Aaron Judge Addresses Potentially Playing Left Field in 2023
New York could get creative to get both Judge and Giancarlo Stanton in the field together.
The Yankees brought back star slugger Aaron Judge in free agency but did not add a left fielder after Andrew Benintendi signed with the White Sox. That leaves a competition between Aaron Hicks and Oswaldo Cabrera for the spot, but there might be an outside-the-box idea that the team is considering.
Manager Aaron Boone said he is considering playing Judge in left field to open up right field for Giancarlo Stanton when Stanton isn’t the designated hitter. As left field in Yankee Stadium is much bigger than right field, the team might prefer Judge to play there with Stanton manning right field.
In response, Judge said he is open to anything to get Stanton in the outfield.
“If we need to put Big G in right field at Yankee Stadium, move me to left. I don’t mind it,” Judge said, via ESPN.
As Stanton has dealt with injuries over the past few years, New York has tried to protect him as much as possible by limiting his time in the outfield. He’s played in a total of 77 games in the outfield since 2019, but last year only played four games in left field as opposed to 34 in right field.
However, Stanton has said he prefers playing the field instead of being a full-time designated hitter.
“I think I have more of a flow when I’m in the outfield,” Stanton said. “Being in the outfield, you’re kind of more engaged in the game, whereas DH you’re inside a lot of the time staying warm and hitting, and kind of watching the game from the TV as opposed to being out more engaged.”
Judge, meanwhile, has primarily been a right fielder since making his major league debut in 2016, but moved over to center field at times last season when the team wanted Stanton in right field. With Harrison Bader set as the starting center fielder this season, New York may view giving Judge time in left field as an answer to a major question.