(Tampa) Giancarlo Stanton could play some games in right field at Yankee Stadium this season, while Aaron Judge could be moved to more spacious left field in the Bronx.
“I’m more in the game when I play defense,” Stanton said Tuesday after the Yankees’ second full practice. Being in the outfield makes you more invested in the game. In games where I’m just a designated hitter, I spend most of my time keeping warm and watching the game on TV. »
2021 Gold Glove winner Harrison Bader will patrol center field for most games.
“If we have to put ‘Big G’ on the right at Yankee Stadium, move me to the left, it doesn’t bother me at all,” said Judge, the club’s new captain. I don’t mind traveling so we can have Bader, Big G, and I in the outfield more often. Hopefully we can work on that for a few games over camp so we can all get more comfortable. »
Judge played 78 matches at center field in 2022 and 73 at right. He hasn’t played at left since moving up to the AAA level in 2016.
“I’m open to that type of training, especially at home,” said head coach Aaron Boone. We’ll see how it goes, but I haven’t decided on that yet. »
Stanton has battled numerous injuries in four of his five seasons with the Yankees, having been acquired from the Miami Marlins after hitting 59 home runs in 2017.
He’s hit 30 or more home runs three times since then, but was limited to 18 games in 2019 and 110 last season. Stanton had his highest home run total with the Yankees, 38, in his first season with the club.
The colossus of the field played 34 games on the right last season and four on the left, all away from home. He did not play in the outfield after July 21, shortly before his name was placed on the disabled list for tendonitis in his left Achilles tendon.
“You have to stay healthy to play,” Stanton said. You have to find the right rhythm during all these long months. »
The power hitter hit 31 home runs and 78 runs last season.
“He’s capable of racking up impressive stats for sure,” noted Boone.
The Yankees haven’t made the World Series since their last win in 2009. They signed Judge to a nine-year, $360 million deal, in addition to signing left-hander Carlos Rodon to a six-year deal for $162 million.
“All the pieces are in place for us to be successful,” admitted Stanton. We know what the goal is, but we haven’t reached it yet. »
The 33-year-old also admits to feeling more pressure to win a first championship.
” I need this ; we need this, he said. That’s why I came here. That’s what I want to accomplish year after year. »
