LIFELESS YANKEES NEED A BOOST OF ENERGY

Source: NY Post

The New York Yankees have been to hell and back, literally.  Between losing their ace prior to the season's opener, and centerfielder, and right fielder and designated hitter....I could go on, but I won't belabor the point.  The Yankees absolutely need a boost of energy and quite frankly they deserve it.

Source: NY Post- Charles Wenzelberg

The New York Post's headline on Saturday, "Yankees look old and broken down, and it has to stop" hits the nail on the head.  “We just haven’t played as well,” Brett Gardner said. “Defensively, we’ve made some mistakes. Offensively, [we] haven’t been able to expand like we need to, string together good at-bats. I’m just disappointed.”

The Chicago White Sox just aren't that good to beat up on the Yankees the way they did on Friday night and almost got them in the end on Saturday; and prior to that the Mets and then prior to that the Indians.  The pitching is severely compromised and the team just needs some fresh legs, bats and arms. Not sure how the latest pick up of Edwin Encarnacion from Seattle fits in but that could be something.  A pitcher holds a bigger price tag.  Does this mean Clint Frazier is the odd man out and he is the primary ticket to a premier pitcher? His jog to first base last night certainly doesn't help his days in pinstripes.

Source: Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire/AP

But the Post states boldly that getting back Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge just won't be enough to lift this lifeless team.  "This team requires an infusion of some sort, and if the changing of the trade rules aren’t going to expedite the pace of transactions, which stands as the early read, then more offense must do the trick. Especially more offense from the elite likes of Judge and Stanton."

Is the Post taking things to the extreme?  I mean, every team experiences bumps in the road along the journey to success.  I often post this image (above) in meetings and conferences to remind people that the road to success is not a straight line, but a bunch of twists and turns filled with learning experiences.

Source: NY Daily News

According to the Daily News, however, "The Yankees went into Saturday night’s game having lost eight of their last 11 and slipped from first place in the American League East. Their starting pitching has contributed to that slide, with starters going 2-6 with a 6.45 ERA in that span." So, once again pitching is the presumed barrier to post season success.  With their infield and outfield depth about to get a jolt, who will they give up in order to fulfill the need for starting pitching?  This will be the question looming the club and its fans over the next several weeks as the All Star Break and later the trade deadline face Brian Cashman and his front office.  Trevor Bauer could be a good fit for the Yankees as Cleveland decides its next steps.

Source: AP

Any of us, at any time need a boost of energy.  Whether it's daily through caffeine, energy drinks or a brisk walk or weekly with mental health days and mid-week trips to the beach.  It is okay to hit some bumps in the road as long as there is a long term plan to get over those bumps and get back on track.  Let's hope the Yankees articulate theirs soon and let that plan include starting pitching.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof