New York Yankees went absolutely bananas this offseason, signing players for heavy contracts. In their pursuit of players like Aaron Judge, and Carlos Rodon, the team has spent a combined total of $600 million over the course of two months. However, it turns out the team still has not been able to fill all the gaps in their roaster. Even after such heavy spending, the Yankees still have some issues with the left-field options in their lineup.
New York Yankees Still Have Lineup Problems!
The Yankees officially announced the signing of Aaron Judge on Tuesday. The organization will have a news conference at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday to discuss the biggest player acquisition in franchise history. As their primary objective over the summer, they decided to keep Judge on a $90-million, nine-year deal. But there are still issues that the Yankees need to address. When signed the left-handed pitcher Carlos Rodon, who may replace Gerrit Cole at the top of the rotation, some of those uncertainties were answered.
However, left field and the bullpen need consideration, and Aaron Boone anticipates further changes. The squad manager said on Tuesday that he believes they are in a strong position with the players they currently have. But he also noted that he wouldn’t be surprised if something occurred between now and spring training. Left field is a worry because Andrew Benintendi went to the White Sox, Oswaldo Cabrera is unclear, and Aaron Hicks isn’t playing well.
The Yankees have courted Benintendi in the past, but not at the five years and $75 million the White Sox offered. Michael Brantley, another choice, re-signed with the Astros. Michael Conforto, an ex-Met, is still available despite suffering a shoulder injury last year. The trade market is another option for the Yankees. Additionally, Boone stated that the front office looked into several additional options. But he also felt the club could survive with what they had.
After gaining experience playing the outfield in the majors, Cabrera showed potential during his first season. However, throughout the postseason, he struggled at the plate. Hicks struggled all season, lost his position, and then had a left knee injury that forced him out of the playoffs. However, Boone believes Hicks will be fully recovered by the time of spring training.
Prior to last year’s lockout, Michael Conforto, a former Mets standout, went unsigned. He subsequently missed the whole 2022 season while recovering from shoulder surgery. Meanwhile, a number of Yankees supporters think it’s a smart move for him to join the Bronx Bombers. He only batted.232 with 14 home runs in 2021, though, due to injuries and poor performance. Following four seasons in which he hit 97 home runs, he did so this time. As a result, a one-year agreement at around $15 million is perhaps Conforto’s most plausible option.
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