The NY Yankees have a plethora of outfielders to choose from, not including the utility guys (Oswaldo Cabrera, who hasn’t been that great thus far, and Jahmai Jones who is out of minor league options as well) and a soon to be fan favorite Jasson Dominguez “The Martin” who will start the season on the injured list.

There’s no denying the first two players here, Aaron Judge the Yankees Captain, and “arguably” the best player on the team and one of the best in the AL. I say arguably now because of this next man, Juan Soto who came to us from San Diego. Judge who prefers centerfield since being moved over there last year, which also makes sense even more now with Juan Soto going to be entrenched in right field. The Yankees also obtained outfielder Trent Grisham from San Diego along with Soto, personally i think a bag of rocks would be better than Grisham, but i need to include him in this article as he is one of the “options” for outfield. Grisham hit under the Mendoza line the last two seasons . 184 batting average in 2022 and .198 in 2023. He also struck out over 150 times both seasons. Grisham seems like a waste of roster space to me, but enough of my personal attack on him (insert laughing emoji here).

The current starting outfield is going to be Juan Soto patrolling the grass in RF, with Aaron Judge in CF and newly acquired LF Alex Verdugo who came over from the rival Boston Red Sox, this move I liked for that reason alone, I hope Verdugo has his best season to date, and I think he will. He will be given every opportunity to play and being a lefty, Verdugo should wreak havoc on the short-porch in right field in Yankee Stadium.

Juan Soto in RF is his natural position and works out great now that Judge likes CF. Last year in a full season, where Soto played all 162 games, he hit 35 HR, and had 109 RBI. He showed his patience at the plate by leading the National League with 132 walks, something the Yankees definitely need. Soto also accumulated 156 hits while posting a very good OPS of .946. Soto’s 2023 was also an All-Star year for the slugger as he capped it off by taking home a Silver Slugger Award (given to the best offensive player at every position in baseball). Juan Soto definitely was the best last year in RF. The Yankees need to do whatever they can to resign him in the offseason, but that is a topic for another day (literally, I will do a piece on this).

Aaron Judge in CF used to seem “off” or indifferent years ago when the Yankees had Brett Gardner and or the other Aaron, Aaron Hicks. Hicks didn’t prove to be what GM Brian Cashman thought he would be as injuries got the best of Hicks. Judge loves to play baseball and is good at it. Aaron Judge two years ago broke the longtime record held by Yankees legend and Hall of Famer Roger Maris another RF, by hitting 62 HRs breaking that illustrious record that stood since 1961. Judge also won MVP honors in 2022, when he averaged of .311, 131 RBI alongside those 62HRs with 177 hits and an incredible 1.111OPS in 157 games. Lets fast forward a year, Judge played in just 106 games this past year hitting .267 with 37 HRs and 75 RBI, respectable numbers, but could this be due to only 106 games being played that year, of course its logical. But is Judge still the injury prone player the Yanks were sadly accustomed to seeing over his 8 year career in the Bronx?

I predicted he would breakdown over time to several friends and sports fans in general due to his size and position, outfielders take a beating. I believe over time (not soon) but in time, Aaron Judge should move to 1B to reduce chances of injuries and prolong his career, like the Phillies star Bryce Harper is doing. Again… this is a topic for another day *wink wink* I got you covered.

Alex Verdugo, a guy I like as a player in general and even more so now that he’s with my team. Verdugo is a career .280 hitter, not a power guy he’s never hit more than 13 HR in a season, but this will change this year I can almost guarantee it. Verdugo is a contact hitter who will get extra base hits and set the table as some say in baseball lingo. He comes in with a great attitude and clean shaven, this will irritate the Red Sox faithful. There’s nothing overly flashy about Verdugo, but he will be consistent and healthy.

Jasson Dominguez will want to play CF when he comes back off the IL. That is where he plays, but nobody on the team is playing CF over Aaron Judge unless he is unable to. Dominguez in just 8 games last year in his call-up hit 4 HR with 7 RBI in just 8 games. In the minors thus far he has amassed 36 HRs, 154 RBI, 86 stolen bases while batting a somewhat respectable .266 with an .802 OPS in 294 games.

Giancarlo Stanton has been quoted as follows: “I enjoyed it. It kept me moving around. It wasn’t the stop-start routine of DH-ing.” when asked about being in the outfield. Stanton added that he would like to be used in a “similar” way this season. “A couple times a week is good,” he said of playing the outfield. I personally feel it would be best for him to stay a designated hitter.

Earlier I had mentioned Bryce Harper moving to first base, he loves it and knows this should prolong his career, I feel Judge should in a few years as well, this also opens up that center field spot for Jasson Dominguez eventually, since we know he isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

Who plays where? Verdugo, Judge, Soto left, center, and right with Stanton as the DH. with Oswaldo Cabrera and Jahmai Jones on the bench is what I would do. Where do you think Manager Aaron Boone will play them? Where would you play them? Let me know in the comments below.

By : Rob Henderson

Photo Credit; Pinstripe Alley, New York Post,

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