The New York Yankees find themselves in a challenging spot with Giancarlo Stanton sidelined long-term. While the team’s depth allows them to utilize the designated hitter position more flexibly, the loss of Stanton’s power at the plate is a significant blow.
His bat was crucial during last year’s postseason run, and there’s no denying that a healthy Stanton during the stretch run or playoffs is a game-changer. For now, though, his absence creates an opportunity for another player to step up in the Yankees lineup.
Current chatter around the Yankees camp suggests they might be looking at younger talent to fill the gap, especially from within the 40-man roster. Bryan Hoch from MLB.com recently speculated that Everson Pereira could slide in as a designated hitter against left-handed pitchers, despite recovering from Tommy John surgery, which limits his ability to play in the outfield right now. Ben Rice was thought to share DH duties when right-handers take the mound.
However, in an unexpected move, Pereira was sent down to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre following Tuesday’s game, just a day after those predictions were shared. This shift left some scratching their heads, as it seemed Pereira was favored to make the roster. Alongside him, Spencer Jones, who had shown promise early in spring, will also continue his development in the minors.
As for the Yankees’ next steps, it remains to be seen whether they’ll pivot back to veterans like Dominic Smith or Pablo Reyes, or if there’s another plan in the works. There’s also been murmuring about potential trades for a right-handed bat, possibly reshuffling the roster further.
Pereira’s brief stint with the big club in September 2023 didn’t set the world on fire, as he hit just .151 without a home run over 93 at-bats. Nevertheless, his performance in Triple-A before elbow surgery was promising, with 10 homers and an .858 OPS in 40 games.
As Opening Day approaches, the Yankees have a few moves left to make and a lot of questions to answer. With roster spots up for grabs and the clock ticking down, the drama of the preseason is only just beginning. Stay tuned, Yankees fans – things are just starting to heat up.
