Yankees Add Ex-Red Sox Slugger To MLB Roster To Replace Injured Outfielder
The New York Yankees have turned to the same former Boston Red Sox outfielder at multiple points throughout the season, and have done so once again.
The Yankees called up Franchy Cordero prior to Friday's game against the Chicago Cubs to replace outfielder Jake Bauers (left rotator cuff contusion), who was just placed on the 10-day injured list.
New York's decision to call up Cordero is stunning. Yes, the Yankees are down to their last bit of outfield depth, but it should never be this bad.
Cordero entered play Friday hitting .148 with five extra-base hits including four home runs, 11 RBIs, a .568 OPS and a 21-to-2 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 19 games for New York scattered across multiple call-ups. He's also an awful corner outfielder.
Meanwhile, the Yankees have a much more productive player to turn to.
Estevan Florial is hitting .295 with 36 extra-base hits including 21 home runs, 50 RBIs and a .992 OPS in 66 games for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
"Boone said that Florial not being on the 40-man roster plays a part, but that Florial 'certainly keeps pushing himself into the conversation,'" Yankees beat writer Bryan Hoch tweeted Friday regarding the matter.
The reasoning Boone gave was a little weak, as the best players should be in the lineup for a team that plans on contending.
Regardless, here comes another shot for Cordero, whose raw athleticism has been enough to attract frequent big-league opportunities despite a consistent lack of production for years on end.
Normally, it would be logical to root for a former Red Sox player. This is not one of those times. Let the Yankees' offensive struggles continue while Boston starts to catch up in the Wild Card race.
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