Comments on: More random spring training thoughts

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 15:55:25 +0000

Derek Jeter, future HOF, and now he is not good enough to play SS for the NY Yankees? He has lost a step? What, like Ozzie Smith lost a step? Like Mark Belanger lost a step? Like Honus Wagner lost a step? Give me a break. Derek Jeter is fine at SS and when you need a hit in the clutch, range means nothing at all; when the winning run is on second base, a lost step in the field means nothing; sure, Derek Jeter is not the same player he was back in 1995 but he is not a liability–he is Derek Jeter, future NY Yankees HOF. Give the man respect. Besides, the Yankees don’t have the future Derek Jeter in the farm system right now, so let up and enjoy him while you can.

By: Bill O

Bill O — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 02:35:33 +0000

Its ridiculous to think that Jeter wouldn’t be able to handle at least a corner OF spot. I mean he has played the most athletically demanding position in the game his entire career. Many less athletic players have moved from the infield to the outfield. Other than 1B its the easiest position in the game to play.

Then when you look at his defensive strengths and weaknesses you can see that he should fit well in the OF. One of his greatest strengths is his ability to track down fly balls something he’ll do a lot of in OF. His biggest weaknesses is moving to his lateral quickness when tracking down balls particularly to his left. In the OF while quickness certainly helps its considerably less important as guys have more time to move and actually run after the ball. Speed is more important in the OF and while Derek’s has diminished he’s still faster than your average OF (especially corner OF’s).

I’d be surprised if you got anything less than average defense from Jeter in the corner OF. I don’t know that he could adequately handle CF at this point in his career, but LF or even RF would not be too difficult for him.

The questions I have is whether we’ll have room for Derek in the OF and will he be willing to move there. Right now you’d have to assume that Gardner or Jackson will start in CF in 2011, Swisher will probably be in RF, and with Matt Holliday a free agent after this year its possible that he may be the big signing after this year leaving no room for Jeter except maybe at DH, but Posada is going to start needing more there. I think the organization will find a way to keep Derek at least a little longer and hopefully for the rest of his career.

By: Amandla

Amandla — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 01:00:59 +0000

Yeah Jeter is the liability on the team. Right. No player will ever be the liability ARod is. You guys can quote stats until your blue. The guy is a first class ass and creates division. No team he is on will ever win.

By: Bevilacqua

Bevilacqua — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 00:08:44 +0000

“I find the idea that Derek Jeter should go play the outfield to be ridiculous. We have no idea if he can as he’s literally never played there a day in his life. So his lack of range at shortstop will disappear in the outfield?”

Come on Pete, they even put Yogi in the outfield back in the day. Jeet can handle left. Stick him there with his next contract. He’s not a DH…

By: Yankee2123

Yankee2123 — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 23:55:58 +0000

Jeter is the SS until the end of the 2010 season. Now here’s the thing, Jeter’s personal milestone is 3K hits. He’s at 2535 already. So if he can put up two seasons of 165 or better in hits, he’ll have about 2900 hits for arguments sake. So he may need an extra year to get his 3K hits. After that he’s playing for enjoyment, and a chance to win a World Series. He’s not going to get a huge contract from the team, since he’s past his prime. I think they should end the speculation and give him a two year extension, taking him to age 38. That gives him a few more chances to pocket another ring, make a few million extra bucks, and collect 3K hits. As for positions, after 2010, he can slide into that Tim Raines/Mariano Duncan/Bernie Williams (2004-2006) type of role.

By: GZA

GZA — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 22:59:28 +0000

John_Halfz need to relax.

By: John_Halfz

John_Halfz — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 21:40:00 +0000

Oh, boy. Sloppy analysis. First of all, the 1950s and 1960s are two pretty discrete eras in baseball history. The relative importance of each run scored was higher in the pitcher-dominated late 1960s. Bunting and playing for runs therefore made more sense. It did not in the 1950s, even if an isolated game from 2009 illustrates how these plays can work. Anyway, a successful bunt begs a counterfactual argument. How else might the inning have turned out if not for the sacrifice of an out (a team’s most valuable commodity

You also object to their signing the best baseball player in the game to a 10 year contract. Fine, he KISSES himself and he loves old women. Well, that’s why I have no interest in being his personal friend. And they signed Posada for 4 years. Uh, it’s the hardest position to fill, there are no credible alternatives, so you have to overpay (in dollars and years). And you’re kind of assuming that someone will be ready/available at the end of that time. Who are you thinking of, Pete?

Can’t wait until the real games start. You’re stretching your credibility as an analyst. I guess, though, if the journalism “bar” is set by King, Sherman, et al., you’re a reasonably high performer. Depressing stuff.

By: GZA

GZA — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 20:43:34 +0000

Jeter can play short for now. But if he wants to come back, he’s got to ride the pine. Bernie was willing to do it. So should Jete.

By: Jay

Jay — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 20:12:16 +0000

randy l.,

There’s no question having players who can play more than one position is an ENORMOUS advantage. Witness Boston with Youklis and Pedroia.

By: Jay

Jay — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 20:04:47 +0000

Al from BK,

You can’t be serious when you suggest that A-Rod will earn his money throughout his contract and hit 40 home runs, etc.

Even with the assistance of steroids, the greatest outlier in the history of position players himself, Baroid Bonds, only hit 26 and 28 home runs at age 41 and 42 and basically missed an entire season at age 40.

Age 40: essentially a missed season.
Age 41: 26 home runs, 115 RBIs, a 1.009 OPS. (in 367 at bats)
Age 42: 28 home runs, 132 RBIs, an 1.145 OPS (in 340 at bats)
Average for the three years: less than 20 home runs and only a little over 85 RBIs — again, with the assistance of a cocktail of steroids.

Other phenoms at age 40, 41, and 42:

Hank Aaron
Age 40: 20 home runs, 69 RBIs, an .832 OPS
Age 41: 12 home runs, 60 RBIs, a .687 OPS
Age 42: 10 home runs, 35 RBIs, a .684 OPS

Willie Mays:
Age 40: 18 home runs, 61 RBIs, an .810 OPS
Age 41: 8 home runs, 22 RBIs, an .802 OPS (in 244 at bats)
Age 42: 6 home runs, 25 RBIs, a .647 OPS (in 209 at bats)

Ken Griffey became a shadow of himself far before age 40.

Ted Williams:
Age 40: 10 home runs, 43 RBIs, a .791 OPS
Age 41: 29 home runs, 72 RBIs, a 1.096 OPS (in 310 at bats)

Al, what exactly are you basing your belief that A-Rod will outperform every great player in the history of the game as he ages on?