Cashman calls Yankees' defensive miscues 'shocking'

Alex Rodriguez leads the New York Yankees in average, runs batted in and on-base percentage. Michael Pineda, and not Masahiro Tanaka, has been the club's best pitcher. And Dellin Betances, one of last year's most dominant relievers, has more walks than strikeouts.

But the biggest surprise this season, according to general manager Brian Cashman, has been the last-place Yankees' disappointing play in the field.

"Our defensive mistakes have been shocking," Cashman told ESPNNewYork.com on Thursday. "Our won-loss column has been affected by every aspect of the game. One night it's the defense, the next night it's the offense, then it's the baserunning."

Didi Gregorius has contributed to the Yankees' struggles in all three areas, hitting .172 with an error and three glaring baserunning gaffes. Gregorius maintains he's not succumbing to the pressures of replacing Yankees legend Derek Jeter, though Cashman wonders if the spotlight has gotten to the 25-year-old shortstop.

"I don't know if he's trying too hard to make something happen out there," he said. "It looks to me like he's rushing at times. I can't really explain it."

Nor can he explain the club's struggles in general, which have culminated in three straight series losses, a league-leading 11 errors and the worst run differential in the American League East. Though Cashman admitted he's been encouraged by some of the recent outings from his starting pitchers, he says the overall body of work speaks for itself.

"But nobody wants to hear that you're encouraged," he said. "The only thing people care about is wins, and right now we only have three of them. We haven't played up to our potential, but hopefully, we'll all of a sudden find our stride."