MLB Rumors: deGrom injury uncertainty, Yankees scapegoat, Mets in pitching hell

MLB Rumors: Yankees hitting coach unconcerned with the Yankees hitting

Admittedly, the New York Yankees aren’t as bad as saying that they’re in last place in the AL East would make you believe. Every team in their division, the Yanks included, would be in the lead in the AL Central. But that doesn’t stop fans of the Bronx Bombers from seeing the shortcomings of this team, particularly the way that the team isn’t producing runs as many expected them to.

Though the Yankees put up seven, 10 and 11 runs, respectively, in their three-game sweep of the bottom-feeding A’s to start this week, the offense has struggled as a collective whole to consistently put runs on the board.

New York ranks 15th in team OPS and 13th in runs scored. Yes, middle-of-the-pack isn’t exactly a dire situation, but it’s also well below expectations — and it’s also boosted by getting to beat up on Oakland recently. So if there was some concern, it would be warranted.

Which is what makes Yankees hitting coach Dillon Lawson’s comments to Chris Kirschner of The Athletic (subscription required) all the more concerning. “I really don’t give a sh*t where we rank in offensive stats,” Lawson said. He continued that all that mattered was scoring enough to win games.

In some aspects, you can see the reasoning there. But in reality, caring about where the team is offensively in relation to the rest of the league is quite literally Lawson’s job. He is paid to help these players and this team improve at the plate and not put as much pressure on the pitching staff because, by the way Lawson’s comments sound, the offense is doing the bare minimum to win.

There have been a plethora of frustrations throughout the Yankees this season as they’ve not gotten off to the start fans hoped for. But if anyone is now looking for a scapegoat, Lawson just voluntarily offered himself up as one.