The New York Yankees are sitting at 11-9 through their first 20 games, just a half-game behind Tampa Bay in what’s shaping up to be another competitive AL East race.
It’s early, but there’s enough tape now to see where this team stands. And according to Kerry Miller at Bleacher Report, that’s earning them a “C-” grade so far.
The reason? Two big-ticket players aren’t pulling their weight.
“On the whole, though, the Yankees have been just OK,” Miller writes. “They need the likes of Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Cody Bellinger to start hitting soon.”
Here’s the thing – this Yankees roster has legitimate World Series talent. The starting rotation looks elite even without Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon back in the mix. Aaron Judge is doing Aaron Judge things.
But the offense has been inconsistent, and that starts with two guys who need to be difference-makers.
The Bellinger Problem
Cody Bellinger is hitting .246 with a .689 OPS through these first three weeks. Those aren’t terrible numbers, but they’re not what you expect from a guy who just signed a deal worth over $160 million.
The Yankees didn’t pay that money for league-average production. They paid it expecting Bellinger to be a cornerstone piece in what should be a championship-caliber lineup.
Chisholm’s Contract-Year Blues
Jazz Chisholm Jr. is in an even tougher spot. He’s hitting just .174 with a .515 OPS, and that’s not the kind of start you want when you’re playing for a massive payday this winter.
Chisholm’s betting on himself in a contract year, but right now the numbers aren’t backing up what should be a big free agent case. The Yankees need him to be that dynamic presence they traded for, and so far it hasn’t clicked.
Look, being 11-9 isn’t a crisis. This team is still right there in the division race, and there’s plenty of talent on this roster. But when you’ve got World Series expectations and you’re getting underwhelming production from two key pieces, it’s going to show up in the early grades.
The good news? It’s only 20 games. Both Bellinger and Chisholm have track records that suggest better days ahead. The question is whether they can find their rhythm before this solid start turns into something more concerning.
