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New York Yankees Editorial: The Bronx is Boiling – 1st Half

By Wayne Cavadi |
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Jul 4, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira (L) right fielder Chris Young (24) and third baseman Chase Headley (R) react to Yankees 3-2 walk off victory in the ninth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports

The first place New York Yankees. That sounds nice, doesn’t it? The problem is that it doesn’t help me. For over a season and a half, I have used the Bronx is Boiling to target that which the Yankees have done wrong each week, and right now, I don’t have much to complain about. Well, except that they haven’t given me anything to complain about!

Perhaps I will take a different angle. There are 81 games in the book heading into Sunday’s afternoon bout and that means that the Yankees are halfway through the season. The Bronx is boiling and I need to blow some steam.

AND THE TIMES THEY ARE A-CHANGIN!

The Yankees aren’t running away with the American League East, but they are looking better than the other teams. Last week I discussed some trade deadline rumors that began circulating that many feel will improve this team.

Many reacted that now is not the time to mortgage the farm system that the Yankees have worked so hard to replenish. While I do agree whole heartedly with that, it still seems like the Yankees Way is to wheel and deal. If they find the right piece, preferably a long-term fit as opposed to a hired gun for the playoff run, we need to remember that to get something of value often takes something of value. It doesn’t mean the Yankees have to sell the house, but some pieces may be on the move.

Let’s just hope that the Yankees realize that they do still need to move forward and indeed make some tweaks if they want to return to the post season after their two year hiatus.

Next: Bullpen status

Jun 26, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; iNew York Yankees relief pitcher Dellin Betances (68) celebrates with left fielder Brett Gardner (11) after defeating the Houston Astros in the ninth inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports

THE BULLPEN

The bullpen hasn’t been what was expected of it, but the Adam Warren addition and the return of Andrew Miller will beef this bullpen up and make it an unstoppable force yet again. 

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Whether or not you are of or against the camp that David Robertson should still be a Yankee, it was the right move not to sign him. He already has four blown saves and a 2.60 ERA. Combined, Miller and Dellin Betances have a 1.32 ERA and only two blown saves. What they needed to find was the gap, and Warren’s return to the bullpen achieves that.

Miller’s imminent return from the DL at the closer slot and Warren’s return to the seventh inning is like pulling off two huge trades. Now, that Warren-Betances-Miller 7-8-9 combo will make it nearly impossible for opponents to win if the Yankees are ahead after six innings. They are already 42-0 when leading after eight innings in 2015. Though not what it was last year (yet) this bullpen is doing ok.

Warren allows Justin Wilson and Chasen Shreve to rotate as the situational guy, whether that means pitching an entire sixth inning, or bailing out a starter by getting that last out of an inning. What Warren’s return to the bullpen has essentially done is limit Nathan Eovaldi and CC Sabathia’s erratic starts to five innings. After that, it’s time for the bullpen to shut it down.

Next: What to do about the rotation

Mar 3, 2015; Clearwater, FL, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Luis Severino (91) throws a pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies during a spring training baseball game at Bright House Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

THE ROTATION

Again, last week I discussed the trade rumors aswirl that the Yankees are interested in obtaining at the deadline. I also discussed the rich tradition they have of bringing in a hired gun every July. It’s not that some of the names on the market aren’t enticing, it’s what they would cost.

As any of you know who follows me, I am a minor league guy. I believe that the future of any team lies in their farm system. Luis Severino is that blue chip prospect, but as any true Yankees fan knows, that doesn’t mean anything as far as arrival time in the Major Leagues goes.

Severino has looked good since his Triple-A promotion, winning four of his last five starts. That’s not to say that everything has been perfect, but it is certainly promising. His strikeout rate is down, which is one of the flame thrower’s biggest assets, and he has been walking batters at a tad bit higher rate. Those are the things that, in the past, the Yankees would hold back the reigns of a promotion on.

But Severino may be too good to do that. At 21-years old, Severino may have accomplished all he is going to in the Minor Leagues. Besides, didn’t we just discuss how Warren and a healthy Miller will allow for starters to pitch just five strong innings before handing it over to the bullpen? This will limit Severino’s innings pitched, because we all know the Yankees love those Joba Rules.

The question in obtaining a starter or promoting Severino isn’t as easy as who to get, but who to demote. I still feel sending CC Sabathia to the bullpen — which could be the right move — will come with pushback and won’t benefit either side. Eovaldi and his high-powered fast ball seems like a good candidate as well, but is now the time to hinder a possible starter for the foreseeable future’s growth?

Whatever the case is, I think one move solidifies that rotation. That move may be a phone call away, it is simply a matter of whether or not the Yankees make the call.

Next: Time to tinker the lineup?

Jul 3, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees catcher Brian McCann (34) hits a walk off three run home run against the Tampa Bay Rays during the 12th inning at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees won 7 – 5 in the 12th inning. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

THE LINEUP

The outfield is broken and the infield is painful to watch. If these guys were to stop hitting, the Yankees would be in a lot of trouble.

Jacoby Ellsbury’s status is still up in the air as they slowly work him back into the swing of things in Tampa. They were hoping to see him this weekend, but instead he received a few days off during his rehab, making his return farther away. It doesn’t help that Carlos Beltran is now on the DL with him. Of course he is, teams were expressing interest in him, which would open the door for Aaron Judge, but now he is on the shelf.

Chris Young, Brett Gardner and whoever they call up for the day is not going to win the division. Nor is that frightening Stephen Drew/ Didi Gregorius double-play combo or the play of Chase Headley.

That is probably why the name Ben Zobrist has been popping up on lots of Yankees feeds. I don’t mind adding Zobrist, but seeing that he is on the Oakland As, we know Billy Beane likes one of two things: expiring contracts or highly rated prospects. Should Zobrist be on the Yankees radar, they shouldn’t be looking to break the bank to obtain him.

My big problem is the Rob Refsnyder dilemma. Offensively, he is not as hot as he was in his 2014 breakout season, but he is still swinging a Major League ready bat. He has been held back by his defense. But look at the what they have playing defense in their infield right now!

The Yankees are 28th in runs saved. -31. That is not a typo. This defense is horrendous. Are you telling me Rob Refsnyder is that much worse? So much worse that it is better to leave .179 hitting Drew in the lineup? It is July, people! If there is a player on any roster not hitting his own weight by July, it is time to seriously consider their value to said team.

So, yes, the Yankees are in first. But they do need to make a few moves, which could be as simple as swallowing their pride, DFA-ing a few veterans or demoting them, and placing a phone call to the RailRiders. But after the first half, their is a lot to be happy for heading down the home stretch.

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