December is nearing its end, but the New York Yankees have yet to cover their bases with respect to roster construction ahead of the 2024 MLB season. While the team added a couple of outfielders, the pitching department remains in shambles. Regardless, the Bronx Bombers remain committed to making the most of this off-season.
Undoubtedly, the New York Yankees have a potent outfield lineup for the impending season. However, injuries remain an inevitable part of the sport. With Aaron Judge moving to center field after Juan Soto’s acquisition, it’s highly likely that Judge will miss some time to manage his workload. Under this circumstance, the franchise needs depth to cover for him, and thus, the front office must reunite with the former utility man to bolster the outfield depth.
Yankees Need Isiah Kiner-Falefa To Bolster Outfield Depth!
A traditional infielder, Isiah Kiner-Falefa transformed into a utility player ahead of the 2023 season, as his shortstop position was claimed by rookie Anthony Volpe during spring training. Subsequently, IKF ended up playing every position except for catcher and first base this year. However, his form with the bat was abysmal. He finished the year with .242, six home runs, and 37 RBIs across 113 games. Having said that, IKF is now a free agent, and the Yankees should actively seek a reunion. While the utility player is not known for hitting the ball hard, his ability to draw walks and create run production chances are second to none.
It’s impossible for the likes of Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, and Alex Verdugo to last for a 162-game stretch. Even if they manage to stay healthy, the Yankees will bench them in order to manage their workload. This is when Isiah Kiner-Falefa comes into the picture. He is a perfect player to come off the bench and also a strong option for the pinch hitter’s role. Additionally, the Yanks infield is not a finished product and is likely to hit a slump sometime in the season. Thus, IKF, being a veteran, can stabilize things in dire situations. Having said that, Kiner-Falefa’s reunion won’t cost the Yanks a fortune. He earned $6 million in arbitration last year, and if willing to settle for a similar figure, the Yanks should extend him for an additional year.
Bombers Mulling Retirement With Montgomery, Montas!
The New York Yankees remain in dire need of pitching reinforcements and have apparently set eyes on a couple of ex-Yankee hurlers. Undoubtedly, the team’s starting rotation for the 2024 season is missing a piece. Thus, rumors have it that the Yanks could approach Jordan Montgomery and Frankie Montas in the coming days for a potential reunion.
Montgomery was traded in 2022 to the Cardinals and only thrived after their exit from the Bronx. On the other hand, Frankie Montas, widely categorized as a trade bust, has been on IL ever since his trade came through. However, he has had a relatively better off-season and currently remains injury-free. Thus, if Yoshinobu Yamamoto falls off the Yankees’ grip, Montgomery and Montas remain its fallback option.
