The Yankees' hitters in August:
Beltran 1.052 OPS
McCann .776 OPS
Headly .709 OPS
Ellsbury .691 OPS
Drew .660 OPS
Gregorius .594 OPS
Teix .575 OPS (has been hurt--57 ABs in August; 1.146 OPS in July)
Gardner .543 OPS
A-Rod .500 OPS (1.033 OPS in July)
Young .437 OPS (has fallen off a cliff -- a .923 OPS in July)
It is interesting to note that the Yankees were rumored to have trade deadline interest in starting pitchers (Hamels and Price) and relief pitchers (Kimbrel). Yet, as August has unfolded, it appears the Yankees greatest need was a bat and I don't remember hearing the Yankees pursuing any bats at the trade deadline. To be sure, a prospect like Mateo, who the Yankees would have given up for Kimbrel, would have brought back a quality offensive player even if they had to settle for a rental.
True, Teix and A-Rod were absolutely raking in July. But Teix, A-Rod, and Beltran are older players and Cashman should have anticipated that something would go wrong either in the form of an injury or slump. While Beltran has been excellent this month, Teix and A-Rod have either been injured or slumping or both in the dog days of August.
Furthermore, while McCann is a quality offensive catcher, he has been physically beat-up over the course of the season (like other starting catchers) and thus was not someone to count on to pick up the offensive slack.
Bird is a nice prospect, but hitters usually need time to develop and thus was not someone to count on to pick up the offensive slack (Bird has a .663 OPS in August).
When you have older players you better be prepared for late season injuries or slumps and [SIZE=12pt]Cashman arguably wasn't prepared for this. He erroneously assumed these guys would continue to perform at a high level. He was right about Beltran, but he was wrong about Teix and A-Rod, and now it is too late to upgrade the offense.[/SIZE]
Beltran 1.052 OPS
McCann .776 OPS
Headly .709 OPS
Ellsbury .691 OPS
Drew .660 OPS
Gregorius .594 OPS
Teix .575 OPS (has been hurt--57 ABs in August; 1.146 OPS in July)
Gardner .543 OPS
A-Rod .500 OPS (1.033 OPS in July)
Young .437 OPS (has fallen off a cliff -- a .923 OPS in July)
It is interesting to note that the Yankees were rumored to have trade deadline interest in starting pitchers (Hamels and Price) and relief pitchers (Kimbrel). Yet, as August has unfolded, it appears the Yankees greatest need was a bat and I don't remember hearing the Yankees pursuing any bats at the trade deadline. To be sure, a prospect like Mateo, who the Yankees would have given up for Kimbrel, would have brought back a quality offensive player even if they had to settle for a rental.
True, Teix and A-Rod were absolutely raking in July. But Teix, A-Rod, and Beltran are older players and Cashman should have anticipated that something would go wrong either in the form of an injury or slump. While Beltran has been excellent this month, Teix and A-Rod have either been injured or slumping or both in the dog days of August.
Furthermore, while McCann is a quality offensive catcher, he has been physically beat-up over the course of the season (like other starting catchers) and thus was not someone to count on to pick up the offensive slack.
Bird is a nice prospect, but hitters usually need time to develop and thus was not someone to count on to pick up the offensive slack (Bird has a .663 OPS in August).
When you have older players you better be prepared for late season injuries or slumps and [SIZE=12pt]Cashman arguably wasn't prepared for this. He erroneously assumed these guys would continue to perform at a high level. He was right about Beltran, but he was wrong about Teix and A-Rod, and now it is too late to upgrade the offense.[/SIZE]