UPDATE: A three-way trade involving the Rays has been confirmed, with the Yankees sending catcher Ben Rortvedt to Tampa along with their No. 28 prospect, John Cruz, to the Marlins.

Exiting spring training, the New York Yankees’ 2024 roster remained in flux. With five catchers on the 40-man roster (and three on the active roster), and injuries to DJ LeMahieu and Oswald Peraza depleting their infield depth, the team faced pressing needs.

Speculation abounded among fans regarding potential moves to address these issues. However, on Wednesday afternoon, Brian Cashman orchestrated a trade with the Miami Marlins, shedding light on the team’s intentions.

Reports indicate that the Yankees are set to acquire infielder Jon Berti from Miami. This move appears aimed at bolstering the team’s athleticism and offensive capabilities.

Berti enjoyed a standout season in 2023, batting .294/.344/.405 with 53 runs, 7 home runs, 33 RBIs, and 16 stolen bases across 133 games. In the preceding year, he topped the league in stolen bases with 41 in just 102 games.

His recent versatility on the field is notable, having played defensively at shortstop (64 games), third base (41 games), left and right field (19 games), and second base (15 games). While there’s room for improvement in his defensive skills, his adaptability adds value to the team.

Yankees News: Jon Berti acquired in trade with Marlins before Opening Day

It’s highly likely that Jahmai Jones will find himself excluded from the Opening Day roster due to the significant upgrade Berti brings to the team. This trade reflects a purposeful strategy by the Yankees.

Berti, entering his age-34 season, was originally drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 18th round of the 2011 draft. He’s under contract through the 2024 season, with a salary of $2.125 million. Given his performances over the past couple of years, there’s a strong chance he’ll compete for playing time against Oswaldo Cabrera and, upon his return, Oswald Peraza.

While Berti struggled somewhat this spring, batting .229 with a .696 OPS and tallying 12 strikeouts in 35 at-bats, it’s unlikely that this performance prompted the Marlins to trade him. Miami has been bolstering its infield with acquisitions like Tim Anderson and Jake Burger, demonstrating a surplus of flexibility and versatility on their roster.

Berti’s addition to the Yankees’ bench provides essential reinforcement to address potential infield gaps, particularly with his ability to play shortstop, which alleviates many concerns. It appears Cashman had a strategic plan in place while fans observed other veteran free agents being swiftly signed by other teams.