Things have been excellent so far this spring for the New York Yankees, however, there are a few things that might concern some fans.
With 16 more games left in spring training, the New York Yankees are once again giving the fans a taste of success. Coasting behind young talent and a 13-5 record, the Yankees have impressed so far.
It’s so easy to look past any negatives when the Yankees are right at the top of the Grapefruit League standings. However, as great as things are going, there are still some things that are going wrong for the Yankees.
I don’t mean to be the negative Nancy here, but someone has to do it. It’s better to do it now than realize down the line that the Yankees have some things they need to work on. While their record is impressive, not everything is perfect in Yankee land.
While there have been impressive performances by young prospects, there have also been hits galore for the pinstripes. There has been a lot to cheer for this spring.
Now, we are going to take a look at what Yankees fans should be concerned about based on this spring training. However, despite these worries, it’s still early. They will most likely be able to figure it all out.
1. Top of the order
The Yankees have made comments about the need to change the top of the order and separate Brett Gardner and Jacoby Ellsbury yet they haven’t shown that they will do it.
In 19 games so far for spring training, Gardner and Ellsbury have batted 1-2 in nine of those games. Keeping the two of them together hasn’t worked for the past two seasons, so why aren’t the Yankees seriously testing other options when it isn’t the regular season?
The Yankees have experimented by putting Gary Sanchez second in the line-up, they even tested Didi Gregorius in the spot before his departure for the World Baseball Classic. However, when Gardner and Ellsbury are in the game, they are in the same spots.
Why not at least try and move Ellsbury down in the line-up, at the six or seven spot? Why not make that effort to see if they can find a better rhythm?
They aren’t doing anything to remedy that so we can only imagine that if both Gardner and Ellsbury play, it will be in those two coveted spots. The definition of insanity is trying something over and over again and expecting different results.
See where I’m going with this?
2. Reliance on home runs
The Bronx Bombers are BACK! The Yankees have launched 27 home runs in their 19 games so far and are threatening to take this power show to the regular season.
Great, right? Yes and no. When the Yankees crush over 200 home runs in a season, they tend to make the playoffs. However, that seems to be all they’re doing this spring training.
It can be a great thing if they can club home runs and turn back into the Bronx Bombers this season. However, as a fan who has watched over several years, the concerns lie in the fact that over the years, the Yankees have relied too much on home runs to carry them through the season.
We’ve seen the potential power of all these guys, but they also need to work on driving in runners in scoring position in ways that don’t necessarily involve the long ball. In the majors, pitchers will be smarter and won’t throw meatballs over the plate.
It’s time the Yankees prove that they can handle the power and also find other ways to produce runs.
3. Fielding issues
The Yankees have both the youth of the game and the veterans on the field this spring training. Those players who haven’t had a taste of the majors yet could be to blame for the massive amount of errors this spring.
But in reality, everyone has committed errors, even those that have more experience on the field.
The Yankees have committed 25 errors in 19 games so far. Some of those errors came from the hand of Chase Headley, the starting third basemen. Three, in particular, came from the normally smooth Starlin Castro. It seems everyone has a case of the yips.
That’s a terrible sign for the Yankees. With their starting rotation still under question, the Yankees need to make those common plays in the regular season. If they don’t, the innings will run longer. And with some younger pitchers on the mound, that might affect their mentality on the mound.
If they can’t fix those fielding miscues, there is no way they’ll be able to compete against the highly-competitive teams in the American League East. Also, if they can’t field a simple ground ball, they won’t be fun to watch.
The truth hurts, Yankees. Get it together or you might lose some viewers.
4. Middle relief
The Yankees are currently focusing on their starting rotation and, right now, they are letting their middle relief fall by the wayside.
Johnny Barbato, a short-term reliever last year, blew up on the mound yesterday, allowing five runs in 0.2 innings pitched. Chasen Shreve allowed three earned runs in 1.1 innings pitched against the Atlanta Braves last week.
These pitchers who have performed for the Yankees in the past no longer seem to have it. Either that or maybe they’re not getting enough chances to redeem themselves.
Either way, middle relief is an area they need to start focusing on. It’s all well and good to have a reliable starter and a dominant set-up man and closer, but what about in-between? Who is going to pin that lead down and hold opponents so Dellin Betances and Aroldis Chapman can close out the victory?
That’s the thing: the Yankees have no idea right now. All the hype surrounding the starting pitching has distracted them from another important hole on their roster.
Tyler Clippard hasn’t pitched much this spring training due to his commitment to Team USA. Adam Warren is fighting for a starting role. But any back-ups beyond that haven’t been able to prove themselves this spring.
Don’t let these concerns undermine the Yankees’ success this spring. They truly have been fun to watch, which hasn’t been said for a long time.
The Yankees clearly are set for the future. Right now, however, they need to start focusing on the present for a successful season.