Yankees: Tyler Wade proves he has no place on roster after loss to Orioles

Once again, there’s plenty of blame to go around after the New York Yankees‘ latest loss. They split the four-game series with the Baltimore Orioles.

They left 12 runners on base. They hit 3-for-14 with runners in scoring position. Clint Frazier didn’t get a hit again. Jordan Montgomery was removed after 74 pitches and five innings of work. Darren O’Day failed to hold down the fort in the eighth.

But this one went into extras. And the Yankees couldn’t score with the free runner on second.

Who came up to the plate to kick off the inning? Tyler Wade! He got a roster spot because the Yankees traded Mike Tauchman on Tuesday. What did he do? He couldn’t get a bunt down! He struck out trying to bunt. He squared to bunt and pulled it back on the best pitch he saw during the at-bat. Unacceptable.

Why was Wade in the game? Manager Aaron Boone opted to pinch hit Aaron Judge for Rougned Odor in the eighth inning. Not a bad move, but Judge struck out. Then somebody needed to play defense. That was Wade.

Unfortunately, he had to bat in a big spot, too.

The Yankees can’t keep rostering Tyler Wade. He can’t bunt.

And he couldn’t even bunt.

It’s been a rough road for Wade, and fans truly do not want to continue holding his feet over the fire. It’s not a good feeling for anyone. But what is his use on the roster? He makes the team exponentially worse.

As we’ve discussed a million times, he solely has a job in this organization because of his ability to play second base and shortstop. That’s it. And his defense isn’t even that great! He has a career 0.2 dWAR, 3 DRS at second base and 0 DRS at shortstop. His speed is also above-average, but he’s not that great of a baserunner. Fans have seen far too many blunders than they’d prefer over the years.

Wouldn’t you rather Tauchman batting there and playing right field? Most fans would! We’ll wait and see if the deal for Wandy Peralta ends up helping the Yanks, but removing Tauch from the bench in favor of Wade was clearly a downgrade, and likely a mistake.

Wade’s slashing .191/.275/.301 in 168 career games. That shouldn’t be the fourth guy on your bench, unless he’s an invaluable defensive Swiss Army knife.

Maybe another unplanned trade is in the Yankees’ future to improve their major league roster? Why not!

Yankees: The real reason fans are mad about Mike Tauchman trade

Of course, New York Yankees fans are divided about the Mike Tauchman trade, but there's a legitimate reason for those who are upset about it.