Michael Kay calls out Yankees, begs for 2 changes to end disastrous slump

Despite middling play throughout the month of August, representing the supposedly "soft" portion of the Yankees' schedule, the team remains on the edges of first place in the AL East, thanks to the Orioles collapsing at a similar rate.

But while the record and standings both remain technically acceptable, Yankees broadcaster Michael Kay believes sweeping changes are necessary now, before the Bombers fall off further. Anyone who's watched this team in recent weeks knows that "inconsistent" is a kind assessment. Anyone who watched all 12 innings of Tuesday's loss to the Guardians knows that the boo birds were being kind. That game was enough to drive a sane man bald, and Kay was forced to take the brunt of it.

Enduring that test of will led directly to Kay blasting the team on his radio show Wednesday, demanding swift action and two changes that almost everyone can agree on (of course, before the Yankees handled their business on Wednesday and Thursday).

When Austin Wells isn't catching, he has to be playing first base, and he has to be working at the position everyday. And Jasson Dominguez, fresh off a four-hit game back in Triple-A, has to replace Alex Verdugo as quickly as humanly possible. Whatever the fastest mode of transportation is from road games in St. Paul, Minnesota to the Bronx, it must be utilized.

Yankees must swap Dominguez, change Wells' position, per Michael Kay

Will the Dominguez move happen? Of course not! The Yankees are transparently holding him down until Sept. 1 in hopes of stealing an extra draft pick by qualifying him for a Rookie of the Year campaign next season.

Given their moderate lead on a playoff spot, that's the calculation they've decided to make, and that's why you're being spoon-fed nonsensical, finger-crossing Verdugo quotes like this one from Boone on Wednesday.

As for Wells at first? Jon Berti's rehab assignment begins this Friday, once again, meaning that when he's ready, the Yankees will either need to demote Ben Rice or Oswaldo Cabrera, or send DJ LeMahieu to the phantom IL in perpetuity. Jazz Chisholm is reportedly back after Oswald Peraza was optioned on Thursday.

Wells should be a valued player at first base for the rest of the season, no matter the alignment of utility guys. He is not a platoon bat. He should never be.

Kay, often accused of being a shill by some folks in the fandom, held the Yankees' feet to the fire here, demanding they stray away from complacency despite their surface competitiveness. If they listen, though, it might be the first time they've ever admitted their day-to-day process is flawed. Doubt it.