Yankee fans are scratching their collective heads with this assemblance of a team. They can be very very good or they can be very very bad. The perfect example is how they recently slaughtered the baseball with a homer marathon over a couple of games with the Tampa Bay Rays, then get beat with a 3 hit shutout by an up-and-coming Red Sox team. It’s mind boggling to say the least. Will the real Yankees please stand up.
Aaron Judge Photo Courtesy of AP
Aaron Judge has recently returned to the lineup and having him there has markedly improved the offense. Giancarlo Stanton has been the best Yankee hitter since coming off of the IL. Together they are a force that MLB hasn’t seen in a long time. However, they need to stay healthy. This version of hitters has a runs scored vs runs against position of plus 107, the best in the American League. The real issue, however, is with the inconsistency of defense and baserunning with the rest of the team. The bats can only carry them so far and that so far ain’t a World Series victory. They currently sit in the second wild card slot.
Anthony Volpe Photo Courtesy of APF
Fundamental Struggle is a Fundamental Question
The change needs to happen in the field and on the bases. How many times will we see an error with a booted ball, an errant throw or a miscommunication on a pop fly ball with the fielding. Anthony Volpe has gotten the attention of the fans, and it isn’t pretty. He is consistent with bad play at the shortstop position that puts pitchers in difficult situations. Last night against the Red Sox with the game on the line, David Bednar served up a pitch that produced a ground ball to Volpe. Instead of throwing to first base for the out, he tried to pic off the runner at second base which resulted in an easy safe call. That play aggravated Bednar, as seen by close up shots as he circled the mound to collect his emotions. He did pitch out of the inning without relinquishing a run keeping the Yankees in a position to produce a dramatic 9th inning comeback win. That did not happen. Instead, Aroldis Chapman shut them down easily with masterful pitching.
Photo Courtesy of AP
Is Aaron Boone The Issue?
The pressure is on Aaron Boone. He has not delivered the World Championship New Yorkers expect each year from this legendary franchise. He is great at defending his team, which is part of the job of the manager. But he is now sounding like an excuse machine for players like Volpe that need to be scrutinized for their inadequate play. Why is this team so fundamentally challenged? Is there an expectation from the coaching staff that they don’t need to double down on baserunning, fielding and throwing techniques that are desperately needed to win championships? The season is quickly coming to a close. If this doesn’t get fixed, this team may not even make the playoffs let along another appearance in the World Series. Aaron Boone needs to do something. That something is to stress fundamentals or the stress will be on him if this team fails to produce.
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