Thanks to Cody, The New York Yankees' Offense Is Held Up For "Ransom"

(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Ransom (n.): a consideration paid or demanded for the release of someone or something from captivity

With the way that the New York Yankees' offense has performed recently, you could say that their offense is being held up for Ransom.

Cody Ransom, that is.

In their last 10 games—dating back to July 23rd against the A's—the Yankees are an alarming .219 with runners in scoring position, while going 5-for-31 in their last three losses.

Meanwhile, Joe Girardi insists on giving Ransom and his .190 batting average more and more playing time, which has given Yankee fans stomach ulcers every time he steps up to the plate.

Ransom looks lost every time he makes an appearance for the Yankees, which begs the question: Why is he still here?

Originally, it was to provide some depth on the bench just in case someone needed to take a game off.

I understand that everyone needs to take a game off or DH once in a while. It's a good thing to recharge the batteries and keep your best players fresh every now and then.

But didn't Brian Cashman just acquire utility-man Jerry Hairston Jr. just for that very reason—to effectively spell the starters when they need a day off?

Not only that, they have Eric Hinske—who has played third base, first base, and every outfield position at some point this year—and Nick Swisher, who can play first base if needed.

In addition, Ramiro Pena is in AAA waiting for his shot and Shelley Duncan just took an express trip on the Scranton Shuttle for nothing, as he was sent back down after a day.

All of them can hit, field, run, and jump better than Ransom.

(Wait... scratch that part about the jumping, I may have spoken too soon.)

Despite all of this, the Yankees inexplicably continue to hang on to Ransom like a dog holds on to his favorite chew-toy.

Did I mention that he currently has a .190 average?

Meanwhile, the offense continues to struggle and is showing no sign of snapping out of it anytime soon.

It's time to free the offense so the Yankees can get back to their winning ways. Hopefully they won't have to pay a king's Ransom to do so.

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