Stay or Go: The Future of Tom Coughlin and the Giants

 Photo Credit: James Escher       

It has been a tough year to say the least for Giants head coach Tom Coughlin. From the the plethora of injuries to key players, scrutiny regarding his coaching style, and the lack of ability to finish winnable games. These troubles have lead many to call for his removal, arguing that it is time to put a new voice in the locker room. Those sentiments may have some merit as the Giants have failed to perform up their capabilities in the seasons that surround their two Super Bowl victories. However, Giants co-owner John Mara has said that the thin coaching market could leave the team no choice but to keep the second longest tenured coach around a little longer.

Why He Should Stay

Over the past twelve seasons, Tom Coughlin has brought stability to the head coaching position. He’s become a consummate figure of the team and has a great relationship with the front office and Eli Manning. The players have come to respect him as a person and are willing to work hard to earn his trust. What also stands out is the fact that the Giants have only lost ten games in a season twice since he began coaching (2004. 2014). That say a lot about the environment he has put in place, one that gives the team the belief that it can overcome any obstacle to achieve. Combined with two championships, there is reason to feel optimistic about what coughing can bring, despite the struggles Big blue has gone through the past three years.

Why He Should Go

It goes without saying that a team takes on the persona of their head coach, and that's certainly the case for the Giants and Tom Coughlin. When he first arrived Coughlin brought a strict, no nonsense attitude to the foreground. He demanded a disciplined locker room, holding players heavily accountable for even the smallest of infractions. When that style rubbed some people the wrong way, he made an effort to better connect with the roster, becoming a more open minded coach who could level with his players instead of alienating them. This yielded great results as the team claimed two division titles (2008, 2011) and two championships. Unfortunately, Coughlin has now become far too complacent with the way things are and as a result, the team has fallen short of expectations. From his rather stubborn and outdated running style, failure (until recently) to grasp a new offense concept, and the mismanagement of games in the 4th quarter there is real concern that 30+ year coaching veteran has finally lost his touch with the game.

New York Giants: Analyzing through the Bye

Now that the bye week has come and gone, the Giants find themselves with a small cushion the East and the toughest remaining schedule in the NFL. Matchups against some of the stingiest defenses in the league could prove to be more than a challenge for a team that has shown some inconsistency. However, should history repeat itself the tough loss to New England could be the stepping stone Big Blue needs to persevere and get back to the playoffs.

Pros

The defense showed a lot of fight against the Patriots as they were able to lay a few hits on Tom Brady, something they haven't done much of this season. That trend will need to continue over these next six weeks if they want any chance of winning those tough games. Hopefully the defensive line is emboldened by their performance

Perhaps the most impressive defensive statistic the team has is the 22 turnovers it has forced. Despite the various shortcomings they have gone through, the very fact that the Giants lead the NFL in this category definitely leaves room for optimism going forward.

Odell Beckham seems to be making the most of his second season, dispensing talk of the dreaded sophomore jinx that many believed would grab him. His 868 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns rank in the top 10 and with six weeks left, there is little doubt that he will place himself in the upper echelon of active wideouts by seasons end.

It's been a solid year thus far for Eli Manning as he has thrown for 2700 yards with 21 touchdowns and just 6 interceptions. Now that he has the jist of  Ben McAdoo's offense, he is poised to post even better numbers going forward. While there have been some hiccups along the way (mainly poor late game playcalling) things couldn't be better for Eli and company.

Cons

The injury bug has bit once again this season as the Giants have continually had to shuffle the deck in order to fill several roles (especially on defense). Many hopes that the team would be able to stave this off, However, that turned out to be mere wishful thinking.

The loss of Victor Cruz to calf surgery is a debilitating blow to the hopes of a Beckham-Cruz tandem that could have taken the NFL by storm. Including last season, Cruz will now miss a year and a half of football, which could be detrimental to his overall game if he cannot return to the form he once had. One can only hope for the best for the two-time pro bowler.

Yankees Hot Stove 2015

The Yankees began the offseason with the acquisition of Aaron Hicks from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for catcher John Ryan Murphy. Though the club is not expected to spend big in free agency, there are still some low key moves that could be made to improve the roster. Here are some of the positions they can improve and the players they could target.

Bench

The Yankee bench could use an upgrade after they watched it's strong start to 2015 tail off by the season's midpoint. With aging players such as Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira, and Carlos Beltran it will be important to sure up the bench so they can stay fresh for the duration. There are young players like Heathcott, Bird, and Judge waiting in the wings, which gives the club some flexibility to make a less glamorous move.

Potential Targets: Will Venable, Alejandro De Aza, Matt Joyce, Munenori Kawasaki

Bullpen

Outside of the final month, the Yankees bullpen shined once again this season. The combination of Dellin Betances and Andrew Miller proved to be formidable, along with the development of Justin Wilson and Chasen Shreve (despite his late season struggles). Adding a third arm would be most beneficial as it would allow Girardi to cut down on the innings of a pitch like Betances whom lead has lead all relievers with 174 inning pitched out of the pen. There are rumors that Cashman could go after Craig Kimbrel of the Padres, a player he sought to acquires at the July trade deadline or Aroldis Chapman of the Reds. If those moves are too risky there are other options that could fit the need.

Potential Targets: Tyler Clippard, Jason Motte, Eric O'Flaherty, Joakim Soria, Mark Lowe

Starter

C.C. Sabathia's status on the team appears to be set for now. However, there is no guarantee he will come back and truly be effective after his stint in rehabilitation for alcohol abuse. That leaves the Yankees in a bit of a pickle as to what to do with that spot in the rotation. Should things not work out in enough time and Sabathia has to miss a period of time (or potentially the entire season) the Yankees will need to fill the void quickly. Preliminary talks of a Brett Gardner trade to Seattle could bring them a pitcher that can use, but nothing has happened on that front as of yet. 

Potential Targets: Brett Anderson, J.A. Happ, Tim Lincecum, Mike leake, Brandon Morrow

New York Giants: Analyzing through week 8

After exercising their Dallas Cowboy demons in week 7, the team found itself on the losing end of a historic offensive shootout in New Orleans. The Giants still sit atop the NFC East at 4-4, but things could get interesting as the team has matchups with Patriots, Panthers, and Jets in the coming weeks. This will certainly be a test of the teams merritt and resiliency, one that will either make or break the outcome of the season.

Pros

The offense struggled to get much going against Dallas, However it had no problems in the Big Easy as Eli and the Giants were able to move up and down the field seemingly at will. This is a great sign that the poor performance against their division foes were perhaps an abrupt aberration. If this torrid pace can continue and add a player like Victor Cruz, the sky is definitely the limit for Big Blue.

Dwayne Harris cam on strong in both weeks as he had a game breaking kickoff return score against his former team and two touchdown catches in New Orleans. He's done a nice job filling in the gaps for the offense and should see the ball a lot more gong forward.

Dominique Rodgers Cromartie has been the lone bright spot on a struggling defense. He's done everything he can to he;p, but just can't seem to get anyone else to step up with him. Cromartie is definitely earning his keep out there, so one con't help but imagine what the team would be like without him.

Cons

The Giants defense had a tumultuous two weeks as it surrendered 233 rushing yards against Dallas and 608 total yards to the Saints. With those kinds of numbers going against them, it's safe to say that the defense is completely broken. Jason Pierre-Paul is on his way back, but it's doubtful that his impact will mean anything if this ugly trend continues.

Though there has been improvement, the running game hasn't seen the boost it was supposed to get with the revamped offensive line. The Giants have only managed one 100 yard game this season and are averaging just 94.5 yard per game (27th in the league). Hopefully as the line begins gel the ground game will take off, but for now it's just not enough.

New York Giants: Analyzing the first six weeks

After six weeks the Giants have been pretty fair, but there is still a lot of work to do
Photo Credit: Robert Deutsch USA Today Sports

It's been a season of ups and downs so far as the Giants find themselves in the middle of what is shaping up to be a tightly contested division. Despite their troubles, the team has managed a 3-3 record keeping hope that one good stretch could make all the difference. With 11 games left to play, there is still a lot of room for improvement and a good chance to make headway in the NFC East

Pros

The offense has looked much better than last season, averaging 392 yards per game. Though it has had its moments of tribulation, the outlook for the year seems pretty good. Once Victor Cruz is healthy and ready to go, there is no doubt the dynamic of the offense will shift dramatically in the team favor.

Eli Manning has been under a lot of scrutiny over  the course of his career because of his propensity for turnovers. His 11 touchdowns and 4 interceptions through six weeks suggests he has gotten those problems under control (though he still has his moments). In fact, his 66% completion percentage and 94 passer rating has him on pace to put up the most efficient numbers of his career. Hopefully Eli can continue to show this growth as the season continues because as he does, so will the Giants.

Outside of the last two games the Giants run defense has held its own holding opponents to 93.5 yds per game (6th best in the NFL). After two years of watching opponents run up and down the heart of the line, this was an area of focus that has paid some dividends.

Cons

The Giants have just eight team sacks this season, placing them near the bottom of the league in a category they once dominated. The defensive line has failed to get any pressure on the quarterback, leaving the  rest of the defense vulnerable. Unless something drastic happens, this will continue to be the achilles heel that keeps hurting them.

Compounding matters, the Giants are the defense in the league against the pass, yielding nearly 300 yards per game (3rd worst). Despite forcing 11 turnovers, it doesn't appear the team has been able to generate a deterrent for opposing quarterbacks.

In what seems to be a recurring theme, injuries have hampered the teams ability to find any type of consistency. Too many key layers have gone down each week, forcing the team to scramble and find replacements. Is it the Giants just getting flat out unlucky? or should the strength and conditioning staff be held responsible? Nevertheless, football has and always will be a violent and physical game, so injuries are bound to occur, but if you're a Giants fan this has to be getting at bit monotonous.

New York Yankees - Season in Review

The 2015 season came to disappointing finish after a 3-0 loss to the Houston Astros in the AL Wild Card Game. Despite this disappointment, the Yankees still managed to accomplish a lot more than many expected of them this season. Here are some of the Yankees biggest surprises and disappointments of the year.

Surprises

Nathan Eovaldi was acquired by the Yankees to fill the vacant hole in the rotation coming into the season and many were skeptical if h could viably contribute to the club. Those sentiments were erased when he lead the team in wins and established himself as the most effective pitcher out in the rotation for most of the second half. If it were not for an inflamed elbow, the Yankees may have stood a much greater chance to win the AL East.

Alex Rodriguez was not expected to be a contributing factor this year, especially since he had missed an entire year of baseball after his suspension in 2014. Not only did he lead the club in homers (33) he also brought a stable right handed bat to the offense. Unfortunately his hitting slowed down tremendously in August and September, most likely to to his age and missed time. Nonetheless, Rodriguez certainly was a bright spot no one saw coming.

The appearance of young prospects Luis Severino, Greg Bird, Rob Refsnyder, and Slade Heathcott is a major plus for a once devoid farm system. It's a far cry from years past when the Yankees would have traded them away for a marquee player. Hopefully this is a sign that the team is ready to begin the process of building a contender from within, which history has shown could work out very well in the years to come.

Didi Gregorius had a rough beginning to his Yankee career as he hit .238 through the first half to go along with one too many errors at short. However, after making a few adjustments (and a pep talk from Derek Jeter) he was able to put together a stout second half hitting .295 (second on the team behind Beltran) and flashed a much steadier glove. If this is a sign of things to come, Didi may just carve out a place for himself on the roster for the foreseeable future.

The Yankees found a great bullpen tandem in Betances and Miller, one that was nearly untouchable for the first two months. If Miller had been healthy in June and Betances had not been so overworked, they could have easily carried the Yankees to few more crucial wins which may have helped decide the division

Disappointments

Brett Gardner had as big of an up and down year as one could imagine. After hitting .302 through mid-July and earning an All Star nod, he completely bottomed out in the second half. His .206 average and high strikeout propensity through September caused fans to grow very impatient and agitated as they was showered with resentment in the final game.

Everything was going quite well for Mark Teixeira, He had 31 home runs, and was poised to put up the fantastic numbers, Unfortunately, that did not come to pass as a fateful foul tip fractured his leg, ending his season. These untimely injuries have become far too frequent for the five time gold glover and it has to equally as frustrating to the team as it is for him. He will certainly need lady luck on his side in 2016, or the Yankees could turn to Greg Bird as the everyday player much sooner than one may think.

Despite hitting 17 home runs, the 32 year old infielder Stephen Drew struggled to hit .200 all season long. There were many times where he looked completely lost at the plate, leaving many Yankee faithful wondering why he was still on the roster. Joe Girardi put his faith in Drew from the start of spring training, which did annoy some fans who believed Refsnyder should have been given the opportunity. After a concussion brought his season to an end, it may be time to move on to a younger, more stable counterpart.

It wasn't a season to remember for CC Sabathia as he won just six games to 4.73 ERA, only looking better in the final month. To add to things, he has entered alcohol rehab for an issue that unfortunately reared it's ugly head this year. With so much invested in him through 2017 ($48 million with a $25 million option), the Yankees hope that Sabathia can work through his personal troubles and bounce back in a big way next season.

Yankees - Week 26

After a two year absence, the Yankees will make their return to October baseball when they host the Houston Astros in the one game wild card round. Despite the struggles the team had in the final weeks, New York will get it postseason baseball back. Can they come together and make a strong push for their 28th championship? Or will the pressure of the bright lights weigh down of them. One things for certain, all eyes will be on Masahiro Tanaka, Brian McCann, and Carlos Beltran as he looks to prove he's the big game players the Yankees hoped they would be when they signed them.

The Good

The Yankees secured their 10,000th victory as a franchise, becoming the 6th team to reach this milestone. For a team with such an illustrious  history and winning tradition, it was only a matter of time until they added this to their extensive mantle of achievements.

The Bad

Things did not go well for the Yankees bullpen in September as it compiled an ERA of nearly 5 in the month. The combination of overuse and loss of confidence seems to have reared its ugly head at the worst possible time, especially with the playoffs coming up. 

The offense did a disappearing act over the final week of the season as they struggled to get timely hits in important games. There is no room for error when the stakes are high, so if this trend continues the Yankees could be looking at an early exit to the postseason.

Chasen Shreve has had a miserable final month as his performance kept deteriorating with each outing. What's more alarming is Girardi's consistent use of him in key situation, despite his struggles. With the season riding in the balance, it may be best to leave Shreve off of the roster for the wild card round, otherwise they could run the risk of hurting their chances in a winner take all game.

Yankees - Week 24

Things didn't go quite as planned for the series in Toronto as the Yankees dropped two of the three games, putting the division further out of reach. Despite the disappointment, the ball club was able to bounce back nicely with series win over the Chicago White Sox. Though they are not out of the AL East race just yet, it may be time for the Yankees to focus on securing their spot in the playoffs and hope they get the opportunity to spoil the Blue Jays run and claim a 28th championship after a two year absence from October baseball.

The Good

The pitching staff was fairly slid over the weekend as Pineda, Warren, and Severino had solid outings. Nathan Eovaldi has yet to return after being shut down, so it's important the the team gets the most out of the starters, especially if the season comes down to that starter in a crucial one game playoff.

Ellsbury picked it up this week, batting .320 in seven games. It has to be a nice sight to see his hitting return as things have not gone well for him since returning from the disabled list on July 8.

Greg Bird has had a flare for the dramatic since his call drilling homers in big spots multiple times. He's beginning to come into his own and is a lock to take over first base duties once Mark Teixeira's contract is up in 2017. The sky's the limit for the Young man is he should want it and from the looks of it, he sure does.

The Bad

Though he has pitched very well up to this point, Dellin Betances has had a few shaky outings over the past two weeks. HIs control seems to have abandoned him and many are pointing to the high usage he's had over the course of the season. JO Girardi has said that he feels Betances is just going through a bad stretch of mechanics, however, 80.2 innings this season and 170.2 innings over the past two tells a much different story. The Yankees will need Betances at his very best come playoff time, so getting him some days off could be all the difference in how he performs.

Yankees: Week 23

After a rather poor showing last week, the Yankees bounced back nicely with two series wins over the Rays and crosstown rival Mets. In addition, they closed the division gap with the Blue Jays to just 2.5 games heading into a crucial three game set at the Rogers Centre. This is make or break time for the Yankees as anything less than a series win or sweep could be the final nail in their hopes for an AL East crown.

The Good

In a twist of fortunes, CC Sabathia put up two of his best outings of the year totaling 12.2 innings 8 hits 1 run and 13 strikeouts combined. It's nice to see him showing shades of his old self, especially when the Yankees are down an arm. If he can keep it up for the final two weeks it could pay dividends in whichever playoff situation the Yankees find themselves in.

Justin Wilson showed off his power arm as he tallied 8 strikeouts in 3 nearly dominant outings. The Yankees failure to land a second setup man at the trade deadline gave fans some cause for concern about how the current bullpen would hold up. However, should Wilson continue to work impressive innings like this, he may have that role all to himself when it's said and done.

Dustin Ackley made nice contributions in limited action this week, delivering 5 hits including a back breaking home run Sunday night against the Mets. While there is not much expected of the backup utility, he has shown the ability to gather hits and bet on base, something that the Yankees probably didn't think they would get when he was acquired from Seattle in late July

The Bad

The second half of the season has been unkind to Brett Gardner and it didn't get any better this week. He hit just .124 this week and hasn't put together a good stretch in quite some time. One can only hope that his hitting can return sometime soon or he will make himself into a huge liability for an offense that needs it's batters to step up big from here on out.

Chasen Shreve has a second bat week out of the bullpen as the once untouchable lefty has posted an ERA over 10 in the month of September. His pitches have become very flat and hittable, the tell tale sign of an tiring overused pitcher. It may be wise to limit his innings so that he can get his confidence back in order as the team will need their pen at full strength for the final push.

2015 New York Giants: Ten Players To Watch

With the preseason finished and the 2015 season upon us, the Giants will look to erase the disappointment of last year and build upon a new horizon. Here are 10 players, whom will have a big impact on what could be on that horizon for the Big Blue:

Odell Beckham Jr. - After a stellar rookie campaign Beckham will look ti raise the bar and put himself into the upper echelon of wide receivers. Cornerbacks will surely watch him like a hawk this year, but one has to believe he will welcome and rise to the challenge

Owamagbe Odighizuwa - With Jason Pierre-Paul sidelined for the time being the Giants will need a defensive lineman to step up in his absence. If he puts his mind to it, Odighizuwa could be just the man for the job. Though his pass rushing abilities still need polishing, the former Bruin does have and impressive frame and skill set that could make him a formidable threat off the edge.

Shane Vereen - Under Ben McAdoo's quicker paced spread offense, Vereen should see quite a bit of time in the backfield. Look for him to act as both a runner and pass catcher to give a different dynamic to the offense. He also could be used a bait in order create matchup problems in the backfield.

Ereck Flowers - His true position isn't quite set as he will likely be flipped between left and right tackle for most of the season. His imposing size and strength will allow him to overpower many defenders and give a much needed running game a shot in the arm. His youth and rawness could be a problem to start off, but a the year progresses his talents should shine through.

Larry Donnell - Donnell burst onto the scene last season, becoming a steady target for Manning and the offense. However, dropped passes, costly fumbles, and tighter defenders pushed him out of the loop and slowed down his progression. As long as he can better secure the football and make better use of his size and strength, Donnell should get back to the form he had in the first quarter of 2014.

Brandon Meriweather - It was a nightmare preseason for Giants safeties as four were injured and placed on IR in what seemed to be one sitting. Enter Brandon Meriweather, a player whom has had his share of trouble due to his accruement of penalties for high hits. His aggressive nature is a far cry from what the Giants are used to, but with Steve Spagnuolo back in command of the defense there should be many uses for a player like him.

Rueben Randle - It's a contract year for Randle, which means he should break out for big numbers n order to earn big bucks. With that being said, things could get very interesting for the offense if that is the case. Not only would it potentially give the team three touchdown threats, Randle could also solidify his spot in the depth hart, one that many feel could be challenged by newcomers Dwayne Harris and Geremy Davis.

Victor Cruz - Coming off of a season ending injury Cruz will looks to rebound in a big way for the Giants. He did not participate in the preseason, and while that could make it tough to get back into the swing of things, seeing him healthy is already a step in the right direction. If he gets back to the Pro Bowl form he showed in 2011 and 2012, the passing game could be a force to be reckoned with.

Jason Pierre-Paul - It looked as if Pierre-Paul was ready for a stand out campaign, as the Giants were prepared to give him a $60 million extension.  Then it happened, A July 4th fireworks snafu which caused the defensive end to have his right index finger amputated. If that weren't enough, the lack of communication between he and the team during the summer nearly cost him his roster spot.  Despite all Paul appears to be in good spirits having finally met with team doctors and he will be resuming football activity very soon. Only time will tell if he can be an effective player this year, but he does have the added motivation of proving himself to a litany of critics whom don't believe in him at all.

Eli Manning - Having signed a 4 year $84 million extension, Eli now has the task of leading the Giants back to playoff contention. The improved numbers he showed a year ago are a great sign that he is ready to carve out a new piece of his career, one that sees higher production and fewer turnovers. He has a bevy of talent at his disposal (especially at wide receiver) and if he remains consistent throughout, Giants fans could be in a for a treat in 2015

Yankees - Week 22

After a come from behind victory Sunday afternoon, the Yankees completed the week with two series victories over the rival Red Sox and Rays. More importantly, they were able to keep pace with the red hot Blue Jays in the AL East. As the clock continues to tick on the regular season, The team must focus on the next two series against Baltimore and Toronto as it could go a long way in deciding what happens come October.

The Good

Didi Gregorius has been firing on all cylinders lately, shining both at the plate and in the field. He hit .435 for the week and is batting a scorching .407 over the last 15 games. It seems that ever since he talked to Derek Jeter back on Bernie Williams night, the young shortstop has come into his own, no longer worrying about who he was replacing and the high expectations of the position. He may not be the long term answer the Yankees are ultimately looking for, but if he keeps this up he'll surely make a great case to be just that.

Justin Wilson did not surrender a single run during the week in 2.1 innings out of the bullpen. He's become very reliable to Girardi out of the pen and has compiled a fair share of strikeouts in the process (53 for the year thus far) As long as he isn't used too tremendously over the last month, Wilson should be a valuable asset for the down the stretch and into the postseason.

Stephen Drew has suddenly burst onto the scene, hitting .450 over his last seven games while finally getting his dismal batting average over the .200 mark for the first time all season. He has delivered key hits for the Yankees in big situations and is doing a much better job of driving the ball to the opposite file, something he's struggled to do since joining the pinstripes. If he can keep this up he could find himself with an opportunity to man his spot in 2016 (Though many would like to see Refsnyder get that shot instead).

The Bad

It was not a good showing for Jacoby Ellsbury whom went just 2-16 for the week including going 0-14 before Sunday. This has to a big disappoint for the centerfielder, especially after the hot hitting he displayed for the better part of two weeks. Hopefully this is just an anomaly and his bat will peak for the next two series.

The calendar chance has not done much for Brett Gardner as he is hitting just .143 in the first 5 games of September. Unfortunately this is the continuation of the poor hitting he has showed since late July and it must be addressed hastily. With so much at stake in the final weeks, Gardner has to pick things up in a major way or the Yankees could be forced to drop him into the lower third of the lineup to avoid being hurt by his struggling bat.

Yankees - Week 21

The week began with and anemic performance against the surprise Houston Astros, leaving many pondering if the Yankee offense would ever make another appearance this season. However, a 38 run explosion has erased those doubts, restoring the faith that some had lost. With the next two weeks filled interdivision matchups, the awakening of the slumbering bats is more than welcome sight as the playoff chase reaches it's final stretch.

The Good

Carlos Beltran continued his hot stretch going 9-19 (.474) during the week. This makes it three weeks of positive production from the aging outfielder, something that many doubters probably never saw coming.

It was a nice weekend for Chase Headley (.545) and Didi Gregorius (.583) as they helped jump start the offensive onslaught in Atlanta. The Yankees will surely be hoping the two of them can keep this going, especially with so much at stake in the coming weeks.

The Bad

Brett Gardner has has a tumultuous month of baseball as he continues to get handled by opposing pitchers. The Yankees are expecting reinforcements this week, making it a good time to get him some much needed rest which could rejuvenate his hitting. The Yankees cannot afford for Gardner to stay like this if they want to have any chance at taking the division from the Blue Jays.

Mark Teixiera remains on the shelf as he has not fully recovered from the bruised shin he suffered on August 17. Though he was struggling a bit before the injury, his bat is sorely missed in the middle of the lineup. Greg Bird has done all he can to fill the void, and stands to have a very serviceable career, However, at just 22 years old, one can only expect so much from him as he has quite a bit of growing to do.

Luis Severino put up another stellar performance against the Braves (6.0 innings 4 hits 0 runs 5 strikeouts) solidifying his spot in the rotation for the the final push and perhaps the foreseeable future. He has shown tremendous poise for a 21 year old, leaving many to believe that the Yankees will build their staff of tomorrow around him. While we have not seen him pitch a full season, this small sample is more than enough hang the hat of confidence on this star prospect.

Yankees - Week 20

The Yankees began the week with an impressive sweep of the Minnesota Twins, However things did not conclude very well as they dropped a very winnable 4 game set to a struggling Cleveland Indians team. With the division now deadlocked, every game could be the crucial deciding factor of their playoff destiny.

The Good

It was another good week for Carlos Beltran as he went 8-26 (.308) and continued to get big hits when the team needed them. His batting average (.271) has been steadily increased over the last month, putting to rest the chastisement he received for most of the season's first half

Jacoby Ellsbury was red hot this week going 11-29 (.379), erasing the debilitating slump that crippled him for most of July. As long as he can continue this hot hitting he will once again provide the Yankees with the catalyst they sorely need at the top of their lineup.

Jorge Posada and Andy Pettitte were given the ultimate honor of having their names etched among the litany of Bombers legends. They were integral parts to the late 90's dynasty and helped mold a standard of excellence that Yankee fans will remember for many years to come. With 4 of the core members of that team now enshrined in Monument Park, it's just a matter of time until they are joined by a certain captain to round out the era.

The Bad

Brett Gardner has continued his cold hitting, batting just .192 for the week and is starting to pile on one too many strikeouts (17 in the last 15 games) for a top of the lineup hitter. His .214 average over the last month has made things difficult for the offense, so it may be time for Girardi to think about dropping him lower in the order until he can get back to his All Star form.

The struggles of Alex Rodriguez (.167) and Brian McCann (.185) continued as they each failed to provide much to an offense that sputtered over the weekend. THough Rodriguez provided some heroics during the week, it was the only highlight his bat could provide. As for McCann, The adjustments he made to his batting stance don;t appear to be working out too well, However, it is a bit early to determine whether or not it's time to abandon the tweaks altogether.

C.C. Sabathia pulled up in the 3rd inning Sunday afternoon after reinjuring his surgically repaired knee. This setback will most likely end the left handers season, which wasn't going to well to begin with (4-9 5.27 ERA). Many believe the Yankees will be better off without Sabathia in the rotation, and giving how the last 3 years have gone, they may be correct. Still it's never easy to swallow a loss of a starting pitcher this late in a season.

Yankees - Week 19

Things didn't start off too well for the Yankees as the club fell out of first place for the first time since early July. The Blue Jays have made themselves into a significant threat that the Yankees cannot afford to look past. As the season final run draws near, it will up to the Bombers to ris to the challenge and reclaim their spot as the top dogs of the east.

The Good

Since his major league debut Luis Severino has shown early signs that he has the ability to become a future ace for the yankees. Despite not winning each of his first three starts (mostly due to a lack of run support) he has flashed a live arm and great strikeout capabilities. If he can continue to build consistency and confidence, the future of the rotation could surely be a bright one.

It was a nice week for Carlos Beltran (Aside from a costly mistake Sunday afternoon) as he went 7-18 (.388) which included a monumental pinch hit home run that helped the team recapture first place. He appears to have found a groove for the time being and will be seeing more playing time in right as long as this recent streak continues.

Masahiro Tanaka has gotten himself back on track after some shaky outings near the end of July. HIs complete game masterpiece vs Toronto certainly gives the Yankees hope that the he is rounding into form in the nick of time. Pitching will ultimately decide who will come out victorious in the AL East and so the team will need plenty more of these through September.

The Bad

Chris Young failed to get a single hit this week going 0-11 in 5 games. With Beltran swinging a hot bat, he'll probably be relegated to substitution duties util can find another groove.

Alex Rodriguez has hit a very bad stretch as he was 2-22 (.090) this week and is 10 for his last 55 (.182). This could very well be his age and year off catching up to him, but one cannot be too sure as slumps like this are very much a part of the game for players of all ages. However should this persist any longer, there will definitely be some cause for concern.

Yankees - Week 18

After a 3-4 week which ended in a sweep at the hands of the Blue Jays, thing have gotten very interesting for the wrong reasons in Yankee country. The once expandable lead has dwindled just 1.5 games and opened the door for both Toronto and Baltimore to fight for the top spot. How the Yankees handle this adversity will go a long way in determining their fate for the 2015 season

The Good

The Yankees starters turned in quality outings all week long, including an impressive debut from the highly touted Luis Severino whom looks as if he could live up to his hype.  It was also nice to see Sabathia's strong showing against Boston, one he needed in the worst way.

The Bad

The Yankees offense started out strong with a 13-3 drumming of the Red Sox, however it could only muster 4 runs in the weeks final 5 games, including suffering back to back shutout losses for the first time since 1999. This sudden ineptitude has to be frustrating for a lot of people, especially since there was a smorgasbord of runs tom go around just a week ago.

Jacoby Ellsbury went just 3-25 (.120) this week and more times than not looked completely baffled at the plate. Since he is a vital part of the offensive attack, it is crucial that he come out of this slide hastily. The Yankees simply cannot afford to watch their $153 million acquisitions fall off in the all important stretch run, where he'll be expected to step up and earn that high salary.

Brian McCann, Alex Rodriguez, and Brett Gardner did not have good performances this week, exacerbating woes that were all too prevalent. One hopes that this was just a bad week for McCann and Rodriguez, however Gardner has been struggling mightily for over two weeks. As long as he and Ellsbury cannot get on base, it will make any production that much harder for the Yankees.

The glaring absence of the stolen base is something that cannot be tolerated for much longer. The fact that the Yankees have just one attempted stolen base (by Mark Teixeira) since june 12 is mind boggling to say the least. If the team wishes to make the playoffs and succeed, the running game must make a reappearance. It's often the little things that make a big difference in championship runs, the club simply cannot afford to abandon this part of the game any longer.

Yankees: Assessing Week 17

It was quite a week for the Yankees as the team fired on all cylinders, putting up some gaudy numbers in the process. With several teams (the Blue Jays in particular) making splash dives at the trade deadline, this show of offensive strength has come at just the right time. Heading into the dog days of summer, the Yankees are 6 games up in the AL East and are in position to control their own destiny. With important matchups with Boston and Toronto this coming week, the opportunity to pad their lead and make things a little easier cannot be wasted.

The Good

The Yankees put up double digit runs three times this week including a 21 run outburst deep in the heart of Texas. If this is any indication of just what this club is capable of offensively, the rest of the league had better take notice.

Didi Gregorious (12-25 .480), Chase Headley (12-26 .462), and Stephen Drew (6-16 .375) made tremendous contributions this week and were instrumental in the team's offensive bonanza. It's always nice to see role players step up and prove themselves to the club, these three did all of that and then some.

Mark Teixeira has been the second best hitter in all of baseball since the break, batting, .400 with 7 HR and 12 RBI in 15 games. He also set the record for most games with homeruns from both sides of the plate. Having put the last two disappointing seasons behind him, there is no doubt that Teixeira is a force to be reckoned with once more.

The Bad

Michael Pineda was placed on the disabled list this week, halting what had been a steady stream of work thus far. His last two starts were pretty medial and most likely lead to the recent health evaluation. Hopefully the time off will allow his arm to heal and Pineda can round back into his early season form

Brett Gardner's small slump has now stretched itself out as he batted just .222 for the week. This puts his average since the break at .206, a far cry from the torrid pace he had in the games prior. Luckily, the team was not affected by his lack of hitting thanks in large part to the high production form the bottom of the lineup. However, if the Yankees are going to continue to succeed on offense, it's imperative that Gardner get thing going again at the plate.

Assessing The Yankees - Week 16

The Yankees have hit a groove and seem to firing on all cylinders, posting a 7-2 record since the break and winning each of their last six series. Not only have they been one of the best teams in baseball over that span, they've also opened up a sizable lead in the AL East. The club has established itself as a viable contender and vastly exceeded the expectations that many had of them at the start of 2015 season.

The Good

Nathan Eovaldi put together one of his his best months of his young career, going 3-0 with a 2.78 ERA in July. In fact he's been pretty solid since that dreadful June 16th outing in Miami (5-0 2.85 ERA). It seems that at least for the time being, the Yankees are much more than they bargained for from the hard throwing right hander, hopefully this is a sign of greater things to come.

It was a productive week for Chase Headley as he went 8 for 22 (.363) and provided some key hits when the team needed them. He's had a bit of a roller coaster year with the bat, but it looks as if he's starting to find some consistency at the plate. Hopefully he can keep this going without to much of a downturn, it could make the offense that much more formidable.

The Bad

Gardner hit a bit of a snag this week going just 5 for 22 (.227) this week. Although he did not perform as well as h has in previous weeks, the probability of the All Star centerfielder going in to a prolonged slump is still pretty low. The Yankees have come to trust Gardner bat a lot this year, so it's safe to say he'll get things going again pretty quickly

Brian McCann went just 2 for 13 (.154) and didn't have much of an impact on the Yankees success as he was outhit by backup catcher John Ryan Murphy (who went 4 for 8 in two games). He has been fairly consistent lately so this could just be a small blip of the radar. However his .149 career average against current Rangers pitchers (minus Kela, Bass, Patton, Tolleson, and the injured Yu Darvish) may not bode well for him breaking out of this abbreviated slump.

Assessing Girardi thus far

Joe Girardi entered 2015 under much scrutiny having missed the playoff two years in a row. To boot, this is also the first season without any member of the core 4 on the roster, placing the leadership role squarely on his shoulders. Though there have been a few hiccups, The Yankees currently sit in 1st place in a strongly competitive division, all while dealing with a multitude of poorly timed injuries to key players. Having dealt with this the past two years, Girardi is a seasoned pro at keeping a team competitive even in the worst of scenarios. It speaks volumes to his character, showing why the Yankees have placed so much confidence in him.

It's no secret one of Joe's greatest achievements during his tenure has been the consistency of the Yankee bullpen. With a 3.36 ERA in 2015, the pen is once again a strength the team can rely on.  It's also helped that he’s had fantastic pitchers in the back end such as Betances, Miller, David Robertson, and the great Mariano Rivera. You can always count on Girardi getting the most out of the pen, something his predecessor (Joe Torre) masterminded during dynasty years of the late 90s.

One could say that the lack of perpetual success is due to the mishandling of a highly paid roster. The decreased production in 2013 (4.01 RPG) and 2014 (3.91 RPG) do make that a valid point. However, things have turned around substantially with the club averaging 4.6 RPG entering Monday, the second best in all of baseball behind the Blue Jays. This is due to the increased production from Teixeira, McCann, Gardner, and especially Alex Rodriguez. None of this would be possible if Girardi wasn’t instilling confidence in their abilities, something any good manager or coach knows how to do with regularity. In the rigors of a long season, things like that are much neglected and underappreciated.

In a year many thought would be the tipping point of his tenure, Girardi has stepped up in the face of pressure and is delivering one of his better managing performances since 2009. Although, he’s not out of the woods yet and is still prone to common mistakes and misjudgments. Not many coaches/managers in sports can say they’ve been through a storm like he Girardi has and come out (though a little worse for wear) just fine. It’s a testament to the firmness and reliability he showed throughout his 14 year acting career.

Assessing the Yankees - Week 14

The first half of the season is officially in the books and the Yankees find themselves resting (though not too comfortably) in first place in the AL East. considering many didn't believe they had enough to compete, being in this position has to be very pleasing.

Top Performers 

Brett Gardner .302 10HR 42RBI 15SB - Gardner put up good numbers for the Yankees. He came up big for the club when Ellsbury went down, earning an All Star nod in the process. It appears investment the Yankees made in the farmhand last season is paying great dividends thus far.

Brian McCann - .259 14HR 55RBI After a sub-par first season in the Bronx, McCann has made up for his underwhelming debut with better production and top notch defense behind the plate. Not only has he nearly matched his total numbers for the entire season already, the veteran catcher also has the third best caught stealing percentage in the league (40%).

Mark Teixiera .240 22HR 62RBI - The average may not be stellar but the Yankees have to be pleased with his power and production numbers. As long as he remains healthy he will allow the team to enjoy continued success in the power hitting department and pace the middle of the order along with McCann.

Biggest Surprise

Alex Rodriguez .278 18HR 51RBI - No one could have ever imagines Rodriguez being a viable and valued part of the Yankees this season. Despite the controversy surrounding him and being away from the game for the better part of two years, he has shown up in a big way for the Bombers. Should he keep up this pace a 30 and 100 season should be well in reach (an impressive feat for a 40 year old.

Chasen Shreve 35.2 IP 2.02 ERA 27 K - The Yankees gave up one of their top pitching prospects (Manny Banuelos) in exchange for Shreve and he has so far fared pretty well out of the bullpen. It also helps that he went the entire month of June without surrendering a single run.

Low Performer

C.C. Sabathia 4-8 5.47ERA - This for sure is not the comeback season Sabathia was hoping for coming off of knee surgery. He has pretty much picked right up where he left off in 2014 and despite all of the changes to his approach, nothing seems to be coming together. With $50 million still remaining on his contract, the Yankees may need to look to other avenues to get the most out of the him or they may have to activate the $5 million buyout in 2017.

Biggest Disappointment

Stephen Drew .182 12HR 25RBI - Joe Girardi named him the starting second baseman before the end of spring training, and right from the start he struggled to collect hits. Despite his relatively high home run number Drew's batting average has yet to get to .200 (.191 is the highest it has been). Noe that Rob Refsnyder has been called up, Drew could find himself in a backup role or worse if he doesn't put together a big second half.

Analyzing the Knicks Free Agency Moves

              

As the free agency frenzy has passed, the Knicks emerged with a handful of new pieces that they hope will help change the culture and fortunes of the beleaguered franchise. Whether these moves will pan out is up to the success of Jackson's plan and the teams patience to see it through.



Robin Lopez 4 yrs $54 million - Lopez may not be the post up big man the team needs, but his intangibles and length fill a gaping hole that has been open for quite some time. His game can translate well to the triangle and he'll deliver a spark on the defensive end. Considering the contracts that DeAndre Jordan, Marc Gasol, and Greg Monroe were given, the Knicks may have a essential bargain (if you can believe it).



Arron Afflalo 2 yrs $16 million (2nd year player option) - This was the teams first move of free agency and a surprisingly fast one at that. Afflalo adds his sharp shooting touch and veteran defensive skills that can keep opposing guards as bay. For a team that struggle to get any real consistency from this position all season, he is a more than welcome upgrade.



Derrick Williams, 2 yrs $10 million - Williams brings a will and determination to the court similar to Quincy Acy. The former 2nd overall pick didn't have the most impressive season, but his effort alone made him an attractive candidate to Jackson. Defense is the primary impact he should have on the Knicks and at this juncture, they can use all the help they can get



Kyle O'Quinn (via sign and trade with Orlando) 4 yrs $16 million - This was a good move for New York, adding more depth to the front court. O'Quinn has many tools at his disposal and if used correctly, will be a ball of consistency on both ends. It also helps that he is a native New Yorker and has experience on the big stage going back to his time at Norfolk State where he helped defeat the No. 2 ranked Missouri Tigers in the 2012 NCAA Tournament.

Things won't turn around instantly for the Knicks, but these moves should get on the right track and build hope for better future.

Assessing the Yankees - Week 13

As another 3-3 week is in the books, the Yankees find themselves atop an embattled AL East with just a week to go before the All Star break.

The Good - The Yankees won successive games in walk off fashion over the Rays on Friday and Saturday. these types are not only good confidence boosters, they build a great camaraderie among the players while adding that special childlike touch that is often forgotten in the professional ranks. 

Though he did not get a decision, Michael Pineda had a strong outing Saturday striking out 10 in 7 shutout innings. After stumbling through the end of June, he seems to have regained the poise and command which propelled him early on. The pitching staff has been up and down as of late and a performance like this is just what the doctor ordered.

The Bad - It was not a good week for Stephen Drew as he was 1-12 (.083) showing no effectiveness whatsoever at the plate. In fact he and Jose Pirela had only one hit between the both of them over the last 7 games (1 for 27 combined). This cannot be sitting well with those still clamoring for Refsnyder to get a call up after losing out the both Drew and Pirela in the spring.

Mark Teixeira went 4 for 18 (.222) this week and is currently 5 for his last 31 (.161). Despite his late inning heroics Friday night, the hits have just not been coming with any consistency for the firstbasemen. He is an important piece to helping the Yankees expand on their slim division lead, so it is imperative he comes out of this slump quickly.

Assessing The Yankees - Week 12

With the completion of a so-so week the Yankees find themselves in the midst of what is sure to be a trialing stretch leading to the All Star break. Things are still as tight as ever in the division and with an important two weeks on the horizon, the team will needs to but it's best foot forward.

The Good - Ivan Nova's return to the Yankees was a successful as he pitched 6 2/3 shutout inning in his first start in since Tommy John surgery 14 months ago. He should provide great protection for the middle of the rotation, especially with Sabathia struggling to find any kind of groove thus far.

- Chris Young had a fantastic showing at the dish this week going 11 for 28 (.393) and getting timely hits when the team needed. This is a far cry from the tumultuous month he put together from May into early june, so this recent tear has to be a pleasant surprise for the fans and especially Joe Girardi. It also helped that he was back in his hometown of Houston with his family and friends rooting him on.

- For as good ans Young was this week, Brett Gardner was that much better going 13 for 26 (.500) and collecting a hit in every game. This hot streak is not only pacing the offense tremendously, it should garner him enough attention to warrant an All Star appearance. Jacoby Ellsbury will soon be on his way back and with Gardner hitting the way he is now, the dynamic duo could give the offense a huge boost.

- Chasen Shreve was extremely effective in his four appearances as he did not allow a single run. In fact the lefty has bot allowed a single run since May 22 collecting 16 strikeouts over that span. No one though much of him when he was acquired from the Atlanta Braves in January, but he has been a more than valuable asset to the Yankee bullpen.

The Bad - Tanaka followed up one of the worst starts of his early career with another poor outing in Houston. He once again surrendered three homers and could not keep the opposing bats at bay with any consistency. It does not appear that anything is structurally wrong with his elbow, so this could could definitely be mental, but nevertheless it does not male his recent poor performances any less concerning.

-  Joe Girardi made the decision to go with a 6-man rotation rather than demote a pitcher to the bullpen to make room for Nova. While this seems like a great idea that would give extra rest for Pineda and Tanaka (who they are understandably protecting), it could cause problem in the long run as the starters will have to alter their 5 day routines to compensate for the added day. The Yankees have instead recalled Esmil Rogers (designated for assignment and outrighted to Triple-A on June 13) and added him to the bullpen. One has to belive that a tough decision will need to be made once the All Star game comes or it may do more harm than good in the log run.

Assessing The Yankees - Week 11

             

After a tough 12-4 loss on Sunday, the Yankees finished of a 4-3 week that featured both very good and very bad baseball. With the division still hotly contested and an important west coast swing upon them, the team must look to gain ground and get themselves in good position by the All Star break.

The Good - Brian McCann had a stellar week going 10-26 (.385) and spraying the baseball all over the park. Since May 25 McCann is hitting a blistering 25 for 71 (.352) which is the best for on the club over that span. Combine that with his over .350 average with runners in scoring position and it is safe to say, all systems are go for 31 year old catcher.

- Beltran also out together a strong week, hitting .333 and slugging 3 homers (two in one game). Over the past month his once putrid batting average has started to creep back up into respectability, earning him more at bats and playing time he was not seeing for most of early season. It's a nice turnaround for a bedeviled aging outfielder whom many thought was no longer viable in any way, shape, or form.

 - Alex Rodriguez reached the coveted and exclusive 3000 hit club with a first pitch homer off of Justin Verlander. Not only did he become just the 29th member of the club, he also is one of only 3 players to hit a home-run to get there (the last being Jeter in 2011). Although the surrounding controversy around this achievement will forever be linked to Rodriguez and will most likely keep him from the Hall of Fame, you can;t help but be amazed at what he has done this year.

The Bad - It's been a hard luck year to be a Yankee outfielder as Mason Williams became the latest victim to go on the disabled list. His injury is not quite as sever as the others, but the revolving door will continue to move as Ramon Flores will assume the duty once more.

Nathan Eovaldi put up the shortest outing for any Yankee starter this season, lasting just 2/3 of an inning against his former club the Marlins. He surrendered 8 runs on 9 hits and looked helpless as to what to do on the mound. To top it off the opposing and winning pitcher in the drumming was David Phelps, the man whom the Yankees traded to acquire the hard throwing righthander, which could not hare sat well with Girardi or Bran Cashman. However Nathan did make up for it Saturday night with a much stronger showing against Detroit.

- Perhaps the Biggest surprise of the week was the poor showing from Masahiro Tanaka in the series finale Sunday afternoon. The Yankee ace lasted 5 innings giving up 10 hits and 7 runs (5 earned). His unfamiliar lack of plate command and pitch conviction was surely a shock for both the fans and the team alike. These kinds of games are bound to happen to best of pitcher in any season so hopefully this is just one of those anomalies. Anything similar to this in his next start could be a cause for alarm.

Assessing The Yankees - Week 10

                           

The Yankees played their second abbreviated week of the season, going 2-3 with the two wins sandwiched in between the three losses. They sit in a virtual tie for first in the East with Tampa Bay and now have a suddenly surging Blue Jays team creeping up the rear. It's going to take a lot more juice to keep the dogs off as the All Star break nears so a having winning records in any given week will be highly essential to get the upper hand.

The Good - Tanaka had another strong showing as he aided the Yankees to a win over the highly profiled Nationals ace Max Scherzer. Yielding just one run in seven innings, he's looking more and more like the pitcher whom took the baseball world by storm just a year ago. What's even more impressive is the efficiency he has showing on the mound since coming off of the disabled list, adding to his already stellar mound presence.

- Ivan Nova appears to be on his way back after his good showing in his Triple-A rehab game on Saturday. It'll be nice to get another arm to fill out the slightly broken rotation and give the bullpen some much needed help.

- Mason Williams got the chance to live his dream as the 23 year old made his major league debut in the series opener versus the Orioles. Williams delivered a two run homer in his second at bat, much to delight of his family and the Yankees alike, showing what he could bring to the table once fine-tuned. Though he only managed to get just the one hit, his fantastic range and speed in the outfield is quite a sight. With Flores, Heathcott, and Williams all showing some nice valuable traits, the battle for right field post Beltran is sure to be an intense and entertaining watch.

The Bad - The bullpen had a bit of a misstep this week as it allowed games to get away or out of hand. This led to the outright release of Esmil Rogers, whom sported a dismal 6.27 ERA in 18 appearances and hadn't had much of a significant role since April. The pen however did finish strong, putting up a solid combined effort in the finale against Baltimore, but I think it's best they don't put too many shaky performances moving forward.

- Perhaps the worst news of the week was the loss of Andrew Miller due to tightness in his forearm.  Not only was he having a career year up to this point, Miller had become a dominant presence in the closer role for the Yankees. The role now shifts to Dellin Betances, whom judging by his 0.27 ERA thus far should be more than capable of holding down this spot until Miller can get healthy.

Assessing the Yankees - Week 9

Sunday's victory capped a stellar week for the Bombers as they swept both the Mariners and Angels in three game sets.  The team looks to have rejuvenated itself at the turn of the calendar, giving notice that they are not to be taken lightly in the race for AL East Supremacy.

The Good - The Starting pitching was excellent, turning in quality nearly all week long. As has been said before, the pitching staff will be the deciding factor for the Yankees playoff hopes. With most of the AL East (other than the Rays) struggling to find consistency in their pitching staffs, the Yankees must make this the deciding factor that separates them from the rest of the pack.

- The return on Masahiro Tanaka was more than satisfying as he gave a superior performance in his major league first outing since April 23.  His impressive line (7 innings 3 hits 1 run and 9 strikeouts) and effortless command of the plate was surely a more than welcome sight for the club.  As long as his elbow holds up, the staff could be that much more dangerous.

- Brett Gardner put together a nice week going 8 for 26 (.307) and putting some very good at bats together. With Jacoby Ellsbury still on the shelf and not due back for another month, it will be up to Gardner to provide the spark from the leadoff spot. If he can get on a good streak, it will be all the more beneficial for Yankees.

- It was nice to see both Stephen Drew and Garrett Jones deliver offensively for the team as they have struggled for most of the season. Hopefully this wasn't just a small spurt of good fortune for the two and they can finally start to make some real contributions to the club.

The Bad - Chris Young entered the week marred in a terrible slump. Since May 3 he is 7 for his last 58 (.120) and showing little signs returning to his early season form which saw him hit .313 over the first month. While he has been able to provide some good defense in the outfield, he won't much more playing time if this poor streak begins to directly affect the teams overall performance

Assessing the Yankees - Week 8

                  

Everything started off nicely with an impressive sweep of the then red hot Kansas City Royals, ending their 6-game skid.  However, the good vibes would not last long as the Yankees dropped a four game set in Oakland, causing them to stumble to a 4-3 record.  Though this week was much better than the previous two, it still could have been a lot better.

The Good - It seems that Carlos Beltran has taken the harsh criticisms to heart as he rode a 15-game hitting streak right into the weekend.  So much has been made of what his role is on the team, so if he can continue to produce in a more limited capacity, there may just be hope for the 38 year old veteran.

- Alex Rodriguez is currently on a 9-game hitting streak of his own going 13 for 33 (.394) over that span.  He is having a pretty solid year thus far, which is a shock to many (including myself) whom believed he would be dead weight at the end of the bench.  A scout recently said that Rodriguez's swing is the easiest he's even seen from him, a nice sentiment considering the torment and trouble he has caused with his bat over most of his Yankee tenure.

- Adam Warren turned in two solid outings this week and looks to have earned back the trust of Joe Girardi as a capable starter in the rotation.  Not only did he get into the seventh inning both times, he was able to hold two impressive lineups to minimal production.  The Yankees are in dire need of a solid anchoring starter and Warren looks to have fulfilled his audition for it.

The Bad - CC Sabathia turned in yet another up and down outing that we have become all too accustomed to.  His inability to get past that one troublesome inning has been the achilles heel that he just can’t seem to shake, especially for the past three seasons.  With an ERA of 5.67 in 10 starts, the former Cy Young Winner has lost more than just his velocity.  Considering the $73 million still left on his contract, the Yankees have to hold out hope he will recapture his confidence or face yet another contractual disappointment.

- Stephen Drew is not making a very good case to continue playing for the Pinstripes. He has fallen into a deep 2 for 36 slump, which looks to have no end in sight.  Even though Jose Pirela will most likely get more playing time to counter this, there is no guarantee he can completely pick up the slack.  Should this linger any longer than it has to, it may be time to part ways with Drew and go for a younger, more capable hitter like Robert Refsnyder to put a spark in the

The Yankees Farm system and how they can get it right

It appears like a lifetime has gone by since the Yankees received a top quality prospect come through the organization.  Though there have been a few that manage to get a call up, none of them have made a true impact on the club (Robinson Cano being the exception).  This is an alarming trend, particularly since other Major League teams are making their futures around home grown talent like Joey Votto (Reds), Bryce Harper (Nationals), and Mike Trout (Angels).  Not since the days of Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada and Bernie Williams have the Bombers enjoyed that sort of positional depth and accomplishment. What are they doing wrong that other squads are not? Here are three things that I feel need to change if Yankees are to get their minor league system back in order.

Scout more players from the North East – It is no secret that scouts love to go to places where the weather is warmer and baseball can be played year round.  However, this works to the disadvantage of the player whose body can get worn out, especially if they happen to be a pitcher.  The epidemic of UCL tears requiring Tommy John surgery is getting out of hand and it’s time a team got a change to prevent this from hurting them over the long-run.  The Yankees should make themselves the first to espouse this new trend, it would definitely do them justice.

Get aggressive in the draft – The Yankees have been very uneasy about taking a potential superstar in top rounds.  Though it is risky to put ones hopes in a single player, it is something the Yankees should try to do more often.  You don’t find greats like Ken Griffey Jr. or Frank Thomas by sitting idly and allowing someone else to get them.  History shows that many chances don’t pan out, but the chance that it will should be enough for the Yankees to push harder come draft day.

Refrain from too many big name acquisitions – For as long as free agency has been around, the Yankees have been the biggest dog in the yard.  The endless supply of money and the allure of the Big Apple will always keep free agents enticed to take their gifts to 161st and River Avenue.  Nonetheless, this does more damage than good as it has caused their young players to become mislaid in the system or be dealt away.  A prime example of this is the former first round pick Eric Duncan, whom had a high upside and was primed to man third base for years to come. Nevertheless, he was lost in the fold when the Yankees hit the blockbuster deal to land Alex Rodriguez and his large contract, after placing him at third to play alongside Jeter.  This destroyed the confidence of Duncan and caused his play to slide dramatically. His game compiled with injuries sent him out of baseball at the prime age of 27 without ever realizing his dream.  That is not to suppose that things like this don’t happen, in fact, they take place all of the time.  Nonetheless, the Yankees need to give their talent pool an opportunity to sink or swim, they may risk one too many cases like Duncan. Placing a stranglehold on youth because of the organizations love of the stars and quick fixes is a perilous business, especially in a game like baseball.

Assessing the Yankees - Week 7

  

Things have gone from bad to worse as the Yankees went 0-5 this week and have dropped 10 of their last 11 contests.  The team has done a complete 180 and don't seem to have any answers to the tumultuous display of baseball they are showcasing.

The Good - Slade Heathcott road to the majors was a bit unconventional, but nevertheless it is something to smile about.  After numerous injuries he found himself designated for assignment and without a job before being re-signed by the Yankees in late 2014. The former first round pick soldiered through spring training and earned an opportunity for a call up once Ellsbury went down. He also got a hit in his first at bat, not a bad comeback if you ask me.

- It was great to see the Yankees honor Bernie Williams with a plaque in historic Monument Park. He helped shape the core that drove the Yankees dynasty in the late 90's and did it with class and professionalism.  His graceful fielding and almost effortless swing will forever be remembered by those whom had the pleasure of watching him do it for 16 years. 

The Bad - Didi Gregorious put on another poor display in the field this weekend setting disastrous innings into motion with horribly "heady" plays.  There is no excuse for a young player of his caliber to be making so many miscues this often.  I, like many others was willing to give him a pass after the first week of defensive troubles, chalking it up to pinstripe jitters.  However, he's had enough time to get used to the position and find some level of comfort, but that clearly is not the case. To think, so many rated Derek Jeter as the worst shortstop in the game (I'm looking at you sabermetricians) yet there was never a time where he out thought himself in the field.  If things don't shape up soon for the 25 year old, he may find himself riding the bench or worse, looking for a new club.

- Jacoby Ellsbury's injury is a huge blow to the lineup as he sported the best average on the team (.324).  This is very bad news for Brett Gardner, whom combined with Jacoby electrified the top of the order and put loads of pressure on opposing defenses.

- Beltran is slowly becoming a liability in the outfield for the Yankees.  His bad knees and lost range is creating an unnecessary dilemma that is hurting team in more ways than one.  This was never more apparent than watching him pull up on a playable foul ball in Washington, a play which ended up costing the Yankees the lead and the game.  He hasn't exactly been the most contributing member of the team since signing and begs the question, what was the front office thinking giving $15 million a year to a 37 year old baseball player whose best days are certainly behind him.