The New York Yankees have only won two games in August and have 12 losses in 21 games since the All-Star Game. The team is not getting its act together and the criticism is getting harsher, particularly against management, which has not found the formula to get out of the slump. Manager Aaron Boone is in the eye of the storm and has had to make desperate moves in order to get the most out of his players.
One of those last moves was to put Giancarlo Stanton back in the outfield, where the slugger had not played since September 2023, almost two years ago. On Saturday, in the game against the Astros, the slugger defended right field and had a great day.
In his return as a fielder, Stanton drove in a pair of runs in the Yankees’ narrow 5-4 victory over Houston. The burly slugger took a pair of walks, got a hit and did not face too many problems on defense.
The decision to put Stanton in the outfield is obviously due to the good offensive form he is experiencing. Since joining the Yankees in mid-June, he has posted an .883 OPS in 39 games. In that span, he has hit 10 home runs with 30 RBIs.
With the problems in his right arm that prevent Aaron Judge from playing defense, the Yankees have been very limited in the outfield, especially after Austin Slater also fell on the injured list.
Slater, who joined the team from the Chicago White Sox at the trade deadline, was supposed to get plenty of playing time in right field, but a hamstring strain sidelined him for at least four weeks. This, coupled with the inconsistent performance of Amed Rosario and Jose Caballero, who were also acquired via trade, has forced Stanton back to the outfield.
He has always been a quality gardener. Obviously, his reach will be limited
“He’s always been a quality outfielder. Obviously, his range is going to be limited, but I think he’ll make the plays necessary,” Boone said when he announced that they were seriously considering putting Stanton back on defense.
Also badly affected by injuries and physically diminished, Giancarlo has only played as a designated hitter for the Yankees since the end of the 2023 season. Last season he played in 114 games, but did not play defense, nor did he play in the postseason, where he became the Bombers’ main offensive weapon.
I feel that physically he is in good condition to go out and play, although not permanently
The Yankees are aware of the dangers involved in exposing him to defense, but they trust his current physical condition. “We wouldn’t put him in a situation where we felt he was at great risk. I feel like physically he’s in good shape to go out and play, although not permanently,” Boone added.
The main objective of the Yankees with this move was to keep Stanton and Judge in the lineup, who for now can only play as a designated hitter and it is not clear when he will be able to play again defensively.
Read the full article here
