By Tim Kabel
August 13, 2022
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The Yankees are on a downward spiral. They were on pace for a record number of victories. Many of us were comparing them to the 1998 Yankees team. They seemed completely unstoppable. My, how things have changed. They are now quite stoppable. They have the fourth best record in baseball at this point. The Red Sox are not a good team at all this year. They are currently in last place in the American League East, if you can believe it. Last night, the Yankees looked like the last place team. There is no way the Yankees will wind up in last place this year but, they could certainly end their season with a quick exit from the playoffs. If that happens, what difference would the tremendous start in the first half make? The answer is none. Remember the tortoise and the hare?
Quick Stats:
The Yankees are now 2-8 in August. That isn’t exactly making hay. That is watching your hay field go up in flames.
Aaron Hicks came into the game in a 4-45 slump. He went 1-4 last night. That’s about a .100 average. For the season, he is hitting .222 with 6 home runs with 9 stolen bases. Since he predicted a 30-30 season, we are in for a real treat for the rest of the season. He will make Roy Hobbs look like a little leaguer.
Aaron Judge hit his 46th home run and drove in his 100th run. It was August 12.
Clay Holmes blew his third save in a row.
On yesterday’s date in 2016, Alex Rodriguez played the final game of his career. Before we break out the hankies and play Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On”, remember that his release cleared a roster spot for Aaron Judge.
The Big Story:
The Yankees should have won this game. Lately, they have been losing a lot of games they should have won. Pretty soon, we won't be able to say they should have won a game. For a while, people were saying, “if we play today, we win today.” At this point, they are saying, “your guess is as good as mine.”
The Yankees looked like they were sailing toward a championship. It appeared to be only a matter of time. The parade through the Canyon of Heroes looked inevitable. We were all assuming this season would result in the Yankees 28th World Series championship. Well, you know what happens when you assume. If you don't, watch The Odd Couple.
The passengers on the Titanic assumed they were on a pleasant ocean voyage. How did that turn out?
Player of the Game:
Aaron Judge hit that mammoth home run and was on base four times.
Notable Performances:
Jose Trevino had two hits. Domingo German pitched six solid innings.
Better to Forget:
Gleyber Torres was hitless and struck out with runners on second and third to end the top of the tenth inning. He is in a bad slump. Yet, he continues to bat fifth.
Clay Holmes' ERA over the last 28 days is 6.48 and, worse, over the last two weeks, it is 14.73. He's in a bad slump. Yet, he continues to be asked to close games.
My Take:
The Yankees’ ship is taking on water. It isn't just a trickle of water, and it didn't start yesterday. They still have a 10-game lead in the division, and with the expanded playoffs, they are practically guaranteed a playoff slot. Big deal. If they were in the playoffs performing the way they are now, what team could we reasonably expect them to beat? I don't think there is one.
If the Yankees limp into the playoffs and disappear with a whimper, this season will be a complete disaster. It will be made even worse by the fact that they looked so incredible during the first half of the season. It appears as if the Yankees may be headed for an epic collapse.
Aaron Boone said in an interview on Thursday that there are no immediate plans to call up Oswald Peraza from AAA. Peraza is having a very solid season and has been on fire since June. As I have written many times, he would be a major upgrade over Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who could then push Marwin Gonzalez off the roster. Kiner-Falefa would be a much better backup player then Gonzales. However, it looks as if the Yankees’ front office is going to be stubborn on this, and not bring up Peraza. It really makes no sense but, it is not their worst decision.
For some reason, the Yankees insist upon trotting Aaron Hicks out to play virtually every day. He was recently in a 0-32 slump. I can say with absolute confidence that every single person reading this article could go 0-32 in the Major Leagues. Hicks frequently looks confused, lost or inept. In a game against the Cardinals, he held on to a ball for so long in the outfield, that I thought he was going to ask Aaron Judge to sign it for him. He recently complained about how tough the fans are on him. He is absolutely dreadful, and worst of all, he is under contract for three more years. I am completely sick and tired of hearing on the rare occasions that Hicks has a hit or two, that he might be turning the corner. He is not. It is a mirage, an anomaly, an aberration. Hicks is like a grain silo. There are no corners. The only things he is turning are the stomachs of Yankees’ fans.
Estevan Florial has been in the minors for the Yankees since the Nixon administration. He has been injured frequently and has never completely realized his potential. Until this year. He is batting 60 points higher than Hicks. Florial has 32 stolen bases and 14 home runs. He is fast and a good fielder. I realize the Yankees traded for Harrison Bader and view him as their future starting centerfielder. Unfortunately, he is injured right now. There is no way in the world that Florial would not be an upgrade over Aaron Hicks. The statue of Ken Griffey Jr in front of Seattle's stadium would be an upgrade over Aaron Hicks. The Yankees do not have much use for Miguel Andujar at this point. He is on the roster but, he doesn't really have a role. Florial should be brought up tomorrow and installed in centerfield. Hicks could go to the bench and fill in as the fourth outfielder. Florial may not set the world on fire but, he would be better than Hicks. Hicks will clearly be benched when Bader is healthy. Why not do it now and see what Florial can do?
Next Up -
Tonight, the Yankees continue the three-game series against the Red Sox in Boston at 7:15 PM. Boston’s Kutter Crawford (3-4 4.30 ERA) will face Frankie Montas (4-9 3.59 ERA).
