Although the starting third baseman for the New York Yankees in 2025 is still up in the air, one insider believes an unexpected candidate may surface.
In his list of 25 Yankees predictions for the upcoming season, Pete Caldera of NorthJersey.com includes the third base position. There is a void at third base since Jazz Chisholm Jr. is anticipated to move to second base.
Caldera thinks Jorbit Vivas will take over on Opening Day, even if the Yankees might go with DJ LeMahieu or look at someone like Nolan Arenado or Alex Bregman.
Following an excellent spring training, Caldera said, “Jorbit Vivas, a dark horse infield candidate, earns the Yankees’ Opening Day third baseman spot.”
Vivas, who is now rated as the 17th-best prospect by the Yankees, was transferred to New York in 2023 after being signed by the Dodgers as an international free agency in 2017. Despite being called up by the Yankees in 2024, the versatile infielder—who can play both second and third—did not play in any games. During that year, he played 93 games in Triple-A and recorded a.225 average with nine home runs and 45 RBIs.
Vivas will be the Yankees’ Opening Day third baseman, according to Caldera, but he doesn’t think he will stay there for very long. Caldera instead projects that New York will have a slow start and that Vivas will be optioned to Triple-A by the end of April.
After losing 20 of their first 31 games, the Yankees lose two of their final three games in Baltimore to end April. Caldera said, “Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre has optioned Jorbit Vivas.”
Yankees Opening Day Lineup Predictions by Insiders
The Yankees did a decent job of replacing Juan Soto after he left in free agency.
In addition to signing Paul Goldschmidt and acquiring Cody Bellinger, New York also added pitchers Devin Williams and Max Fried. On Opening Day, Caldera anticipates manager Aaron Boone will start this lineup because there aren’t many roster spots available:
Chisholm Jr., Jazz Alan Judge at 2B, Cody Bellinger at RF, Giancarlo Stanton at LF, Austin Wells at DH, Paul Goldschmidt at C, Jasson Dominguez at 1B, Anthony Volpe at CF, SS Jupiter Vivas at 3B
On March 27, the Yankees host the Milwaukee Brewers to begin the 2025 season.
Roster Building Pleases New York GM
After missing out on Soto, the Yankees have been busy rebuilding their roster in the summer.
Despite the fact that New York is among the best teams in Major League Baseball, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman believes that more needs to be done.
“With Bellinger, Devin Williams, and Max (Fried), we’ve done some heavy lifting,” Cashman remarked. “But more lifting needs to be done.”
Additionally, Cashman states that he is working to assemble the greatest roster possible.
“My job is to find ways to make us as competitive as possible every season,” Cashman said.
Heading into 2025, the Yankees’ primary need is a reliable third baseman. With +850 odds, or a 10.5% chance, New York currently holds the third-best odds to win the World Series, trailing only the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers. Among AL teams, the Yankees have the best chances.
The team has not claimed a World Series title since 2009.
