The New York Yankees looked dead to rights in the very beginning of the season as their offense and starting rotation looked inept. However, they've rebounded to win seven of their last 10 games and outfielder Chris Young has provided a much-needed offensive boost.
The 31-year-old Young is batting .368/.442/.816 with eight runs scored, four home runs and nine RBIs in 13 games (44 plate appearances) with New York this season and has done a good job picking up the slack for fellow outfielder Carlos Beltran. The veteran is batting a paltry .196/.240/.326 with four runs scored, seven RBIs and 12 strikeouts in 12 games (50 plate appearances).
It's still too early to determine what a particular player is capable of during a 162-game season, but right now it appears manager Joe Girardi will not hesitate to play Young over Beltran if the 37-year-old continues to struggle at the plate.
"He's ready to play every day," Girardi said of Young, who started over Beltran on Tuesday, via Ken Davidoff of the New York Post. "The good thing is, we've seen some lefties, he's got some consistent at-bats. He's played some because of some injuries and sickness against righties and has just done a really good job."
Beltran battled injuries last season, playing in only 109 games and slashing .233/.301/.402 with 46 runs scored, 15 home runs and 49 RBIs after signing a three-year, $45 million last offseason. On the other hand, Young signed a one-year, $2.5 million deal to remain with the Yankees after the Mets designated him for assignment late in 2014. He had a poor stint with the other New York club, but he already feels a difference being in the Bronx.
"It's important to have positive people around you," Young told Davidoff. "For the fan base to take you in and give you a fair shot. They've shown me nothing but love. My teammates have shown me nothing but love. And when you're in a positive environment, the positive results aren't automatic, but they're definitely a lot more reachable."
While Girardi won't be hasty in his decision making, simply because that's not his style and because Beltran has had a successful MLB career, he certainly will not allow consistent stagnant performances on the offensive side of the ball. New York has a good opportunity to take advantage in a wide open AL East division and cannot afford to miss the playoffs for the third consecutive season.
"Beltran deserves more rope to climb out of his hole in his second Yankees season," adds Davidoff. "He doesn't deserve endless room for error, however, especially when you see how superior the Yankees' lineup and outfield appears with Young joining Ellsbury and Gardner."
We're only in April, so we'll see how both Beltran and Young continue to perform as the season progresses.
