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With the MLB trade deadline approaching, it’s rumored that the New York Yankees are exploring options to upgrade their outfield. Super-star Aaron Judge has made a very smooth transition to center field, which has allowed the Yankees to play Giancarlo Stanton more in right field. The main left fielder has become Aaron Hicks, who besides having a decent month in June and a clutch three-run game tying home run, has been subpar. Especially with runners in scoring position, where he is hitting only .184, with 17 RBIs and 17 strikeouts. Also in the outfield, has been the ultra-struggling, Joey Gallo. Gallo has lost his spot as an everyday player and could even be dealt at the deadline. So, with the rumors swirling, and it being obvious the Yankees should upgrade, do they have internal options?
The first name that comes to mind is now converted outfielder, Miguel Andujar. “Miggy,” which is his nickname, is a former infield prospect who was always known for his batting. He struggled defensively, but since then has recreated himself as a left fielder. His fielding improved drastically, and he has proven he can play the position and do it well. Many like to forget that Andujar, in his only full season so far, finished second in the 2018 AL rookie of the year voting, behind Shohei Ohtani. In that season in 573-at-bats, Andujar hit for .297, with 27 home runs, 92 RBIs, 47 doubles, 83 runs scored and an OPS of .855.
The only knock on him then was his fielding, which no longer seems to be a problem. Since then, Andujar has been up and down between the majors and AAA, without a real opportunity. In the minors this year, Andujar is hitting .316 with 7 home runs, 27 RBI’s, an OPS of .848, and only 24 strikeouts. Now throw in that Miggy has done well both offensively and defensively this season when given playing time in the majors, and it really makes you wonder why he has not been getting playing time over the .165 hitting Gallo.
The next name that is a possibility is Estevan Florial. Unlike Andujar who did get in a full season, Florial has only played in 16 major league games. In those 16 games he’s had 40 plate appearances, where he’s batted for .206, with 2 RBIS, 1 home run, 6 walks, and 12 strikeouts. While those numbers are not the prettiest, it is an extremely small sample size of numbers jumbled together over three years of inconsistent playing time and no stable opportunity. Florial is slashing in AAA this season hitting .308, with 10 home runs, 29 RBIs, 41 runs scored, 19 doubles, 29 walks and even has 26 steals, with a .905 OPS.
In a time when you are gunning for a world series championship, and all but two of your outfielders are struggling, why not give your prospects a shot? The Yankees are having a magical season where they are currently 35 games over .500, with a 13 game lead in their division before the All-Star break. It would make it all so much sweeter if they brought up a prospect, gave him a legit opportunity, and get the production they are looking for without having to give up assets. It would also allow them to use those saved assets to strengthen their pitching staff which they are also rumored to want to upgrade. On top of that with no disrespect to Joey Gallo, could either prospect play worse right now as he continues to severely struggle?
