New York Yankees: J.A. Happ is completely delusional

J.A. Happ thinks he can help the New York Yankees. The results thus far in 2020 indicate that statement is a lie.

It is fair to understand why J.A. Happ is frustrated with his usage this season. If he makes ten starts or throws 62 innings this season, his $17 million vesting option for 2021 automatically triggers. As Happ has a total of three starts and 12.2 innings this season, he feels that the New York Yankees are intentionally manipulating his usage to keep that vesting option from triggering.

While that may be correct, it is the rest of his statement that makes it apparent that Happ is living in fantasy land.

The Yankees pitching staff has plenty of issues. Between injuries and ineffectiveness, there are opportunities for those who can help. It is telling that Happ is not considered a solution.

In the Yankees defense, Happ has not exactly given them a reason to think otherwise. In his 12.2 innings, he has allowed nine runs on ten hits and ten walks, striking out six. It is impossible to look at the results produced and think that this is someone that can actually help the Yankees win games.

He was that pitcher in 2018. After being acquired from the Blue Jays, Happ went on a tear, posting a 7-0 record with a 2.69 ERA and a 1.053 WHiP in his 63.2 innings. Even though he could not replicate that form last year, Happ was still a decent enough starter and capable of helping the Yankees win.

That is not the case this season. Happ has been an utter disaster when given the ball, doing nothing to force the Yankees into having him reach those thresholds. He will still get his chances when needed, as there are few other options for New York to turn to. But to claim that he can help the Yankees, when all the evidence proves the opposite, is delusional.

J.A. Happ thinks he can help the New York Yankees. It must be nice to live in a world of make-believe.