SANCHEZ OFFENSE WON'T BE ENOUGH TO WIN THE PENNANT

Source: The New York Post

I root for the Yankees and each player on the team. When the team plays well, when individuals play well, they win. So in this vein, I am so excited that Gary Sanchez has gotten off to a great start, no a fantastic start, despite my criticism of him over the years. But we will need more than Sanchez home runs to win in 2021 and that includes stellar defense, pitching and yes, hitting for average.

Source: am New York

Gary Sanchez has had the start that he needed and the Yankees needed, hitting two home runs in the first two games of the season.“The first two days, he’s had a lot of quality at-bats,’’ Boone said. “When he does that, he’s as dangerous as they come,” reported the New York Post. But with an N of two, it is simply not enough to say Gary is back. Again, I am happy for him, but it is too early to celebrate.

And the New York Daily News provided this reality check, in line with my same sentiments. "With one swing of his bat on Opening Day, Gary Sanchez seemed to wipe away — at least for a day — the concerns about his horrible 2020 season. With two bobbles in the field on Thursday, Gleyber Torres propped open the door for more worry about him at shortstop."

Source: The New York Daily News

It is no mystery that the Yankees have been concerned with the 24-year-old's ability to play shortstop. Torres gives away a lot of runs with his inaccuracies, lack of hustle and poor judgment at short. He just does not seem comfortable at the position. "Yankees GM Brian Cashman said this winter that Torres was not in good shape when the Yankees reconvened after the nearly four-month coronavirus pandemic shutdown. He also said that while he thinks Torres can play shortstop, he sees the 24-year old as a better second baseman," reported The Daily News. 

Source: Newsday

Then there is Clint Frazier. He was named the Yankees starting left fielder at the end of spring training, but is he also a liability in the field? According to NJ.com, "Frazier, 26, has come a long way since he stirred up controversies for pushing the Yankees’ rules on hair length to the limit and forcing teammates to answer for his poor outfield play because he blew off the media." He has shown maturity over the last year and when asked to step in for injuries to Aaron Judge and Aaron Hicks, he answered with his bat. But again, hitting is not enough to give the Yankees a winning team. 

When I think about the stacked infield that teams like the Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Dodgers and now with the addition of Francisco Lindor, the New York Mets have, I am envious of the precision. The Yankees need to save runs, protect their pitchers and take the stress off the offense to save the day when a ground ball falls out of reach due to carelessness or immaturity. 

Source: The Associated Press

Congratulations to Sanchez for starting 2021 with a bang. Let's hope he can be as sharp and dangerous in June, and into the postseason. But without good defense which includes crisp fielding and stellar pitching, the Yankees will fall again this year. Offense is not enough to win. The Yankees need well-roundedness, consistency and endurance- and that takes practice, and patience to master. 

--Suzie Pinstripe

BYB Managing Editor

Twitter: @suzieprof