With their victory over the New York Mets, the New York Yankees ended a tedious six-game shedding streak. If it appears like “deja vu once more,” that’s in all probability as a result of it’s. This was their second six-game shedding streak in a matter of weeks; nonetheless, the circumstances couldn’t be extra completely different.
Within the prior shedding streak, the staff couldn’t appear to place the bat to the ball, scoring six runs over that six-game span (seven over seven video games for those who embrace their one unearned run from their victory over the Kansas Metropolis Royals). The pitching, then again, was environment friendly.
Within the latter six-game span, the pitching (and to not point out the protection) was atrocious, surrendering 54 runs. No matter who and what, New York had some moderately clear underperformers setting the tone for what was one other depressing stretch.
We are able to simply blame the losses on dangerous begins from Carlos Rodon and Will Warren, the bullpen dumpster hearth introduced on by Luke Weaver and Jonathan Loaisiga in addition to the less-than-reliable bats of backstops Austin Wells and J.C. Escarra, however we’ll keep away from rehashing the struggles of inconsistent producers (Wells and Rodon), latest IL returnees (Weaver and Loasiga) or inexperienced rookies (Warren and Escarra). As an alternative, we’ll give attention to these on the very backside of the barrel. With that mentioned, let’s go over three gamers who’ve earned the axe.
RHP Mark Leiter Jr.
Leiter is on the forefront of the Yankees’ bullpen issues. Final season, the Yankees took a guess on his excessive strikeout potential. Nevertheless, this facet of his recreation has not led to the success of the staff.
This season, Leiter owns a 4.46 ERA with 46 strikeouts over 34.1 innings, just under the 4.50 ERA he pitched to in 2024. The strikeout potential is undamaged, but when the Yankees can’t put it to use to their benefit, it will be higher in the event that they traded Leiter in a bundle for one thing they might use.
INF Oswald Peraza
This yr, Peraza is hitting a mere .154 with three dwelling runs in 130 at-bats. Past that, there isn’t far more that must be mentioned.
As soon as a prime prospect, Peraza hasn’t been capable of maintain his personal on the most important league degree. Out of minor-league choices coming into the season, Peraza was squeezed onto the Opening Day roster as a backup infielder. With Oswaldo Cabrera on the shelf, Peraza has turn into extra of an everyday, primarily at third, which solely serves to focus on the Yankees’ lack of depth and blatant inaction. His .487 OPS is the third lowest amongst all third basemen with a minimum of 100 at-bats, forward of solely Jonah Bride (.436) and Josh Rojas (.472).
SS Anthony Volpe
As upsetting because it sounds, one other Yankees prime prospect is failing to supply, turning into a legal responsibility each on the plate and on the diamond (along with injuring his staff’s MVP). Hitting .219/.296/.398 with 10 dwelling runs, Volpe’s bat has been stagnant.
On the glove aspect, he’s liable for -3 outs above common at shortstop in response to Baseball Savant. His 11 errors this season are among the many most in baseball. A Gold Glover in his rookie yr of 2023, Volpe’s protection has value the Yankees dearly in tight video games quite a few instances this season and final.
As well as, his plus pace has additionally did not make a distinction. Volpe has stolen 9 bases on the yr however has been caught seven instances. It might be a tragic day within the Huge Apple if the Yankees had been to surrender on Volpe, but it simply would possibly spare the staff from distress.
