Oswaldo Cabrera Is Making The Yankees Offense More Dangerous

The New York Yankees are off to a fantastic start. Despite injuries to key players in the rotation and bullpen, the pitching staff hasn’t missed a beat. However, this hasn’t been the biggest surprise for the Yankees early in the season. Arguably the biggest surprise early in the season is how well Oswaldo Cabrera has been swinging the bat. In a line-up that features Juan Soto, Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and others, nobody expected Oswaldo Cabrera to be an offensive catalyst as well. With DJ LeMahieu nearing a rehab assignment, the 25-year-old is giving the Yankees a good problem. The Yankees offense is much more dangerous with how well Oswaldo Cabrera is doing offensively.

Cabrera Had A Poor 2023 Season

Expectations weren’t high for Oswaldo Cabrera going into the season. He came off a season in which he put up a slash line of just .211/.275/.299 with an awful .574 OPS. He also only had five home runs and 29 RBI. This all happened despite showing such promise in the prior season. At one point last season, the Yankees sent him back down to Triple-A a few times. After a rough 2023 season, Cabrera had a lot to prove to the organization.

Oswaldo Cabrera Is Making The Most Of Hist Opportunity

Oswaldo Cabrera didn’t have that great of a spring. In 47 at-bats, Cabrera only put up a .213/.302/.362 slash line with an OPS of .664 including just two home runs and three RBI. Nobody expected Oswaldo Cabrera to appear in a lot of games in 2024. However, starting third baseman DJ LeMahieu hurt his foot towards the end of spring training. While New York acquired Jon Berti from the Marlins, he wouldn’t be ready to see action right away. This forced the Yankees to make Oswaldo Cabrera their Opening Day third baseman.

To say that Cabrera has blown away expectations is an understatement. Oswaldo Cabrera came up big offensively against the hated Houston Astros. In that series, Cabrera would go seven for 16 with two home runs and 16 RBI. He also scored three times as well and even had the first four-hit game of his career. Since that series, Cabrera hasn’t looked back and proved that it wasn’t a mirage.

Continuing His Hot Start

So far this season, Cabrera is slashing a scorching .317/.378/.583 with a .963 OPS as well as three home runs and 11 RBI. His offensive prowess is a big reason why the Yankees have won their first five series of the year. Safe to say that Cabrera has more than filled the void left by LaMahieu. His recent success has made it easier for the Yankees to get LaMahieu fully healthy rather than rushing him back. He has even earned the love of the often hard-to-please Bronx faithful.

Cabrera’s Success Is Allowing The Yankees To Not Rush DJ LaMahieu

Given how well Cabrera is swinging the bat, it gives the Yankees a great problem when DJ LaMahieu returns. It’s going to be tough for the Yankees to start LaMahieu going forward with how successful Oswaldo Cabrera has been. However, even when LaMahieu returns to the starting line-up, he probably won’t be playing every day. Due to the severity of his injury, the Yankees are probably going to build in off days for him. If Oswaldo Cabrera can keep up his strong offensive output, he could be the third baseman on LaMahieu’s off days.

Oswaldo Cabrera Is Giving The Yankees A Great Problem

Oswaldo Cabrera’s offensive prowess has been the best surprise the Yankees have had in 2024. In a line-up with many feared hitters, nobody expected Cabrera to be one of them. The 25-year-old’s sudden offensive surge is a big reason why the Yankees are off to a hot start. Cabrera’s hot start is also allowing the team to not rush DJ LaMahieu back and get him fully healthy. Whenever DJ LaMahieu returns, Cabrera is giving the Yankees a good problem to have going forward.

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