Oswaldo Cabrera’s Roster Spot Is No Lock - And the Clock’s Ticking
The Yankees head into spring training with a deep bench of utility options, but the return of Oswaldo Cabrera adds another layer to the competition - and not necessarily in a way that guarantees him a spot on the Opening Day roster.
Cabrera is back and healthy after a fractured ankle cut short his 2025 season. He’ll be full-go when camp opens, and that’s a positive step.
But health alone won’t be enough to keep him in the Bronx. With Jose Caballero and Amed Rosario already in the mix - and Anthony Volpe expected back soon - Cabrera is going to have to fight for his place, and the margin for error is razor thin.
The Bat Hasn’t Backed Up the Glove
Let’s be honest: Cabrera’s glove and versatility have kept him in the conversation longer than his bat has. Defensively, he’s a manager’s dream.
He can play second, third, shortstop, and all three outfield spots without being a liability. That kind of flexibility is gold over a 162-game season, especially when injuries start piling up.
But the bat? That’s where things get dicey.
Here’s a quick look at his offensive production over the past four seasons:
| Season | Games | AVG | OBP | SLG | wRC+ |
|---|
| 2022 | 44 | .247 | .312 | .429 | 110 | | 2023 | 115 | .211 | .275 | .299 | 59 |
| 2024 | 109 | .247 | .296 | .365 | 89 | | 2025 | 34 | .243 | .322 | .308 | 83 |
His rookie year in 2022 showed real promise - a 110 wRC+ in limited action, meaning he was 10% better than league average at the plate. But since then, it’s been a downward trend.
His wRC+ dropped to 59 in 2023, rebounded slightly in 2024, and then dipped again in a shortened 2025 campaign. A .308 slugging percentage last season doesn’t exactly scream “offensive threat,” and the power that once made him intriguing has all but vanished.
In 2025, Cabrera hit just one home run in 122 plate appearances. That’s a far cry from the six he hit in 171 plate appearances as a rookie.
And the speed that once added another dimension to his game? Gone.
Zero stolen bases last year after swiping eight bags in 2023.
Still Valuable - But For How Long?
Cabrera’s value to the Yankees has always been tied to his versatility and energy. He’s a guy who can move around the diamond, fill in wherever needed, and bring a spark to the clubhouse.
Teammates and coaches love his attitude. He’s the kind of player who keeps the dugout loose and the vibes positive.
But at some point, the Yankees need more than good vibes.
With an 83 wRC+ last season, Cabrera was 17% below league average offensively. And on a team with championship aspirations, that’s a tough sell - especially when there are other utility options who can offer more with the bat.
The Volpe Factor and a Crowded Bench
The return of Anthony Volpe could be the tipping point. Caballero is expected to start the season at shortstop while Volpe recovers, but once the Yankees’ everyday shortstop is back in action, Caballero becomes a super-utility piece - a role Cabrera has filled in the past.
Add Amed Rosario to the mix, and suddenly you’ve got three utility men for what might be two roster spots. Rosario brings more offensive upside, and Caballero has shown flashes of being a spark plug with the glove and on the basepaths. That leaves Cabrera as the odd man out - unless he forces the issue this spring.
Spring Training: A Make-or-Break Moment
There’s no more injury excuse. Cabrera is healthy.
He’s got a clean slate. But to earn a spot on the 26-man roster, he’ll need to come out swinging - literally.
The Yankees know what he can do defensively, but they need to see signs of life at the plate. A strong spring could remind them of the player who turned heads in 2022.
But if the power stays missing and the bat stays cold, the front office won’t hesitate to send him to Triple-A.
The clock is ticking. Cabrera still has the tools to be a valuable piece of a contending roster.
But in a crowded infield with limited spots, tools alone won’t be enough. This spring, it’s not about potential.
It’s about production.