MLB insider Joel Sherman sounded off on the New York Yankees, who are in the middle of a slump or, as the insider put it, a “death spiral.”
The Yankees (50-40) have lost eight of their last 10 games, and during this stretch, they have also conceded the AL East lead to the Tampa Bay Rays (52-36). Since June 19, New York has gone just 3-12, before Monday’s win over the Tampa Bay Rays. In the absence of their captain, Aaron Judge, it’s fair to say the team is looking ordinary.
On Tuesday’s appearance on “Pinstripe Post,” Sherman called the Yankees the “Anthony Volpe Team.” The basis is that, just like the shortstop has not been able to overcome his defensive struggles, the Yankees also look as if they are never going to get out of something.
“They are Team Anthony Volpe, which is they don’t slump, they death spiral,” Sherman said. “Like they look as if they are never going to get out of something.”
Sherman then blasted Yankees manager Aaron Boone for letting the team fall apart. He believes the Yankees are rushing towards the All-Star break without caring much about some important games in between.
“I’ve got to say it is a real mark on the Boone era that during his time, this team falls apart for weeks at a time,” Sherman added. “It’s almost like they start reaching for the All-Star break well beforehand, as if they’re trying to finish a marathon.
“I get it. They have some very, very important people injured. They’ve spent three weeks, not bad, not very bad, and in a way, not even awful. They’ve spent three weeks atrocious, where they’re bad at everything. And for the amount of talent that remains, and for the history of the coaching staff to have been through these cycles to try to avoid them, this is not really pardonable.”
Yankees’ Latest Win Begs Shortstop Question
On Monday, the Yankees snapped their two-game losing streak with a 5-1 win over the Rays. However, the win still raised question marks on their offense.
The Yankees managed just three hits, all of them home runs, while striking out 17 times. José Caballero hit two home runs against his former team. If not for rookie Cam Schittler’s eight-inning masterpiece, allowing just one earned run, the team could have been in deep trouble.
After the game, many Yankees fans praised Caballero and asked Boone to prioritize him over starting Anthony Volpe at shortstop. Boone addressed the shortstop question during the press conference and said:
“Just, you know, day by day,” Boone told reporters. “You know, in fairness, he’s been in there a lot more days where I’ve scratched, and something’s come up to where I’ve had to move. But his versatility (is) so valuable, too, especially with what we’re going through as a team right now with some guys down. He’s a gamer and a big-time player for us.”
The difference between Caballero and Volpe’s production is huge. Caballero has 10 homers and 33 RBIs this season, while Volpe has managed just one home run and 13 RBIs.
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