External Center Field Options for Yankees After Harrison Bader Injury

After Harrison Bader was diagnosed with an oblique strain that will likely land him on the IL for the start of the regular season, the Yankees will probably look internally to fill this void.

However, there are a few possible external options that they can look at to either upgrade their outfield or in the very least bolster their outfield depth.

And keep in mind, if the Yankees stick with their internal options, this likely means Giancarlo Stanton will be starting in a corner outfield spot for the first month of the season or so, which would put his health at risk.

So, without further ado, here are three external routes the Yankees can go in center field.

Option 1: Bryan Reynolds

It's no secret that the Yankees have had interest in trading for the Pittsburgh Pirates All-Star outfielder. Reynolds can play both center field and left field and would be an instant upgrade to both the Yankees' lineup and outfield.

When Bader returns, Reynolds could shift over to left, which would send Aaron Hicks to the bench. The only road block here is timing, as the Pirates tried signing Reynolds to an extension this offseason and intend to keep trying until the All-Star break.

So, with the Pirates wanting to keep Reynolds, he will likely be unavailable until the trade deadline if they're unable to reach an extension.

If the Yankees were to try to trade for Reynolds now, he'd cost several top prospects and the price tag would be hefty.

Option 2: Odubel Herrera

The former Philadelphia Phillies center fielder is still available on the free agent market and the Yankees could take a flyer on him. Herrera was released by the Phillies last August after slashing .238/.279/.378 with five home runs in 62 games.

While bringing in Herrera wouldn't be a major impact, he'd at least upgrade the Yankees' outfield depth.

Beyond Aaron Judge and Hicks as possible center field options, the Yankees have Estevan Florial and Rafael Ortega. Herrera would give them someone who has vast major league experience playing center.

Option 3: Delino DeShields

Speaking of depth moves, DeShields would be just that for the Yankees if they choose to sign him off the free agent market.

DeShields did not appear in the major leagues in 2022, spending the season in the Atlanta Braves' minor league system. But he did slash .255/.375/.426 with a .801 OPS in 58 games for the Cincinnati Reds in 2021.

The Yankees wouldn't need to rely on DeShields as a full-time player for more than a couple weeks, given Bader's injury.

If they decide to go with an external option in center, putting Hicks in left and Judge in right, DeShields could possibly be their man until Bader returns.

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