Yankees Aaron Judge

Arnab Bose

ROSTER UPDATE: Yankees Move Cap Aaron Judge To The Center Field After Landing Mega Star Juan Soto

The New York Yankees were desperate to sign Juan Soto. It was necessary to get the faith and confidence of the fans back on the team. After a nightmarish season, the morale of the fans was naturally down. Moreover, the Bronx Bombers have been disappointing the fans for several seasons now. In the last few years, the NY side made the postseason but could not go very far. However, in 2023, they found a new low as they even failed to make the postseason. Albeit, they maintained the streak of winning seasons. However, it could not prevent the fans from facing disappointment.

Hence, it was on the Yankees to do something significant to get the fans on their side again. That’s why the Juan Soto trade was so essential. However, now it is essential to see what the outfield of the Yankees looks like. Prior to landing Juan Soto, the 27-time champions got help from their arch-rivals, the Boston Red Sox, as they traded Alex Verdugo to them. After signing Alex Verdugo, the Yankees plan to move their captain, Aaron Judge, to the center field.

   

Moving Aaron Judge To The Center Field Can Work For The Yankees

Aaron Judge Yankees
Aaron Judge Yankees Source: CNN

Moreover, the NY side tentatively plans an outfield where Aaron Judge is at the center, Juan Soto will be at the right field, and Alex Verdugo will stand at the left field. The main reason for this outfield plan is because Soto had been a below-average outfielder in left field. He works better at the right field. That’s the present idea of the Yankees to improve their defense. However, some might say it is a bit scary to move Aaron Judge at the center. Moreover, some fans and experts might even claim that this outfield plan is below average. But it is nowhere near as scary as it sounds.

Moreover, it is great news for the Yankees Nation. It is because the franchise has kept its promise of a significant change. Juan Soto certainly is a big boost to the lineup, even for a year as it stands right now. But the Yankees really needed him after a horrible batting average they had last season. Moreover, now the captain can certainly feel a lot less pressure in the outfield. For so long, the team was too heavily dependent on Judge as he was their only superstar hitter. 

Signing Juan Soto Boosts The Fan’s Morale

Juan Soto
Juan Soto Source: Sportsnet

Some fans and experts even said that if the Yankees don’t sign Juan Soto, then it would prove they are not serious about making it big next season either. Hence, the Bronx Bombers tried everything they could to sign the former Padres superstar. But initially, the San Diego Padres asked for a hefty trade package for Soto and Trent Grisham.

Anyhow, the Yankees sacrificed a number of assets to the Padres but finally got that deal in their favor. The fans are happy that one of the best lefty hitters will play for their team next season. But as of now, it is a one-year deal. Later, at the end of the next season, Soto might sign a long-term deal.