BT: Yankees are 'incapable of becoming an elite offense' again without big trades
The Yankees squeaked out a 2-1 win over the Rays on Wednesday night, relying on two RBI from Trent Grisham to get a much-needed victory.
Still, the offense couldn’t muster much against a team fighting to stay relevant in the Wild Card race, a far cry from the run-scoring machine that the lineup was through the first two months of the season.
Despite getting an important win, BT doesn’t see this offense getting back to what it was for two months the rest of the way.
“At this point, unless they make big changes - plural - I think they’re incapable of becoming an elite offense again,” BT said.
“I’m not saying they won’t look amazing when Judge hits a three-run bomb and Soto tanks one and has a double and a walk. Intermittently, they can look very dangerous and very potent, but this lineup ain’t it.”
Currently, Aaron Judge and Juan Soto are slumping, which BT doesn’t see continuing. But DJ LeMahieu is trying to pick himself off the mat, Gleyber Torres has struggled all season, Alex Verdugo is mired in an extended slump, and he isn’t sure what to make of Anthony Volpe in year two. Still, despite those question marks, BT isn’t ruling out the Yanks turning things around after barely hanging on for a win in Tampa.
“Sometimes a winning streak can start from what may seem like a fairly innocuous win,” BT said. “So I’m not gonna minimize it. You had to win a game.”
