boone said that he was not sure if Berti’s travel would allow him to be in the Opening Day lineup, but Berti is expected to play regularly at third base while DJ LeMahieu recovers from a bone bruise in his right foot. LeMahieu has been limited in his workouts due to swelling and is set to undergo another MRI on Friday.
“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 is likely to start over Oswaldo Cabrera, who was in line to serve as the Opening Day third baseman before Wednesday’s trade. Boone said that Cabrera is his envisioned backup at several infield positions, while infielder-outfielder Jahmai Jones is also on the roster.
“Before a few hours ago, I was concerned about our infield depth and our bench, how we were going to maneuver that,” Boone said. “I feel like that improved a lot today.”
The 34-year-old Berti batted .294/.344/.405 with 16 doubles, three triples, seven home runs and 16 stolen bases for Miami in 2023, spending most of his time at shortstop and third base. He also made 15 appearances at second base and 19 in the outfield. In 2022, Berti led all of MLB in stolen bases with 41.
By Outs Above Average, Berti was a plus fielder both at shortstop and third base in 2023. A right-handed batter, Berti debuted with the Blue Jays in 2018 and spent 2019-23 with the Marlins. He is making $2.125 million in 2024 and has a club option for '25.
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March 28, 2024 at 04:33AM
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Jon Berti traded to Yankees from Marlins - MLB.com
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