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The New York Yankees are faced with a tough situation involving Giancarlo Stanton, and their list of solutions is quite thin and potentially unreasonable.
In light of Aaron Judge’s flexor strain injury, the two-time AL MVP has been forced to strictly DH upon his return. The issue? It has alienated Stanton out of the lineup entirely due to his inability to run or play the outfield. Stanton has been out of the lineup for three straight games since Judge’s return.
Getting Judge in the lineup every day is an absolute must for the Yankees. The 33-year-old is in the running for the AL MVP once again, batting .339 with 37 home runs, 85 RBIs and a 1.149 OPS this season. However, Stanton has also been one of the Yankees’ most productive hitters. In 37 games this season, Stanton is hitting .268 with 10 home runs and a .868 OPS, essentially turning him into the best pinch hitter in baseball until he or Judge can return to the outfield.
Stanton was key to the team’s run to the World Series last season, slugging seven home runs with 16 RBIs and a 1.048 OPS in the postseason.
According to Chris Kirschner of The Athletic, there’s a good chance that Stanton plays the outfield this weekend against the Houston Astros, per manager Aaron Boone. That’s at least one way to get both he and Judge’s bat in the lineup, but Stanton has not played in the outfield since 2023, and with his injury history, it could be a risky move for the Yankees.
At 61-54, and continuing to slip further and further down the standings, the Yankees need their best hitters in the lineup every single day, leaving them with no choice but to try a risky maneuver. However, in a season that has the potential to be lost if the ship doesn’t turn around soon, it might be worth giving it a shot, at least until Judge can return to his normal position.
