DALLAS — The New York Yankees are facing a significant shift in their outfield alignment following the departure of Juan Soto, but this change may pave the way for a more defensively sound lineup. With Soto no longer in the mix, Aaron Judge is expected to return to right field, his more customary position prior to his temporary move to center field in the 2024 season.
Judge’s stint in center field was not without its challenges; he ranked 40th out of 41 qualified center fielders in minus-6 Outs Above Average according to Statcast. Furthermore, FanGraphs notes that Judge had minus-9 defensive runs saved, marking him third worst among his peers. This move back to right field could potentially reduce the physical strain and preserve his long-term health, which had been a concern while covering the expansive center field territory.
In light of these adjustments, Yankees top prospect Jasson Domínguez is likely to step into the central spot, considered his strongest position in the outfield. Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman, speaking at the Winter Meetings in Dallas, expressed confidence in Domínguez’s capabilities, noting his potential and recent return to full health.
Manager Aaron Boone further underlined his trust in Domínguez’s readiness to handle full-time duties as a center fielder in the upcoming season, despite a somewhat truncated big league experience to date. Domínguez’s debut year in 2023 was cut short due to an elbow injury which necessitated Tommy John surgery, and his recovery was later set back by an oblique strain, limiting him to just 26 MLB games.
Given his performances and the current roster dynamics, Boone remained non-committal about Domínguez securing a definitive spot in the spring, suggesting that roster strategies would guide the ultimate decision.
The team also contemplates other configurations which might include shifting Domínguez to left field, a position he briefly occupied during his MLB stretch run this past season but found challenging. This move could occur if the Yankees acquire a more experienced center fielder during the offseason. Reports suggest interest in Cody Bellinger from the Chicago Cubs, noted for his defensive versatility and offensive power, which could significantly enhance the Yankees’ outfield dynamics.
Further, the departure of Soto and the restructuring of the outfield may also lead Cashman to seek an additional right-handed hitter to complement the lineup, possibly filling this gap with free agents like Anthony Santander or Teoscar Hernández, who remain available.
Finally, as the Yankees continue these strategic adjustments, Cashman emphasized the blend of run prevention and creation his team will focus on, indicating an active offseason and openness to further changes as the season progresses.
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