
Yankees’ biggest issue has no clear solution — and outside help is unlikely on way
NY Post
TAMPA — Now playing at third base for the Yankees: Wishful thinking.
The Yankees built an exceptional all-around team, but sources say they have hit their financial limit, which means their all-too-obvious hot corner conundrum has a much better than even chance to carry late into spring and perhaps even into the season.
The otherwise set and stacked team is basically holding its first open, many-man tryout at third since 1991, when three young guys — Mike Blowers, Randy Velarde and Jim Leyritz — battled it out for an also-ran Yankees club. This time it’s an eclectic trio (or perhaps even quartet) of very pleasant hopefuls, and since the Yankees have reached their budget at about $308 million, one or more of them are likely to be the guy or guys. (A platoon is another option.)
Here are the contestants.

Cade Cunningham, almost inarguably the best player in the East this season, is likely out for the remainder of the regular season. That’s the word out of Detroit following the depressing news that Cunningham punctured a lung when he took a knee to his side Tuesday from Washington’s Tre Johnson while chasing a loose ball.

Wednesday was another positive day at Yankees camp. For the first time since March 6, 2025 — an outing in which he knew “something wasn’t right,” which began a weeks-long saga that ended on the operating table for Tommy John surgery — Gerrit Cole was back on a mound and facing hitters in game action.











