The New York Yankees face enormous expectations in 2024. Despite a poor 82-80 record in 2023, they are expected to easily win the American League East and return to the playoffs. However, their voyage will not be without its challenges. Could free agent infielder Donovan Solano solve their present problem?
Oswald Peraza may have been the primary backup to shortstop Anthony Volpe and third baseman DJ LeMahieu on the left side of manager Aaron Boone’s lineup. According to MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch, these plans were disrupted on March 9. “Aaron Boone says that Oswald Peraza will be shut down for 6-8 weeks with a subscapularis strain in his right shoulder,” he wrote on X (previously Twitter).
Will the Yankees plug this hole internally or pursue an external solution?If San Francisco Giants infielder J.D. Davis becomes available through waivers, he could be a viable choice.Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News suggested three other alternatives. “A couple UTL types still available in free agency: Donovan Solano, Jean Segura and Adalberto Mondesí,” he stated in an interview with X. “Solano (110 OPS+ in 134 games last year) is the greatest hitter of the lot. He and Segura haven’t played much shortstop in recent years.”
What Solano Could Bring to the Yankees
Solano has had a decade-long career in Major League Baseball, playing for five different teams. He began with the Miami Marlins from 2012 to 2015 before making a brief appearance with the New York Yankees in 2016, where he showcased his skills with a .715 OPS over nine games and 23 plate appearances. Following his stint with the Yankees, Solano spent two years in the minor leagues, first with the Yankees organization in 2017 and then with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2018.
In 2019, Solano joined the San Francisco Giants, and that’s when his career took off. Over the next three seasons with the Giants, he demonstrated consistent performance at the plate, batting .308/.354/.435 with 14 home runs, 45 doubles, 83 RBI, and 84 runs scored across 775 plate appearances. Notably, he had an outstanding season in 2020, recording a .326/.365/.463 slash line, which earned him a Silver Slugger Award.
Solano continued his career with the Minnesota Twins in 2023, where he achieved personal bests in games played (134) and plate appearances (450). During that season, he hit five home runs, 26 doubles, and produced 38 RBI and 43 runs while maintaining a batting line of .282/.369/.391.
How Could Expectations Impact New York’s Reaction?
Phillips pointed out that although Solano has experience at shortstop, it’s been some time since he played the position regularly. His last appearance at shortstop was a brief six-inning stint in 2021, and his last significant playing time there was in 2019 with the Giants, where he accumulated 144 innings.
However, Solano has gained playing time at other positions, including first base, second base, and third base since 2022. This versatility could prove valuable for the Yankees, especially considering their need to bolster their roster following a challenging 2023 season.
With pressure mounting to return to the postseason and the impending free agency of outfielder Juan Soto in November, the Yankees must carefully consider their roster moves. While they have internal options, acquiring players like Solano, who can provide defensive versatility and offensive production, could be beneficial.
Despite Solano’s recent lack of playing time at shortstop, he could still contribute at second base, allowing Gleyber Torres to shift over if needed. Torres, a former top shortstop prospect, has experience at the position.
With the season still in its early stages, the Yankees have time to evaluate their options and make informed decisions without rushing. This flexibility will be crucial as they strategize for the upcoming season.
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