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.

Assessing the Yankees - Week 6

             

With a 2-5 record for the week, the Yankees retracted the good play they have shown for the better part of a month and with it the chance to create some separation in the division. The team must rediscover the consistency which has propelled them for the better part of a month, or it will find itself in another uphill climb heading toward October.

The Good - C.C. Sabathia got himself back on track with two solid performances, securing his first two wins of the season. This is a good sign for him as things had not gone too well to the big lefty. Here's hoping he can continue this pace and add another dynamic to the rotation.

The Bad - The offense averaged just 1.2 runs in their 5 losses this week, this includes two losses in Tampa where they scored 2 runs in the first inning in each game, but were subsequently shut out the rest of the way. This was an all too common last season and the Yankees cannot allow poor offensive performances like these to happen too often.

- Chase Whitley became the latest victim of a torn UCL (Ulnar collateral ligament), opening another hole in the starting rotation. Even though Capuano did return from the disabled list to take his place, the pitching staff won't be whole again until Masahiro Tanaka is fully recovered.

- Brian McCann and Stephen Drew were not very productive this week, putting up rather poor (McCann 4 for 23 - .174 avg, Drew 3 for 23 - .130 avg).  While McCann is guaranteed a spot no mater what, Drew will need to get his hitting in order if he wishes to prevent fans from calling for him to be Designated for Assignment (the MLB's kind version of a release). The fact that the highly favored prospect Robert Refsnyder lost out on a spot in the majors because of him is certainly not helping matters either. Perhaps giving Pirela more time will motivate Drew to raise his performance and earn the faithful's trust. However, Girardi has already shown his support for the struggling second baseman, so it remains his spot to lose

Assessing the Yankees - Week 5

                

Though the Yankees dropped the series in Toronto, taking three of four from the Orioles more than made up for it. The team remains atop the division with a chance to gain a bit of distance when they visit the Rays in Tampa Bay.

The Good - Micheal Pineda had a absolutely tremendous week, going 15 innings with 22 strikeouts and just one walk.  His performance Sunday afternoon was a thing of beauty as he dominated Baltimore's lineup from top to bottom, setting a new career high in strikeouts (16) in the process. With Tanaka still on the shelf, Pineda has left no question as to who the Yankees ace is.

- Dellin Betances and Andrew Miller are quickly becoming the Yankees deadliest weapons in the bullpen.  The pair has still not surrendered an earned run this season and are getting stronger and stronger by the week.

- It looks as if Beltran may get himself going as he put some good a bats together over the weekend. The added stability to the middle of the order would do nicely, especially since that third of it has been hot and cold thus far

The Bad - Sabathia's record has not gotten any better and the lack of run support he's receiving is only compounding matters.  The team will have to score more runs when he is on the mound to help him feel more comfortable.  C.C. also needs to get better at putting hitters away with two strikes, something he has struggled with the past 3 seasons

- Adam Warren has not made it past the sixth inning and has barely made out of the fifth in any start. He looks to be poised for a move back to the bullpen once Capuano finishes his rehab in the minors. Warren deserves credit for winning the spot in spring training, but it appears his role is best fit for relief duties.