The New York Yankees' recent struggles have raised questions about their reliance on 'torpedo bats,' initially perceived as a source of power. Cody Bellinger and Paul Goldschmidt, both former MVPs, illustrate the mixed results of this equipment. Bellinger boasts impressive metrics like a barrel rate of 8.2% and an exit velocity of 90.5 mph but struggles with a .177 batting average, facing significant contact issues. Conversely, Goldschmidt's power numbers are down, yet he excels in contact, batting .383 with a sweet spot percentage of 44.6%. The Yankees' experiment with these bats highlights the unpredictable nature of performance, suggesting that even superior tools cannot assure success.