How the Yankees Can Maximize Both Alex Verdugo and Trent Grisham’s Talents

The New York Yankees of 2024 couldn’t be more different from who they were in 2023. Last season, their outfield was one of the weakest in the league. Apart from Aaron Judge, there wasn’t much to talk about. So it’s no surprise that Brian Cashman focused on increasing its quality. But to see it get transformed from a place of weakness into a treasure of abundance wasn’t what anyone expected. Now that it has happened, there’s a genuine question regarding who will play where. 

While it’s understandable that Juan Soto and Judge will start in the right and center field, respectively. As of now, the left field is expected to be filled by Alex Verdugo. That brings us to two Center Fielders who will be fighting for a place – Trent Grisham and Jasson Dominguez. So are there ways for the Yankees to maximize this hoard of talent at their disposal? Of course, there is. 

How the New York Yankees finally have the freedom to choose

The greatest thing about depth is that it gives one the ability to choose. This is something that was sorely lacking for the Yankees skipper Aaron Boone in 2023. Now 2024 has given him multiple options. Boone has repeatedly commented that having so many outfielders has given him the freedom to use DH more for Aaron Judge. This is good news for Grisham and Dominguez. 

With Judge playing in the center field, he’ll obviously be the first choice. While Dominguez is still recovering from his surgery, Grisham will be available right from Day 1. But he doesn’t have many worries as the NY Daily News reported, Aaron Boone shared, “All things being equal, he probably walks in here as our fourth outfielder…I’ve talked to (Grisham) about this – he’s going to play a lot.” So how does the team fit Dominguez and Grisham together?

Simply put – they aren’t similar players. It’s apples and oranges here, as while Dominguez is an out-and-out offensive slugger, Grisham is more of a defensive juggernaut. So if you want offense, call The Martian. If you want to defend, call Grisham. But then, the latter did just hit a 3-run homer against the Detroit Tigers in the Yankees’ Spring Training opener – so that’s a nice dilemma to have for Boone. However, there’s one more benefit to their presence.

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Aaron Judge can finally rest without worrying about the team’s defensive output.

How Grisham and Dominguez create a great support for Aaron Judge 

In the past few years, Judge’s time missed due to injuries has climbed exponentially. The fact that he’s 31 isn’t lost on anyone. So it becomes obvious that the Yankees will have to manage his on-field time more carefully. The urgency rises when one sees how the Bombers’ hitting staff collapsed without All Rise’s presence last season. This is where Grisham and Dominguez become important. 

Due to their presence plus the versatility of Alex Verdugo, the Yankees have huge backups around Judge. That can allow him to transition into a DH more often and that could ensure longevity for the 2022 AL MVP. Something the Bronx Faithful would love to see.

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