During the course of the whole off-season and spring training, the New York Yankees scratched their heads to find a suitable left-field candidate. The whole crisis blew out when outfielder Andrew Benintendi opted out of his contract with the Bombers to join hands with Chicago White Sox. Andrew said he felt unwanted at the Yankee clubhouse as no one made an attempt to convince him to stay back. There began a series of disastrous events.
Firstly, the Yankees were not willing to sacrifice their farm system to land a suitable left fielder. Hence, they held an unofficial competition in the spring. Aaron Hicks, the 37-year-old veteran, emerged as the leading candidate despite public resentment. He tried his best on the plate and on the field but could not convert into something worth noting. Hence, the Bronx Bombers, at last, pulled the plug and DFA’d Hicks from the roster. This will now give rise to another fierce battle among the outfielders.
Candidates Seeking Left Field Position For Yankees
Greg Allen
Aaron Hicks lost his spot on the Yankees roster immediately after Greg Allen’s signing. Brian Cashman traded Allen back from the Red Sox in exchange for a minor-league pitcher and cash consideration. To adjust him into the roster, Hicks had to make the ultimate sacrifice. On top of that, Greg Allen also contributed with decisive runs against the Cincinnati Reds. Allen is young with enough major league experience. He is known for his athleticism and base running abilities. Hence, he becomes the perfect candidate for the left-field job.
Jake Bauers
Outfielder Jake Bauers came in as a replacement for Aaron Judge but managed to keep his place due to stellar plays on the field. He took two acrobatic catches in left field during his debut series. His Triple-A stats landed him a promotion to majors, and he has successfully put it to good use. However, Jake’s days at the Yankee clubhouse could be numbered as Giancarlo Stanton is nearing a return. Hence, if the Yankees decided to put Bauers in left, it would be on a temporary basis.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa
Turing infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa into an outfielder was one of the many gambles the Yankees pulled off during spring training. Surprisingly this one worked. Barring a few initial miscues, the outfielder has done a good job. However, his offense still remains an issue. He is hitting at .206 with .741 OPS. Still, Isiah’s defensive skills outweigh his offensive struggles. Hence, Kiner-Falefa is also in line to become the Bomber’s left fielder.
Oswaldo Cabrera
Out of all the options, Oswaldo Cabrera looks the best fit for the position. Remember, he started in leftover Aaron Hicks during the initial few weeks of the 2023 season. However, his offensive struggle landed him on hot waters. The utility player is hitting .207 with a .264 OBP. But his defensive skills as a utility player can come in handy to the Yankees. He has played almost in all the possible field positions and can fill in for anyone on any given day. Hence, keeping Oswaldo on the left makes the most sense for now.
