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New York Yankees exploring left field help on every front

By David Hill

Mar 14, 2022; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman talks with media during spring training workouts at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 14, 2022; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman talks with media during spring training workouts at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New York Yankees have indicated that they are looking to add a left handed hitting outfielder to balance their lineup. That quest has led to numerous discussions in both free agency and the trade front.

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Yankees have been in contact with David Peralta and Jurickson Profar for their opening in left. They have also reached out to the Pirates about Bryan Reynolds and the Twins regarding Max Kepler. However, Heyman notes that nothing is close and the Yankees may head into spring training with their current options.

New York Yankees looking to address issues in left field

Those internal options are not exactly the most inspiring. Aaron Hicks remains the favorite for the position despite his lack of production and health woes. Oswaldo Cabrera is likely the best internal option for left, but the Yankees appear to prefer him in a utility role as opposed to locking him in to one set position. As Cabrera has far more defensive flexibility than Hicks, such a decision makes sense.

It also limits the Yankees offensively. The Yankees lineup is essentially the same as it was last year, which is not a positive. Unless Aaron Judge is going to have another historic season, other pieces are going to need to be able to produce. With Josh Donaldson and Isiah Kiner-Falefa as black holes in the lineup already, having a third position unable to produce would be a disaster.

The Yankees may not have a choice either. They do not want to go into the Cohen tax bracket and find themselves approximately $700,000 shy of that mark. Any acquisition, unless the Yankees are able to shed payroll at the same time, will push them into the highest tax penalty. Peralta and Profar may be an upgrade, but they are not worth that type of tax hit. The Yankees know they need to do something in left, but they may be stuck with the options they already have.

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The New York Yankees are exploring options to help in left field. Unless they move some salary, they may end up with what they already have.

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