.233.

"In fact, maybe these Yanks would be better off getting clobbered by the lowly White Sox this weekend, having their fate fully defined and taking advantage of pitching needs with the Angels and Dodgers to see if they could trade McCarthy and/or Hiroki Kuroda (who has a no-trade clause, but retains a Southern California residence). The Yankees, though, have yet to try to put either righty through waivers and both would be questionable to get through. Plus, it remains highly doubtful Hal Steinbrenner will ever accept surrender, particularly as he tries to make Derek Jeter’s farewell more than a funeral dirge.

I don't quite see the point of giving up, even at this stage. I'd trade McCarthy "and/or" Kuroda in a heartbeat. I'd trade every player on the Yankees for every player on the Astros ... except for Jeter because there are some ceremonies coming up."

Who is the power-hitting OFer you're getting for Kuroda at this point?

I don't see how getting ripped off is a plan for the future.


"So they soldier on, hoping against logic that there is health and a best-is-still-to-come for Carlos Beltran, Brian McCann and Mark Teixeira. However, here might be the scariest thought as you watch the last quarter of this season: It may be Jeter’s end, but something still near the beginning of the Yankees offensive problems. They are into Beltran, McCann and Teixeira through at least 2016, the free-agent market is mostly devoid of hitting difference-makers and the farm system (sorry fans of Rob Refsnyder and Tyler Austin) is not close to delivering impact.

The Yankees offense just might be the problem that keeps on giving."

It is funny to me.

These three bums started yesterday's game with the exact same batting average: .233.

Can you imagine? .233. How do they get away with it? Why aren't they run out of town?

No speed, an occasional HR, low batting averages, low on-base percentages, and all the numbers get worse when you look at RISP/clutch splits.

It's ugly and it's obviously the biggest problem with the Yankees. The power hitters swinging from their heels, futilely, unwilling to take the RBI against the infield shift.

McCann squats down, straightens up, stops the toe tap, resumes the toe tap, swings as hard as he can, grounds out to second base. Maybe has hit 1 ball 400 foot all year. Cleared the bases with a double against KC one time to drive in three runs. Everyone watches as his batting average slips to .233 and he every at-bat is like watching a grown man bang his head against a wall.

Oh, and the team on-base% is .311.

I don't see how trading Kuroda "and/or" McCarthy will solve the problem, short-term or long-term. Maybe a few benchings would help, but I think it's too late for that.

The reason it's funny to me is because this might be the first column I've read which focused on the black holes batting 4 - 6 on this team. I don't know how they avoid scrutiny and ridicule.