The Yankees didn’t just punt on a pitcher—they lit $8.6 million on fire and called it strategy. With Marcus Stroman now gone and the bullpen continuing to falter, New York’s gamble is looking worse by the day. Monday night’s meltdown only deepened the irony, as the “solution” to Stroman’s absence became the reason for yet another gut-wrenching loss.

The Yankees looked ready to steal a win in Texas, but the ending felt all too familiar. After a rocky start from Max Fried, New York scraped together a 5-4 lead by the fourth. Their three new relievers—Weaver, Doval, and Bednar—held that edge with three clean innings of relief. But the ninth brought chaos, as Devin Williams surrendered a game-tying homer to Joc Pederson that cracked the door wide open.

Then came the 10th, and with it, Jake Bird. He was two outs into redemption before everything came undone. An intentional walk to Wyatt Langford set up disaster, and Josh Jung delivered with a walk-off bomb. It marked Bird’s second implosion in three outings, inflating his Yankees ERA to 27.00 in two innings. Still, Bird had shown flashes, like a perfect inning on Saturday, and deserved a longer leash to adjust. But, it looks like Jake Bird has been given a slap on the wrist by the Yankees, as per what they have reported:

“Following last night’s game, the Yankees optioned RHP Jake Bird to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.” Bird’s demotion came quickly, and you know who will be the happiest man right now—Stroman, who was released just a few days ago. Meanwhile, Williams has quietly become the Yankees’ biggest liability in the most crucial innings.

He’s given up earned runs in five of seven appearances since the All-Star break, including two home runs. While Bird gets demoted, Williams still holds the closer title despite an ERA north of 5.00 since early July. If accountability’s the standard, this demotion feels more like scapegoating than a true solution to New York’s bullpen woes.

Stroman may be gone, but his shadow looms larger with every bullpen implosion. The Yankees thought they were upgrading; instead, they’re speedrunning a collapse with premium relievers and bargain-bin results. If this is what “going all-in” looks like, maybe the chips were counterfeit. At this rate, the only thing New York is closing out is its playoff window—one meltdown at a time. Naturally, it’s drawing sharp side eyes from their fans who are questioning it all.

Yankees fans don’t understand the demotion of Jake Bird and are frustrated

The comment “Maybe instead of putting it on the scapegoat, Jake Bird Boone or Williams could take some accountability” nails the mood—Bird’s demotion feels like deflection while bigger problems skate by untouched. Williams blew yet another save, but somehow still walks the tightrope of trust as the closer. Boone’s mismanagement continues to cost games, yet accountability never seems to travel higher than Triple-A. Blaming Bird while Boone and Williams stay untouched is, as the comment says, “typical Yankees.”

“Why the hell did we trade for him then?” hits harder after Bird’s rapid-fire demotion. The Yankees gave up prospects for a reliever they barely let unpack before shipping him out. One bad week somehow erased a solid season he had before July unraveled him. If this was the plan, they should’ve just mailed Colorado a fruit basket instead.

“When will you option Aaron Boone to the minors?” might be a joke, but it’s painfully accurate. Boone’s bullpen decisions have been head-scratching, yet he keeps dodging the consequences like a pro escape artist. Fans have “watched managers get fired for less,” and somehow Boone remains untouchable in the dugout. The front office’s silence only adds fuel to a fire that’s already burning through the Bronx.

“Send Devin Williams with him” doesn’t sound unreasonable when the numbers keep doing the screaming. Williams has now allowed earned runs in five of his last seven outings post-All-Star break. His ERA during that span sits at 6.57, with two blown saves and five walks in 6.2 innings. If Bird gets the bus to Scranton, Williams should at least be riding shotgun.

“Don’t forget to send Devin and Volpe down there, too. Thanks!” is sarcasm soaked in frustration. Williams has posted a 6.57 ERA since the All-Star break, collapsing in critical late-game spots. Volpe, meanwhile, is hitting just .196 with a .486 OPS since July 1—hardly untouchable numbers. When the struggling stay and the scapegoats go, fans start writing the lineup card themselves.

The Yankees made their bed, burned it, and now fans are left coughing in disbelief. From Stroman’s release to Bird’s scapegoating, the front office keeps dodging accountability like it’s a split-finger fastball. Meanwhile, Aaron Boone mismanages, Williams implodes, and the scoreboard keeps laughing. If this is what leadership looks like in the Bronx, don’t blame fans for asking who’s really Triple-A material. At this rate, even the mascot might get demoted before the manager does.