New York Yankees Outfielder Clint Frazier has heard his name mentioned around the trade deadline for multiple years. But each time the deadlines rolls around, the team has decided to hold on to him. Frazier, a former first-round pick by the Indians, has recently been under fire for his poor play in the field. After his recent disastrous seventh inning against Boston, which resulted in the Red Sox scoring three runs, many fans are ready to move on. Could this be the year that the Yankees’ Front Office finally moves on from ‘Red Thunder’?
Why the Yankees Should Trade Clint Frazier This Summer:
His Improved Trade Value
Prior to this season, Frazier had a .240 batting average, four home runs, and 18 RBI in his Big League career. This season though, he has had a bit of a breakout campaign. He’s batting .275 with 11 home runs and 30 RBI in 43 games this season. At only 24-years-old, Frazier still has plenty of time to develop into a great player, something perspective teams will be intrigued by. With the Yankees believed to be targeting an elite starting pitcher at the deadline this summer, Frazier would be a great piece of a possible trade.
The Defensive Struggles
To be successful in the MLB, you need to be able to both field and hit well. And if you are not the best fielder, you need to be one of the elite hitters in the game. Frazier is not a good enough hitter yet to be a full-time DH though. He needs time to develop into a consistent hitter before he can be excused for his poor defense.
With the Yankees being one of the favorites to play in the World Series this year, they need players who excel in both parts of the game. They can’t afford to have players who struggle mightily at one aspect of the game. If the Yankees want to beat the best teams in October, each player needs to be one of the best at what they do.
The Crowded Outfield
Frazier has greatly benefitted from the injuries the Yankees have dealt with this year. With key outfielders such as Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge on the bench for most of the year thus far, Frazier has had no competition to take him out of the lineup.
When Stanton and Judge return, the outfield will be crowded and there might not be a spot for Frazier. Being a young player, Frazier needs time to develop and needs to be playing every day to get better. When the Yankees are at full strength, that opportunity will most likely not exist.
His Character Issues
After the game against Boston this past Sunday, Frazier refused to speak to the media. His poor play on defense allowed Boston to pull away in that seventh inning; but instead of addressing his mistakes, he chose to hide and not speak. He’s not ready for the spotlight of New York.
Part of being a professional athlete is handling yourself well with the media. When you make a mistake, the media is going to do their best to get a response from you. It is your opportunity to own up to your mistakes and make things better. Frazier didn’t own up to his game-changing mistakes though. He needs to be playing in a place where the media is much more relaxed than New York. He is mentally not ready to be under a microscope each game.