Fansided

One future Yankee on each MLB team

By Adam Strangis

NEW YORK, NY - JULY 29: General view of a wall displaying retired New York Yankees numbers which is seen during a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium on July 29, 2017 in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Yankees defeated the Rays 5-4. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 29: General view of a wall displaying retired New York Yankees numbers which is seen during a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium on July 29, 2017 in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Yankees defeated the Rays 5-4. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /
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CHICAGO, IL – APRIL 26: Kyle Schwarber #12 of the Chicago Cubs hits a home run against the Milwaukee Brewers during the sixth inning on April 26, 2018 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – APRIL 26: Kyle Schwarber #12 of the Chicago Cubs hits a home run against the Milwaukee Brewers during the sixth inning on April 26, 2018 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images) /

Chicago Cubs – Kyle Schwarber, Outfield/Designated Hitter

If there was ever a player that profiled as a designated hitter who’s masquerading as an outfielder in the National League, it’s Kyle Schwarber. He has as much power potential as just about anyone in the league and would be a force in Yankee Stadium. Letting Schwarber stop worrying about playing defense could unlock his staggering home run ceiling.

Bringing in the big lefty would present some challenges from a lineup perspective for the Yankees. They already have to split playing time between Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Brett Gardner, Aaron Hicks and sometimes Gary Sanchez between three outfield spots and a DH spot. Schwarber can still play a defensive position when required but it’s fair to say it would be a constant juggling act as long as most of the current roster is there.

Even though it would require manager Aaron Boone to be creative, the potential to add another 30-40 home run bat into the lineup is well worth it in the long run. One would think the Cubs can’t hold onto Schwarber indefinitely since they have to shelter him on defense and he doesn’t hit lefties well. It’s hard in the National League to have a player with those weaknesses. In the American League, it’s much easier to pull off. Stanton could just bump into left field seeing as how he came from a National League team. Schwarber could really find his groove in New York and would be accustomed to pressure having come from a big market in Chicago.

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