Help is on the way for the lineup, but will it matter?



Despite a surging Giancarlo Stanton and recent improvements from Gleyber Torres, DJ Lemahiue, and Clint Frazier, a large portion of the Yankees lineup is still struggling. The back half of the lineup is a collection of below the Mendoza line batting averages with little to no run production. Giancarlo Stanton can't continue to hit a homerun every game forever (or can he?), so it is important that some other people in the lineup start to step it up. Aaron Judge is beginning to slump a bit, and Gio Urshela is hurting, though he will likely avoid a DL stint. Mike Ford has not done a great job filling in at first base. Gary Sanchez has been the 2019-2020 version of himself, and Brett Gardner hasn't been great either.

These guys all still have plenty of time to turn their seasons around, but the team could use a boost at this stage of the season.

Enter Miguel Andujar and Luke Voit. Miguel Andujar started the season in Triple-A hot, so the Yankees called him up when they learned Urshela would have to miss a couple of games. He has been playing first base, left field, and third base at the alternate site. The reviews have been pretty good on his defense. If the Yankees can get the 2018 version of Miguel Andujar or something close to it, that might be a big boost to the team. 

The problem is getting him at bats. Clint Frazier is already starting to turn it around in left field and it's unlikely Aaron Boone will take him out when he's this close to breaking out. The Yankees have been rotating between Mike Ford and DJ Lemahiue at first, and Luke Voit will be back any day. They have been playing Lemahiue at third. If they can get Andujar some at bats, he could bolster their offense.

As mentioned before, Luke Voit is returning soon. Voit was the homerun king last year, and it was not at the expense of his batting average (.277). He had an OPS of .948 and 22 homeruns in just 56 games.  The Yankees have not had much production from first base this year outside of Lemahiue. Having Voit back in the lineup will help this lineup produce more runs both directly and indirectly. The lineup protection he will provide for Stanton and Judge will help them see better pitches as well. 

In order for Voit and Andujar to help the Yankees, they have to get on the field and perform. There are no guarantees. On paper the two of them should improve the offense and in turn their record. They cannot continue to play .500 baseball and expect to make the playoffs.

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