The Yankees still have to address their biggest need – pitching – ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline. But in the meantime, the first player they acquired to fill another big hole is paying immediate dividends.

The Yankees have had a need for a third baseman since releasing DJ LeMahieu and moving Jazz Chisholm back to the keystone. As of late, manager Aaron Boone has used a combination of Oswald Peraza and Jorbit Vivas at the hot corner. Clearly New York, now 4 ½ games back in the American League East, was not satisfied with that arrangement.