The dynamic of the Yankees lineup modified once they acquired Andrew Benintendi from the Royals. The 27-year-old added a brand new factor that the Bombers had been lacking for a number of years — a high-contact left-handed bat.
Benintendi obtained off to a tough begin with the Yanks as he slashed .192/.302/.301 in his first 22 video games. However, over his remaining 11 video games, he posted a slash line of .366/.386/.585 whereas flashing the leather-based in left and making performs along with his legs on the bottom paths.
The left fielder’s remaining stretch with the Yanks — and the evident gap he left after the hamate harm that pressured him to overlook the rest of the season — exhibits why he ought to be a precedence.
The outfield market outdoors of Aaron Judge is hard and the Yanks have a spot to fill in left — assuming Judge returns. Mets’ Brandon Nimmo figures to command extra {dollars} than anybody anticipated and it may be argued that Benintendi stays a greater match for the Bombers as a extra contact-oriented bat. Benintendi ought to command a decent-sized payday nonetheless, nothing that figures to return near Nimmo’s projected contract.
The different rumored Yankee goal is Japanese outfielder Masataka Yoshida. Yoshida posted a powerful .336/.449/.559 line with 21 homers in 121 video games in Japan. However, as latest Japanese gamers equivalent to Yoshi Tsutsugo and Seya Suziki have confirmed, there’s a little bit of an unknown there.
Brian Cashman and the Yankees aren’t able to take gambles. They are in desparate want of bolstering their lineup with contact-first bats after the Astros decimated them with strikeouts. DJ LeMahieu’s toe harm nonetheless stays an unknown as Cashman alluded to the truth that surgical procedure may nonetheless be on the desk as they nonetheless don’t have a transparent reply.
Without the assure of a wholesome LeMahieu, the Yanks would discover themselves in an analogous lineup building to the one they noticed within the ALCS. They confronted off in opposition to a dominant Astros employees and not using a sustainable leadoff hitter which led to the lineup being shuffled on a nightly foundation.
Bringing Benintendi again into the fold would supply a way of reduction and luxury as you recognize what you’ll be getting out of him — excessive common, low energy and nice protection. There possible could be little hesitation to pencil him atop the lineup on opening day of subsequent season.
Counting on Yoshida to deliver a brand new dynamic to your lineup with none assure of success within the MLB or splurging on Nimmo would supply a way of uncertainty at a time the place the Yankees don’t want any of it.
Benintendi confirmed how completely different the Yanks look with a participant like him of their lineup. Cashman and Hal Steinbrenner should maintain the left fielder atop their wishlist.
()
Source: www.bostonherald.com