WXVU Sports

Matt Linder Left field has become a platoon-heavy position, in which different players split time.  Also, in general, teams are beginning to use their outfielders more fluidly, moving guys between the three spots throughout the season.  This trend is most pronounced in left field.  Last year, both right field and center field had 20 everyday players who received at least 400 plate appearances, while left field only had 12 players to reach that threshold.  The position is certainly top-heavy with a cast of impact players atop the list.  Enjoy! Thomas A. Ferrara - Newsday 1. Giancarlo Stanton New team, new position… still number one.  Stanton will mostly DH for the Yankees in 2018, but when he plays the field, it will be in left.  The reigning NL MVP is coming off an all-time great season in which he hit .281/.376/.631 with 59 home runs… 59!!!!  Although you cannot expect him to repeat that level of production in 2018, it is fai...

Steve Mitchell/USA TODAY Sports Matt Linder Well, that was a quick rebuild!  The Yankees have agreed to a trade with the Marlins that sends Giancarlo Stanton to New York in exchange for Starlin Castro and two prospects.  The Yankees will also receive $30M if Stanton does not opt out of his contract after the 2020 season.  The deal has yet to be formerly announced by either team, but the only thing that could hold it up is a failed physical.  Let’s break down: how and why the trade happened, the players the Yankees gave up, the deal’s impact on the current roster and the team’s mission to get under the luxury tax threshold. The Marlins new ownership group, led by Derek Jeter, made it clear that their goal was to cut payroll in order to get the franchise’s finances under control.  Trading away the team’s most expensive player was the easiest and quickest way to accomplish that objective.  Back in 2014, Stanton signed a 13 year deal worth $325M w...