The New York Yankees may have found their left fielder for 2023.
Aaron Judge.
The AL MVP who crushed 62 home runs last season has volunteered to shift from right field to left field. MLB.com reported Tuesday that the Yankees are looking to get slugger Giancarlo Stanton more involved in the field, to help his focus. Right field is his most natural position.
Judge likes the idea.
“I did mention it to them about, ‘If we need to get Big G in right field at Yankee Stadium, put me in left,’” Judge said (via MLB.com). “I don’t mind it. I don’t mind switching around so we can have me, [center fielder Harrison Bader] and Big G out there. We’ll get some reps, hopefully, in spring training and get comfortable out there.”
Yankees manager Aaron Boone admitted the idea is “on the table.” Stanton, who has played only 77 games in the outfield the past four seasons, primarily serving as DH, says being on the field would help him.
“I think I have more of a flow when I’m an outfielder,” Stanton said. “Being an outfielder, you’re more engaged in the game, whereas [as the] DH, you’re inside a lot of the time staying warm and hitting, kind of watching the game from the TV.”
One of the big storylines for the Yankees this offseason has been their question mark in left field. Aaron Hicks and Oswaldo Cabrera had been expected to battle for playing time there, but this new plan might change everything.
[MLB.com]
