4 Candidates In Mix For Yankees Left Field Job

 

The New York Yankees have been trying to solve their left field problem for years, it seems. Andrew Benintendi came in at the end of last season and appeared to be a possibility, but he signed elsewhere this winter. 

Brendan Kuty of The Athletic reports that there are four candidates GM Brian Cashman and Co. must decide upon for the bulk of time out in left. 

Choosing the longest-standing member of that crew won't win any friends with Yankees fans, as Aaron Hicks has done nothing but disappoint since his breakthrough 2018 season in the Bronx. In the past three seasons, he hasn't batted above .225, nor hit more than eight home runs. He's been the target of the Bronx boo-birds incessantly. 

Next up, however, is Oswaldo Cabrera, who showed some skills last season in a utility role. “He’s certainly more than capable as well,” Cashman said. “We saw last year that we have great confidence and that he’s very talented."

Non-roster invitees Willie Calhoun and Rafael Ortega are also in the mix, and each have gotten a chance to show their stuff in left field this spring. 

Meanwhile, some guy named Aaron Judge could be seen patrolling left field on occasion this season as well, in a bid to help get DH Giancarlo Stanton some time in RF. Judge has done some pregame drills out in left, and played several innings in a game there this week. 

"I said, if you want to give someone a DH day, I can play left like I played it in college. Let me take a crack at it."https://t.co/9A8fkRSdGy

— WFAN Sports Radio (@WFAN660) March 9, 2023

According to Greg Joyce of the New York Post, manager Aaron Boone said that “in a perfect world,” he hopes to get Stanton somewhere around 50 starts in the outfield this season. 

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