This off-season, the New York Yankees formed a lethal outfield force after it acquired superstar Juan Soto from the San Diego Padres in a blockbuster trade exchange. NYY has always been a team of superstars, and thus, with Aaron Judge and Juan Soto, the team has some of the biggest baseball names in their fold.
Having said that, the formidable duo of Aaron Judge and Juan Soto are expected to produce offensive wonders for the New York Yankees in the 2024 season. With championship contention online, the team needs both starters to step up. However, Soto’s addition has messed with the team’s outfield lineup for the impending MLB season.
Aaron Judge To Play Center Field For The Yankees In 2024?
In the aftermath of the blockbuster trade that brought Juan Soto to the New York Yankees, the team’s general manager, Brian Cashman, has expressed a strategic shift. He suggested that captain Aaron Judge play as a regular center fielder to accommodate Juan Soto in the right field. Aaron Judge, a stalwart in the Yankees’ lineup, has primarily been associated with his role as a right fielder throughout his career. However, dynamics will shift once Soto joins forces this spring training. While Cashman believes it’s the right call, is it, though? The center field remains one of the most demanding outfield positions in baseball. With a wide area cover, a center fielder is always required to stay on their toes.
While Aaron Judge is an excellent outfielder, center field might not be a right fit as of now. Aaron Judge is coming through a grievous toe injury, which saw him sidelined for six weeks in the 2023 season. Judge’s absence essentially saw the Yankees’ postseason campaign fall through. Thus, in the 2024 season, the Bombers cannot afford a repeat of the same. Having said that, Aaron Judge’s transition could be temporary, given Jasson Dominguez’s imminent return. Dominguez has remained the team’s top choice for center field. But his Tommy John surgery will keep him out for the first half of the 2024 season. Regardless, Judge’s workload needs to stay the team’s first priority. He holds the key to the franchise’s success in not just the 2024 season but for years to come. Thus, the Yanks must move carefully.
Aaron Judge Excited To Have Juan Soto Onboard!
Keeping the outfield dynamics aside, Yankees captain Aaron Judge expressed his excitement after Juan Soto’s trade came through. While attending an event, Judge said that he feels overwhelmed to have a talent like Soto in the fold. He is a generational talent, and his numbers speak for itself.
While Judge acknowledged the high asking price, he feels Soto’s addition is worth the risk. On the flip side, Juan Soto also revealed that the Yankees captain reached out to him after the trade. Moreover, the 25-year-old thinks highly of Aaron Judge and cannot wait to share the field with him in the Bronx this year. Undoubtedly, watching Soto and Judge hitting in the same lineup would be no less than a treat for the Yankee fans to watch.
