When the year opened, the first base and designated hitter spots didn’t seem like they were going to be an issue. Greg Bird was raking in spring training, Chris Carter was a backup who hit 41 home runs last season, and Matt Holliday would be the everyday designated hitter who could cover first base if all else fails.
Well, all else failed. Bird is still trying to make it back after a bone bruise derailed his season and Carter flailed for his entire Yankees tenure. Meanwhile, Holliday has been about replacement level this season.