The New York Yankees were busy at the trade deadline, as they swung several deals in an effort to make a postseason push over the next two months. And while they operated as buyers for the most part, they did unload some players too, with one move seeing them send former top prospect Oswald Peraza to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for Wilberson De Pena and international bonus pool money.
Peraza never found his footing with the Yankees, so they decided to move on from him and give him a shot to find his way with another team. And even though this partnership did not come to a particularly great end, Peraza still showed his love for the city of New York and their fans by offering a heartfelt goodbye message on social media.
Oswald Peraza Says Goodbye to the Yankees
Peraza signed with the Yankees as an international free agent in 2016, gradually working his way up through the minor league system until he found his way to the majors in 2022. However, he never really got consistent playing time in the pros until this season, due in large part to injuries and his poor play in the big leagues.
In 2025, Peraza played 74 games for New York, but he hit just .153 with three home runs and 13 RBIs. When you hit at that low of a clip, it’s tough to justify giving a player at-bats, no matter who they are. There’s no doubt that Peraza has tons of potential, but he never came close to showing he could be a reliable, everyday player for the Yankees this season.
As a result, the front office cut bait and shipped him to the Angels, where he will have a shot to earn a more consistent spot in the lineup. While things didn’t pan out for Peraza, he is still fond of the Yankees organization, as he sent a lengthy goodbye message to the organization as part of an Instagram post on Thursday.
“After 9 years with this organization, all I can say is thank you,” Peraza said as part of his message. “Thank you for believing in me from day one, for shaping me as a player, for giving me the opportunity to grow, make mistakes, learn, and live moments I will never forget.”
Yankees Move in a Different Direction After Oswald Peraza Trade
GettyNew York Yankees infielder Oswald Peraza
While Peraza’s versatility in the infield gave him some value, his light-hitting tendencies ultimately became too much to overlook. After the team acquiring Ryan McMahon in a trade with the Colorado Rockies, they didn’t have as much of a need for Peraza, as third base is the position he spent the majority of his time at this season.
Even with their aforementioned moves to shore up the team, the Yankees have struggled in the wake of the trade deadline, as they have fallen all the way down to the third spot in the American League wild card standings. The good news is that they still have a 1.5-game lead over the Cleveland Guardians and Texas Rangers, but they are going to have to right the ship soon, or else they could be in serious trouble down the stretch.
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