Adding Bryce Harper to an already logjammed New York Yankees outfield seems excessive, but could it actually work? If you leave it up to Aaron Judge, the answer is “yes”!
In an impromptu interview with TMZ Sports while at an event hosted by Fanatics, New York Yankees RF Aaron Judge said that he’d do whatever it takes to bring Bryce Harper to the Bronx.
“Anytime you can add an MVP to a team, it’s going to make them better,” Judge told an unidentified reporter for TMZ. When asked if he’d switch positions to bring Bryce to Broadway, Judge said: “Wherever he wants to play, wherever he wants to play — we’ll make it work.”
With Giancarlo Stanton, Brett Gardner, Aaron Hicks and Aaron Judge all vying for time in the outfield, the Yankees have an abundance of capable players ready to compete come Opening Day. This doesn’t even include prospects like Clint Frazier and Estevan Florial who are just chomping at the bit for an opportunity.
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So, how can we make this work? Let’s take a closer look at the Yankees outfield situation.
First, let’s quickly take Giancarlo Stanton out of the equation. Stanton will see time in the OF, but will primarily serve as the Yankees DH.
Second, you have the players that have set positions, and that’s Aaron Judge in RF and Aaron Hicks in CF.
Defensively, in 2018 Aaron Judge was the best RF in the game not named Mookie Betts. (min. 750 Inn). With a DRS of 14, Judge saved just six fewer runs than Betts did in 200 fewer innings played.
As for Aaron Hicks, he isn’t the best CF in the game, but he’s not the worst either. In fact, he’s pretty average at his position. He currently features a better DRS than guys like Odubel Herrera and Charlie Blackmon, and the best aspect of his defense is that runners respect his arm.
Offensively – we don’t have to go over Judge’s offensive prowess, do we?
Hicks, on the other hand, has shown vast improvements to his hitting abilities. In 2018, Hicks had his best offensive season, placing 5th in wRC+ (127) and 3rd fWAR (4.9) among all CF in MLB.
Then, there’s left field and Brett Gardner. Gardy is the only offensive player left on the New York Yankees from the 2009 team that won the World Series. At age 35, while Gardy has proven that he is still a valuable player in MLB, his performance has diminished slightly over the last few years.
As a leadoff hitter, you expect someone who can get on base and slap the ball to all fields. In 2018, Gardner posted the lowest BA (.236) and OBP (.322) since his first full season in pinstripes back in 2009. He also posted the fewest number of H (125) in any of his full seasons with the New York Yankees.
At this point in his career, Gardy is best suited as a spot starter/defensive replacement/pinch runner.
That leaves a gaping hole over in left field.
It’s true that you should never forget about your rookies, and fortunately for the New York Yankees, they have two very capable ones in Florial and Frazier who can man LF.
However, there’s also Bryce Harper: the 2012 ROY, the 2016 NL MVP, the lifetime .388 OBP & .500 SLG megastar lurking in the trenches, waiting to be signed.
Sure the New York Yankees are a 95+ win team without Harper, but what are they with him?
So, if you want to prove to your fanbase that you’re a “fully operational Death Star”? Well, the time is running out to do it.