The New York Yankees had a roster built to win big; they spent a huge amount of money on it, too. But it appears that they lack a manager who can guide them through the challenging situation they are in now. Aaron Boone, for all his press conference bravado, seems mostly to fans a motivational speaker rather than a problem solver, and hence, the patience is running dry.
And if you want to know how bad things are, Sunday’s 7-1 loss to the Astros is proof of it. Plus, Boone was ejected in the third inning for arguing a strike. The team looked lifeless, and the fans in Yankee Stadium booed and let them know it.
The New York Yankees have now dropped seven of their last nine games and sit at 62-56, 6.5 games back in the AL East. They are clinging to that third Wild Card spot by just a half game over the Guardians. This is a far cry from the club that went to the World Series last season and sat rather comfortably in the standings just a few months ago.
Apr 23, 2024; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone (right) congratulates designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton (27) after scoring a run during the first inning against the Oakland Athletics at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
According to The New York Times, the Yankees’ playoff odds were 97.2% in May but have dropped to 80.7% now. Now, on paper, their .483 remaining strength of schedule is the easiest among the contenders. But the real kicker is that the road to October runs through a four-game showdown with their nemesis, the Boston Red Sox. And if you know anything, you know that the Sox have leapfrogged them in the standings. So, for now, that series could define the Yankee season.
A huge part of the problem is that Aaron Judge is not his usual self. Since the Captain’s return from the injured list, he has gone just 3 for 15. Now, it is possible that he was rushed back to keep the Yankees afloat, but to be honest, the results are not there. Boone, though, is optimistic as ever, saying that players might be “feeling it” during the rough stretch. But the Judge didn’t back him up.
Aaron Judge mentioned, “We’re just not playing good baseball. I wouldn’t say guys are ‘feeling it’ … We have a tough group in here. It does not feel good losing. We’re not doing our job; we’re not doing the little things that put ourselves in position to win.” It is rare for a Judge to counter Boone, but his words are like a wake-up call for the Bronx. The Yankees have talent, but the time is running out.
More bad news for the New York Yankees
It just feels like every day brings fresh new bad news for the New York Yankees…and well, it does. In a season where they have gone from being contenders to now, luck can help them go to the playoffs; the bad news keeps piling up. Since the trade deadline, the Yanks have not been losing games; they have lost players, too. This time, one of their newest additions is headed right to the injured list.
Utility man Amed Rosario, who was acquired right before the deadline, is the third mid-season pickup to land on the wretched injured list. His injury happened in the 10th inning against the Houston Astros when he crashed into the right field wall, filling in for Aaron Judge. After several minutes talking with the trainers, Rosario left the game, and then came the diagnosis, which is a joint sprain. He is now out at least for 10 days!
This is a huge bummer because this is right after Austin Slater, the newcomer, was ruled out for four to six weeks with a hamstring injury. And Jake Bird got a demotion! The Yankees are now trailing behind the Jays and Boston Red Sox, and it’s not the math that the Bronx fans signed up for this season. But it’s not just injuries; it’s also the fact that an ace like Max Fried is not performing at par. Since July, he has posted a 6.00 ERA over seven starts, and the ace himself knows it. Fried after the latest loss, owned up to it, saying, “I just have to be better at locating and getting ground balls, and I haven’t been able to do that. I need to see what adjustments I can make.”
Well, for now, the front office and players seem to be on different tangents. The first thing for sure is that the Yankees can make it to the playoffs this time. As for the players, they know they are not doing enough for it. What do you think?
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