The situation with the New York Yankees has been critical in recent days and they are therefore forced to take drastic measures. The club surprised with the promotion of right-handed reliever Scott Effross from Triple-A, a decision that has raised eyebrows, especially considering his alarming 12.71 ERA.
The news of Effross’ return, a name that had fallen into oblivion due to a long history of injuries, was met with astonishment. The surprise is heightened when reviewing his numbers in the minor leagues. However, manager Aaron Boone defended the risky move, explaining the urgent need for an arm that can provide “a little bit of length” at a crucial time
“He’s built up a little bit. A couple of guys that would also be in play, today aren’t ready to give us some length on Thursday. He can give us a little bit of length,” Boone explained.
With Brent Headrick sent to Triple-A and Yerry De Los Santos getting a well-deserved rest, the Yankees find themselves in a bind. While the team’s offense has proven to be potent, inconsistency on the mound calls into question their postseason aspirations. Relying solely on hitting to make up for poor pitching is not the recommended measure for success.
Boone’s crossroads
Aaron Boone’s decision to call up Scott Effross, despite his alarming recent numbers and injury history, raises the question of whether it was a demand from above or simply a somewhat desperate move given the team’s situation. Boone’s decisions generate noise among the specialized press and fans, but he remains firm.
In a team with World Series ambitions, every roster move must be scrutinized and in this case Boone seems to be placing all his trust in the player. This can go either way, but being true to his convictions is part of his characteristics and will not change now.
The Pitching Dilemma
The inclusion of Effross is a patch that exposes the problems with the Yankees’ pitching. The team’s effectiveness in the postseason will depend on a more solid foundation than a last-minute “lifeline” and Boone knows this very well. Beyond going along with his decisions, he also knows the team’s shortcomings and will have to work hard to resolve them.
Effross’ onslaught was a kind of emergency plan, but to meet the objectives, decisions will have to be made that can solve the underlying problem in the medium and long term.
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