New York Yankees: When Will They Restore the Universe?

With 38 games down, 123 to go, the Yankees finished April with a record of 14-15, and currently have a 4-4 record in the month of May. With an ugly 18-19 record, the Yankees are sitting in 4th place in the AL East, 4.5 games behind the Red Sox.

Yankees have had a hard time living up to Hank Steinbrenner’s comments. A sub .500 team isn't looking like it's going to be able to restore the Universe anytime soon.

Throw in a combination of injuries, bad calls by the manager Joe Girardi, and some horrible swings, and you can figure out why the Yankees have started so slow.

Phil Hughes, aka, "The Franchise", is the one Yankees fans had exceedingly high expectations for. He is the same player that was being discussed for Johan Santana. The Twins must be thrilled that they didn't take this bum, who's started 0-4 with a 9.00 ERA.

Don't get me wrong, Hughes might still have a bright future, but this kid was expected to perform now, not three years from now. I bet Hank wants to bury some Phil Hughes jerseys outside the new Yankees stadium.

Jason Giambi, is making $23 million dollars this season, which is only $4 less then Alex Rodriguez. Giambi this season, is batting .178. Yankees can't have high expectations for the 37-year-old, after playing only 83 games last year hitting .236 with 14 HR, and 39 RBIs.

Unless Giambi can start getting a grip on his swing, you should expect a long season from the former Balco Man. Being seen at the Red Wings Conference finals game with Shelley Duncan certainly won't help his cause.

Brian Bruney stellar star performance leads him to trip to the 60-day DL. Yes, I had high expectations. He looked great in spring training, and was in the greatest space of his life. Losing over 40 pounds, his agility and speed were at the highest they have ever been for the 26-year-old relief pitching.

In 11.1 IP, he had given up only seven hits, striking out 12 and walking six. He only gave up two home runs, both in the same game, which were via the long ball by Carl Crawford and B.J Upton.

Derek Jeter has yet to his a home run this season. Despite hitting .305, he has just five doubles and two triples in this point of the season. Expect to see Jeter at the All-Star Game in New York for the 13th straight year. Jeter's already 33-years-old.

Alex Rodriguez and Jorge Posada being out of the line-up hurt the Yankees, even if they are not able to produce. Alex Rodriguez’s ability to distract pitchers, and make them work hard at every at-bat takes energy away from the other at bats. Giving players like Robbie Cano to see better pitches then they are normally used to seeing.

The Yankees are also playing with an insanely short bench right now. Currently, there are nine relief pitchers on the roster, which is unheard of in this era.  This means that the Yankees aren't able to express the use of a pinch hitter frequently. Having to leave Chad Moeller in and him for himself in the 7th inning with two runners on, isn't going to help the Yankees cause, or hope to restore the Universe.

I'm surprised Hank hasn't decided to come out with another statement regarding the Yankees future. If Kei Igawa isn't going to work as a starter, and Brian Cashman decides not to start Joba until July, the Yankees will be looking at a long road ahead.

They will be kicking themselves along the away for deciding not to take the Johan deal.  Look for the Yankees to be actively seeking another pitcher during the trading deadline.

Last time the Yankees failed to make the playoffs was 1994. Wouldn't it suck if that streak came to an end in the last year of Yankees stadium?

Don't expect the streak to end without Hank making a fool of himself to the media, attempting to restore the Universe.





Jeffrey Klein attends the University of Wisconsin, resides in New York, and enjoys covering the Yankees, Badgers, Rangers, and Knicks on Bleacher Report.