J.A. Happ has been absolutely atrocious for the Yankees in 2019, but what has been the major difference in him from last year?
The Yankees traded for Happ at the deadline last year and he was absolutely perfect for them in the regular season. Happ was 7-0 with a 2.69 ERA with the Yankees last season and averaged about a strikeout per inning. While his only start in the postseason didn’t go well, he did show enough for the Yankees to want to bring him back for 2019. On December 14, 2018, the Yankees signed J.A. Happ to a two-year, $34 mil contract.
At first, the reaction was very positive as Happ was very solid for the Yankees last season. Everyone thought that we found the workhorse of the rotation. 2019 started and we were met with something we didn’t think we would see. Happ was awful. Here is a breakdown to just how bad J.A. Happ has been this year.
2019 J.A. Happ is not the same guy we saw in 2018, in fact, he is the complete opposite of the guy we traded for in 2018. Happ has always been a guy who gives up a lot of home runs, in 2018 with the Yankees he gave up 10 in just about 64 innings. That’s about a 1.4 HR/9, not great but Happ was winning every game so it was bearable. But this year has been a different story.
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Coming into today, Happ is 10-8 with a 5.58 ERA. In 129 innings, Happ has only struck out 105 batters. But the biggest problem for Happ has been the long ball. In 129 innings, Happ has given up a career high 31 home runs. That is good for an HR/9 of 2.2. 2 HOMERS PER 9 INNINGS.
It has gotten so bad that Happ’s only decent outings are against the O’s and they aren’t great outing. Happ starting in the playoffs is a nightmare and everyone hopes it doesn’t happen. But to try and remain on the positive side, there is still time for Happ to turn it around. But if he doesn’t this could go down as one of Cashman’s worst signings.