TAMPA, FL – FEBRUARY 20: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees smiles during Spring Training at George M. Steinbrenner Field on February 20, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. MLB news (Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images)
MLB news: Yankees fans don’t like their Opening Day lineup preview, Chipper Jones mentors the young Braves, and the Rangers future.
The New York Yankees gave a sneak peak of their Opening Day lineup on Wednesday, minus a few pieces. While on the surface the Yanks 1-6 looks relatively stacked, the bottom three could use some work.
New York still has fairly obvious holes in left field and at shortstop. Brian Cashman did nothing to address those needs this offseason. At shortstop, the Yankees are comfortable waiting on Anthony Volpe and Oswald Peraza to make an impact. Both are top prospects and nearing the majors.
In left field, New York has more questions. Aaron Hicks hasn’t played well in two years, and is one of the worst extensions handed out by Cashman. Oswaldo Cabrera is an option, but he doesn’t have a ton of experience in left. The Yanks could also roll out an outfield of Aaron Judge, Harrison Bader and Giancarlo Stanton, but that has its own risks considering injuries and defensive flexibility.
Hicks could very well start the season in left. Jose Trevino will be the Opening Day catcher, and Peraza is trending in the right direction at shortstop. IKF and Higashioka, while decent depth pieces, should not be starting.
Obviously, this so-called Opening Day preview was not taken in stride by all Yankees fans. But it’s important to keep things in perspective.
There’s still a month to go before Opening Day. So much can change, and Aaron Boone has a lot of tinkering to do.