Amidst the ongoing unraveling of once-dominant pitcher Luis Severino, questions are being raised not only about his future but also about the decision-making within the New York Yankees. Former NFL All-Pro running back and current WFAN host, Tiki Barber, has joined the chorus of voices critiquing the handling of Severino’s mental state, sparking a broader conversation about the team’s leadership.
Barber expressed on his midday show that Severino appears to be struggling mentally. He highlighted Severino’s self-deprecating statements, such as “I suck” and “I’m the worst pitcher in baseball right now,” which are not typical of elite-level competitors. Barber questioned the decision of manager Aaron Boone to still put Severino on the mound, given his negative mindset, and pondered the likely outcome of such a choice.
Tiki Barber raises questions on Severino’s future with the Yankees
Luis Severino, the New York Yankees’ relief pitcher, finds himself at a crossroads in his career at the age of 29. As his struggles continue to draw attention from both Yankees fans and the wider baseball community, Barber has been vocal in his assessment of the situation.
Tiki Barber, known for his successful NFL career and now a prominent sports commentator, has taken issue with the way the Yankees have managed Severino’s emotional challenges. In a recent statement on his midday show, Barber didn’t hold back, saying, “He’s emotionally drained. He’s uttering statements that no high-level competitor should utter, such as, ‘I’m terrible. At this moment, I’m the poorest pitcher in baseball.’ Given that [manager] Aaron Boone allowed him to play with these thoughts in mind, what did we really anticipate would happen?”
The Yankees’ handling of Severino has come under scrutiny, especially in the wake of his recent admission that he feels like “the worst pitcher in the game.” Despite this, the team chose to field him in a game against the Chicago White Sox on August 9th. The White Sox, themselves having faced disappointment this season, seized the opportunity and secured a decisive 9-2 victory.
A new strategy
Attempting to address Severino’s struggles, the Yankees adopted a different strategy for the game against the White Sox. They introduced Ian Kennedy as an opener and brought in Severino to face the latter part of the White Sox lineup. However, this approach did not yield the desired results. Severino only lasted two innings, conceding five hits, including a home run, and four runs. His current season record stands at 2-7, accompanied by a worrisome 8.08 ERA.
Severino’s woes extend beyond just his overall performance. His struggles in the first inning have been particularly alarming. James Smyth, a statistician for the YES Network, highlighted Severino’s first-inning performance as the worst among pitchers in the league this year. With an ERA of 14.79, an opposing batting average of .441, an opposing on-base percentage of .506, and an opposing slugging percentage of .824, Severino’s struggles are undeniable.
Self-reflection and Yankees’ Responsibility
In response to his ongoing struggles, Severino expressed his determination to improve, stating, “At present, I’m prepared to take any necessary steps to improve. This is unequivocally the worst year of my baseball career. Thus, I must persist. I won’t halt my efforts here. I must strive for improvement.”
Tiki Barber remains steadfast in his criticism of the Yankees’ handling of Severino, asserting, “Every single time we send him out for a regular rotation start, he ends up being severely beaten… Whoever continues to place Luis Severino in these situations, disregarding his emotional state, is failing him. This negligence on the Yankees’ part.”
Barber’s pointed critique extends to the larger issue of leadership within the Yankees organization. He raises the crucial question, “Who is currently overseeing the Yankees?” This inquiry underscores the broader concerns surrounding the team’s decision-making process and their approach to supporting struggling players like Severino.
As Severino’s struggles persist and the team grapples with its handling of the situation, it remains to be seen whether the Yankees will heed these critiques and take steps to address the challenges both on and off the field.
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
These decisions are made way above puppet Boone. This is on Cashman and analytics people. What do they know about human factor? Do they spend time in clubhouse? Talk to players? No. Puppet Boone has zero say in these matters. Girardi tried to have a say and got fired. He was all over Sanchez and they didn’t like that. Yet look at Sanchezs rapid decline without someone all over him.