Melky Cabrera's season seems to have ended with 401ABs and OPS+ of 69.
(OPS+ is OPS adjusted to the season average, so that the all time average is 100, a player with a 150 OPS+ is half again as productive as the average player).
So when was the last time the Yanks gave 400 ABs to a player with an OPS+ under 70?
First, a couple near misses:
AB | OPS+ | Season | Team Record | |
Scott Brosius | 470 | 70 | 2000 | 87-74 |
Joe Girardi |
398 | 69 | 1997 | 96-66 |
And our winner, the shortstop for the 1990 Yankees, Alvaro Espinoza (.224/.258/.274, 50 OPS+, 1/2 SB/CS). That year, the Yanks went 65-97.