The National League MVP. The American League Rookie of the Year. A Cy Young runner-up. The proclaimed best bullpen in baseball. A top tier catcher and a rising superstar shortstop.

Yankee fans went into the 2018 season with lofty expectations for their reformed Bronx Bombers. But like most teams, they still had some questions on the field. Would CC Sabathia regress in his age 37 season? Who would end up solidifying both the second and third base positions? How would the outfield be configured with an abundance of reliable options to man only three spots? However, none of these questions related to the dominant bullpen. But two weeks into the season, there appears to be concern with the end-game options.

The core of dominant relievers led by Aroldis Chapman, David Robertson, Tommy Kahnle and Dellin Betances was all returning to New York with the goal of reaching the World Series. Analysts and reporters used words like “historic” and “unhittable” throughout the offseason to describe the Yankee bullpen. High velocity fastballs and knee-buckling curveballs would have teams waving their white flags. This bullpen was not supposed to be the problem. But after 11 games, mistakes have been made, and with a combined ERA of over 5, fans are freaking out.

Now who’s to blame? Sure, pitchers need to make their pitches, but the manager’s job is to know his players and when guys should or should not be utilized. Aaron Boone is new to the job but his lack of managerial experience appears to be cause for concern. Having Betances go multiple innings in a close game is one thing, but leaving him on the mound to pitch with speedy runners on base? That just can’t happen. His mechanical issues and slow delivery make stealing bases quite easy for opponents. Deciding to intentionally walk the ailing Josh Donaldson to load the bases for one of baseball hottest hitters in Justin Smoak was another disastrous decision. It might be a small sample size, but Boone is making Yankee fans seriously questions whether or not he is qualified for this high-profile job.

Sitting in the dugout is not nearly as easy a job as it may appear. Hitters get hot and cold. They can crumble under pressure or rise to the occasion on any given day. Pitchers have to be both physically and mentally strong, especially under high-pressure situations. Statistical analytics are being use more than ever. But the manager has to be the leader who helps the team deal with numerous swings during the extremely long and grueling major league season. Right now, I am not sure he is the person I want running this team.

Is this an overreaction? A few days ago, I would have said absolutely. But as times goes by, my concern with this team is continuing to grow. Last year’s MVP is striking out at an ALARMING rate with almost nothing else to show for it. Some people feel as if his swing has changed to be even more of an uppercut, although all signs point to there being further problems. Giancarlo Stanton is a streaky player and he could catch fire at any moment, but for now Yankee fans have some reason to be worried. Stanton isn’t the only superstar receiving criticism from fans. At the moment, All-Star catcher Gary Sanchez has a measly two hits to the tune of a .063 batting average. Seen as the dark house to be the Yanks best player for this season, The Kraken just can’t seem to find his groove at the plate. If not for reigning Rookie of the Year and MVP runner-up Aaron Judge, and the current “fan favorite” Didi Gregorius, who knows where the Bombers would be. Even with injuries to key contributors Greg Bird, Aaron Hicks, and Brandon Drury, this team has no excuses for these early-season struggles.

This article was complete and almost published until I realized more needed to be said. After watching Tuesday night’s chaotic meltdown against the Boston Red Sox, there was a need to vent further frustrations, especially when you look across town and see the results from the team in Queens. After injuries destroyed the New York Mets in 2017, the team has returned and immediately lived up to its “Amazin” catchphrase with a hot start to the 2018. My insight on the Mets’ best start to the season in franchise history will be out shortly. But spoiler alert, they have a new manager as well.

There are still 150 games left in the season. Obviously when a team scuffles in April, fans are encouraged to relax and not get too nervous. But these games count just as much as those remaining. If the Yankees are fighting for a playoff spot, division title or home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, will we look at these very winnable games as the reason why it didn’t happen? After this road trip in Boston and Detroit, the Yankees return to the Bronx for a 10-game home stand. Time will tell if the Yankees will recover from this brutal, early start to the season, but like most New York, I have faith and still believe in the preseason hype. I am just not sure we have the right man to lead.