The New York Yankees are living in tense times, where defensive errors have become as common as defeats. The latest loss, a disappointing 4-1 defeat to the Blue Jays, not only showed a team in decline, but intensified the murmurings surrounding possible trades before the deadline. At the center of the storm is infielder Oswald Peraza, whose recent blunder has cast doubt on his future with the team.
The moment the Yankees were hoping to improve slipped away in the fifth inning, courtesy of a crucial defensive blunder. A hit by Myles Straw, with Carlos Rodon on the mound, turned into a run for the Jays thanks to a throwing error by Peraza from third base. Bo Bichette scored, putting his team 3-1 up. The Yankees ended up losing 4-1, leaving their record at 55-45 and their position in second place in the American League East.
Mistakes and self-criticism
After the game, Oswald Peraza was questioned by YES Network about what happened. Through an interpreter, he admitted: “I rushed the sequence to defend that ball. I noticed that the runner was running very well. The position at first base… was not the best and that cost us”. This self-criticism adds to a difficult season for Peraza, who has also struggled with the bat, posting a .150/.212/.242 slash line.
Peraza’s error was not the only defensive slip of the night. Anthony Volpe also made a costly blunder in the same inning, his 12th error of the season, tying him with Jonathan India (Kansas City) for the most errors in the American League. Volpe, who won a Gold Glove in 2023, acknowledged: “I rushed the throw and pulled it and gave Goldy a tough reception to handle.” His defensive performance this year contrasts drastically with the previous year: in less than 850 innings in 2024, he already surpassed the error ratio of his 16 blunders in more than 1,400 innings in 2023.
A possible way out?
The situation has heightened the urgency of moves in the boardroom, which is actively seeking to strengthen third base. When asked about the inevitable trade rumors, Peraza explained that: “I’ve always tried to focus on the work and the things I can control… I understand that the numbers aren’t exactly where I want them to be, but I trust the work and I keep doing it every day. As far as trades and things like that… you have to focus on what you’re doing on a daily basis and focus on the things you can control.”
It is clear that Peraza’s performance has not been the best and that the team is not going through a good time collectively, so fans are watching to see if there are more moves in the market and if the decision-making by the board can help lift a team that is still asleep.
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