3 left field options better than Aaron Hicks for the Yankees to pursue
By Tim Boyle
2) Eloy Jimenez is worth a phone call from the Yankees
Andrew Benintendi signed with the Chicago White Sox this offseason and should be their starting left fielder. What does it mean for Eloy Jimenez, the 26-year-old they’ve been waiting to reach stardom?
Jimenez probably becomes the DH for the White Sox. He is not a particularly good fielder. He has also dealt with a bunch of injuries since making his MLB debut in 2019.
Nonetheless, the Yankees would be adding a young player with some major potential. The White Sox are a logical trade partner for the Yankees due in part to their need at second base over in Chicago. Gleyber Torres feels like a solution for the White Sox up the middle. A trade between the two clubs would probably require at least one more piece from each side. Primarily, the Yankees find a left fielder and the White Sox add a second baseman.
A player like Jimenez becoming available in a trade is something the Yankees should jump on. Even if the defense isn’t great, they shouldn’t have high expectations for Hicks with the glove anyway.
The simplest solution to getting over any concerns the team may have about Jimenez playing defense is to carry a replacement on their bench. Between Harrison Bader in center field and Aaron Judge in right field, they should be fine fielding balls that make it beyond the infield dirt.