Have the New York Yankees backed themselves into a position where they may have no choice but to trade a former top prospect?
The Locked on Yankees podcast seems to think so.
On the March 6 episode, host Brian McKeon discussed the “legitimate chance” of George Lombard Jr. making the major league roster after spring training. Despite being just 19 years old and having no experience beyond High-A ball, Lombard has turned heads with his offensive performance early in spring training.
“He’s absolutely dominating spring training right now,” McKeon said.
Rise of George Lombard Jr. Could Mean No Spot Left for Oswald Peraza
McKeon pointed out that keeping Lombard Jr.—who was drafted as a shortstop with the 26th overall pick in the 2023 draft but can play multiple infield positions—would likely come at the expense of Oswald Peraza, creating a tough decision for the Yankees.
Peraza, a top-four Yankees prospect from 2020 to 2023, has struggled to establish himself at the Major League level despite multiple call-ups. He showed promise in his 18-game MLB debut in 2022, slashing .306/.404/.429 and earning a spot on the ALCS roster. However, his performance dipped in 2023, as he hit just .191 over 52 games, and he received only 10 at-bats with the Yankees last season.
After appearing in just four games in 2024, the Yankees exhausted their final minor league option on Peraza. This means that if they keep him on the Major League roster but later decide to send him down, he would have to pass through waivers first.
“And since he’s a player that many teams are looking to trade for, he’s not going to clear waivers,” McKeon explained. “There’s no chance. He’ll likely be claimed by the first team that gets the opportunity.”
It seems the Yankees have put themselves in a difficult position.
“By repeatedly calling up and sending down Peraza, they’ve created a problem for themselves,” McKeon said.
Best Player Approach Means Yankees Might Keep Lombard Jr.
McKeon believes the Yankees should have no issue including George Lombard Jr. on their Opening Day roster.
“The Yankees have shown in recent years that they will play the best players,” he said. “They owe it to themselves, the fan base, and the players who helped them reach the World Series last year. As the American League favorites and a serious championship contender, they need to field their best line up. If George Lombard Jr. is currently that player, then he has to be in the line up.”
Having Lombard Jr. at third base could fill a major gap in the Yankees’ infield. With Peraza struggling to find consistency, DJ LeMahieu dealing with injuries and declining production, and Oswaldo Cabrera serving as only a short-term option, Lombard Jr. could be a much-needed solution.
Watching him this spring, it’s easy to get excited about the possibility of Lombard Jr. playing alongside Anthony Volpe for years to come.
“I was really impressed,” said Aaron Judge. “Seeing him shift over to third base—he’s got a strong, accurate arm, hitting every guy in the chest. He’s got smooth hands. Anthony Volpe is one of the best shortstops I’ve ever seen, and having [Lombard] right next to him at third is pretty exciting for the left side of the infield.”
