Among the other problems the Yankees have had over the years, their depth has been one of the bigger ones that not many people talk about.
Lack of options off the bench has put the Yankees in a bind in big spots in the postseason.
Photo: Tim FullerWith injuries to Giancarlo Stanton, who is back in the lineup tonight, and Aaron Hicks now out for the year, the Yankees need to begin to look at making a move or two as the season goes along. The trade deadline will be here before you know it.
Heck, Mike Ford pinch-hit in the 8th inning of Game 5 of the American League Division Series against the Tampa Bay Rays last October.
Yes, that is a problem. Ford, a guy who had 10 hits in 83 at-bats going into that AB in the playoffs, was the guy the Yankees relied on to break a 1-1 tie. I asked all last season why Miguel Andujar was not on the roster. He came off an injury, but he was nearly the rookie of the year in his previous full season and seemed like he led the world in doubles.
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Ken Rosenthal reported that the Yankees were looking at targeting Delino DeShields Jr. of the Texas Rangers.
In 40 plate appearances for their Triple-A team, he’s hitting .412 with a .500 on-base percentage.
In 2020 he played in 37 games for the Cleveland Indians, hitting .252 with a .310 on-base percentage without a home run.
His numbers don’t jump off the screen, especially the zero home runs, but the Yankees don’t need every guy off the bench to hit home runs.
I know the analytic crowd will yell at me, saying, “YES, YOU DO!” So do Yankee fans want four Mike Ford’s to come hit off the bench? I certainly do not.
DeShields can give the Yankees much-needed depth in the outfield in the wake of the injuries and the struggles of Clint Frazier.
Featured Image: Tim Fuller
