His hard-hit rate was 32.9%, barrel rate was 3.5%, and average exit velocity was 86.7. He’s not the best slugger in the world, but he makes good contact. He bats for average and is a defensive ace in the outfield’s most critical position.
This past season, he had a.989 fielding percentage in 981.1 innings, with 18 defensive runs saved and 13 outs over average. Consider Harrison Bader as a lefty with slightly above-average offensive output. It appears to be a perfect fit for the Yankees, who may seek a less expensive option so they can spend more on star international pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto and maybe acquire Juan Soto from the San Diego Padres. Yamamoto is projected to receive a contract in the $200 million area, while Soto is expected to earn $30 million in arbitration.
While it’s easy to predict that ownership will spend large and completely restructure the squad, the Yankees are more likely to add a few essential pieces to the mix. Kiermaier is a nice centerfield supplement while Dominguez heals, and he’s cheap enough that they don’t have to spend a lot of money on a solution.
