Yankees: Clint Frazier was asked bizarre postgame question and fans are confused

One could say times are tough for the New York Yankees to start off the 2021 season, but everyone knows it’ll turn around.

Dropping the opening series in the Bronx in front of fans for the first time since 2019 in the manner they did certainly isn’t the best start, but this is still arguably the best team in the American League.

But as you know, fans aren’t happy, and the New York media doesn’t make life easy when the team is putting forth these kinds of performances. You can expect some critical editorials when the offense puts up eight runs in three games against a weak pitching staff, but did we really expect this to be asked after Sunday’s loss?

Clint Frazier already had to answer a question we didn’t think we’d hear until … at least July, if things really got bad? Maybe ever?

ESPN’s Marly Rivera asked Frazier if he “was a good starting left fielder.” Hm, OK. Not the worst thing in the world, but fans are certainly confused because we’re three games into the year and Frazier is coming off a 2020 in which he was nominated for a Gold Glove.

Frazier started in right field on Sunday and has been the Yankees’ best hitter alongside Gary Sanchez, but he didn’t take exception to the question, and Rivera defended herself from criticism after the clip surfaced on social media.

Frazier’s cool head prevailed and he assured everyone that the Yankees simply haven’t started clicking yet. That’s what we’d call an understatement, but the players are far from losing their minds like some fans are. After all, this isn’t a 60-game sprint. It’s a 162-game marathon.

It’s understandable for the fan base to be upset because the Yankees have started the new year in the exact same manner they ended last year — their assortment of highly-touted hitters appear as if they’ve never faced live pitching before. They go in horrific stretches of this. Situational hitting doesn’t exist. They’re striking out a ton. They’re watching strike after strike blow by. It’s genuinely confusing … and frustrating.

Though Rivera has every right to ask the questions she feels are pertinent and can defend those questions, perhaps a greater explanation here would be appreciated. If you’re asking a player “about his own development” then laying out a question this blunt, especially to a guy who’s had problems with the media in the past, it definitely comes off the wrong way and it’s easy to see why people might be pushing back.

Regardless, Frazier thinks he’s a good left fielder and is confident the Yankees will find their way on offense rather soon. That’s good enough for us.

Yankees: Offense disappoints yet again as NYY drops opening series to Blue Jays

Once again, the New York Yankees couldn't hit the ball on Sunday and fell to the Toronto Blue Jays. They lost the season-opening series.