Days after Brian Cashman stated it was a “problem” that the Yankees’ lineup is stuffed with lefties, a right-handed hitter is returning to the Bronx.
The YES Community’s Jack Curry first reported that the Yankees have been re-signing Rosario.
It’s no shock to see Rosario again with the Yankees, as they’d tried to land him on just a few events earlier than efficiently doing so forward of the commerce deadline this previous summer season. Acquired in a commerce that despatched right-hander Clayton Beeter and outfielder Browm Martinez to the Nationals, Rosario solely performed in 16 video games for the Bombers. Nevertheless, the ex-Met hit .303 with a .788 OPS, one residence run and 5 RBI whereas working round a left SC joint sprain.
Extra importantly, Rosario completed the season with a 125 wRC+ and an .819 OPS towards left-handed pitchers. That made the 30-year-old a viable platoon choice for the lefty-swinging, strikeout-heavy and defensively stellar Ryan McMahon at third.
“I definitely want to give Aaron Boone some legitimate choices so he can match up when we’re facing a left-handed starter, because obviously we’re so left-handed that it’s a vulnerability right now,” Cashman stated on the Winter Conferences earlier this week. “There’s not a lot of right-handed bats in the game that are accessible.”
Whereas not one of the best defender — the previous shortstop can even play second and the outfield — Rosario additionally discovered methods to contribute when he wasn’t within the sport. The veteran introduced good vibes to the tip of the Yankees’ dugout — dubbed the “Hot Corner” by the membership’s Latino gamers — and served as a mentor to Jasson Domínguez.
“It’s a game of failure, and sometimes you don’t know what a teammate can be going through,” Rosario stated in September. “If I can just provide some energy, some cheering, some laughs, and help bring out the best in them by creating a light and enjoyable atmosphere, I sure wanna do that.”
With Rosario again, the Yankees might nonetheless search for right-handed bats, as Cashman repeatedly mentioned the potential for “challenge trades” — massive league expertise for giant league expertise — on the Winter Conferences. The Yankees’ present projected on a regular basis lineup would have 5 starters who swing from the left aspect: catcher Austin Wells, first baseman Ben Rice, second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr., third baseman McMahon and middle fielder Trent Grisham. That quantity would enhance if the Yankees re-sign Cody Bellinger, which stays a objective, although the outfielder hits southpaws properly.
If the Yankees don’t retain Bellinger, kids Spencer Jones, a lefty, and Domínguez, a switch-hitter who’s superior from the left aspect, have a greater probability of taking part in a serious function within the outfield subsequent season.
