Breaking Down the New York Yankees' Studs and Duds at Midseason

A little more than halfway through the 2014 MLB season, the New York Yankees have an adequate 46-44 record.  After making several big free-agent signings in the offseason, New York was destined for a run at a possible 28th title, but many of these new players have greatly underperformed.  

Luckily for the Yanks, a few players have stepped up and kept this team in playoff contention.  There have been complaints about the Yankees' pitching, but in reality, their offense has been the disappointment.  

Here are some of the studs and duds from the Yanks' season so far...

Honorable Mentions

Kathy Kmonicek/Associated Press

CC Sabathia (Dud)

The former ace of the New York Yankees only gets an honorable mention because he's spent more time on the bench this year than on the field.  He didn't play long, but in his short span, he was 3-4 with a mediocre 5.28 ERA.  

Injury after injury has kept him off the field this year, but now his career is in jeopardy.  

"

CC Sabathia done for the year, and maybe for good #Yankees http://t.co/FaQevOMY9u

— ESPN New York (@ESPNNewYork) July 4, 2014"

Yangervis Solarte (Stud and Dud)

Solarte was the Yankees' best player during spring training and surprisingly earned himself a roster spot over Eduardo Nunez.  

After shining for the first two months of the season, "Never-Nervous Yangervis" fell apart.  

"

Solarte, who just threw that ball into RF, is in a 3-for-41 (.073) slide after 0-for-4 today. That’s quite a spiral. #yankees

— David Lennon (@DPLennon) July 2, 2014"

The Yankees were forced to send Solarte back down to Triple-A, but he has already started to succeed in his new setting.  

"

Yangervis Solarte is 12-for-20 since going to Triple-A. #Yankees .. hopefully back after all star break

— Incarcerated Bob IBN (@incarceratedbob) July 10, 2014"

Dud: Carlos Beltran

Al Bello/Getty Images

After hitting .296 with 24 home runs in 2013, Beltran has become a shell of himself.  Like most of the Yankees lineup, he has underperformed, batting .216 with only nine home runs.

According to ESPN, if Beltran keeps up this pace, he will record only 16 homers and 50 RBI.  

Not only has he underperformed, but he has attendance similar to Bart Simpson.  Due to many injuries, Beltran has been unable to stay on the field.  Most recently, he got hit in the face.  

"

Strange But True: Carlos Beltran has been scratched from Yankees lineup after ball he hit in BP bounced off cage and hit him in face.

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 9, 2014"

Stud: Brett Gardner

Kathy Willens/Associated Press

Brett Gardner has always been known for his speed, but this year, he's done it all.  Over the course of his career, Gardner has had problems staying healthy as well as hitting for both contact and power.  

Surprisingly, he's managed to do all three.  Gardner's hitting .287 (.270 career average), and he's already tied his personal best with eight home runs.  

Most importantly, the speedy outfielder has stayed healthy.  He's played in almost every game this year, and he's finally becoming a well-rounded player.  

Dud: Brian McCann

Kathy Willens/Associated Press

Brian McCann is another big-time free agent who has underperformed.  So far this season, he is hitting an abysmal .230 and has only 10 home runs.

"

Brian McCann was supposed to be "a perfect fit" for Yankee Stadium. What happened? http://t.co/rZFetrwFXM

— Jim Baumbach (@jimbaumbach) July 2, 2014 "

Unfortunately, for a catcher over the age of 30, this is the best you can expect.  This is a bad sign for the Yankees, as McCann is only one year into his five-year, $85 million contract.

With several promising catchers in the farm system, it's hard to understand why a team would pay so much for a player who's obviously past his prime.  

Stud: Masahiro Tanaka

Jim Mone/Associated Press

Probably the biggest reason the Yankees have any shot at winning the AL East is Masahiro Tanaka.  After three of their five rotation pitchers went down with (most likely) season-ending injuries, Tanaka has carried this club.

With a 12-4 record and a stellar 2.51 ERA, the 25-year-old rookie finds himself in the races for the Cy Young, Rookie of the Year and MVP awards.  

Unfortunately, Tanaka's last three starts have been disappointing, and now he might be hurt.  

"

Tanaka Goes on Disabled List After M.R.I. on Pitching Arm http://t.co/8dmP1tY6S4

— The New York Times (@nytimes) July 10, 2014"

Hopefully, his injury is only minor.  Without Tanaka, the Yankees can kiss their playoff hopes goodbye.  

Dud: Hiroki Kuroda

Kathy Willens/Associated Press

For the first three quarters of last season, Hiroki Kuroda was a potential Cy Young Award candidate.  Since then, he has been extremely adequate.  

This year, he's 6-6 with a 4.20 ERA through 18 starts.  Many thought his falloff last season was due to fatigue, but even with a winter of rest, he's continued to underperform.  

Unfortunately, this is the norm for most 39-year-old pitchers.  If you haven't noticed the trend, all the free agents the Yankees have signed in their mid-to-late 30s have disappointed.   

Stud: Dellin Betances

Ed Zurga/Getty Images

Let's end this on a positive note.  Possibly the most surprising "stud" on this list is relief pitcher Dellin Betances.  

In his first two years for the Yankees, Betances pitched a grand total of 7.2 innings and let up eight earned runs.  

Fortunately for New York, the young relief pitcher has become a star, literally.  Betances has posted a 1.52 ERA through 53.1 innings this season and earned himself a spot on the 2014 American League All-Star team.  

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