New York Yankees best starting lineup is very good
By Ed Stein
Outfield
Last year everyone in the outfield was hurt at one time or another. Quite often two or more of their four best outfielders were on the injured list at the same time. Gardner had career highs in home runs (26) and OPS (.829) while leading New York outfielders with 550 at-bats. Maybin was the Bombers super-sub posting a career-high in OPS as well (.858). Boone can’t count on having either on the team in 2020. It probably doesn’t matter.
Rightfielder Aaron Judge is all that and a box of rocks. The 2017 AL Rookie of the Year is the heart and soul of the New York Yankees. He’s hit 110 home runs in three-plus seasons and has put one out of the park every 12.8 at-bats. A lynchpin of the New York Yankees lineup, Judge, when healthy, is a perennial MVP candidate.
Aaron Hicks fought many injuries last season. When he was out of the lineup in center, it forced Boone to juggle his outfield alignment. While not an offensive weapon, Hicks is a very good defensive anchor, who can cover plenty of ground in center.
Leftfield will be the biggest area of change in 2020. With no Gardner, “Red Thunder” Clint Frazier gets a shot to play fairly regularly. He’ll share time with another 2019 breakout player Mike Tauchman. The pair will be a good lefty/ righty platoon. Eventually, Frazier should win the job on an everyday basis. Barring injury 2021 is the goal for him to take over full-time. Giancarlo Stanton may make a few appearances there as well.
LF – Frazier/ Tauchman platoon
CF – Hicks
RF – Judge