(Tampa) Giancarlo Stanton could play a few 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 the time keeping warm and watching the game on TV. »
2021 Gold Glove winner Harrison Bader will patrol center field most of the games.
“If we have to put ‘Big G’ on the right at Yankee Stadium, move me to the left, that doesn’t bother me at all,” said Judge, the club’s new captain. I don’t mind having to travel so we can have Bader, Big G and me in the outfield more often. Hopefully we can work on that for a few games during camp so we can all be more comfortable. »
Judge played 78 games in center field in 2022 and 73 in right. He hasn’t played on the left since moving to AAA level in 2016.
“I’m open to that kind of training, especially at home,” manager Aaron Boone said. We’ll see how it goes, but I haven’t ruled on that yet. »
Stanton has struggled with various injuries in four of his five seasons with the Yankees, having been acquired from the Miami Marlins after a 59-home run in 2017.
He’s hit 30 or more homers three times since, 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 outfield colossus played 34 games on the right last season and four on the left, all on the road. He didn’t play in the outfield after July 21, shortly before his name was put on the disabled list for left Achilles tendonitis.
“You have to stay healthy in order to play,” Stanton said. You have to find the right rhythm during all these long months. »
The power hitter still had 31 home runs and 78 runs last season.
“He’s capable of amassing impressive stats, that’s for sure,” Boone noted.
The Yankees have not reached the World Series since their last conquest in 2009. They retained Judge with a nine-year offer of 360 million US dollars, in addition to adding left-hander Carlos Rodon for six years, for 162 million.
“All the pieces are in place for us to be successful,” Stanton admitted. 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 it ; we need it, he said. That’s why I came here. This is what I want to accomplish year after year. »