Aaron Boone, coach of the New York Yankees, shared an update on the club’s outfield situation for the 2021 MLB season on Wednesday, when pitchers and catchers began reporting on spring training. Boone told reporters, including Bryan Hoch of MLB.com, that Clint Frazier will be the Yankees’ starting left defender at the start of the season.
“Clint won his place,” said Boone. Frazier, 26, played 39 games for the Yankees in 2020. He played 28 of those games on the right field (while Aaron Judge was on the injured list), with the rest on the left. He hit 0.267 / 0.394 / 0.511 (149 OPS +) with eight home runs and 26 RBI during the shortened season. Frazier even won a Gold Glove surprise nomination in the right field.
The Yankees acquired Frazier in Cleveland’s 2016 trading deadline. Since joining the club, Frazier has been through a lot. He experienced some tension with the New York media, lost almost the entire 2018 season due to injuries, had to work on his defensive problems while he was a minor, was transferred to a major league promotion in 2019 and started the season in Triple- A, and was often listed in potential trade rumors. But the young hitter will now have a chance to prove his full potential as a left field player for the Yankees in 2021.
“[Clint] continued to reinforce that he is a force and is getting better, “Yankees general manager Brian Cashman told WFAN in January.” Last year is another proof of that. Going into that, no doubt, he solidified as the guy and has been a guy who has been great for us. He took advantage of the opportunities and improved everything.
“He was not a finished product when we purchased it, but he is closing the gap in that roof. Now that his concussion is in the past, you are seeing the real deal. He has had a hell of a year and must be very proud of it. We are proud of him. “
The Yankees and outside defender Brett Gardner, 37, have yet to reach an agreement and it is unclear whether the veteran will return to the Bronx this season. Gardner, who would be the oldest Yankee if he returns, expressed interest in playing the 2021 season, according to Jon Morosi of the MLB Network. Gardner usually plays on the left field, but can also play on the center field. Regarding the return of Giancarlo Stanton to play in the field, it seems unlikely. Cashman said at the end of the 2020 season that Stanton’s future with the Yankees is likely to be primarily as a designated hitter for the 2021 season.
Therefore, for the time being, the current situation of the Yankees external field for 2021 will be as follows:
Tampa Bay Rays won the pennant in 2020, but the Yankees are favorites to resume the division in 2021. New York ended the 60-game season with a record 33-27 and was kicked out of the expanded postseason by Rays in Game 5 of the American League Division Series.