They often say that insanity is doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting a different outcome. So, Yankee fans might wonder: Is it crazy to expect better performance in left field than what Alex Verdugo has been delivering?
Verdugo’s performance has been underwhelming since a promising start to the season. Since May 1st, he’s managed just a .227/.276/.337 line for a .613 OPS and a 72 wRC+. The advanced metrics don’t suggest he’s been unlucky or poised for a turnaround, and his lackluster play in the field hasn’t helped either.
Despite this, on September 6th, Brian Cashman reaffirmed his trust in Verdugo, claiming that he gives the Yankees the best chance to win, even with top prospect Jasson DomÃnguez thriving in Triple-A. Cashman believes Verdugo has shown improvement recently, which seems to rule out significant playing time for DomÃnguez at the moment.
Although there’s ongoing debate about whether DomÃnguez should replace Verdugo, there are alternative solutions that could enhance the Yankees’ outfield without needing to call up DomÃnguez. For instance, Oswaldo Cabrera has shown promise. In August, Cabrera posted a .265/.306/.471 line with a .776 OPS and a 117 wRC+. In July, his performance was also solid, with a .279/.333/.372 slash line and a .705 OPS. These numbers surpass any of Verdugo’s stretches after April. Cabrera has proven he can be at least an average defender, matching Verdugo’s -1 OAA and 0 DRS. Additionally, with Trent Grisham, the Yankees’ top defensive outfielder, having seen limited play recently, defensive concerns alone shouldn’t prevent Cabrera from getting more time in the field.
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