Fans attempt to find out reasons for Yankees’ offensive meltdown

Tuesday April 25, 2023

New York Yankees fans are not the kind to keep their sentiments hidden behind their ballcaps. They’ll let you know when they’re winning, and you can bet they’ll let you know when they’re losing.

In the same spirit, Yankees supporters were directly asked why they believed the team’s offense was suffering this season. The responses varied from obvious to conspiratorial. One thing is certain: many Yankee fans believe they could do a better job than manager Aaron Boone or general manager Brian Cashman.

Why do you think the Yanks are struggling on offense? #NYY pic.twitter.com/uLaSBZl5jF
— Fireside Yankees (@FiresideYankees) April 24, 2023

New York Yankees fans focused on certain topics that many have previously made public. The Yankees are retaining a handful of light-hitting veterans who are far beyond their prime, including Josh Donaldson and Aaron Hicks, at the expense of giving most of their highly-rated prospects playing time.

Judge gets screwed on a call then chases a pitch in a similar location pic.twitter.com/LrIciQJuHV
— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) April 25, 2023

The Yankees’ lineup is likewise one-dimensional, focusing on home runs rather than making contact and scoring runs. While Anthony Rizzo is off to a strong start, 2022 American League MVP Aaron Judge is lagging behind with 62 home runs, 131 RBIs, and a .311 batting average.

•The puppies are still getting used to things, which is FINE
•The big dogs are tired, and there’s no one to take the pressure off, because
•The backups do nothing but use up oxygen on the bench
— Paige🐢 (@_BattaGirl) April 24, 2023

facing better than average pitchers, having less than average hitters.. Judge/Rizzo can't carry a team for the whole season
— kj (@Johnson_KJ196) April 24, 2023

Of course, when players fail to deliver, most of the stress is centered on leadership. Yankees fans have long wanted Cashman to be fired, and most would want to see a change on the field as well. When a 27-time World Series champion team fails to win a title after 2009, supporters tend to blame the management.

There’s certainly something to be said about the lineup not being up to par. The 2023 New York Yankees have little resemblance to the “Murderer’s Row” teams of the late 1920s, the Roger Maris/Mickey Mantle sides of the early 1960s, or Derek Jeter‘s prime at the turn of the century.

The Oakland Athletics’ legendary “Moneyball” strategies – before that franchise was stripped to the studs – aren’t often associated with the Yankees. At least one fan, though, feels New York should just “grip it and rip it” rather than making roster selections based on what the PC says.