If the Yankees are seriously considering trading top prospect Spencer Jones, despite his concerning whiff rate, for Garrett Crochet, who might have to move to the bullpen by September, it appears they’re open to exploring various options this summer.
Given this willingness, why not address the team’s needs more comprehensively? With Giancarlo Stanton’s slow return from injury and the team’s lack of productivity in left field, adding another top-10 hitter in baseball could be a game-changer.
Could such a player be available? Let’s evaluate some options. Shohei Ohtani is under a long-term contract, Gunnar Henderson and Bobby Witt Jr. are secure with their current teams, and Bryce Harper, though a missed opportunity for the Yankees, isn’t an option now.
So, who could be the answer? There might be a surprising and impactful player out there. Let’s take a closer look at who that might be.
Oakland A’s slugger Brent Rooker is a tradeable asset for the Yankees. They really can.
At DH, Rooker is perfect. As you can see from the above data, Rooker is not very useful in left field; this season, he has played in just 102 1/3 innings out of the outfield. So what could possibly go wrong with him? How about a faceplant to close a fiercely contested divisional game on a ball with 99% catch probability?
Even though the majority of baseball fans have made a concerted effort to ignore the events in Oakland this season out of sympathy and solidarity with the offended fans, Rooker was probably the biggest All-Star snub of the summer. However, he was unable to make the team because, well, MLB felt uncomfortable awarding two honorees to the team they stole from their hometown.
The 29-year-old’s OPS is up to.939 with 22 bombs and 67 RBI through play on Monday thanks to a recent scorching stretch, and he’s only getting better as the season goes on. Dave Dombrowski was formerly believed to be a good fit for the Phillies, who appreciate sluggers in the same way that the Yankees did (under Kevin Long, no less), but he has apparently gone on.This implies that rather than pushing Giancarlo Stanton back too quickly, New York’s braintrust can let him recover at his own speed if they are prepared to pay the associated costs. They can guard against the three weeks that we all know always follow Stanton’s return from the injured list as he ramps back up against major-league pitching. Maybe a long time from now, but one day he’ll be a weapon once more.
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There will be days when the Yankees can de-emphasize Verdugo, the worst qualified hitter in MLB since June 15, if Rooker joins the team and Stanton bounces back. That will happen whether or not Jasson Dominguez ever fully recovers from his oblique ailment. At first glance, Aaron Judge’s need for half-days and a crowded DH spot make it seem like a strange choice, but Edwin Encarnacion did the same thing in 2019. Do you recall 2019? It was the last season when the Yankees realized they didn’t merely need to repair holes because of their explosive offense. We can also enhance our strengths.”
For a squad that hasn’t gone all in for a long, Rooker would be a great “all in” move, especially considering the expected course of Stanton’s rehabilitation.
