No, it isn't too early to be concerned about this alarming New York Yankees trend.
The New York Yankees fell to the Athletics by a score of 1-0 on Thursday afternoon, managing just one hit in the loss. Their scoreless streak has now reached 17 innings, and while the Yankees are 8-4, there is every reason to be concerned.
Why? Because many of the same issues that plagued New York last season — which ended in an embarrassing four-game loss to the Toronto Blue Jays in the ALDS — are present this year, as well.
The bullpen has been a prominent concern, with David Bednar consistently walking a tightrope in the ninth inning and Camilo Doval owning an 8.31 ERA.
But that isn't even the most significant problem affecting the Yankees right now.
It's their lineup. More specifically, the bottom of their order.
While Giancarlo Stanton and Ben Rice are both off to terrific starts and Aaron Judge will almost certainly find his groove at some point, it's time to start acknowledging that the latter half of New York's lineup is troublesome.
That goes beyond Ryan McMahon, who is batting just .069 over 36 plate appearances.
Austin Wells is hitting .167 with a .486 OPS. Jose Caballero is slashing .135/.200/.162. And while Trent Grisham bats leadoff, his .597 OPS is unsightly, too.
That's not to mention Jazz Chisholm, who may have bit off more than he could chew when he proclaimed he was seeking a 50-50 season in 2026. Thus far, he doesn't have a single home run and owns a .511 OPS.
New York Yankees catcher Austin Wells. Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images.Chisholm will probably come around, but you do have to wonder if the pressure of his own expectations — not to mention his upcoming free agency — is weighing on him.
Remember: last year, the trio of McMahon, Wells and Anthony Volpe was essentially three automatic outs in 2025, too. Volpe hasn't yet taken the field this season, but Caballero hasn't exactly inspired any confidence in his place.
Perhaps Volpe can provide a spark once he returns, but if his production mirrors last year's, the Yankees are going to be in deep trouble.
And maybe they already are.
Yes, we are only two weeks into the regular season, but the fact that these same issues are recurring is worrisome. New York opted to basically run it back heading into 2026, hoping that the eventual return of Gerrit Cole would put the team over the top.
But starting pitching isn't really the issue with this team. It's a top-heavy offense that relies far too much on Judge and Stanton to carry the load.
The Yanks are hitting just .218 as a team. That ranks near the bottom of baseball, and it simply isn't acceptable.
We can scream "sample size" all we want, but you can't help but think that this feels all too familiar.
Hopefully, the Yankees make a move to address their lackluster lineup depth between now and the trade deadline. If they don't, they could be going home in early October yet again.
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