Yankees should be forced to explain keeping Jonathan Davis over Greg Allen

The New York Yankees didn’t acquire a center fielder at the trade deadline, but a spark in the form of Greg Allen was brought up from Triple-A. He wasn’t a savior by any means, but Allen provided a much-needed addition based on his skill set as well as a jolt of energy. And he played well in his 15 games.

Then, on Wednesday night, he was sent back down to the minor leagues after the team had claimed outfielder Jonathan Davis off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays.

Does anybody in charge care to explain? Is there something the average fan isn’t aware of? Why was this the decision that was made?

Though it’s an extension of the team finding new ways to keep Brett Gardner employed despite his largely subpar play ever since the start of 2020, it’s truly baffling the front office went with Davis over Allen after all the evidence that was presented.

In classic 2021 Yankees fashion, the decision backfired immediately. Davis came up to the plate in his first THREE at-bats of the game with runners in scoring position.

Spoiler alert: he went 0-for-3.

The Yankees sending down Greg Allen to stick with Jonathan Davis was a wild decision.

So Allen was a COVID replacement and “had” to be sent down once Wandy Peralta was activated? Is that the case? If it is, why wasn’t it explicitly explained? Also, it doesn’t seem like it makes sense to be forced to send down a player when you don’t have to?

Just when you think the questionable decision-making is in the rearview after a wildly successful series of moves at the deadline, another manages to sneak up behind us when we’re least expecting it.

Seriously! The Yankees just favored a guy batting .143 with a .482 OPS in 52 games with the Blue Jays over Allen, who had been performing admirably right in from of their very eyes (he was hitting .270 with an .849 OPS and five stolen bases). We really wish we had more analysis here, but it’s baseline stuff. Everybody already knows the answer.

That’s why fans have been furious for most of this season. It feels like every problem or need has been evident, clear as day. Obvious enough for the folks sitting at home to be like, “Wait, what? Why? How?”

And there’s manager Aaron Boone with the response. Nothing to offer. Is it his fault? Probably not. But someone has to answer for this — not that we need someone to be held accountable because demoting Allen is far from a fireable offense — because Allen’s left-handed bat, speed and defense were all attributes the Yankees were missing.

Now, just like before the 15 games he arrived for, they’re gone again.

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