Yankees mull moving Judge to left field, Stanton to right field

TAMPA, Fla. — New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone is considering giving all-star outfielder Aaron Judge some reps in left field this spring, and that’s all well and good with the team captain.

“I mentioned it to him, if we have to put Big G in right field at Yankee Stadium, put me in left field,” Judge said of his conversation with Boone about more playing time for Giancarlo Stanton. “It does not bother me. I don’t mind switching so we (Harrison) can have Bader, me and Big G out there. So we’re going to get some reps in spring training and be comfortable out there.”

The judge said he hopes to test his left field skills this spring. But Boone declined to commit to a specific date or number of innings to test the judge’s suitability for left field.

“I’m open to things like that, especially at home. So we’ll see. … We’ll see,” Boone said. “I’d say I’m at least thinking about it. We’ll just see how that goes. No decision on that yet, but it’s something on my board.”

Richter added, “The only way to really try things is to throw yourself out there. Hopefully I’ll get some games out there. I don’t think I’ve probably played left field since college! I know (Stanton) wants to be a good outfielder. He’s good out there, made a couple of games in the last few years. I expect to see him out there quite often.”

Describing playing on the field versus serving as the designated batsman, Stanton explained that he has “more flow” in the outfield because it allows him to be more “engaged” in the game rather than limited to “locking the game observe”. TV” in the clubhouse warming up for batting. Stanton has played a total of 60 games at left field since joining the Yankees in 2018.

But Boone knows, given Stanton’s injury history in particular, that achieving that DH outfield balance will be one of the keys to the Yankees’ success this season.

And the acquisition of a Gold Glove-caliber outfielder like Bader will also limit midfield options for Judge, who played most of his outfield games (78 of 129) in midfield last year before the Yankees were traded to the New York. indigenous.

“What’s the right amount? What’s the right amount in a perfect world where you’re healthy, what’s the right amount of field workers during the week?” Boone said when describing the challenge of this balancing act with Stanton. “I believe[Stanton]is good for his game to play outfield. But I also think it’s good for his health. If he plays on the field when he’s healthy, he has a better chance of staying healthy.”

This theme in the Yankees camp speaks to the lack of production the club has received from its primary left fielder, Aaron Hicks, who led the team with 46 starts at the position last year.

The 33-year-old outfielder, who hits the switch, was one of the main targets of the Bronx’s “Cheers” for last year’s plate appearances after multiple defensive errors and a subpar season on the plate.

The Yankees loaded alongside versatile and eager 23-year-old rookie Oswaldo Cabrera, who was primarily an infielder until mid-August when he had an opportunity to line the outfield for 34 games when he was called up to the major leagues in mid-August several experienced outfielders for spring training. But it’s worth noting that both Boone and general manager Brian Cashman have said the Yankees expect a year of recovery from Hicks.

Among those non-roster invitees, infielder and outfielder Willie Calhoun played 163 games in left field for the Texas Rangers over the past five seasons, and lefty hitter Rafael Ortega, a veteran Venezuelan-born midfielder, played 93 games in outfield the Chicago Cubs for the past two years.