Yankees Still Waiting For Beltran And McCann To Earn Their Pinstripes

Jun 27, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees catcher Brian McCann (34) hits a two-run home run against the Boston Red Sox during the eighth inning of a game at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

When the Yankees signed big time free agents Carlos Beltran and Brian McCann, they figured that the sluggers would play up to their contracts in the first few years of the contract. Other past free agents like Jason Giambi and Gary Sheffield  had huge years in their first seasons in the Bronx.  Jason Giambi had 40 HR/100 RBI campaigns in 2002 and 2003, before suffering various injuries that stifled his production significantly. Sheffield had great years with the bat in 2004 and 2005 before he began to struggle due to wrist injuries and problems with the front office. But at least they produced. The problem is, Beltran and McCann have skipped the production part.

Even though the Yankees knew that Beltran and McCann had already passed their primes, the plan was for them to produce immediately for the Yankees. But, as luck and fate would have it, Beltran and McCann have forgotten to hold up their end of the bargain. Beltran is only hitting .220 with 8 HR, certainly not the numbers Cashman envisioned when he signed Beltran to the big bucks, but what is even scarier, is how he has shown no signs of improving, often hitting lazy fly balls and also having injury problems of his own.

Brian McCann has had problems of his own. He is currently hitting .221 with 9 HR and 36 RBI. McCann is showing signs of coming out of his slump or at least signs that he still has the ability to be productive in the future. His line drive ratio is the highest it has ever been in his career, which tells you he still is hitting the ball hard. But Mcann has been hitting directly into the shift that teams have been using on him, and still hasn’t figured out how to hit the  ball the other way effectively. Like it or not, these guys have got to produce if the Yankees want to go anywhere this season. Brian Cashman did not sign them to be average, non-impactful players they have been thus far this year.

Come on guys, EARN YOUR PINSTRIPES!