Yankees' So-Called Biggest Need is Being Ridiculously Exaggerated

So with the New York Yankees failing to win a World Series for the 16th straight year, fans want to see major changes this offseason. More specifically, one of the primary sticking points of Yankees fans is that this team strikes out too much and relies too much on the home run.

As a result, there has been a movement toward "contact hitters" among the Bronx faithful, which is why you keep hearing Steven Kwan mentioned in trade speculation.

Let me just start by saying that I do not agree that a strikeout is the same as a ground ball or a fly ball. I have always thought that statement by analytics aficionados is ridiculous. When there is a man on third with less than two outs, a strikeout and a sacrifice fly are not the same. It's silly to even suggest it.

However, I also think Yankees fans are getting a bit carried away with the whole "we need more contact hitters" spiel.

Did you know New York ranked a very solid 10th in the majors in batting average this past season? The Yanks hit .251 as a team. The World Series champion Dodgers batted .253. So what is this need for "contact" that so many are discussing?

What does that even entail? Does it just mean a guy who doesn't strike out?

Because Kwan only struck out 60 times in 2025, but he also batted just .272. Giancarlo Stanton — who is known for being a heavy strikeout guy — finished at .273. The difference is that Stanton also slugged .594.

No, the Yanks don't need "contact hitters." What they need is good players, period. That's why they should absolutely be trying to re-sign Cody Bellinger while still making a push for Kyle Tucker in free agency. It's also why they should be attempting to add another frontline starting pitcher.

Now, will the Yankees do all of that? Probably not. Hal Steinbrenner has made it clear that he is very tight with his budget and won't exceed a certain number. And for as frustrated as Steinbrenner may be with the team's lack of recent success, it's hard to see him deviating too far from his formula.

Let's say Bellinger walks. Is Kwan and his .705 OPS seriously the replacement you want? Just because he doesn't strike out very often?

All of this needs context. I'm not saying the Yanks should go after a bunch of Dave Kingmans, but they shouldn't avoid adding good players just because they strike out. That is the wrong way to build a baseball team.

This isn't to say the Yankees shouldn't be looking to add good situational hitters. That's part of what made DJ LeMahieu so effective during his time in the Bronx. But he also batted .327 and .364 over his first couple of seasons with in New York and was a serious MVP candidate.

Again, there are layers to this. You don't just go and sign a player because they "make contact." That's how you end up with Isiah Kiner-Falefa.

The old school and the analytics movement need to find some sort of middle ground. You should be able to understand that not all outs are the same while also comprehending the fact that just because a player makes outs in a different way does not make him inherently valuable.