MLB Rumors: Surprise Scherzer trade, Moustakas grade, Mets help Yankees?
By Mark Powell
MLB Rumors: Could the Yankees replace Aaron Judge with Starling Marte?
The injury to Judge shouldn’t cost him the entire year, per Aaron Boone, but it is admittedly worse than the team initially expected. What does this mean for New York?
Should the Yankees want to make a postseason push, they likely would have needed outfield help anyway given their sore spot in left. Now, that becomes all the more important. A player who could become available, for example, is New York Mets slugger Starling Marte.
At this point in his career, Marte is likely best employed in the corner outfield slot, though he has some experience playing center field as well. Marte is starting to slow down some with his bat, but he remains an elite base-stealer and can make some noise in the New York lineup. Jim Bowden of The Athletic pitched this idea of Marte on the Yankees first:
"“Beyond Aaron Judge (who’s currently on the IL) and Harrison Bader, the Yankees’ outfield is loaded with role players and journeymen. They need to improve the outfield if they want to make the playoffs as a wild-card team. Although it looks like age is catching up with Starling Marte, 34, he still has enough in the tank to get on base and steal bags (20 stolen bases in 23 attempts), which would be huge for the Yankees’ lifeless lineup, particularly when Judge isn’t in it. An outfield of Judge in right, Bader in center and Marte in left would be a big improvement for the final three months of the season.”"
The Mets outlook is grim at this point in the season. Come late July, selling may be their best bet in getting younger, and cheaper.