New York Yankees: Brian Cashman and Joe Girardi Need to Do Something
May 21, 2012 · Bill Ford · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
The New York Yankees have hit some pretty big bumps since the start of the 2012 season, and even though I hate to admit it, I’m concerned about the rest of the season.
Yes, it’s true that it is still early in the season, and there is time to turn things around, but it doesn’t look like anything with drastically change anytime soon for the Yankees.
Some players are doing well individually, but not consistently. The entire team must do well collectively to be successful. Those collective and consistent performances just don’t appear to exist.
Alex Rodriguez is not having the huge comeback season that many had hoped he would. New York’s pitching staff as a whole has not been impressive, although a few individual cases stand out.
Most injuries can not be prevented and are due to accidents that could not be predicted. The Yankees have had to deal with a good chunk of injuries early in the season that have proved to be quite difficult and somewhat devastating for the team.
Michael Pineda injured his right shoulder on March 31, likely keeping him out for the season. The trade to acquire him has proved to be more costly than originally planned.
On April 17, Mark Teixeira was out for flu-like symptoms, and it appears that he has developed something similar again with a nagging cough keeping him off of the field.
Brett Gardner injured his elbow on April 18 preventing him from contributing with his base-running speed and scoring runs.
Nick Swisher injured his left hamstring on April 29. Hamstring injuries are easy to re-injure, and may be slowing him down and holding him back.
On May 3, Eric Chavez sustained a concussion. That same day, Mariano Rivera tore his right ACL, which very likely ended his 2012 season. Even though he seems to believe that he will make a triumphant return to the mound this season, that is unlikely.
On May 14, David Robertson injured his left oblique, landing him on the 15-day disabled list.
All of these injuries have a direct effect on the performance of the entire team. Not only have the Yankees dealt with the loss of these players—whether it’s long term, or just a few days—but the emotional effect on the team is apparent.
Rivera’s injury was probably the most devastating, and may have crushed the morale of the team.
Rarely do I have the view of a pessimist, but I am gravely concerned about the Yankees this season. Their win-loss record as of May 20 is 21-20, one game above .500 at .512.
With the team not playing as well as they should, and with the health issues and injuries that they have had to deal with, Brian Cashman and Joe Girardi need to do something.
Maybe it’s time to call up some minor-league talent and get some youthful energy in the lineup. The Red Sox made a move and called up Will Middlebrooks, which appears to have worked out well. They are still in last place in the AL East, but they have begun to win more games.
I don’t know what the correct answer actually is, but I do know that the Yankees need to make some changes, and they need to do it quickly before the season starts to slip away and they end up too far out of the race.
Come on, New York. Do something.
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