Jazz Chisholm's tiebreaking home run in the eighth inning of Sunday's series finale against the Dodgers salvaged a series and helped the Yankees gain ground on the first place Rays, but that much-needed win is not enough to silence the one major concern that has been brewing for a month now.
This offense is flat-out atrocious.
Chisholm's game-winning solo shot helped avoid a sweep at home coming out of the All-Star break, but he still entered the night batting .188 over his last 38 games. In a contract year, Chisholm has been a major disappointment, especially with Aaron Judge on the shelf. Chisholm and Cody Bellinger were two of the big bats that were expected to carry the load in Judge's absence, and both have been overall awful for much of the time that Judge has been hurt.
In addition to those expected contributors swinging ice-cold bats, there are also black holes scattered throughout the lineup, none that should be expected to improve before the end of the season. Austin Wells, Anthony Volpe, Jose Caballero, and Ryan McMahon have all been largely lousy offensively this season. Jasson Dominguez has a sub-.700 OPS. All are currently regular contributors to this lineup. That is a major issue for a team with championship aspirations.
Even in a big win, the red flags were scattered across Sunday night's game. The offense loaded the bases with no outs and came away with squat, as Dominguez struck out, Chisholm popped out, and Volpe struck out. The team with the worst batting average in baseball with runners in scoring position since Judge's injury worsened that mark in Sunday's game, and there are little signs that this collective slump is changing any time soon.
With roughly three weeks to go until the trade deadline, the Yankees have several needs and one massive question hanging over their decisions in the form of Judge's injury. The latest imaging showed signs of healing, but not enough for the two-time reigning MVP to resume baseball activities. Will Brian Cashman part with the necessary prospect capital to fill all of these needs if the next round of imaging doesn't show much more healing that the last one? Clearly, without Judge in the fold, this offense is simply not up to the caliber of a contender.
The Yankees have one infielder above league average offensively this season in Ben Rice. The argument can be made that none of them outside of Chisholm can be expected to improve by October. Chisholm's home run was desperately needed, but it did not hide the fact that this offense is as bas as its looked in years, and will take an uncharacteristic commitment to buying in from Cashman and company to fill the holes that currently litter this listless lineup.
This offense is a ROUGH watch without Aaron Judge.
This offense is a ROUGH watch without Aaron Judge.
