Interesting stat on Swisher
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- November
- 13
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Walks since 2006
Adam Dunn 335
Pat Burrell 314
David Ortiz 300
Ryan Howard 296
Albert Pujols 295
Jim Thome 293
Lance Berkman 291
Bobby Abreu 281
Nick Swisher 279
Only 25 of those walks were intentional.
I need to write my newspaper stories. Enjoy the football game. It’s on Channel 11 in New York.
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Chad Jennings
Sam Borden
So like I said, he doesn’t walk as much as Abreu.
That stat is one of the reasons why Cash traded for him. He fits the high OBP that many GMs look for (starting, I think, with Gene Michael in the early 90s) in constructing a team. Not a bad thing to have in the lineup.
2 walks. calm down ya buzzkiller
that was a catch.
Sad the officials cant make that call correctly without a replay. So obvious.
Finally, before I go to eat dinner and watch the Jets beat up on the Patriots (I wish!) – it’s not all about scoring runs. Preventing runs is kind of important, too. I can’t count how many times I got aggravated when Jason or Betemit botched plays and allowed runners to get on base or advance, making life more difficult for the pitcher.
has anyone checked is average with RISP?
we don’t need another rally killer thats for sure.
TD JETS!!
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nick Swisher has good credentials . . . .
http://nyyu.blogspot.com/
Simply amazing whining that comes out of purported grown ups here!
Yes, I agree that Swisher is definitely a defensive plus and as someone who really appreciates good defense, we just upgraded first base.
Joe for LI you’ve got it right. This was a sweet move.
The guy who’s #1 on that list is still available. Swisher + Dunn > more money on Tex.
22 Million for a 1B who can’t hit and isn’t a 1B? YIKES!
i hear from people inside the chisox clubhouse that Swisher has a big mouth. don’t see it being an issue in new york.
“So like I said, he doesn’t walk as much as Abreu.”
This has to be a joke. Has to be.
I think we’re going to see just how much faith Cash has in Cano this offseason. To me, with his skillset, Cano can be a very good #3 hitter for a long time – high average, puts the ball in play, doesn’t strike out much (wish he could steal some bases – and I do think the power will come). Without Abreu, this team has no real #3 hitter. So what does Cash do – re-sign Abreu, acquire a real #3 hitter, or hand the job over to Cano and hope last year was an aberration? My guess is Abreu returns for a couple years with a team option.
If Trisha is happy about it, then I really know I am right to be against this move.
that’s right. Keep trying to run the ball on the jets
Vin, A-Rod is certainly capable of being a 3-hitter. I wouldn’t want that much pressure on Cano.
“i hear from people inside the chisox clubhouse that Swisher has a big mouth. don’t see it being an issue in new york.”
I wish the Yanks had somebody with a big mouth last season… maybe this big mouth could’ve told the hitters to stop giving away at bats, and could’ve gotten on Cano about turning into a poor defender in August and September.
“If Trisha is happy about it, then I really know I am right to be against this move.”
He he he. Well be prepared to be against every move the Yankees make! I trust them. I don’t trust, well, you know, people like you!
No doubt, Mr. Faded Glory, but I like Alex to come up with as many men on base as possible – plus the whole lefty, righty, lefty, righty thing.
22 Million for a big mouth?
vin
November 13th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
I think we’re going to see just how much faith Cash has in Cano this offseason. To me, with his skillset, Cano can be a very good #3 hitter for a long time – high average, puts the ball in play, doesn’t strike out much (wish he could steal some bases – and I do think the power will come). Without Abreu, this team has no real #3 hitter. So what does Cash do – re-sign Abreu, acquire a real #3 hitter, or hand the job over to Cano and hope last year was an aberration? My guess is Abreu returns for a couple years with a team option.
________________________________________________________
Cano has pretty decent speed when running the bases. Watch him on doubles and triples. He cuts the bases quick…same as going first to third and second to home. He’s also a pretty snart runner, he just doesn’t read the pitchers that well….much like Bernie Williams. It was really Williams’ only flaw on offense.
patriots = 26 penalties on the year
Raiders pick up that, in one game
I see this move as being OK, it is insurance in case they don’t go after Tex. If they do, then Swisher gives them flexability in the outfield, DH, and a backup at first.
At least this ends the folly of a pseudo-power hitting utility infielder who can’t field. Maybe they get a true utility guy, or they have Ransom in mind for that.
yeah Bernie wasn’t the greatest base runner in the world. However, when he took off and scored when Zeile spiked the ball in the ground in the ‘96 alcs….
“So like I said, he doesn’t walk as much as Abreu.â€
–This has to be a joke. Has to be.
It was said in jest. I forgot the happy face.
Here it is.
Swisher=5 million
CC=25 million
AJ=14 million
Pettitte=11 million
That’s 55 million…there’s still 20 million to spend. Hmmm…..
should the yankees make Kerry Wood their 8th inning man?
That IS very interesting Pete – Thanks for pointing that out.
Part of the concern people have is just how Swisher will help us replace the production of Giambi & Abreu (especially his BA, HR’s & RBI’s). So it’s good to see his BB’s are high.
Call me a naysayer, but I’d still love to see Mark Texiera as our everyday 1B and have Nick Swisher spot start coming off the Bench (1B, OF, DH) in 2009.
Remember, Damon, Matsui AND Nady are only under contract for 2009, so maybe Nick Swisher really increases in value when he becomes an everyday OF after 2009.
Who knows, maybe Cashman is also doing this to give the appearance that the Yankees are “out” of the Texiera Sweepstakes – and reduce Tex’s leverage of “using” the Yanks interest – only to come back with an aggressive, later offer to Tex & Boras (more reflective of the “Market” for Tex minus the Yankees involvement) that will have a quick,”hard” deadline (a la the Johnny Damon negotiations) that will make Tex & Boras happy and – hopefully – make Mark Texiera a Yankee.
Like I said, who knows? (But I am eagerly awaiting to see how this plays out).
vinny-b -Behold the sword of Urlacher- November 13th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
patriots = 26 penalties on the year
_____
you know why? They are in the zebras pockets.
“you know why? They are in the zebras pockets.”
Exactly!!
Swisher definitely has questions attached to him – his slugging percentage has fallen the last two years and his isolated power plummeted between 2006 and 2007. His batting average and ability to make contact this year were very poor.
In the second half of this year he only hit BA .191 OBP .298 Slg .427 OPS .725. In other words, in the second half of the season he wasn’t much better than a replacement level player. A .298 OBP is horrendous.
Swisher was 12 runs worse than a league average 1b offensively last year.
Even with all of those questions this is a good deal because the yankees are just not giving up very much at all.
Marquez was a decent prospect but he was always going to get traded. He was never going to pitch for the yanks – far too many guys ahead of him. Betemit and Nunez are completely dispensable.
So just in terms of a transaction of talent this is a deal you have to make.
Now where this fits in the context of the team and the rest of the winter is still to be determined.
But again, as one transaction, this is a good one. Swisher is signed to a reasonable deal and provides a lot of flexibility.
If he can rebound to his 2006/2007 performance this is an absolute steal.
A year ago the White Sox traded three good to very good prospects for swisher in Gio Gonzalez, Ryan Sweeney, and Fautino de los Santos. Overall, a terrible series of transations for the White Sox. Awful. To trade Gonzalez, Sweeney and de los Santos in effect for Marquez, Betemit and Nunez + one year of Swisher hitting .219 is terrible.
We’ll see what happens. I was never convinced the yankees were going to go hard after Tex.
And going into next year with Damon and Matsui’s contracts are up Swisher could help a lot. No corner outfielders to speak of in the minors.
Mark in Tampa
November 13th, 2008 at 8:51 pm
I see this move as being OK, it is insurance in case they don’t go after Tex. If they do, then Swisher gives them flexability in the outfield, DH, and a backup at first.
At least this ends the folly of a pseudo-power hitting utility infielder who can’t field. Maybe they get a true utility guy, or they have Ransom in mind for that.
_______________________________________________________
I think that NYY is about half a season from having those types of youngsters coming up instead of hoping players like Nick Green and Ransom can keep from totally embarrassing themselves. Players like Corona and Pena could be ready by mid-summer if necessary. People that expect Ransom to hit homers and doubles and play sparkling defense off of the bench will be sorely disappointed. He’s almost 33 years old and a career .240 minor league hitter with a ton of strikeouts.
Tom
November 13th, 2008 at 8:52 pm
yeah Bernie wasn’t the greatest base runner in the world. However, when he took off and scored when Zeile spiked the ball in the ground in the ‘96 alcs….
_______________________________________________________
Definately, Williams had World Class sprinter’s speed. I think he was on the Puerto Rican Junior Olympics team in high school as a sprinter. One he got those long legs moving, he could cover a lot of ground in a hurry. In center field, he would out run his mistakes. On the bases, he couldn’t get to full speed until his third or fourth step. He stole 140 base bases in his career on speed alone. Had he learned to read pitchers, he would have stolen 40-50 a year.
Jets have 2 superstars:
Leon Washington
Kris Jenkins
I love leon Washington.
Finally getting to chime in here. On paper I have no qualms with the move. Swisher is an upgrade and didn’t cost a lot. I don’t like that this most likely means Mark Teixeira most likely won’t be a Yankee.
I agree that you can’t build a team with an all-star at every position. Swisher is a grinder and good clubhouse presence. However, I do think having one or two all-stars in their prime is an important if not essential to help build a team. The Red Sox did it for years with Manny and Ortiz. The Yanks slugged their way to the LCS with Sheffield and A-Rod. This year the Phillies had a twosome of Utley and Howard. The best line-ups have 2 or 3 all-stars complimented by good role players.
Right now the Yankees have one All-Star threat in the line-up, and that’s A-Rod. Assuming they don’t re-sign Abreu, that leaves the starters as follows:
LF- Damon. Gutty gamer who can play for my team anytime but not someone who puts fear into opposing pitchers.
CF- Melky, Gardner, someone else? Big question mark, and no one is available to be a big threat.
RF- Nady. Nice role player, but not an offenseive force.
1B- Swisher, Could be very good, but coming off a bad year. Hard to count on him to be a big time hitter.
2B- Cano. Potential to be that big time player, but has a terrible approach at the plate and relies on his skill instead of working counts. Better suited to be line-up depth now.
SS- Jeter. Doesn’t have the power to be that offensive force.
3B- A-Rod. The only true Yankee All-Star.
C- Posada. Coming off an injury and an historic season, but has always been a very good player as opposed to great.
DH- Matsui. Professional hitter, but on the decline and injury prone.
IMO, the Yankees have a lot of good parts in that line-up but they need one more all-star caliber player. They also had a hole at first base. Filling it with Teixeira seemed like the perfect move.
We’ll see what else the Yankees do, but if this move means we don’t sign Teix, I think we’ll rue the day.
FSU baby
The key stat for Swisher is Pitches/Plate appearance. Potentially losing Giambi and Abreu who were at 4.29 P/Pa will be offset by Swisher’s LEAGUE LEADING 4.51 P/PA.
One other thing on Swisher – why his batting average fell so much this year is very strange. No reason apparent for it at all.
In general the biggest factor that determines a player’s batting average is how many line drives he hits.
Line drives have only a 25% chance of being turned into an out. Fly balls have a 78% chance of being turned into an out. Ground balls a 75% chance of being turned into an out.
Swisher’s line drive % went up between 2007 and 2008 from 24% of batted balls to 27% of batted balls. 27% line drive rate is very good. 20% is league average.
Despite his line drive rate going up Swisher’s batting average on balls in play went down 50 points from .308 to .251. That makes no sense at all outside of random chance. So a significant component to Swisher’s poor season in 2007 was likely random chance.
That bodes well for a come back season from him.
I think this lineup will be drastically different on opening day. There are a lot of trades that come out of no where. Kind of like this one.
Swisher with bases loaded 2008: 5 for 13, 2 homers,1 double, 19 rbi’s, BA .385.
CB- Where do you get those great stats?
Great. Another “patient hitter.” Just great. We need someone who steps in, hacks away, and swings for the fences every time.
On second thought, Shelley’s around somewhere, and the Bambino is… well, he’s passed.
Is anyone arguing that Swisher is the answer at first base? I won’t, but I like the trade, because he’s certainly a better role player than Betamit.
CB -
Just wow.
You have my admiration!
Thanks for that line drive info CB! Good stuff…
I’m not sure who will be available or a free agent next season for 1B, but I believe the contracts of Matsui, nady, and Damon will all be expiring. no telling who from the farm may be ready to step in for the outfield or 1B either. Not to get too far ahead of ourselves, but this swisher move really does give us great flexibility to go with the best options available next year depending on who’s availabl or ready..
Mark,
What we really need is someone like Manny
Swishers 4.51 Pitches per PA not only lead the league in 2008, but was the highest of any player in ESPNs records. Now ESPNs records only go back to 2000, but being the best in at least the last 8 years has to count for something.
trisha -
Will you be so giddy when the Sox end up signing Teixeria to put in the middle of their lineup while he is hitting .300 with 120 RBIs while Swisher is hitting .240 with 120 strikeouts?
Devil’s Advocate
November 13th, 2008 at 9:28 pm
Mark,
What we really need is someone like Manny
__________________________________________________________
You mean, another DH and somebody that makes Ronald McDonald look like he stepped out of Nr. Blackwell’s best dressed list?
Cash is playing it close to the vest….content with his starting lineup he is not. There will be changes.
Yankee Trader,
Those stats are readily available from the hardball times or fangraphs.com.
Both good sites.
***Mr. Blackwell’s***
Freddy probably since I don’t swoon over the Sux the way some others may. So they don’t worry me. Now if Tex went to the Rays? Maybe I’d worry.
Don’t be shocked if the number 4 hole is occupied by someone who looks like he’s ready for a pajama party.
“Cash is playing it close to the vest….content with his starting lineup he is not. There will be changes”
you may not be reaching
BETTY IS GONE!
Hey Brad…Thanks for throwing my link on here!
Thanks CB.
Selig advised the owners to watch their pocketbooks, due to the recession. How many teams have more than 20 million coming off their books to sign an elite free agent?
In AL:
Angels
Yankees
Red Sox
In NL:
Braves
Cubs
Dodgers
Phillies
Now others might be players.
How many FA’s in the $20 million/year range?
Teixeira, Ramirez, and Sabathia
$13-$15 million/year range
Burnett, Dempster, Dunn,Mussina, K-Rod, Sheets, Lowe
$10-13 million/year range
Pettitte, Garland, Bradley, Wood, Perez, Abreu
Did I miss anyone? My point is the GM’s and owners will not be out there trying to outdo each other. Collusion?
No! Cautious disbersement of monies in troubled times? Yes!
Cashman has displayed this kind of hubris before; it’s becoming his trademark: going into 2008 with Hughes and IPK guaranteed the 4th and 5th spots in the rotation with a questionable Mussina, and 35 year old Petttitte was perhaps one of the most arrogant, reckless, derelict decisions for a Yankees GM in recent memory.
A lineup with Swisher at 1B, Gardner in CF, a regressing Jeter at SS, Matusi and Posada, two recently injured players, 37 and 35, respectively, assigned the 3rd and 5th spots in the lineup ranks just behind the stupid presumption of his decision last year about the pitching rotation.
No foolishness to which Cashman will stoop surprises me anymore. Gene Michael, where the hell are you?
K-Law’s brutal assessment. The Yankees dun good. Something for nothing.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn.....=law_keith
Kill.Schill(ing), it’s easy to criticize without offering alternatives.
Also you’re assuming Cashman is done, and that Matsui and Posada will hit 3rd and 5th.
If NYY signs Teixiera, it would be a better move to keep Damon for his leadoff ability and speed, put Swisher in right field and trade Nady. Matsui is pretty close to unmovable until he could show that he can still move well enough to DH and play a little outfield. This can be done while or a
If NYY signs Teixiera, it would be a better move to keep Damon for his leadoff ability and speed, put Swisher in right field and trade Nady. Matsui is pretty close to unmovable until he could show that he can still move well enough to DH and play a little outfield. This can be done while or a
Law is the best analyst out there.
For those complaining about Swisher’s BA last year – look at what Scott Brosius hit the year before he came to the Yankees.
Brosius was a good clubhouse guy, came to play everyday, played good D and was a key cog to those championship teams.
Hey Pete,
You need to post how many K’s Swisher has since 2006. How about more than 400. That’s a lot of K’s for a guy who only hits 25 bombs, never drives in 100 and barely slugs .450 for his career. I’m not really criticizing the deal because I think we didn’t give up anything (plus we got a prospect too)…but I wouldn’t be surprised if Swisher is on the bench by mid season, being used in the “Betemit” role.
This can be done while or after addressing the rotation. It also doesn’t leave NYY over a barrel when dealing with Boras and Teixiera.
KIll Schill,
Quite well stated. Looks pretty pathetic doesn’t it? Even for a “Post-PED” lineup!!! Cashman may have to raid the pajama party!!
Green,
I would absolutely do that. Infact, I think moving Nady is the right move. He really offers little– .280 BA, .320 OBP, he is an average player at best.
KS,
I honestly don’t get the hubris issue at all. In fact it’s the opposite.
Wouldn’t hubris be signing a first baseman to an 7-8 year $140-$160M offer?
For a minute let’s assume Swisher rebounds to his 2007 form. He was around 15 runs better than a league average first baseman. He’ll probably be 3-5 games better than a league average first baseman defensively.
So he could be a +20 run player if things work out (granted – there’s uncertainty in that). Let’s call him +15-20.
Tex projects to be a +40-45 run player. So Tex is probably 20-25 runs better than Swisher. That’s roughly 2 wins.
Valuing marginal wins at $5M Tex would be around $10M better than Swisher.
And the difference isn’t simply the one year deal – it’s the long term consequences.
Let’s just wait and see what happens. A lot of people got upset when they didn’t pick up Marte’s option. That turned out ok.
They still may go after Tex. My feeling is that they won’t but they could.
It’s only november.
Faded Glory, I hope to hell you’re right and he’s not done but I can’t see where else he’s going to go to acquire a 3-hitter. There’s Teixiera and Abreu out there, that’s it.
And with Swisher’s acquisition Cashman diminished the prospect of siging, or re-signing, either.
The Yankees should be as aggressive in pursuing Teixiera as Sabbathia. Evidently, the FO thinks otherwise. I maintain they’ll rue that decision; that’s it’s a major, major error.
Many argue a 8-year contract for Tex is actually a more astute and prudent investment than Sabathia. Read Joe Sheehan of Baseball Prospectus. I may agree.
I wonder what our friend Pete thinks of the game tonight.
Now the Jets just got to hold on. I might start to believe and get sucked back in.
CB, who is going to bat third and fifth in the Yankees lineup now? (I agree, with Swisher they’re going to eschew Teixiera)
I know I don’t have to remind a fan as knowledgeable as you are that the Yankees OBP declined 20 points last year, their slugging percentage 40 points, and their RISP average, 30 points. And what did the Yankees do, they just let the two hitter with the highest OPS in their lineup, other than A-Rod, leave.
And who are they planning to replace them with in their 3 and 5th hole? A catcher recovering from major labrum surgery and a DH who has played on full season the last three.
That’s not prescription for success, it’s a formula for disaster. I don’t care how great their staff is next year. If they’re lineup is no more proficient than the 2008 Jays, they’re going nowhere in the AL East.
NITRO
November 13th, 2008 at 9:58 pm
Green,
I would absolutely do that. Infact, I think moving Nady is the right move. He really offers little—.280 BA, .320 OBP, he is an average player at best.
__________________________________________________________
He’s relatively cheap and has been on the radar for a lot of teams over the last couple of years…Mets, Philadelphia, White Sox, KC, Atlanta, Seattle, even the Twins and Detroit may be in the picture.
if the Jets don’t start putting any pressure on Cassel, they will lose this game. He is waaayyy to comfortable.
How come people think we need super stars at every position? I havent really seen much of Swisher playing 1st, but he has only made 10 errors in 229 games at first. How bad could he be?
Mangini getting ready to get schooled again. I can feel it.
What are those funny looking things painted onto the patriots field at the 50?
Kill.Schill(ing)
November 13th, 2008 at 10:08 pm
CB, who is going to bat third and fifth in the Yankees lineup now? (I agree, with Swisher they’re going to eschew Teixiera)
I know I don’t have to remind a fan as knowledgeable as you are that the Yankees OBP declined 20 points last year, their slugging percentage 40 points, and their RISP average, 30 points. And what did the Yankees do, they just let the two hitter with the highest OPS in their lineup, other than A-Rod, leave.
And who are they planning to replace them with in their 3 and 5th hole? A catcher recovering from major labrum surgery and a DH who has played on full season the last three.
That’s not prescription for success, it’s a formula for disaster. I don’t care how great their staff is next year. If they’re lineup is no more proficient than the 2008 Jays, they’re going nowhere in the AL East.
____________________________________________________
They lost a lot of offense because they were forced to play their bench. Even at half of their normal production, Posada and Matsui will be better than what NYY had playing full time in 2008. Couple that increase with rebounds from Cano, Jeter and even Rodriguez and that’s more offense than NYY had in 2008.
“Many argue a 8-year contract for Tex is actually a more astute and prudent investment than Sabathia. Read Joe Sheehan of Baseball Prospectus. I may agree.”
Absolutely. Tex is 28, disciplined, always in good shape, plays a position that doesn’t play excessive wear and tear on the body, whereas the risk with CC is real and obvious. The problem, however, is that the Yankees may have to move much faster than they would like (before the pitching slots are filled) inasmuch as the Angels may come in with a take it or leave it offer with a time trigger, that otherwise would be acceptable. I doubt that Tex wants to go to Boston given his comments as to the past. Other than possibly Baltimore as a dark horse, I don’t see any other real players. Cash might have to move more quickly than he would like.
vinny- I don’t get why they aren’t leveling Matt?
Also, on the superstars. We have proven that the star at each position recipe is not a winning one. Maybe Swisher brings some needed energy and grit.
Swisher I think could be in a corner OF position next season…I do think that Texeria is still on the to do list….The lineup still needs another high output stick….
Kill.Schill(ing)
November 13th, 2008 at 10:08 pm
CB, who is going to bat third and fifth in the Yankees lineup now? (I agree, with Swisher they’re going to eschew Teixiera)
I know I don’t have to remind a fan as knowledgeable as you are that the Yankees OBP declined 20 points last year, their slugging percentage 40 points, and their RISP average, 30 points. And what did the Yankees do, they just let the two hitter with the highest OPS in their lineup, other than A-Rod, leave.
And who are they planning to replace them with in their 3 and 5th hole? A catcher recovering from major labrum surgery and a DH who has played on full season the last three.
That’s not prescription for success, it’s a formula for disaster. I don’t care how great their staff is next year. If they’re lineup is no more proficient than the 2008 Jays, they’re going nowhere in the AL East.
__________________________________________________________
2008 Yankees Catchers OPS: .625
Centerfield: .711
second base: .702
Kill,
Don’t worry about the offense. From what I hear, getting CC will solve all our problems.
“I don’t get why they aren’t leveling Matt?”
Jennifer: I have no idea. In this respect, it look like a repeat of game #1
if the Jets don’t pick it up, they will lose this game.
whats the score? I can’t get the game here.
Found this cool little site. It has all of the splits for prospect\minor leaguers.
http://www.minorleaguesplits.com/index.html
vinny- I hope not. They aren’t doing much with their chances. And they are letting scrubs beat them.
You can watch it on NFL.com
“And who are they planning to replace them with in their 3 and 5th hole?”
These are all very legitimate issues. Again, it’s not even Thanksgiving so it’s way too early to tell.
That said here’s a few things on the offense.
The key question is why did the yankee OBP go down so drastically in 2008?
There’s a very concrete reason why – in 2008 the yankees played three near replacement level players in their line up close to everyday – Molina/ Gardner-Melky/ Cano. All three of those spots put up OBP of less than .300. That’s just horrendous.
At catcher the yankees were around 15 runs worse than league average at the plate. At CF around 26 runs worse than average. Second base – 16 runs worse.
No player the Yankees will acquire in free agency will mean as much to them as getting Jorge Posada back at catcher – doesn’t matter how bad his defense is (assuming its not a ridiculous joke as it was last year when he was trying to play through pain).
In 2007 Jorge was around 40 runs better than an average catcher. So in going from Posada 2007 to Molina 2008 the yankees lost an astounding 55 runs. Not even adding Tex to the line up would be 55 marginal runs.
2007 Cano was +26 run player. IN 2008 -20. That’s a 46 run swing. Again, even Tex doesn’t project to be a +46 run player in 2009.
In 2007 Melky was 13 runs worse than a league average CF. In 2008 CF was 26 runs worse.
This is what killed their OBP and offense in 2008 (along with no hitting with RISP).
Adding Posada back and having Cano regress back towards his old form will make the yankee offense not just a little better – much better.
I know you’re an Abreu fan but he was no better than Nady was last year when you add up his offense and defense. Abreu was around 15 runs better than average at the plate and around 17 runs worse. Who cares if he hit third? He was an average to net negative player. Same for Giambi.
Let’s see what happens. Lots of moves to come.
“November 13th, 2008 at 10:25 pm
vinny- I hope not. They aren’t doing much with their chances. And they are letting scrubs beat them”
when you have a chance to defeat the Pats, you have to go for the kill.
I want an 8 minute drive ending in a jets TD!
Well thats not good.
to this point, the Jets have only played 28 minutes of football.
what a bs call!! zebras in pats pocket.
whats going on with the jets?
did they get the lead and get too comfortable??
they need to pick it up!
ok NYY, try to give Cassel more time to throw next time.
Mangini: right on cue. Get ready to have your @ss handed to you. Yet again.
i have a link for the FB game if anyone wants.
Somewhere Pete just knocked his beer mug off the table.
same old Jets.
Question:
Does Gardner in CF and Swish at 1st make the Yankees better…or…Does Swish in CF and Tex at 1st make the Yankees better?!
The hell? What about Teixeira?
Jets have no killer instinct.
“Jets have no killer instinct”
zero. They didn’t come out for the 3rd quarter.
and Mangini doesn’t understand the concept of making in-game adjustments
“The hell? What about Teixeira?”
CC ?
CB, Great breakdown….It explains in detail what I thought while watching them play last season…..I’m more on seeing performance than reading a spread sheet, but there is no missing this….I still believe that Cashman is still not finished…..Damon and maybe Matsui could be gone…..
I’m not convinced that the Jets are serious about winning this game.
Cassel slides better than Melky Cabrera.
jets should be ashamed of themself.
play 13 minutes of football, and then shut it down for the night.
Oh boy they are hitting Farve
Pat M,
Theo Epstein said something two weeks ago in the papers that very few people made much of but is probably one of the most underappreciated ideas out there in assembling a club.
He said that his goal for the Sox is to have at least a league average player at every spot on the diamond.
That sounds very modest. But he’s exactly right.
The reason being is that have below average players – at even one spot really kills a team. Your catcher doesn’t need to be a superstar – but he can’t be Jose Molina 2008.
A lot went wrong with the yankees offense in 2008. The first step in improving it isn’t however the need to add a superstar bat.
The first and most important thing is to go into 2009 with a reasonable belief that you are not going to have 3 spots on the field that are far, far below average.
Adding up offense and defense – in 2008 the yankees were below league average at catcher, 1b, 2b, RF, CF and DH. That’s astounding. And at catcher, 2b, and CF they were close to replacement level.
The only above average players they had were ARod, Jeter and Damon.
I’m not arguing they should forget Tex. But believe, me you add Tex to the mess of 2008 – he’s just not going to make as much difference as people think if 6 of the 9 position players are below average.
CB-
Thanks for the link to fangraphs, phenomenal site.
I don’t see how Swisher’s so great defensively. His range factor last year was WAY below league average (and Giambi’s considered average).
RF:
Pujols: 10.61
Teixera: 10.07
Giambi: 8.02
League Average: 8.01
Swisher: 6.75
And he wasn’t much better in Zone Rating.
ZR:
Pujols: .935
Teixera: .921
Swisher: .818
Giambi: .801
I’m not saying these statistics should be deciding factors or that Giambi’s better than him at first. However, I don’t think he’ll be leaps and bounds above Giambi like everyone’s expecting. He’s no Mark Texiera at first… I guarentee people will be disappointed with his Giambi-esque defense and his monsterous strikeout totals. I’m not saying this was a bad trade and I think the Yankees got the better end of the deal. However, I’m not really sure he should be the answer at first.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....ualified=1
http://www.baseball-reference......ni01.shtml
When I saw the scroll on the bottom of my TV say “Yankees aquire Nick Swisher from Whitesox” I cringed. What the…? But after I looked at the deal online, I felt a lot better. The Yankees traded a guy that was useless to them in Betemit (he can’t hit from the right side), and two disposable prospects who were 40 man/Rule V protection players. Nunez is the best player the Yankees gave up. I like his raw potential, but KTex coming over from Chi makes up for his loss. Now the Yankees can save two players they would have otherwise lost in the Rule V draft.
Swisher is a solid addition. He’s not Scott Brosius, but does add a similar attitude and ability to the team. The Yankees have too many high priced players, and not enough grit. Swisher brings some dirt dog grit. Hopefully his BA was an aberation last year. I do worry about that a little bit.
Someone please help me!!
I’m choking.
If the Jets blow this game then Mangini should just go ahead and challenge Belichick to an honor du-el.
give the ball to Richardson
Damn Mayo put a tackle !
“to an honor du-el”
Nick: to what ?
CB, Brandon, GB-7, and all
Controversial idea:
If Yankees can’t land Teixeira and don’t want/land Manny, what about 30 yo Milton Bradley to play RF/DH. Used to be a good outfielder, terrific switch hitter with men on base, great OBP, hits all teams in our division, bit of a head case and made 5M last year. Wouldn’t command more than a 3-4 year deal.
Thoughts on bringing up his name to solidify our offense, and pleasse try and be kind to this lifelong Yankee fan who’s sleepy!
And just like that the Jets defense your on the clock.
“Nick: to what ?”
sissy sword fight w/ hoodies
What now, genius?
Cassel finally choked
LOL I picture you sticking your tongue out saying nya nya nya nya nyaaaa ! Nick
For shame, Brandon, that would be taunting.
45 minutes to the signing period!!
CC, make sure your phone is turned on.
Phone? CC is at an ATM checking his balance.
jets
November 13th, 2008 at 10:59 pm
Someone please help me!!
I’m choking.
______________________________________________________
Looks more like the Patty-Cakes gagged on the spoon.
The mantra for the Jets moving forward has to be to play the whole 60 minutes of football.
Yankee Trader,
From a production standpoint Bradley isn’t a bad idea at all.
Swisher at First, Bradley in Right, Damon/ Gardner CF, Nady in left would be a good offensive club.
Given the economy it’s also possible that Bradley is one of the guys from who the market really dries up and collapses on.
Ultimately, the question on Bradley, as you know, are all off the field. In particular, he had a lot of trouble with the media at baseline. How would he handle NY?
Bradely becomes an either or player. Either he’s very good or he’s the hitting version of Carl Pavano (or something like that…) where he doesn’t contribute at all.
From a risk management standpoint, his complete failure rate is very high.
But ultimately the risk is related to the dollars he signs for.
Mayo w/ a big stop.
CC KEEP YOUR CELL ON !
Yankee Trader
November 13th, 2008 at 11:08 pm
CB, Brandon, GB-7, and all
Controversial idea:
If Yankees can’t land Teixeira and don’t want/land Manny, what about 30 yo Milton Bradley to play RF/DH. Used to be a good outfielder, terrific switch hitter with men on base, great OBP, hits all teams in our division, bit of a head case and made 5M last year. Wouldn’t command more than a 3-4 year deal.
Thoughts on bringing up his name to solidify our offense, and pleasse try and be kind to this lifelong Yankee fan who’s sleepy!
__________________________________________________________
I can’t see that happening. He can hardly plat as a DH without getting hurt, much less in the outfield. He can hit fairly well, but, he’s not worth the problms.
39 more mins til the free agent frenzy!!!
**He can hardly play**
Is it CC day yet?
With all that data, it’s rather amazing that they won as many games as they did…..I did read that quote by Theo….When I did, it reminded me of Billy Martin’s perspective on the players he desired….He always wanted guys who were on the fringe of being All-Stars, played hard and when the game was over, their uni’s went into the very dirty laundry pile…..I guess that would be by today’s standards a league average type ballplayer……Great stuff CB…..
It looks over.
Swisher’s career averages are: .244 / .354 / .451.
So, if you compare these to the AL 1B in 2008, if he improves from his horrible 2008 & hits thaT, he’s about average offensively as a 1B.
however, if his 2006-2007 seasons are what he his, then he’d be above-average.
JETS SUCK
YOU GOT TO BE …………… KIDDING ME !
youre kidding me!
thank you
Nice move by Yanks-Swisher is a good hard -nosed player. Fits the bill of not having an all-star at every position. He can play any position. Most important he is a player who is hungry to win and will prob have some big hits for the Yanks. Amen to good defense 2-YEAH!
JEST JEST JEST!!!
http://www.barstoolsports.com/.....e_impress/
Did that really just happen?
They overturn this there will be a riot.
the Jets blow!!!!!
going O/T!!!!
Joe Beningo is somewhere yelling, “OH THE PAIN!”
This game is almost as good as the Superbowl.
Oh yeh how is Reevis not on Moss there, why stick Law this early in the season ?
Benigno is gonna be a must listen tomorrow-no matter what happens now
when will the NFL coaching world learn?
the prevent defense, prevents you from winning. Particularly, if you happen to be the jets
**This game is almost as good as the Superbowl.**
indeed, but the Manning did it better.
“Oh yeh how is Reevis not on Moss there, why stick Law this early in the season”
good question.
Mangini looks like he needs a Tums.
“indeed, but the Manning did it better.”
No question about it.
Brandon,
Because Law saie, “I know their schemes”
The Jets are playing this like the Stupor Bowl.
24 more minutes till the free agent frenzy!!!
I’ll take it as a sign If Brett throws an interception CC signs tonight.
I wonder if Pete stopped writing the article now, just to watch the game now.
Im just waiting for Feely to miss a chip shot.
Brandon,
http://nickswisher.net/photos/.....bash_1.jpg
if only…
Humberto Sanchez bounced back nicely tonight.
2 innings, 1 hit, 0 runs
Hmmmm, TONIGHT might be a little optimistic on CC.
Youre a moron if you think CC signs tonight. Try back around Christmas.
As being a Jet fan since the arrival of Joe Willie Namath, I say this with great earnest….All the heart breaks over the decades is the Curse of Super Bowl 111, when we made a deal with the devil that January 15th 1969…
Does anyone find it interesting that, despite Cashman’s comments that, if the season opened today, Swisher would be the Yankees first baseman, on their official website, they have listed Swisher as an outfielder on both the 40-man roster and on the “active” (whatever that means in the offseason)roster? This is as of approximately 10:45 p.m. (EST) on 11/13/2008.
Of course, the 40-man roster on the Yankees official website is rarely accurate anyway. Right now, it is inaccurately claiming that four players (Albaladeho, Brackman, Wang, and Posada)are not on the 40-man because, the site claims, that the four are on the 60-day disabled list. Actually, the 60-day disabled list does not exist between now and March.
The official site also inaccurately claims that Sergio Mitre is on the 40-man roster even though the official Yankee press releases found on the same site contain verbatim quotes from Cashman pointing out that Mitre was signed to a minor league contract.
The official site also inaccurately claims that Mussina, Pavano, Pettitte, Ponson, Moeller, I. Rodriguez, Giambi, and Abreu are still on the 40-man roster despite their declared free agencies.
If you correct for all of these errors, it would appear that the Yankee 40-man roster actually contains thirty-seven players as of approximately one hour before the imported free agent signing period begins. The only retained Yankee free agent included in the thirty-seven is Damaso Marte.
Thus, from the combination of the 11/20/2008 additions to protect from the Rule 5 draft, signing of free agents from other teams, possible retention of their own free agents, trades, non-tenders, and releases, the Yankees can add a net of only three additional players to the 40-man between now and March when someone with rosteritis can be put on the 60 day disabled list again. If they add three and run out of space, I would think that Rasner, Britton, and S.Duncan might be leading candidates to leave the 40-man through one means or another to clear space. Indeed, it happened to Rasner last December when the Yankees were shoehorning in players to the 40-man over a period of weeks as they could clear space.
For these reasons, I am of the opinion that the official announcements of the Yankee offseason acquisitions are not going to come as quickly as some predict. I fully expect a portion of the picture to stay muddied until late January. Or perhaps, like last year, major league baseball will look the other way while the Yankees and player agents take six or eight weeks to work out “the final details” of a contract for a signing announced long before.
Don’t even mess w/ it just kick the FG. PJH shut up it’s a joke. Funny HA HA
“Does anyone find it interesting that….”
Frankly, no.
**Youre a moron if you think CC signs tonight. Try back around Christmas.**
uh…no one ever said CC would sign tonight.
Gee, Belichick is mellowing. He actually shook Mangini’s hand.
WOO!! J-E-T-S JETS! JETS! JETS!
this talented Jets team needs to learn how to win.
a new coach would help
It seemed like Mangini wanted to prolong the handshake more than Belichick did.
Game finally over, Jets win
Belichick raced out of there faster than Usain Bolt
>> Enjoy the football game. It’s on Channel 11 in New York. >>
Hey thanks for the tip — now I had the pleasure of seeing the Pats lose LIVE.
Now I know why I never root for the Jets when growing up. Favre sounds p–s.
HOW ‘BOUT THEM JETS?!!!!
The blown coverage on the 3rd and 15 cost the Patriots dearly. The Jets were able to methodically chew up yardage after that and pick up the win.
Their next game is against the undefeated Titans. I can’t wait!!
I’ll take it as a sign If Brett throws an interception CC signs tonight.
Youre a moron if you think CC signs tonight. Try back around Christmas.
uh…no one ever said CC would sign tonight.
Joe from Long Island
November 13th, 2008 at 11:44 pm
Gee, Belichick is mellowing. He actually shook Mangini’s hand.
______________________________________________________
Yeah, but, the instant replay shows that Belichick actually hocked up a goober in his hand just before the handshake.
“Now I know why I never root for the Jets when growing up. Favre sounds p—s”
he’s probably a nervous wreck.
Ed do we call him St.Nick ?
Brandon,
if only he could convince CC to sign with the Yanks immediately. Hopefully Nick will be the good luck charm.
Brandon (TEIX IS NOT WORTH IT, GET CC !)…”Don’t trade Robi !”
November 13th, 2008 at 11:52 pm
Ed do we call him St.Nick ?
_____________________________________________________
That’s fine as long as people don’t think that he’s “Nick The Sainted One”.
“uh…no one ever said CC would sign tonight.”
The whole point to my statement was tension breaking humor the FA deadline starts at 12:01 AM…I said that statement at 11:37 PM he can’t sign tonight genius.
**That’s fine as long as people don’t think that he’s “Nick The Sainted One.**
LOL
..3 more minutes till the free agent signings!
uh Brandon, that was actually my comment. that idiot just copied.
Sorry to interrupt the euphoria here, but anyone watching TNT?
EJ & KS arguing over whether Dallas or Golden State is better. So they ask Barkley what he thought, “Well, it’s like choosing between two ugly girls. Doesn’t really matter.”
Took a long time, but Chucky’s really grown on me.
Okay, go get your champagne bottles and wait for the big FA signing announcement.
Cashman already dialing …. all he has to do is hit the green button for outgoing call.
Ed – sign CC immediately
November 13th, 2008 at 11:57 pm
That’s fine as long as people don’t think that he’s “Nick The Sainted One.
LOL
..3 more minutes till the free agent signings!
_______________________________________________________
You know it’s going to happen when he wins a game with a pair of homers. Of course, in the next game when he’s 0-4, 3 strikeouts and an error and Betemit homers, the whining will begin.
Happy New Year!!!
1 more minute !
Happy Start of Free Agency everyone!
So…..now we…wait
**Cashman already dialing …. all he has to do is hit the green button for outgoing call.**
he got to be dialing right now!!!
Does anyone have a link to the AP breaking news site?
There better be a ringtone right now followed by a hey Brian.
Busy signal at Sabathia’s house. Keep calling, Cashman.
TNT? No, the NFL Network was the place to be tonight.
GB,
When the Marlins were wheeling and dealing, and the Yanks weren’t involved. Everyone been whining why Cashman didn’t do this or that. Now that Cashman made a trade, people are already complaining why Cashman decided to trade for a .219 hitter. Such bandwagon fans!
Oh, Nick. That’s so 20 minutes ago.
Hey, RJ’s not going back to the D-backs. Where does he end up? SD? LOL.
While Cashman is calling CC, he ought to have somebody else calling Lowe or Burnett. It’s not as giant of a rush for those two, but he needs to have his bases covered just in case.
mel,
Dallas is probably a wee bit better than Golden State, just because their starting point guard doesn’t injure himself while “working out.”
If you enjoy seeing Matt Cassel’s hangdog look, the time is still now.
OH HELL YEAH THIS GAME WAS AMAZING.
And now I need to go to grad school work.
But oh that was an evening well spent.
J-Dawg,
Haha. Your young crew looks good. How come Critteton’s not getting any PT?
Stark (who also loves the Swisher deal) thinks the Yankees are going to offer 6-year $140M. I guess I’m okay with that, but any higher? Forget it. One time offer with a quick sell-by date.
This is what I would like to see
Damon CF
Jeter SS
Abreu RD
A-Rod 3B
Matsui DH
Nady LF
Posada C
Swisher 1B
Cano 2B
Oh my god haha what a win just got back from the bar. Losing that lead, and winning in ot. How did Moss catch that ball? Dustin Keller unreal. What a drive in ot. wooooooooooooo
Nick,
Who the hell is Cassell? Brady looked good tonight. 400 yards passing. Leading rusher (lol). No problemo.
Did CC sign already?
http://assets.espn.go.com/phot.....cy_top.jpg
looks encouraging.
firejoemorgan.com has closed down shop. It will be missed.
http://www.firejoemorgan.com/2.....odbye.html
OK, I’m ready… did the big guy sign yet? lol
Did anyone else read that the Cubs said that Wood won’t be back after the deal they made with Florida. Didn’t think they’d write him off so quickly. I guess they feel Marmol and/or Gregg can handle the job.
Ed – sign CC immediately
November 14th, 2008 at 12:03 am
GB,
When the Marlins were wheeling and dealing, and the Yanks weren’t involved. Everyone been whining why Cashman didn’t do this or that. Now that Cashman made a trade, people are already complaining why Cashman decided to trade for a .219 hitter. Such bandwagon fans!
________________________________________________________
I’ll take the Swisher trade over anything the Marlin traded, so far. Swisher is a good fallback to any defensive/offensive player yet moved. It also clears two more spots on the 40 man roster and doesn’t make the Yanks appear so desperate that they’ll jump at the first thing Boras comes up with. NYY has a little leverage and breathing room with this trade.
If only I picked up Cassel for one of my FF leagues. Sigh
mel,
The word is that Crittenton doesn’t appear to be happy about his situation here. I think they’re keeping him on the bench to keep him from pressuring Conley for more PT.
Seattle might be a good spot for the Big Unit. They can sign him, bring back Junior and get the band back together. It would create a buzz around Safeco Field.
vin
November 14th, 2008 at 12:16 am
OK, I’m ready… did the big guy sign yet? lol
Did anyone else read that the Cubs said that Wood won’t be back after the deal they made with Florida. Didn’t think they’d write him off so quickly. I guess they feel Marmol and/or Gregg can handle the job.
___________________________________________________________
They’d better close with Marmol, before Piniella kills Marmol with those back-to-back-to-back multi-innings games.
I’d love to see Ichiro and the Unit on the same team.
If Memphis doesn’t develop Crittenton, then that deal looks even worse than it was. But hey, at least it made the Lakers contenders again.
The more I think about it the more this trade gets really objectionable to me. Why do we need yet another expensive position player who can no longer hit to play 1B? Next year could really be brutal to watch. I say get REAL utility players and a REAL 1B.
Yankees ‘09–Give us your injured, your steroid burn-outs who can’t hit, we’ll put ‘em at 1B.
Does anyone know about the Yanks attempting a little experiment with Justin Christian? I heard on the River Ave Blues podcast that they are planning to turn him into a Chone Figgins (super utilty player, playing the middle infield and the outfield)?
bad signing by the yankees.
Ichiro and the Unit would be great on the same team, a team like Arizona. No way Unit would go back to SEattle
One of the things I look at is strikout to hit ratio. Swisher’s ratio of 135 SO’s to 109 H’s is much worse than any ‘08 Yankee who got significant AB’s other than Sexson, who was cut for his ineptitude. Swisher’s ratio was worse than Giambi’s and even worse than Betemit’s (56 SO’s to 50 H’s), which was pretty awful.
Round about August Cashman made the comment that it wasn’t pitching that was killing us, it was the lack of hitting. I hope he has something in mind.
u r a bandwagon fan, u want the yanks to have All Stars at every position, you don’ understand baseball.. just like people saying about Nady, we don’t need him anymore.. ya ok.. we got two new young guys with nady and swisher.. you wanna get younger, and we just did.. learn baseball.. we got rid of betemit, we need pitching more then tex
The only reasoning I can cme up with, is that we are flipping him to another team, I really don’t see how he can help theYankees.
Ed – sign CC immediately
November 14th, 2008 at 12:28 am
Does anyone know about the Yanks attempting a little experiment with Justin Christian? I heard on the River Ave Blues podcast that they are planning to turn him into a Chone Figgins (super utilty player, playing the middle infield and the outfield)?
_______________________________________________________
Don’t know about that, Ed, but, 2nd base was Christian’s position until he moved to the outfield. He wasn’t real good, but, that was 2005. It would help his value, though if he could play 2nd and a couple other infield spots. He has the speed, footwork and arm.
the source of the “Big Mouth” description in case anyone was wondering… Moose Skowron.
I am trying to sell myself on Swisher but I can’t. If he gives us Giambi’s 2007 numbers it will equal his BEST year. Now I hear the Red Sox will go after Texiera. If that happens, advantage Red Sox. Last year Yanks go with Hughes & Kennedy. Sox go with Lester/Buckholtz. Advantage Red Sox. The year before Yanks sign Igawa, Red Sox Dice-K. Advantage Red Sox. The off-season is just starting but I don’t like the way things are going.