Fansided

New York Yankees: No choice but to deal for Andrew McCutchen

By Jason Evans |
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - AUGUST 26: Andrew McCutchen #22 of the San Francisco Giants at bat against the Texas Rangers during the first inning at AT&T Park on August 26, 2018 in San Francisco, California. The San Francisco Giants defeated the Texas Rangers 3-1. All players across MLB will wear nicknames on their backs as well as colorful, non-traditional uniforms featuring alternate designs inspired by youth-league uniforms during Players Weekend. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - AUGUST 26: Andrew McCutchen #22 of the San Francisco Giants at bat against the Texas Rangers during the first inning at AT&T Park on August 26, 2018 in San Francisco, California. The San Francisco Giants defeated the Texas Rangers 3-1. All players across MLB will wear nicknames on their backs as well as colorful, non-traditional uniforms featuring alternate designs inspired by youth-league uniforms during Players Weekend. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images)

The New York Yankees are close to a deal for Andrew McCutchen and they had no choice but to make the move for him

Since Aaron Judge has gone down after being hit by a pitch, the New York Yankees have been able to keep the ship afloat. Yes the division may be out of reach, but they still have a pretty sizable lead in the Wild Card hunt. Gary Sanchez should be back on Saturday when the rosters expand. Didi Gregorius will be following suit soon, but when will Judge be coming back?

Based off the latest move by the New York Yankees, it won’t be anytime soon.

Yes, that McCutchen. Former NL MVP Andrew McCutchen will be playing right field for the New York Yankees down the stretch. They had no choice.

The 31-year-old is hitting .255 with a .772 OPS this season, 15 homers and 55 RBI in 130 games. Yes, his power numbers are down, but his OBP is over .400 and his hard contract rate is up 9% to over 44% this season. Going from AT&T Park to Yankee Stadium should help his power numbers.

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The New York Yankees could not continue to trot out

Neil Walker

and

Shane Robinson

in right field. Walker has gotten better with the more playing time he has had, however, he is not a good defensive outfielder, and should stick in the infield. Robinson, at times, hasn’t been good defensively and is hitting .156 in 50 plate appearances.

Not only that, but Brett Gardner has really struggled this year, hitting .198 this month and just .237 for the year.  Even if they get Judge back at some point, McCutchen could move to left.

Next. Yankees get McCutchen. dark

After this weekend, they take on teams they are battling for a postseason birth with in Oakland and Seattle, plus the Red Sox six more times. With a return of Sanchez and Gregorius, plus the addition of McCutchen, the New York Yankees look like a much deeper and complete team as the season enters its final stretch. The fumble on the diagnosis of Judge’s wrist injury got them here, but it’s a move they had to make.

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