3 Yankees Subs Who Will Be Better Opening Day Starters Than Giancarlo Stanton

When healthy, New York Yankees outfielder Giancarlo Stanton is one of the best outfielders in all of baseball. However, times where Stanton is playing at 100 percent are few and increasingly far between, as the gargantuan slugger might miss the start of the regular season with a calf strain. If Stanton is unable to go, at least the Yankees have outfield depth that is unmatched across all of baseball. These three backups could easily handle starting roles in Stanton's absence.

3. Mike Tauchman

New York Yankees outfielder Mike Tauchman / Rich Schultz/Getty Images

Tauchman was a last-second pickup before the 2019 season, and he ended up saving the Yankees' bacon on a number of occasions. A plus defender that can cover ground in center or a corner outfield spot, it was Tauchman's sudden development of a power stroke that made it almost impossible for the Yankees to take him out of the lineup. Tauchman, his 128 OPS+, and his 3.6 WAR will be well equipped to shoulder the offensive load if Stanton remains injured.

2. Clint Frazier

New York Yankees outfielder Clint Frazier / Mark Brown/Getty Images

Frazier, the big piece that went to the Yankees in a trade that sent Andrew Miller to the Cleveland Indians, was hitting .267 with 12 home runs last season before the Yankees stuck him in the minor leagues. The franchise has almost gone out of their way to get the productive offensive outfielder with tremendous bat speed regular game time, but this could be his time to shine, provided his defense is up to snuff. If he fails, 2020 will likely be his last season as a Yankee.

1. Miguel Andujar

This could be Miguel Andujar's chance to reclaim his starting spot / Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

Andujar's transition from third baseman to left fielder couldn't have come at a better time. While it's been over a year since Andujar has been healthy or produced anything of value as a hitter due to a series of injuries that ruined his 2019, the promise of him returning to the offensive juggernaut that he was in 2018 could be enough for Aaron Boone to pencil him in as the starting left fielder. This is certainly the riskiest Stanton replacement given the fact he is a complete unknown in the field, but he offers by far the most potential as a hitter.