The New York Yankees limp into the All Star break this season behind much fan criticism. The Bombers have been anything but that after their fast start and fans are voicing their displeasure. Their scorn is not directed at the players however, but at the General Manager Brian Cashman and manager Aaron Boone.
Boone has caught much of the heat, and he is an easy target. Just in the past month the boys in pinstripes have nonchalantly fielded a ball in center field that looked as though he didn't want to be there, routinely jogged out hits and even got caught jogging home, causing a run to not score. Aaron Boone defends these actions and the fans are fed up with the skipper, who in their own words will say has been a failure for not delivering another World Series ring.
Those who look deeper into the organization are beginning to realize the problem isn't just Boone alone. The team that Brian Cashman has put on the field has some major holes. Most observers knew the Yankees were making poor decisions with players like Carlos Rodon and extending an aging DJ, but failing to get a competent third baseman, prospect hugging, and a mediocre bullpen have been a problem since the off season and remain one as we stare at with the second half approaching. Most critics don't believe Cashman will pull off the moves that are needed to put the team over the top, because they have been let down before.
That leads us to the players themselves. For all the ridicule Cashman and Boone have received it's still the players that are failing. Aaron Judge, Soto, Wells, Rice, Weaver, and a few others have performed well, but the majority of this team have not lived up to the back of their baseball cards. There is no quick fix coming and we have watched what this team could be in the beginning of the year. While Cashman should be making moves and Boone should be holding his players accountable, none of that will matter until the players start performing better.
Entering the second half the Yankees are still a playoff team. They are still in the hunt for the division title, and still have the pieces to win it all, but they lack the spark to get there. Something has to be done or this second half could get away from them and the angry fans will get even louder in the Bronx.