Yankees moving to cement a glaring hole ‘left’ in their roster

The New York Yankees grappled with a significant issue throughout the 2023 season, one that had been plaguing them for several years — their struggles against right-handed pitching. Despite having the fourth-most plate appearances in the MLB against right-handed pitchers, the team finished 24th in wRC+. This glaring weakness allowed opposing teams to exploit it by stacking right-handed starters and relievers against the Yankees, knowing it would likely yield favorable results. On the contrary, the average MLB left-handed hitter posted a 105 wRC+ when facing right-handed pitching, in contrast to a 94 wRC+ as a right-handed hitter against right-handed pitching.

Additionally, the Yankees ended the 2023 season with the second-fewest plate appearances by left-handed batters in the league, with only the Houston Astros having fewer. This approach, though, isn’t without its challenges, as the right field (the pull side) at Yankee Stadium is less conducive to success for left-handed hitters, ranking 21st in Statcast’s Park Factors for right-handed batters. However, for lefties, it stood as the second-most favorable ballpark for hitting home runs, trailing only Cincinnati’s Great American Ballpark.

Yankees failed to counter RHPs

The Yankees’ woes against right-handed pitchers were evident in various statistical categories during the 2023 season, including a 27th-place ranking in OPS (.682), 24th in wRC+ (89), and 27th in wOBA (.297). Their 24.2 percent strikeout rate was the eighth-highest in the league. Looking at the past three seasons, the Yankees have been relatively average against right-handed pitchers, with a wRC+ of 101 and a .714 OPS.

Hitting home runs is the ultimate objective in baseball, and the Yankees possess the distinct advantage of playing in a ballpark where right field is regarded as the second-most home run-friendly spot. Surprisingly, the team hasn’t fully capitalized on this favorable aspect.

Throughout the 2023 season, the left-handed hitters in the Yankees’ lineup were predominantly comprised of bargain-bin acquisitions like Willie Calhoun, Jake Bauers, Billy McKinney, and Franchy Cordero. They were complemented by underperforming players like Anthony Rizzo and switch-hitter Oswaldo Cabrera, who primarily swung from the left side. Unfortunately, this mix of left-handed hitters didn’t yield the desired results, and the Yankees finished with the third-worst wRC+ and the third-fewest home runs among all MLB teams. Clearly, having a multitude of lefties in the lineup isn’t sufficient; they must be effective hitters, regardless of their handedness.

To the Yankees’ credit, there has been a deliberate effort in recent years to prioritize the acquisition of left-handed and switch-hitting talent through drafting and signings. A significant portion of the team’s current top prospects, including Jasson Domínguez, Cabrera, Austin Wells, Spencer Jones, Trey Sweeney, Ben Rice, Roderick Arias, and Roc Riggio, all fit this profile. An anonymous Yankees executive disclosed that this strategic shift was initiated when the organization recognized its deficiency at the big-league level and subsequently took action to rectify it.

This is to influence Yankees’ new signings

Looking ahead, the upcoming season could provide significant opportunities for several of these prospects to secure substantial playing time. When examining the free agent market, there is a noticeable scarcity of high-quality left-handed hitters available. While Shohei Ohtani emerges as the premier option, the likelihood of him joining the Yankees remains a remote possibility at best. Cody Bellinger represents the second-best left-handed choice; however, given the limited availability of quality bats in the market, he is expected to command a lucrative nine-figure contract. The feasibility of acquiring Bellinger diminishes as his price tag escalates, considering the associated performance risks. Beyond Bellinger, there is a tier of players slightly below the caliber of Ohtani and Bellinger, including Joc Pederson, Michael Conforto, Kevin Kiermaier, Jeimer Candelario, and Max Kepler (contingent on his club option), each offering varying degrees of suitability.

Among the options, the most compelling and potentially realistic choice for the Yankees would be pursuing a trade for Juan Soto, particularly if the San Diego Padres entertain offers during the offseason. Securing the services of this generational talent, who remains firmly in the prime of his career, could be a game-changing move for the team.

Unsurprisingly, Aaron Judge has consistently been the most potent regular in the lineup, boasting an impressive 1.019 OPS over the past three seasons in crucial situations. Following Judge, Giancarlo Stanton ranks second, albeit with a .772 OPS. In the 2023 season, Judge retained his top position among regulars, while Gleyber Torres secured the second spot with a .771 OPS, while Stanton’s performance yielded a .640 OPS.

Judge mentioned that there were events during the season that he believed had raised awareness among individuals. He expressed hope that the right individuals had taken notice and that there would be a gathering to discuss these matters and find solutions. Judge conveyed his excitement and optimism, anticipating better outcomes in the future.

The other side of the Yankees’ problem

The Yankees entered the regular season without a capable left fielder, relying on unproven options like Cabrera, which quickly proved to be a failed experiment. The team’s left field performance ranked 26th in wRC+ and dead last in defensive runs saved. This was a significant flaw for a team that aspired to be “championship-caliber” and couldn’t afford to overlook one of the nine positions on the field. This gap must be addressed in the 2024 season.

Looking ahead, the Yankees still face a vacancy in left field, and the injury to Dominguez, requiring Tommy John surgery, leaves a hole in center field for at least half of the next season. Uncertainties surround the starting rotation, and both corner infield positions, particularly first base, need improved depth, especially considering Rizzo’s health concerns after post-concussion syndrome.

The lack of depth emerged as one of the team’s most significant weaknesses in 2023, epitomized by games where Bauers and Calhoun were leading off. Enhancing the availability of quality options for manager Aaron Boone on a daily basis will be pivotal in the team’s journey back to contention.

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