The New York Yankees' quest to solidify third base has become a painful saga, and this week's series against the Los Angeles Angels only twisted the knife. Last season's trade deadline saw the Yankees swap one third baseman for another, hoping to solve a persistent problem. Instead, the move has backfired spectacularly.

The player they acquired, Ryan McMahon, has struggled mightily at the plate. His offensive woes have been so pronounced that he's begun to lose playing time to Amed Rosario and others in a reshuffled Yankees infield. The stark reality of his slump was highlighted in brutal fashion during the Angels' visit to the Bronx.

That's because the player the Yankees sent away, Oswald Peraza, returned to Yankee Stadium wearing an Angels uniform and delivered a powerful reminder of what could have been. Peraza put on a show, including a home run and a double off ace Max Fried in the series finale. The most damning stat, courtesy of The Athletic's Chris Kirschner, puts the Yankees' dilemma into crystal-clear focus: Peraza collected five hits in the series alone, while McMahon has only five hits for the entire season.

While it's unlikely Peraza will maintain that torrid pace, the Yankees would undoubtedly welcome any semblance of that production at the hot corner. For now, the trade looks like a clear misfire, leaving the Bronx Bombers to continue searching for answers at a position that has plagued them for far too long.