Sad news: Aaron Boone’s Latest Decision Has Caused The Yankees Self-Inflicted bad news.
After defeating the Oakland Athletics 10-2 on Friday, the New York Yankees continued to appear as though they are on pace to make it to the postseason and position themselves for a second consecutive trip to the World Series. The Yankees currently lead the Boston Red Sox, who are in second place in the American League East, by three games.
However, there are issues with the Yankees. They actually have two large ones. Injuries come first. Since Spring Training, or even before Giancarlo Stanton, the playoff home run hero of the previous season, came at camp unable to swing a bat because of excruciating discomfort in both elbows, the Bronx Bombers have been plagued by physical issues.
Due to Tommy John surgery on his pitching elbow, the Yankees also lost 2023 AL Cy Young winner and ace Gerrit Cole for the whole season and maybe part of next.
Numerous other injuries have been reported, most notably to second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr., who will now be out for at least six weeks due to a significant oblique muscle injury.
Yankees fans disapprove of the manager’s choices.
The Yankees’ second big concern, the management style and choices made by eighth-year captain Aaron Boone, is now merging with the injury crisis. In a piece published on Saturday, Robert Casey, the lead writer for the well-known Bleeding Yankee Blue site, vented his annoyance at Boone.
“Aaron Boone is more than simply a lousy employee. Casey left little room for interpretation when he stated, “He’s the most unqualified manager in New York Yankees history, a terrible master-wanna-be of spin, and a liar to the fans.” Yes, I did say that. He is worse than Merrill Stump. Merrill didn’t disparage our intelligence, at least. Boone pretends to be a strategic genius but he is actually simply making educated guesses, and his guesses are incorrect.
Sara Molnick of Pinstripes Nation, another Yankees fan, believes that Boone’s recent injury-related decision may lead to a “crisis.”
D.J. LeMahieu, the experienced third baseman for the Yankees, has been out since the beginning of Spring Training due to a strained calf.
The 36-year-old, often injured LeMahieu is now scheduled to make his 2025 debut, maybe this weekend, but Boone said on Tuesday that he will be playing second base instead of third base when he returns.
According to NJ Advance Media’s Max Goodman, Boone stated, “Right now, second is more in play with Jazz down for a little bit.”
In his 1,675-game major league career, LeMahieu has, in fact, played more than 1,100 games at second. However, he only played nine games in the center position in 2023, which was his final game there. Since 2021, when he spent 83 games at second, LeMahieu has not participated in more than 80 games there.
LeMahieu’s ability to play second is questioned.
Molnick noted on Saturday that there are still “meaningful doubts regarding the wisdom of repositioning the 36-year-old veteran.” “Concerns about the Yankees’ inconsistent play are exacerbated by questions about defensive limitations, physical decline, and developmental obstacles for young talent.”
Jorbit Vivas, a natural second baseman, was recently elevated by the Yankees to the position of No. 19 organizational prospect. However, they seem hesitant to commit to the 24-year-old lefty swinger.
