The New York Yankees made big steps in upgrading their outfield this offseason, most notably by acquiring Juan Soto. Manager Aaron Boone is especially excited to have Soto and Aaron Judge in the order, forming a formidable batting combo that promises to be one of the most lethal in baseball.
Strategic outfield positioning
Boone is carefully contemplating the outfield layout, with Soto slated to play full-time right field and Judge primarily in center field.
“I’m planning on playing Judge in center a lot,” he remarked. “He is currently preparing for it. However, when I play him in center, I tend to use the DH a little more frequently. If he’s playing most days in center field, especially with Trent Grisham on the roster, who’s an exceptional defender and [adds] more balance, he’ll undoubtedly get some reps out there. I can employ the DH as Judge on occasion.
Last season, Judge, now 31, established his defensive ability in center by achieving a perfect fielding % and demonstrating his comfort with the position at Yankee Stadium. Trent Grisham, another crucial acquisition from the Soto deal, adds further flexibility. Grisham, a two-time Gold Glove winner, provides excellent defense and is under team control through 2026.
Boone intends to use Judge more regularly as the designated hitter to alleviate any concerns about injury while playing in the center, especially given Grisham’s defensive abilities and ability to share outfield duties. This technique seeks to optimize both players’ effectiveness while managing their workloads.
Grisham’s Position and Potential Growth
Grisham, who is only 27 years old, is a low-cost option for the Yankees on both sides of the ball. He established his durability last season, playing 153 games and hitting.198/.315/.352, with 13 home runs and 50 RBIs. His effectiveness against left-handed pitching was significantly better than against right-handers, implying a platoon role in center field.
Grisham’s offensive contributions may not appear significant at first sight, but his splits versus left-handed pitchers are encouraging. The Yankees could look into ways to improve his performance against right-handers, with the goal of developing him into a more balanced player.
In 2023, Grisham had a strong defensive performance for the San Diego Padres, playing over 1,200 innings in center field. His arrival greatly improves the Yankees’ outfield defense over previous season, when options like Isiah Kiner-Falefa were less effective.
The Yankees’ captain is recognized as the finest centerfielder in baseball for 2024. However, the team missed out on a top free agent bullpen target.
The Yankees’ budding shortstop has a chance to do something extraordinary in 2024.
Yankees Outfield Transformation and Future Moves
The Yankees’ outfield has undergone a stunning metamorphosis, with the signings of Soto, Verdugo, and Grisham considerably improving the team’s abilities. Last season’s lack of outfield depth has been efficiently remedied, giving Boone a variety of tactical choices.
While there are certainly concerns, particularly about the starting rotation, the Yankees have struck a balance between urgent demands and long-term potential. Their deep pool of minor-league talent allows for flexibility in future transactions, and the team may strategically use the summer trade deadline to solve any growing vulnerabilities. This method prepares the Yankees well for a competitive season, allowing them to fully use their new signings.
