Fansided

Yankees can’t count on Clint Frazier in 2019

By Rucker Haringey

BALTIMORE, MD - JULY 10: New York Yankees left fielder Clint Frazier (77) warms up prior to the game between the New York Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles on July 10, 2018, at Orioles Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, MD. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - JULY 10: New York Yankees left fielder Clint Frazier (77) warms up prior to the game between the New York Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles on July 10, 2018, at Orioles Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, MD. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The Yankees would like to count on Clint Frazier to provide outfield depth next season, but his struggles with concussions will make that impossible.

Brian Cashman and the Yankees front office have some tough decisions to make in the offseason. Deciding what to do in the outfield is going to be particularly challenging. Unfortunately, the organization can’t afford to make Clint Frazier a significant part of their plans in 2019.

Frazier clearly has the talent to help the Yankees as an option off the bench. Some would even argue that his hitting ability is good enough to allow him to contend for a starting spot. Cashman would love to count on Frazier to enter Spring Training and battle for a meaningful role on next year’s team.

It’s not something the organization can plan on though. Frazier’s 2018 injury is over after the recurrence of concussion symptoms. It’s not the first time the red-head has battled these sorts of issues. The nature of concussions mean that his next head injury could end his career.

That makes expecting him to stay healthy in 2019 a luxury the Yankees cannot afford. His misfortune may turn into a financial windfall for Brett Gardner, Andrew McCutchen or both.

Gardner’s $12.5 million team option is going to be a tricky issue for Cashman and company. His defense is an excellent boost for a pitching staff that desperately needs it, but his lack of offense this season has been really problematic for Aaron Boone’s lineup. It’s hard to envision the Yankees paying a hitter who’s only slashing .237/.325/.423 that sort of money. The ideal solution for the team would be to bring Gardner back on a reduced salary. Trying to make that move would be a significant risk for the front office.

McCutchen’s situation is a bit more cut and dry. He’ll be an unrestricted free agent. The Yankees certainly will consider re-signing him, but they have no advantage over other team’s interested in his services. How he plays down the stretch will likely go a long way towards determining whether or not he has a future in the Bronx.

That leaves Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Hicks as the only Yankee outfielders guaranteed to return to the team in 2019. It’s obvious the team will need to add one additional player to the mix to allow Stanton to continue to DH most days. Ideally, they can sign another guy with the athletic ability to be a plus defender.

Next. Yankees will get Didi Gregorius back this weekend. dark

In the end, you have to feel bad for Frazier. Concussions have derailed his career to the point where his future with the Yankees is in serious jeopardy. Anything he provides the team in 2019 should be regarded as a bonus. Counting on him would be a serious mistake by New York’s front office.

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