Angels Acquire Yankees Young Third Baseman in Trade Deal
In the final minutes of the trade deadline, the Angels have acquired infielder Oswald Peraza from the New York Yankees, sending 18-year-old outfielder Wilberson De Pena and international signing money to the Bronx. Peraza has spent nine years in the Yankees organization, spending the majority of his time playing third base. Peraza provides an elite glove for the Halos and provides flexibility in the infield as well. While not a move that drastically shifts the Angels’ playoff odds, it helps address a clear defensive hole.
De Pena, the outgoing prospect, was batting just .218 over 57 games in the Dominican Summer League. The 18-year-old was not ranked among the Angels' top 30 prospects. As a result, it makes this a low-risk deal for Los Angeles. Meanwhile, the Yankees free up a roster spot and gain international bonus pool money as they continue to retool following their deadline additions.
Defensively, Peraza is a clear upgrade, posting 4 DRS, 1 OAA in 309 innings at third. In contrast, Angels' third basemen have combined for -21 DRS and -20 OAA, making the position a defensive black hole. Peraza, however, also comes with a struggling bat at the plate. Peraza is batting a .152/.212/.241 with a -0.2 WAR. Despite the offensive struggles, his elite glove and years of team control through 2029 make him a valuable depth piece with upside.
The Yankees were expecting more from Peraza this season to become the everyday third baseman as they moved Jazz Chisolm Jr. back to playing second base. Peraza’s struggle at the plate was enough for the Yankees to make a move. Soon after, the Yankees traded for third baseman Ryan McMahon from the Colorado Rockies. That move put him in a position that saw him coming off the bench late in games for speed on the base paths, as well as a defensive replacement. Now heading to Anaheim, Peraza gets a fresh start in a more hitter-friendly ballpark and a chance for more playing time. If he can settle at the plate, this move could end up paying dividends for the Halos as they make a push for the postseason.
