Kent Maeda and the Yankees

 

Kenta Maeda's recent signing with the Yankees simplifies the team's desperate attempt to salvage the season. It has just been a disastrous second half of the season for them, including two blown saves by Devin Williams, the Yankee's closer. While Maeda seems to be the unlikely savior of the Yankees' pitching woes, it is understandable why they took a chance on the 37-year-old pitcher from Japan. It's not like they are going to have him pitch right away; rather, they have him pitch when they become even more desperate.

The Yankees are gradually descending into non-playoff territory. They need a jumpstart, which includes moving Anthony Volpe out of shortstop, one of the most challenging premium positions. It has not been easy for the youngster this season, considering he is a Gold Glover, the type of player he actually is. The situation is very concerning for the team, considering their third baseman/second baseman, Jazz Chisholm Junior, is among the leaders in errors as well.

Volpe's struggles have hurt the Yankees on both sides of the game: offensively and defensively. If he were not a former Gold Glove winner, he might have already been sent down to Triple-A. He is young, and he may be trying too hard to impress. It is not uncommon for young players to do this, especially for a player as young as Volpe. However, there is hope for improvement. His errors are correctable. Most of his errors have come when he forces himself to make a throw or is too laid-back on ground balls, stepping backward rather than taking a step forward for them, leading into a minimal delay or off throw to second and third base.

This scenario may be the best time to move him to another position temporarily rather than have him continue to play shortstop. Let him have his confidence back. He's struggling both defensively and offensively. It's a terrible combination. There's still plenty of season left, but with the Blue Jays leading the American League East by 6.5 games, it will be difficult to gain some ground against the Blue Jays, who are on a three-game winning streak entering a series against the Dodgers on August 8th. Should the Dodgers emerge victorious in their series against the Blue Jays and the Yankees triumph in their series against the archrival Houston Astros, it would undoubtedly shift the balance, providing the Yankees with an opportunity to edge closer to the top spot. The outcome depends on how well the Red Sox, who are second in the same division as the Yankees and Blue Jays, perform. Most definitely, it's going to be a close race for the AL East crown with 47 games left to play in the regular season.

To Kenta Maeda's defense, his 7.88 ERA for the season is only based on 8 innings pitched. Perhaps the former Dodger has a secret plan to help the struggling Yankees secure a playoff spot. That is, if he even gets called up to the majors again. However, given the team's inability to maintain a high-level performance from their pitching staff, his return could potentially be the solution if, on the onset, he finds his groove again.