There was a recent tremor on the roster that has sent ripples of concern through the New York Yankees fan base. The team is already in the midst of its worst stretch of the season, with 11 losses in its last 17 games. A significant contributor is now lost to injury, which raises another issue for many fans: the depth of this team and the direction the team is headed in.

The setback occurred on June 30 against the Toronto Blue Jays. Trent Grisham exited after the 4th inning due to left hamstring tightness, later describing the issue as stemming from a “weird spot” when he planted and pulled up on a liner. The injury has been a massive blow. Grisham was having a career year, smashing 15 home runs with a stellar .815 OPS. Now, he is likely headed to the 10-day Injured List. Manager Aaron Boone said, “We’ll see what it looks like tomorrow… he’s been an outstanding, valuable two‑way player for us all year.”

In response to the injury, the Yankees made a move that quickly drew attention. The popular fan account Talkin’ Yanks reported the team’s decision, and the player’s recent stats told a grim story. The news confirmed that the team was bringing in a journeyman outfielder to fill the void. “Bryan De La Cruz, who was with Scranton, has joined the Yankees in Toronto, per @ChrisKirschner. He played in 16 games with Atlanta this season, hitting just .191 with a .453 OPS. The move seems to be related to Trent Grisham exiting with a hamstring injury last night.”

This journeyman’s path is a familiar one in baseball. Bryan De La Cruz is a 28-year-old outfielder who has bounced between teams. After showing some promise with the Marlins, he floundered with the Pirates and Braves. The Yankees claimed him off waivers in May as a low-risk depth piece. His 2025 season tells two completely different stories. In 16 games that he played with the Braves, the numbers were abysmal, as he hit just .191 with a dreadful .453 OPS. But at Triple-A Scranton, he managed a more respectable .250 with seven homers and a .751 OPS.

This massive and quantifiable downgrade did not go unnoticed by the team’s passionate and worried fanbase. It’s safe to say they are not happy with the move.

The Bronx is burning

The reaction on social media was swift, critical, and steeped in a frustration that has been simmering all season. One fan, tired of uninspiring replacements, looked toward the farm system for a spark of excitement: “Do we not have one AAA player with a .800 OPS? Hell throw up Spencer, at least it gives me hope.” This plea for “hope” is aimed squarely at top prospect Spencer Jones. While De La Cruz struggled to a .453 OPS in the majors, Jones was tearing up the minor leagues with a .984 OPS before his recent promotion to Triple-A. To fans, calling up a journeyman feels like a surrender.

Other fans chose sarcasm to voice their displeasure with the team’s supposed “depth”: “The Yankees are just flexing their depth now. What an embarrassment of riches.” The sarcasm here is thick. The “depth” being flexed is a player that both the Pittsburgh Pirates and Atlanta Braves gave up on within the last year. De La Cruz was designated for assignment by the Braves after posting that dreadful .453 OPS. The “embarrassment of riches” is a player other competitive teams have already discarded, highlighting the fragility of the Yankees’ bench.

For many, the reaction was simpler and more direct. It was a gut punch to lose a player who had become a key part of the team’s success” “Big downgrade from Grish….” This sentiment is an understatement backed entirely by data. Grisham’s .815 OPS and 15 home runs are All-Star caliber. Analytically, his wRC+ of 131 means he was creating runs 31% better than a league-average player. De La Cruz’s wRC+ with the Braves was a shocking 27, or 73% worse than average. Fans aren’t just losing production; they’re losing a clutch bat, as 11 of Grisham’s homers had tied the game or given the Yanks the lead.

The frustration also stems from a perceived pattern of prioritizing defense over offense, leading to black holes in the lineup: “Yippie another bad bat.” The perceived issue with the Yankees’ offensive contributions from players outside of their core stars, like Oswald Peraza( .157 AVG, .233 OBP, .273 SLG, .506 OPS  in 52 G, 133 PA) and DJ LeMahieu have crippled the team. Once a premier hitter, LeMahieu has been significantly hampered by injuries and declining production in recent years – just look at the numbers: .248 AVG, .322 OBP, .330 SLG, .652 OPS (38 G, 121 PA).

Ultimately, the move left many fans simply bewildered, questioning the front office’s evaluation of its own talent. With a farm system full of hyped prospects, the choice of De La Cruz felt uninspired and left many asking a simple, frustrated question. “There’s no one better?” This question gets to the heart of the panic. While Jasson Domínguez will see more playing time, other options like Everson Pereira are still in Triple-A. Pereira has shown power there, with 12 home runs and a solid .790 OPS. However, in his own brief MLB stints, he has struggled mightily, posting a .427 OPS. Tough times in the Yankees world indeed.