Part 4/9:
Despite Alonso’s offensive firepower, his defensive limitations pose questions regarding his fit within the Yankees' longstanding team philosophy, which historically prioritizes defense, especially at first base. The Yankees have prioritized having a reliable glove at first, often supplementing with defensive replacements, illustrating the importance they place on fielding.
Historically, Yankees’ management has favored players like Mark Teixeira and Anthony Rizzo—powerful hitters with good glove work—over players who excel solely offensively. Alonso, while powerful, does not align perfectly with this profile. They tend to avoid such power-only players at first base unless their defense compensates, which Alonso might not fully provide.