Yankees: Aaron Boone’s decision to replace Miguel Andujar proves costly

The Yankees lost another series on Sunday, this time to the Blue Jays after Dellin Betances gave up two eighth-inning runs in a 3-2 loss. The offense attempted to rally in the ninth but did so without Miguel Andujar leading off after he was lifted for a defensive replacement in the top of the eighth.

First, let me start by saying the Yankees didn’t lose this game because Andujar was on the bench instead of leading off the ninth inning down one. They lost because the lineup once again struggled to muster any kind of offense against a rookie starter who entered his fourth career start with an ERA over 4.

Although, the fact that Neil Walker led off the inning instead of Andujar certainly didn’t help the Yankees chances at mounting a comeback against their old punching bag Ken Giles. Walker is a solid pinch hit option and that’s exactly what he did for Aideny Hechevarria, who had replaced Andujar in the eighth.

The newly acquired Hech is a defensive wizard and under most circumstances the move to bring him in for Miggy made sense. It’s no secret that Andujar has struggled defensively this season so anytime the Yankees have a late lead from here on out you can expect to see him lifted for a more sure-handed defender.

However, this was the wrong time for skipper Aaron Boone to replace him. First off all the Yankees lead was only one run and at the time Miggy was replaced his spot in the order was due up fifth in the bottom of the eighth. The Yankees got the tying run to third on a Giancarlo Stanton double and error, but with Hechavaria standing on deck Aaron Hicks struck out to end the threat.

With Hicks striking out Miggy’s spot in the order never came up, but with a lead of only one run, there was no reason to replace him for defense yet. One or even two runs isn’t enough to justify the move, especially when there was a chance for him to have another important at-bat in the bottom half of the inning or in the ninth.

Following the game, Boone had this to say about his decision per Dan Martin of the New York Post:

“You know that going in,” Boone said of the possibility of Andujar’s spot in the order coming up again. “I think that’s the first time it’s come around to hurt us, if it did indeed hurt us.”

Considering the comments above Boone clearly knew that there was a good chance Andujar’s spot in the order would come around again. And yet in a one-run game, he felt it was more important to boost his defense rather than have his hottest hitter come to the plate at a time when the game would likely be on the line.

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Nothing against Hechevarria or Walker but Andujar is and has been the Yankees best all-around hitter all season. In Saturday’s loss, it was his grand slam that cut a five-run deficit to one with one swing of that bat. One swing of that bat was all the Yankees needed to tie things up in the bottom of the ninth on Sunday.

Now I know there’s no way you can argue that Andujar would’ve hit a home run had he led the inning off instead of Walker, but the odds of him at least getting on base were much higher. Walker is .218 hitter this year with a .305 OBP and 9 HR. Andujar is a .298 hitter with a .332 OBP and 24 HR.

As bad as Andujar’s defense has been at times his bat has made up for of his shortcomings on defense and then some. Given the situation with the lead and where the Yankees were in their batting order, there’s just no excuse for Boone to insert a defensive replacement in that spot. I’ve been a supporter of his for most of the season, but this was a terrible move and there’s no other way around it.

Whether Andujar came through with a home run or even a walk or hit to lead off the inning doesn’t matter. His defense is something he struggles with, but he’s made progress as the season has gone on and deserves to stay in the game in those situations. Had it been a two or three-run lead in the top of the ninth instead of the top of the eighth than you can make a move like that. But even then they should only do so if he’s not due up to hit in the next inning.

Sunday’s loss may prove to be meaningless two weeks from now when the regular season ends, but come playoff time Boone has to be smarter. If he made a move like that in the Wild Card game or during a playoff series he would be crucified by all his critics and rightfully so.

That can’t happen again which is why come October Boone and the Yankees need to ride or die with Andujar’s defense. He is far too good offensively to ever be replaced in a close game. Because as good as the Yankees bullpen is there’s always a chance they can blow a lead and a move like that could come around to haunt them. Just like it did on Sunday.