After watching last night’s 8-2 debacle against the Orioles at Camden Yards , I asked myself this very question. With a new manager, injuries to key players and a brutal schedule to begin the year, I decided that I was somewhat satisfied with where the team is at April 19. However, there are glaring holes that need to be plugged very quickly.

The starting rotation has been below average through 18 games. A few stats that stick out to me:

  • Teams are batting .292 against the starters which next to last in the league (teams are hitting . 302 versus Texas)
  • Their combined ERA is 5.50 which is again next to last.
  • In 18 games, the starters are averaging only 5.06 innings per game which is beginning to tax the bullpen.
  • Opposing teams are 17 for 21 in stolen base attempts against the staff. Of course this is more a result of the injuries to Jorge Posada and Jose Molina, but it’s by far the highest total in the league behind the Red Sox, Angels and Rays who are all tied with 11.
  • The staff has posted the third worst WHIP in the league (1.53)

The above are all reasons for concern. I’m not really a doom and gloom kind of guy, but no one should feel comfortable with the way all five starters have pitched so far. All five guys need to go at least six innings every time out or the bullpen won’t be able to keep up. At this pace, the Yankees will be calling up fresh arms from the minor leagues every other day to make-up for the lack of effective starting pitching.

Is it me or have you been less than impressed with Johnny Damon? He’s batting .203/.314/.356 with only 21 total bases in 59 at-bats. How has a leadoff guy with the likes of Jeter, Abreu, A-Rod and Matsui hitting behind him only managed to score 9 runs? He’s tied with Giambi for taking the most walks on the team with ten, but he’s also struck out 11 times. He looks healthy, but very uncomfortable at the plate. A few more weeks like this and it might be time to move Melky into the leadoff spot.

Robbie Cano keeps showing us night in and night out that Spring Training stats are meaningless. After tearing it up for a month down in Tampa, Cano is batting .171 with 1 HR, 3R and 5 RBIs. He’s taken only two walks in 70 ABs. To me, it looks like he’s pulling off the ball at the plate, popping up a lot of pitrches. He’ll hit eventually, but the slow start has hurt the middle of the Yankees lineup.

What can you say about Giambi? He’s hit the ball hard, but has failed to find any holes. He isn’t trying to go the otter way either, something that he worked on in during the spring. He has only 5 hits in 43 at-bats. Two of those hits are home runs and two are doubles. Ouch.

This team will turn it around and get on a run, I’m certain of that. But there’s nothing wrong with being concerned and critical with the play of some of the Yankees. Peter Abraham wrote today that all Yankees fans should just chill out and get off the the ledge. I agree with that up to a point. I think the Yankees are not putting together nine innings of strong, fundamental baseball and that is what worries me.

I’m not on the ledge yet, but another week of this and I might be on my way up the elevator.