The New York Yankees, despite their second half struggles, are still the owners of their own destiny.
That can mean several things.
For example, it means that even with a losing record in the second half, they still have a seven-game cushion in the AL East division.
But it also means that finding consistency and improving considerably largely depends on themselves.
Yes, a big part of the blame should be on players: after all, they are the ones on the field.
But the organization doesn’t appear to be willing to optimize their roster, in the sense that it feels like some of their best players are currently in the minor leagues.
It took months for them to finally give infielder/outfielder Oswaldo Cabrera a chance in the major leagues, and they had Ron Marinaccio, of their best relievers, in the minors for several weeks in the summer.
Right now, they have two potential difference-makers in the minor leagues when the middle infield is clearly an issue in MLB.
“The Yankees should call up Peraza and/or Volpe. Marwin is wasting a roster spot. Gleyber is struggling. IKF can’t hit the ball to the warning track. Donaldson is cooked. Cabrera has made an impact. Get the young guys up,” Yankees analyst Randy Wilkins tweeted.
The Yankees should call up Peraza and/or Volpe. Marwin is wasting a roster spot. Gleyber is struggling. IKF can’t hit the ball to the warning track. Donaldson is cooked. Cabrera has made an impact. Get the young guys up.
— Randy Wilkins (@pamsson) August 31, 2022
Peraza Is Ready, And Volpe May Be, Too
After slow starts in Triple-A and Double-A, respectively, Oswald Peraza and Anthony Volpe have turned things around in the high minors and are ready for a bigger challenge.
Both are top-five prospects in the Yankees’ system and top-100 in MLB, and are considered untouchable in trade talks.
In the specific case of Peraza, he has been ready for The Show for a while now.
He is slashing .257/.325/.441 with 18 home runs and 32 stolen bases, and offers far more offensive upside than Isiah Kiner-Falefa, with a better glove, too.
Volpe has also adjusted after a lousy start and is now dominating Double-A, hitting .255/.353/.476 with 18 blasts and 44 thefts.
There is an argument to be made that he is ready for MLB, too.
With so many infielders struggling in MLB, the Yankees seem to have internal solutions and keep refusing to give them a chance.
NEXT: A Yankees Trio Is Making Powerful History