
The biggest question facing every WNBA team in training camp
WNBA training camps open with key questions for each team.
The New York Yankees are experiencing a downturn, currently on a five-game losing streak, bringing their record to 8-7 after a strong start. The team's offensive struggles, particularly from players other than Ben Rice and Aaron Judge, are a major concern.
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - APRIL 10: Jazz Chisholm Jr. #13 of the New York Yankees prepares to bat in the fourth inning during the game between the New York Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on Friday, April 10, 2026 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mary Holt/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The good vibes that were emanating from the Yankees clubhouse have quickly dissipated. A sterling start has turned sour, a five-game losing streak bringing the Yankees to 8-7 after running an 8-2 record in their first ten games. We certainly shouldnât be panicking, not so early in the season, and not considering literally every single one of the Yankeesâ seven losses has come in a close game. But still, itâs disheartening to see the team fall into midseason malaise form so suddenly.
The culprits of this slump are not hard to find. The pitching certainly isnât to blame, with the staff pacing the league. No, itâs a lineup that has struggled to find consistent production from many players not named Ben Rice, Aaron Judge included. So after a couple weeks of offensive struggles, letâs ask: which slumping hitter are you most worried about?
It probably shouldnât be Judge, who, even if he doesnât quite match his 2024-2025 form this year, should still be expected to crush from here on out. Perhaps it shouldnât be Trent Grisham either, whose paltry power numbers are belied by better underlying stats and a robust on-base percentage.
The focus, as itâs been for the whole year so far, is probably towards the back half of the lineup. Thereâs Jazz Chisholm Jr., who came into the year talking about 50/50 seasons only to faceplant, swinging and missing at an alarming rate while making mind-numbing defensive mistakes. Thereâs Jose Caballero, who showed signs of life on Saturday but is still running a slash line so poor itâs somehow making fans pine for the relative offensive prowess of Anthony Volpe.
The list goes on, with Ryan McMahon combining to form a harrowing offensive duo with Caballero on the left side of the Yankee infield, his .114 batting average the worst mark on the whole squad. And thereâs Austin Wells, who hit his first homer yesterday, and in doing so barely dragged his OPS above .500.
For my money, the most concerning signs have come from that left-side infield duo. Wellsâ quality defensive work at catcher give him more runway to play with at the plate, and Chisholm just has too much offensive skill to be this bad for long. But neither Caballero nor McMahon has ever produced a full-season of offense better than league average per wRC+, and nothing theyâve done this year signals that theyâre ready to come anywhere close to that standard. If Iâm the Yankees, Iâm feeling worried that half of the infield is going to need full-on renovations come the trade deadline.
What do you think? Which hitter has you the most worried after two weeks of floundering?
Today on the site, Nick looks ahead to a four-game series with the Angels that starts tonight, and offers the Yankees to right the ship against an opponent that they should beat. Later, Andrew recaps a busy Sunday of AL action, while Peter profiles one of the more flammable personalities in Yankee history, that of Kid Elberfeld. Also, Josh opines on the latest examples of the Yankees finding ways to step on rakes, and Madison puts out the call for this weekâs mailbag.
New York Yankees vs. Los Angeles Angels
Time: 7:05 p.m. EST
Video: YES Network, FanDuel Sports Network West
Venue: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY
The New York Yankees currently have a record of 8-7.
The Yankees' five-game losing streak is attributed to inconsistent offensive production from several players.
Ben Rice and Aaron Judge are highlighted as the players providing consistent production despite the team's struggles.
While there are concerns, it is expected that Aaron Judge will still perform well, even if he doesn't match his previous seasons' numbers.

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