The Yankees have their starting left fielder for the future if Aaron Judge signs extension

oswaldo cabrera, yankees
Sep 7, 2022; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Oswaldo Cabrera (95) makes a catch in the eleventh inning against the Minnesota Twins at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

Can you remember the days in which the newly-promoted Oswaldo Cabrera struggled to get going at the plate for the New York Yankees for weeks following his call-up from Triple-A Scranton? Yes, neither can we. It wasn’t that long ago, but he seems like a different player now.

Cabrera has been so good as of late that he has been building a strong case to be the Yankees’ left fielder of the future if the organization manages to re-sign Aaron Judge.

Even if they can’t retain Judge, he could have a role as a situational corner outfield while making some starts at shortstop, second and third base, too.

For the season as a whole, Cabrera is hitting .231/.300/.402 with four home runs and 17 RBI in 33 games and 130 plate appearances for the Yankees. The most important number in his statistical profile, however, is 100: that’s his wRC+, which means he has taken his line to that of the average offensive performer after slumping to start his MLB career.

The Yankees have current and future production with Cabrera

That number is also on the rise. Cabrera has been brilliant for the Yankees in the last seven games, hitting .292/.393/.750 with three homers and nine RBI over that span.

His great play extends to his last 15 games, too, as he is slashing .278/.371/.556 with four round-trippers and 14 RBI. Simply put, he has been a godsend for the Yankees, and the organization also deserves kudos for sticking with him through thick and thin.

Besides his improving offense, Cabrera has been brilliant with a glove on his hand. While playing the outfield, which is not his primary position, he has accumulated eight Defensive Runs Saved (DRS), a 46.8 Ultimate Zone Rating (UZR) per 150 games, and 1 Outs Above Average (OAA) at shortstop.

With Judge in the picture for the future, he would play right field; Cabrera can play left, and Harrison Bader would be the center fielder, with Aaron Hicks around as a reserve if the team can’t trade him and Giancarlo Stanton as the designated hitter.

All things considered, Cabrera is looking like an asset for the future, with six team control years after 2022 and a myriad of potential avenues for playing time if he can keep improving as a hitter.