The New York Yankees are reshuffling the deck amid Juan Soto’s arrival.
Yankees GM Brian Cashman spoke with reporters on Thursday and confirmed that the team has an interesting plan for former MVP slugger Aaron Judge next season. Cashman said that the Yankees do indeed now intend to have Judge play center field, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today.
With the Yankees moving in recent days to trade for both Soto and Alex Verdugo, two corner outfielders, a Judge move to center makes the most sense lineup-wise. Giancarlo Stanton is the full-time DH for the Yankees, and Judge has the defensive ability to succeed in center.
But the glaring downside to playing center field is the obvious physical risk that comes with having to cover more ground out there. Judge is known for being very injury-prone and already missed extended time last season with an injury suffered while playing in the outfield.
At one point in the offseason, the Yankees were linked to a former All-Star center-field option in free agency. But with their moves of the last several days, it looks like the Yankees intend to make Judge their everyday center fielder and save their free agent money for a top-level starting pitcher (perhaps this guy) instead.
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