The Atlanta Braves hit a lot of the right notes this past offseason. They overhauled their bullpen successfully, added more lineup depth, and avoided the high-priced blunders that are currently plaguing other contenders. However, not every move has worked out as hoped, and one prime example of that is Mike Yastrzemski.
Going back to spring training, Yastrzemski looked like he was going to be a steal. He was blasting home runs all over the place and looked like a man whose change of scenery had unlocked his potential again. Unfortunately, the good times with Yastrzemski were apparently not meant to last.
It hasn't really mattered, since the Braves have been so dominant to start the season, and other additions like Mauricio Dubon and Dom Smith have worked out so well. However, there is no denying that the odds are good that Atlanta may wish they could go back in time and pass on signing Yastrzemski.
At some point, the Braves are going to have to reckon with their signing of Mike Yastrzemski
At issue here is that, even though the Braves gave him a two-year, $23 million deal, Yastrzemski's job description was pretty simple and narrow: mash against righties. One can quibble over paying a guy with that task as much as Atlanta did, but it isn't our money. However, if he is going to be a well-paid platoon bat, you do have to at least hit well in your favorable matchup.
And Yastrzemski simply has not done that. Yastrzemski has received plenty of opportunities, as he has already appeared in 28 games this year, but has only managed a .202/.276/.270 line in those 98 plate appearances. The power that he was showing in camp? Virtually nonexistent since the start of the regular season.
Luckily for the Braves, they have depth in the right positions to ignore and survive Yaz's regression. Dubon has been hitting all year and is about to be playing a lot more left field once Ha-Seong Kim returns. Smith can be used as a pinch-hitter in all of the same spots that Yaz can. Once Sean Murphy is back, the DH spot in the lineup will be well-tended. While all that means Atlanta would be paying a guy millions to do little while sitting on the bench, that has basically been the case when Yastrzemski has played as well.
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