Left-field is a particular position that has troubled the New York Yankees for several seasons now. After facing a revolving door like situation last year, the front office acquired Alex Verdugo from Boston Red Sox in unexpected off-season trade which proved to be a disaster in hindsight.
To salvage the damage, the New York Yankees even turned to top prospect Jasson Dominguez. However, the rookie’s troubles in defense continues to be a talking point. Moreover, with the playoffs approaching, the Yankee management appears highly confused as to who could be their ideal everyday left-field everyday for the month of October.
Jasson Dominguez Vs Alex Verdugo Conundrum Looms Large On Yankees
As the New York Yankees head into the postseason, one glaring issue remains unresolved, i.e., the left field. Despite a strong record, this New York roster isn’t without flaws, and the left field position has been a significant concern all season. Yankee left fielders rank 23rd in the majors with an 84 wRC+ and 21st with 0.6 fWAR. Even Aaron Judge’s brief stint there didn’t solve the problem. The team hoped that promoting top prospect Jasson Dominguez would be the solution. However, Dominguez has struggled in his 14 games, posting a .200/.294/.369 slash line with two homers and subpar defense. This has left manager Aaron Boone with a tough decision for the playoffs. Boone recently admitted that he may decide between Dominguez and Alex Verdugo based on matchups.
Though Dominguez has been inconsistent, the fact that this debate even exists speaks volumes about the Yankees’ struggles. Dominguez was brought up to improve the offense, and even with his growing pains, he has shown flashes of potential. Verdugo, on the other hand, has been a below-average player this season. He has just two home runs in his last 84 plate appearances and only three hits in his last 23 at-bats. His defensive metrics are also underwhelming. Aaron Boone’s preference for a steady starter may make him lean toward Verdugo, but that would limit Dominguez to just one pinch-hit at-bat, which isn’t an optimal use of his abilities. Notably, the Yanks have shown a willingness to overlook defensive issues in favor of offensive production before, as seen with Gleyber Torres. While Dominguez doesn’t have Torres’ track record, his offensive potential is undeniable.
Aaron Judge Makes History Again In Thursday Win Over Orioles!
The New York Yankees clinched a dominant 10-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday night, improving their record to 93-66. This win officially crowned them as the AL East champions, and with just a few games remaining in the regular season, their focus now shifts to securing the No. 1 seed.
Offensively, captain Aaron Judge once again made history with a home run and two walks. His solo shot marked his 58th home run of the season, making him the first player in Yankees history to have multiple home run streaks of at least five games. Judge previously hit 62 home runs in 2022, and his current season also boasts 144 RBIs and a stellar .325 batting average.
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