Yankees Could Use Aaron Judge in Left Field
Aaron Judge turned some heads at the start of camp when he fielded throws at first base, but Aaron Boone quickly dismissed the possibility of the outfielder moving to the infield any time soon.
“Well, we talk about competition, so [Anthony Rizzo] better be…” the manager told reporters, leaving his joke unfinished. “I don’t expect to see [Judge] out there this year. Maybe five years from now it’s something that we’re talking about.
“I know that story had some legs, but it was much ado about nothing.”
Still, Judge could play a new position in 2023. The New York Post’s Joel Sherman reported that Boone is considering using the reigning MVP in left field, a spot Judge has never roamed in the majors.
Judge has only played seven professional games in left, all of which came at Triple-A in 2016. But occasionally playing the position in 2023 would allow Boone to occasionally use Giancarlo Stanton in right field at Yankee Stadium. Doing that would create more flexibility with the DH position while keeping Stanton away from Yankee Stadium’s spacious left field.
Judge has already shown he can play center at a high level, so putting him in left from time to time is not as far fetched as him playing first base. Another option would be to put Stanton in right, Judge in center and Harrison Bader in left on days that Boone wants to give the DH spot to someone besides Stanton.
Boone has said that he could be “creative” with his outfield in 2023 and that he hopes to use Stanton in the outfield, but it would be a surprise if either of the aforementioned alignments were used on a regular basis. Stanton made just 38 appearances in the outfield last season, and the Yankees have always been cautious with his fielding due to his injury history.
In all likelihood, Judge will spend the bulk of his time in right, while Bader will carry the load in center. Stanton will be the primary DH. Aaron Hicks and Oswaldo Cabrera are among those fighting to be New York’s regular left fielder, but that position could rotate throughout the season.
However, if Judge adds another position to his résumé, it will only help the Yankees, if only every once in a while.
Follow Gary Phillips on Twitter (@GaryHPhillips). Be sure to bookmark Inside The Pinstripes and check back daily for news, analysis and more.
