Fansided

5 overreactions for the Yankees slow start that may turn out to be true

By Rucker Haringey

WEST PALM BEACH, FL - MARCH 20: Manager Aaron Boone #17 of the New York Yankees looks on during seventh inning action against the Houston Astros during a spring training game at The Fitteam Ballpark of the Palm Beaches on March 20, 2019 in West Palm Beach, Florida. The Astros defeated the Yankees 2-1. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
WEST PALM BEACH, FL - MARCH 20: Manager Aaron Boone #17 of the New York Yankees looks on during seventh inning action against the Houston Astros during a spring training game at The Fitteam Ballpark of the Palm Beaches on March 20, 2019 in West Palm Beach, Florida. The Astros defeated the Yankees 2-1. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 31: J.A. Happ #34 of the New York Yankees pitches during the third inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium on March 31, 2019 in the Bronx Borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 31: J.A. Happ #34 of the New York Yankees pitches during the third inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium on March 31, 2019 in the Bronx Borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

3. J.A Happ may be overrated

Happ was electric down the stretch for the Yankees last season and he parlayed that run into a nice free agent contract this offseason. He didn’t look very good in his first start against Baltimore though. That at least raises the possibility that he’s starting to experience some sharp, age-related regression.

He’s currently 36-years-old and that’s obviously taken a toll on his stuff. His fastball barely creeps into the low-90s at this point which makes Happ rely a lot on his off-speed stuff to get quality hitters out. There’s a path for success for him, but his margin for error is a lot smaller than the younger guys on this staff.

The Yankees don’t need him to be an ace this season, but they are expecting him to be a quality No. 3 or 4 starter. If he can’t stand up to that kind of expectation. If Happ can’t pitch at a quality level this season, it may force New York into the market for Dallas Keuchel.

Again, it’s much too soon to make that kind of change after just one start, but it’s something Cashman has to start considering if Happ’s performance doesn’t pick up soon. The Yankees can’t afford to be too patient if they want to end their season with a World Series title.

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