Why Oswaldo Cabrera Needs to Start on Opening Day
By Andrew Hefner
March 1, 2025
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Only a select number of Yankees have withstood the tests the last three seasons have presented in the Bronx. One man, however, has consistently played his role perfectly, and I think he deserves a chance to finally be a part of the starting nine.
Of course, I am talking about Oswaldo Cabrera, the now second-longest-tenured Yankee in the organization, just behind Captain Aaron Judge. Cabrera came from humble roots in Venezuela and in 2015 signed as an International Free Agent at the age of 15 to join the New York Yankees. He quickly climbed the ranks all the way through the Rookie Ball system, and then the A ball divisions to make his MLB debut in August 2022, as a result of the Yankees needing versatile injury replacements.
Since Cabrera’s debut, he has quickly gained an important role on the Major League Squad thanks to Manager Aaron Boone. Since 2022, “Waldo” has played a substantial amount of games in both left field and right field, second base, and shortstop, and has played every position other than catcher, even though none of these are even his primary position. A traditional third baseman, Cabrera learned throughout his time in the minors that becoming versatile could be the key to success in the Majors.
"I love to play. That's the thing. I don't care about any position that I'm playing," said Cabrera, "I just want to help the team win, and that's the most important thing in my mind. So anywhere that they need me ... I will do it." (Via MLB.com/Pinstripe Nation).
How Cabrera Could Work
As the Yankees quickly approach the 2025 season, some “holes” have been discovered and have become painfully obvious to the Yankees fanbase. The turmoil started just a day into spring when the Yankees announced that Giancarlo Stanton had a form of “tennis elbow” in both arms. Stanton, the starting DH for the Yankees when healthy, will not be ready for Opening Day. Another issue that has arisen has to do with young left fielder Jasson Dominguez’s defensive skills. Through his Spring Training, almost each game thus far has featured a disappointing mistake or miscue in the outfield for Dominguez.
Cabrera, though, could easily offer a remedy for both of these prevalent issues. As previously mentioned, Cabrera has an immense amount of experience in lef tfield and could provide an excellent defensive-minded bat that can be inserted in the bottom half of the lineup. Of course, not all hope is lost for Dominguez in this situation as he could easily become the DH, keeping him out of the field, as well as alleviating any injury concerns that may come following his rough last couple of seasons.
If Boone decides that Dominguez is still the answer, however, third base, Cabrera’s original position, is still up for grabs. DJ Lemahieu and Cabrera appear to be the two duking it out for the spot at the moment, and it seems too obvious which one has displayed more raw talent over the past two seasons.
There is no secret that Cabrera can be a threat at the dish as well. In fact, in the early days of the 2024 season, he led the league in home runs and batting average while playing every day in the first two series of the season. Given an appropriate amount of playing time and consistent at-bats, he has the chance to become an effective weapon. He has also shown great baserunning ability, previously working as an important option off the bench throughout the 2024 season in the pinch-running department.
In Summary
Oswaldo Cabrera embodies the Yankees' spirit. He takes time for the fans, he knows what it means to wear the pinstripe and the significance they carry, and, throughout his career, he has put in the work and effort to get to where he is today. Coaches across the world (I’m sure even Boone) will always say “Consistency is key”, and I believe this is especially true in Cabrera’s case as I think with the starting job on Opening Day, he can use that key to unlock the true potential that he carries.
It appears Judge has sway with the manager and front office.... he liked Rizzo whose last year in pinstripes was a disaster, is it a coincidence Boone has talked up DJ and that he is still on the team? Judge has his bros and Yankees keep certain players past their expiration date. Cabrera is the only young player other than SS who has gotten playing time, and only because he is the "jack of all trades." Peraza, Dominguez, Pereira and Rice are next up in the cue and Boone will find excuses to limit their time in the lineup.
I see a Cabrera/Peraza platoon at 3B, and I'd hold on to the remaining prospects until they show they can't do the job at least adequately.
Cabrera is a fine reserve.
the Yankees require one additional starting infielder and Cabrera aint the one.
Cabrera is a fine reserve.
get Bo Bichette, get Hoerner, get Oneil Cruz even if none if them or none of a half-dozen others are immediately available at a cost that Cashman wishes to pay.
the team is sufficiently sound and the acquisition can be deferred for weeks
or even more.
better to get the right infielder than to grab the one most immediately available.
the AL is not greatly threatening for a team sufficiently sound.
Again, the combo of the 'O' boys, Peraza & Cabrera need to be the guys to hold 3B down. Defensively, both can play there. And just because Cabrera can play all 4 infield spots and both corner spots, doesn't mean anything.
Worried about Dominguez in LF? The bigger question is, how much longer will they hold Pereira out from the OF, as he is coming up before Opening Day at the 9 month mark from his TJS. He already is the DH, and make no mistake about it, with Stanton starting the 2025 season on the IL (60 day?), I have to think that Pereira makes this team, being a RHB. We know he can play a very good …