Now we just need Peraza to get his chance, or is he trade bait?
I fervently hope Peraza hits well enough that they want to keep him.
I'm still hoping Gleyber finds a new home NLT this next off-season and that feeling is only intensified with his current slump. He's not consistent enough. I don't expect them to get rid of Donaldson this year, but I wouldn't mind DJ settling in at 3rd next season and watching an infield of DJ, Volpe, Peraza and Rizzo. Don't care which of Volpe/Peraza plays SS or 2B.
Given his plate discipline, I'm confident that Volpe will get better and better at the plate, so I don't think Peraza needs to tear the cover off of the ball or anything. Being a defense-first infielder is fine. But showing enough offensive potential at the MLB level so the Yankees feel confident in building around him and Volpe up the middle would be wonderful. Great for the defense. Great for managing future payroll.
I'm pretty sure that is what the Yankees want too. Peraza just needs to show enough in what may be limited opportunities this year.
Depending on how fast/much he develops this year, Peraza taking over the IKF utility role full time next year would be OK too. But I'm hoping for more than that.