How Long Before Girardi Has To Make Changes?

May 13, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira (25) hits an RBI single against the New York Mets during the first inning of a game at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

It’s no secret the New York Yankees have been struggling at the plate. The question is, how long can Joe Girardi keep running out the same lineup?

With a lineup full of high-priced, big names, this team should’nt be having this much trouble scoring runs. The only everyday players hitting above .300 are Brett Gardner and Yangervis Solarte. There are only three other players hitting over .260. Brian McCann was brought here to be a presence in the middle of the order, and despite making $17 million dollars a year, he can’t hit for average or knock in runs. Jacoby Ellsbury was paid a hefty salary to be a premier lead-off hitter. He was hitting .403 on May third, and has seen his average drop into the .260s. He is now being relied on to hit third with Carlos Beltran sidelined. Mark Teixeira–a histrically slow starter–has had a nice start to his season, but can’t carry this team on his back all year. Ichiro Suzuki has had a very strong season in a limited capacity. Alfonso Soriano really needs to get hot and be a factor in the middle of the order.

Joe Girardi said Wednesday it’s too early to make significant changes. If the team continues to struggle, he’ll look into shaking things up.

The question that has to be asked is, what changes are there to make? The manager has repeatedly said he’s not going to move Jeter down in the order. And to his credit, Jeter has raised his average to .261. The heart of the order can’t really change outside of moving Solarte up in the lineup. With Beltran out, there isn’t anyone else to hit third besides Ellsbury, unless Girardi has a ton of faith in his third baseman.

John Ryan Murphy has played very well in his back-up role and shown a knack for getting big hits. The problem is, McCann, despite his struggles is going to remain in the lineup everyday. So unless he becomes a full-time DH, Murphy’s playing time will be minimal.

However Girardi handles his struggling lineup is anyone’s guess. The fact of the matter is, if the bats don’t wake up, Girardi is going to have to do something, or it’s going to be a long, quiet summer in the Bronx.