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

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) /

5 of 5

PORT CHARLOTTE, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 24: Manager Aaron Boone #17 of the New York Yankees looks on prior to the Grapefruit League spring training game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Charlotte Sports Park on February 24, 2019 in Port Charlotte, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

1. Aaron Boone must manage with urgency

When Boone lifted Happ after just four innings against the Orioles it looked like he’d learned a valuable lesson form last season. In 2018 he had a really nasty habit of leaving starters in the game too long. Going to the bullpen early was a refreshing change.

Unfortunately, he reverted to one of his worst habits late in the game. Bringing Stephen Tarpley on to pitch in the eight inning witht eh Yankees trailing the game was a serious mistake. The young southpaw gave up a costly run that drastically reduced the Yankees’ chances of making an important comeback.

It’s not that Tarpley is a bad player, but he’s a young pitcher who shouldn’t be pitching meaningful innings for the Yankees at this point in his career. He should be eating up innings when games are out of hand in either direction. Boone was clearly trying to save his bullpen for Domingo German’s start on Monday, but he reduced his team’s chances of winning the game by going with Tarpley over a more established veteran.

Next. 5 Yankees who will exceed expectations in 2019. dark

That’s not an acceptable decision for a manager who needs to squeeze every win he can out of his roster this season. The Yankees are set up to win the AL East. Scuffling to a Wild Card spot isn’t an acceptable outcome. Boone needs to start managing every game like it’s the postseason. His propensity to take the long view cost the Yankees too many games last year, and he seems poised to do the same in 2019.

Home/New York Yankees