As spring training is underway and the regular baseball season rapidly approaches, I know all Yankees fans have the same question. Yes, they have made improvements to their 100 win 2018 squad, but have they done enough to catch the Sox? Like it or not, the Yankees and Red Sox rivalry is good for baseball. We saved the best for last, as today we are breaking down the outfield and DH positions.
Left Field: Clint Frazier/Brett Gardner vs. Andrew Benintendi
While Clint Frazier struggled through an injury plagued 2018, Brett Gardner had his worst year in the majors. Despite this, the Yanks brought Gardy back on a one year deal. Gardner still provides solid defense, above average speed and can work counts, but he is on the wrong side of 30 and his skills only will continue to diminish. If Frazier can stay healthy all year, he may be able to unseat the veteran, but that’s too big of a what if for a man who just missed a whole year. For the Red Sox, they are lucky enough to have Andrew Benintendi. A budding superstar Benintendi provides average, defense and power while protecting some of the big boppers in the Sox vaunted lineup. I expect Benintendi to continue to get better, and for his power numbers to continue to go up. This one is easy.
Edge: Red Sox
Center Field: Aaron Hicks vs. Jackie Bradley Jr.
Aaron Hicks followed up a breakout 2017 campaign with an even better 2018 campaign. The switch hitter hit .247 with 27 homers. Hicks plays solid defense in center field, gets on base frequently (.366 OBP) and has one of the game’s best arms. Jackie Bradley Jr., is a good defender, but offers little with the bat. Red Sox fans will point to JBJ’s ridiculous catches as to why he should be able to compete with Hicks, but in reality, according to baseball reference, Bradley posted just a -2 DRS (defensive runs saved) last year. It seems as though Bradley is good for the highlight catch, but lacks the consistency needed on the defensive side of the ball to compete with Hicks. That, coupled with Hicks’s offensive ability, and this isn’t nearly as close as most Sox fans think it should be.
Edge: Yankees
Right Field: Aaron Judge vs. Mookie Betts
And now…..The Main Event! Not since the mid 90’s have the Yankees and Red Sox had two of the game’s best players, at the same position (Nomar and Jeter). Maybe not since Joe Dimaggio and Ted Williams have they both had a top 5 player, playing the outfield at the same time. However, Aaron Judge and Mookie Betts have changed all that. I could get hyperbolic on you. Judge is the best power hitter we’ve seen since a young A-Rod and Mookie Betts might be the most complete player in baseball, not named Mike Trout. Aaron Judge offers incredible power, surprising average, good speed for a man that large, and one of the best arms in the game. Betts offers absurd offensive skills, elite baserunning and incredible range in the outfield. This one could go either way, but the one thing I know, is that Yankees and Sox fans wouldn’t trade their right fielder for the world (or each other). Bett’s consistency, and speed give him the lead here.
Edge: Red Sox
Designated HItter: Giancarlo Stanton vs. JD Martinez
Alright Yankees fans, I know I slighted your beloved Aaron Judge above, but here is where I make it up to you. Despite a Bonds-esque 2018 from Martinez, Giancarlo Stanton is the better player. Yes, Stanton “struggled” through his first season in pinstripes. He “only” posted a .266 average, hit 38 dingers and drove in 100+ RBI’s. Some down season, huh? However, despite, Martinez’s incredible last two years, Stanton has been every bit as good. Over those two years, Stanton has out homered Martinez (97-88), equaled Martinez in RBI’s (232-234), walked more, and scored more runs. While Martinez is a better bat-to ball guy, when Stanton makes contact, he has a higher exit velo than Martinez. What puts Stanton over the edge, is that baseball reference has Stanton as an above average defender with 5 DRS. Martinez has -5. Those ten runs make the difference to me in an otherwise close category.
Edge: Yankees
After writing this, I feel as though the Yankees are as good, or better than the Sox; in fact, my breakdown shows the Yankees have a 6-5 edge over the Red Sox. Despite losing the AL East by 8 games in 2018, the Yankees did not have one player have a “great year.” Meanwhile, the Sox had Martinez and Betts play like MVP’s. A healthy Judge and a more productive Stanton, Torres, Sanchez and Severino, and the Yankees could be historic. It’s a lot of ifs, but I bet more on the talent and bullpen of the Yankees than I do the Sox. It should be a fun 2019 season, with two of the game’s most prominent teams being in a position to win it all.
