Always better to be early than late, I say…here goes for this season:

Overall Team Batting: C
Comments: Overall, the Yankees have been, through the first half of this season (TFHS), better than terrible with the bat. But, that’s overall – in terms of their OPS compared to other A.L. teams. But, New York is mostly a three man attack (with A-Rod, Jeter and Posada). Hence, the low grade despite what the stats say here.

Batting at Home: C-
Comments: In terms of Home OPS over TFHS, the Yankees are 5th out of fourteen in the AL. Cano, Cabrera and Matsui have not been Bronx Bombers so far this year. Still, that’s just one-third of the starting line-up. The grade here may seem unfair when you look at it that way, plus the numbers – but, it’s based more on reality versus expectations than just reality.

Batting on the Road: B-
Comments: In terms of Road OPS over TFHS, the Yankees are 4th best in the AL. Amazing, huh? Only Damon and Abreu are not hitting well on the road for the Yankees, so far, this season. It seems like it should be worse.

Batting with Runners in Scoring Position with 2 Outs: D
Comments: In TFHS, the stats say the Yanks perform to the tune of an OPS of .754 in these spots (which is the 8th best mark in the AL). Given their talent, this mark should be much better.

Overall Team Pitching: D
Comments: As much as the Yankees pitching was supposed to be improved this year, it has not happened. Wang is still wangderful most of the time. But, Mussina, Clemens and Petitte have been up and down. Don’t get me started on Igawa and Pavano. And, the bullpen? Read on, read on…

Starting Pitching: C-
Comments: Last year, I gave this unit a “C” at the break. And, the year before that, they got a “D-.” This season? Overall, for TFHS, I think the unit deserves a “C -.” If you look at stats, for starters, like ERA and BA allowed, the Yankees are around 9th or 10th in the league. That’s not good.

Bullpen: F
Comments: In terms of Batting Average allowed, the Yankees pen over TFHS are tied for 5th in the AL. That’s OK. But, it’s the walks that have killed this unit. As I write this, no team in the A.L. has allowed more free passes from the pen than the Yankees. Walks from relievers are murder. Hence, the failing grade here.

Outfield Defense: C
Comments: This is the average of a “B” in LF, an “A” in CF (with Melky) and an “F” in RF.

Infield Defense: C
Comments: A-Rod is much improved this year. After a terrible start, Jeter is back to his normal limitations. Cano has some lapses out there. First base, while carrying no bat, has been O.K. this year.

Catching/Game Calling: D
Comments: In terms of game calling, there’s no reason to give the Yankees an “F” or a “D” here – but, there’s no reason to give them an “A” or a “B” either. As far as throwing, it’s been a joke this season. Teams run at will. Hence, the overall grade of “D”.

Overall Fielding: C-
Comments: This grade could be so much better if not for Abreu in right, the bumps in the middle of the infield, and the fact that the Yankees don’t throw out runners attempting to steal.

Overall Team Grade: D
Comments: This is a hard final call. It could be a “C-” here – based on the average of the grades. However, in terms of their won-loss record, to date, the Yankees deserve an “F” here. I’m splitting the difference and giving them a “D.”

At the break in 2005, I gave the team an overall grade of a “C+.” And, last year at the break, I gave them an overall grade of “B-.”

How the heck did Cashman and the gang allow this team to go from a “C+” to a “B-” to a “D” in three years? Based on that, they deserved an “F” on their report card.