Looking for the missing piece
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Dec 14, 2009 
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When the Yankees traded for center fielder Curtis Granderson, they essentially filled their hole in left. They can simply slide Melky Cabrera to left field and their defense is set. All that’s left is to decide on a primary designated hitter and possibly upgrade the bench.
C Posada
1B Teixeira
2B Cano
3B Rodriguez
SS Jeter
LF Cabrera
CF Granderson
RF Swisher
DH Free agent (or Miranda)
—
C Cervelli (or a free agent)
INF Pena (or Russo, or Corona, or a free agent)
OF Gardner
OF Hoffmann
The question is, who should the Yankees target for the designated hitter spot? Brian Cashman has said many times that it’s very easy to find a bat, and he’s right, but the Yankees could significantly increase their roster flexibility by finding a DH who can play the field. There is little reason to get more than one additional hitter unless they A: Trade an outfielder or B: Want someone proven at backup catcher or utility infielder.
So, who would you target for the DH spot? Conventional thinking says the Yankees want an outfielder (Johnny Damon, we’re looking at you) but would an infielder make more sense given Gardner and Hoffmann are already in the mix? Would you want a bigger bat in left field? Is roster flexibility even an issue, or do you simply want the best bat available?
Good morning-
If indeed the Phillies, Seattle and Toronto make that trade, that would not be a net gain for Phillies, Seattle getting back one of the best lefties, who I hope would test FA waters next year and sign with CC and the Yankees. He’s younger, proven in WS, and a lefty to replace Pettitte in 2011.
Plus it gets Halladay to the NL and Lee to the AL west.
If indeed only prospects are involved, I’d like to see the Yankees get Lee!
Any extra person is going to see more time in the outfield than the infield. I think they need somebody like Damon.
And I think that it’s silly to consider Hoffman at all. If he sticks, that’s a great bonus, but it seems equally likely that he gets offered back before the end of ST.
Too many rumors on Damon, with Boras handling the negotiations. “Don’t make an offer unless it’s 13 million x 3 years.” “Yankees haven’t contacted Damon.” If Damon wants to come back, let him pick up the phone and call Cashman and not deal thru the media.
Here’s a possible cheap solution for DH-Sign Rocco Baldelli to hit lefties and play some OF, with Miranda facing righties
There is little reason to get more than one additional hitter unless they A: Trade an outfielder
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Not true. If they add a full-time outfielder via trade or FA, Swisher becomes the DH so they wouldn’t need to add another hitter.
interesting view from joe maddon about why the yankees are so hard to beat:
The Rays were exposed against the Yankees, in particular, who had a number of tough left-handers Tampa Bay simply couldn’t match up with.
“They have a bunch of good left-handed hitters and switch hitters,” Maddon said. “It’s hard to match up with them. You have to have righties that pitch well against lefties as an example, like Lance Cormier was very prominent against them last year, or a lefty that pitches well against righties as well as lefties, J.P. Howell.
“We just didn’t have enough of that where we were able to match up with them specifically, so that’s why when we played them you saw a lot of movement with the pitching later in the game, and we did lose a lot of games against them late. To me it’s not as much about a matchup bullpen, it’s about when you get the specific specialists and utilizing them right. That’s what makes it more difficult.”
http://news.bostonherald.com/s.....rticleFull
Another point, you seem to imply that Damon has a ball in his corner or an offer on the table from the Yanks. He doesn’t. Team officials denied giving him an offer in any form just recently.
“the angels have the money to re-sign lackey and I’m not sure why they haven’t already unless they know something about him that everyone else doesn’t.”
Good point, especially when you add this to it: I don’t think the Angels would trade for and extend Halladay, and then re-sign Lackey as well. Nothing in their last 4 years has suggested this type of spending. So, they are saying they would prefer to have just Halladay rather than Saunders and Lackey. That doesn’t sound like good decsion making to me. Unless they have no faith in Lackey holding up for any length of time.
That said, I would be quite happy if Halladay is on a toothless Angels team with as much chance to win as the Blue Jays, while Lackey ends up somewhere besides NY or Boston.
If Nick Johnson would take a one year deal, he might be a good option, but I think Matsui will accept something like $5m for a year and return.
Randy,
Thanx for the post. That’s why I like Doumit as DH/RF/emergency catcher. He’s a true switch hitter and being the DH should keep him healthy. He’s 29.
The question is, who should the Yankees target for the designated hitter spot?
******************
Matsui
“So, who would you target for the DH spot? Conventional thinking says the Yankees want an outfielder (Johnny Damon, we’re looking at you) but would an infielder make more sense given Gardner and Hoffmann are already in the mix? Would you want a bigger bat in left field? Is roster flexibility even an issue, or do you simply want the best bat available?”
Every time I think about this, and look at all the possible trades/signings/long term ramifications, I always come to the conclusion that the best DH for 2010 is absolutely Matsui.
Rich in NJ-
Matsui @ 5M would be a deal, which would mean that the market by the time he signs is about dried up for DH types!
“the angels have the money to re-sign lackey and I’m not sure why they haven’t already unless they know something about him that everyone else doesn’t.”
—
Because they need an ace type pitcher who can carry them deeper into the postseason like CC did for the Yanks. A guy like that proved invaluable to the Yanks. The Angels don’t have that and Roy gives them that. They have the money to lock him up to an extension and won’t make the mistake they made when they traded for Teixeira and then got outbid by the Yanks in free agency.
Put another way. If the Yankees want Lackey like they wanted Tex, there’s nothing the Angels can do about it. They can’t outbid the Yanks so they’re almost forced into the market for Halladay or at least feel a little more pressure than most teams to get a deal done.
The Yankees win because the Angels lose Lackey and Saunders and hopefully Aybar as well. By targetting Lackey, the Yankees do some damage to the Halos even when they’d be adding Halladay.
Signing granderson instanly improves the outfield defense if Melky is playing left, but you could argue that offensively the present team is worse because you’ve lost Damon and matsui. I like melky in LF defensively but as many have pointed out in this blog what good is it to upgrade CF if you are going to be weak at the corners offensively?
Mark in Tampa
December 14th, 2009 at 9:12 am
Every time I think about this, and look at all the possible trades/signings/long term ramifications, I always come to the conclusion that the best DH for 2010 is absolutely Matsui.
***************
Mark, I like the way you think
Blake,
Would you feel differently if Granderson played LF instead of Melky? It’s the same offense with Granderson replacing Damon but a weaker defense.
Brett, the Angels aren’t going to compete even of they get Halladay if they don’t retain Lackey as well because they will have to lose their SS, saunders, and. Probably a catcher like Naploli as well to get him. That’s subtacting Figgins, lackey, saunders, aybar, and probably vlad and Napoli. Adding Halladay isn’t going to offset all of that..
can you imagine, even a 55yr old Barry Bonds slugging in the Stadium as the DH? just an idea
Yankee Trader
Or it could mean that Matsui doesn’t have many (any?) other options.
If they want to get younger, faster and more defense in the OF, plus just about, barring injuries, a sure return to the WS, just sign Holliday, move Melky to RF, Swisher to DH.Save the 8-10M on Damon plus the 5-7M on Matsui and apply it to Holliday.
Then if indeed , the Phillies are looking to move Lee in a 3-way involving them getting Halladay, let the Yankees be the 3rd team and ge Lee who, IMHO, would be a better Yankee asset than Halladay. Proven in WS, a lefty, durable.
Just let the Steinbrenners open the vault!!!!!!!!!
Brett, so far the Yankees have lost two good hitters and only replace one. So if theu don’t sign someone to DH or play LF then the team is better defensively but worse offensively IMO. Cashman may be fine with that.
Mark, I also think that Matsui is the choice now since the grandrson deal. I’d rather sign matsui for one year than Damon for 2+ and matsui can hit behind Arod where Damon can’t. Those things trump Damon’ ability to badly play LF occasionally
i dont get why people are asking how to fill the dh spot?
have you been listening? they dont want a dh. if they did, they would just re-sign matsui (still possible). it is matsui or no set dh.
cashman has said that many times how he wants the dh spot open so i dont get why the spec on who will fill the dh spot.
Maddon indirectly points to the one weakness in Granderson’s game: how will he handle late inning LOOGYs, and how will Girardi handle the situation if Granderson can’t handle LOOGYs.
To search for a DH is fruitless when they already have the best. To not bring him back is heresy and overthinking.
Get Matsui. Damon, on our terms, or good-bye.
Sign Matsui. Yanks have Granderson, Swisher, Melky, Gardner and Hoffmann in the OF. Matsui can DH 100 games, the other 60 games can be split with Posada, ARod and Jeter. If you look at his history, when Matsui hits, ARod has a solid year at the plate. Matsui is younger than Damon and his bat can wreck a game. Besides, Matsui would accept a 1 year deal
“have you been listening?”
We once heard Cashman say that Bubba Crosby would be the starting CF, and that the Yankees didn’t have the money to sign Teix.
“Yanks have Granderson, Swisher, Melky, Gardner and Hoffmann in the OF. Matsui”
I would be shocked if Melky, Gardner, and Hoffman are all on the team.
blake
December 14th, 2009 at 9:20 am
Brett, the Angels aren’t going to compete even of they get Halladay if they don’t retain Lackey as well because they will have to lose their SS, saunders, and. Probably a catcher like Naploli as well to get him. That’s subtacting Figgins, lackey, saunders, aybar, and probably vlad and Napoli. Adding Halladay isn’t going to offset all of that..
—
That’s a benefit to the Yankees targetting Lackey. It makes the Angels desperate for Halladay and willing to pay top dollar in both talent and money.
The reason I like Matsui for DH is Alex is protected in the line up, and Matsui is a great DH.
He sure hasn’t created drama in the media like Damon. At this stage he’s cost effective on two fronts. He would cost less, and he brings in 15mm in ads from Japan.He’s an income stream.
As much as I like Damon, he and his wife spewed the Boras Kool-Aid talk about ALL the offers he is receiving,made me care-less if he came back.
I want to see the team that is stupid enough to give him 4/13mm per, at age 36.
Yankee trader, or you could just fill the DH from within with Miranda and possibly Montero by the end of the year. I’ve said for awhile now that Holliday makes perfect sense for the Yankees. The only problem is the payroll. Signing him pretty much concludes the offseason for the Yankees unless they raise payroll. But signing him makes the team younger and significantly better in the outfield than the 2009 team. I don’t see it happening though
No team will give Damon three years. That’s why I fear the Yankees will stupidly give him two.
The Yankees need a power bat. Obviously if they can play some defense that helps, but I do not think it is critical. I think it more important to have someone who can put a charge in the ball and clear the bases. We are losing a lot of power if Matsui is gone, and those home runs and doubles must be replaced.
Damon is not the answer for DH as his ‘power’ is does not translate to other parks. I am thinking maybe Garrett Atkins, Jack Cust, or Mike Jacobs.
The Yankees could sign Matsui and Ben sheets today and have a better team than 2009 and still lower payroll.
Sign Matsui.
Sign Sheets.
Done.
Jacobs (career 104 OPS+) stinks.
Atkins (career 102 OPS+) stinks.
Cust (121 career OPS+) is reasonable.
Rich, if the Yankees give Damon more than 2/20 them they are bidding against themselves again. (which is one of the reasons why their payroll is so high anyway)
I would go w/ Matsui, they already know how well he plays at YS.
I would be surprised if Halladay gets traded before ST. I don’t see him going to the Angels.
Does Damon have any offers at all right now? There are so many conflicting stories, I can’t keep them all straight. lol
Rich in NJ, yeah I agree that these guys are rather fringe, but if we are looking at power DH options they are about as good as they get in this FA class. Of course, Matsui trumps them all in my book, but he does not play the field. I hope Cashman considers that Matsui is incredibly clutch, and actually thrives in the DH role.
blake
Given their salary commitments for 2011, I think it would be beyond foolish to give him two years under any circumstances.
bdog375
Jacobs and Atkins aren’t good enough to be Yankee DHs because DHs have to hit, and they don’t.
Granderson is motivated, happy to come to the Yankees,has the skill set to do great. I read that Kevin Long has already reached out and contacted him. Even Damon was quoted as saying that time with Kevin will help Curtis. I look for Grander to take NY by storm. His eye exam might have suggested Lasik was needed.
Rich, totally agree. Damon would be 38 in the second year of a two year deal and if he can barely play Lf now them how’s he going to be in two yeats. I like Johnny but if he won’t take a one year deal then I’m crossing him off my list
If either Damon or Matsui sign we are fine. Damon helps because Posada, ARod, Jeter will need time out of the field at the DH slot. Signing a “Theo’ish” low risk high reward guy for the starting staff would make sense. I still think we are an arm short in the pen, but there are plenty of young arms to try out there.
Looks to be a fun year again!
All along I have written that I expect either Damon or Matui back, not both. Nothing has happened to change that view.
Either way would love to see DeRosa added since he’s the best utility guy in the game. There are a slew of potential OF/DH types as well as Atkins who could be a DH/1B/3B type to give some flexibility.
The idea of acquiring Doumit has a lot of merit. It’s a buy-low situation where he’s great Posada insurance and a good enough athlete to play elsewhere in a pinch.
I agree Hoffman OR Gardner for 2010, keeping both would be pretty weak and rather redundant.
Sign Nick Johnson.
I think to bring back Nady on the cheap to hit against lefties and occasionally DH would be a smart move. Better defense than Damon and use the money you dave to add pitching.
Tex’s friend, lets say that the Yankees do not sign a DH and just rotate the DH using the players.
That means rotating Alex, Jeter, Teixeira, Swisher, every week into the DH spot and having Posada doing it twice every week. Does that really make any sense to you? Teixeira doesn’t need that many days off of first, Jeter wouldn’t want to have that many days not playing short, Alex would only need that if his hip is still not healed completely, Swisher though that could be a rotation of all the outfielders which still gives them more days off than they need from fielding and weakens the defense. Posada also then doesn’t get a full day off which would probably be more beneficial to him.
It makes the DH role far less productive as well as weakens the team big time. That doesn’t even address how much worse the team looks for the playoffs.
Cashman might have said that, but the way the team is currently, it doesn’t make one bit of sense.
Still a Matsui fan…
Probably (though not necessarily) limited to DH only…but one of our best clutch hitters…and an important cog in the championship.
The bench suddenly seems weak.
I would sign Johnny D. or Marlon Byrd…
Sign Hideki..
Make Melky or Gardner 4th outfielder…trade the other
Add another bat to bench (maybe it could be Hoffman or a Hinske-like power guy)
Wow, Chad. No offense, but here’s hoping — assuming, actually — that Brian Cashman knows more about baseball than you do. On what planet is Melky Cabrera an adequate corner outfielder? (Okay, in fairness, the more appropriate question is “What team?” but I can guarantee you that the answer is not “the Yankees).
Some homework is required. Happily, it involves you reading the best baseball writer on the planet, who just happens to work for the YES family.
Here: http://www.myyesnetwork.com/12....._conundrum
And here:http://www.myyesnetwork.com/12.....work_to_do
Good luck and happy holidays.
Damon is old enough without having to distort the facts. He just turned 36 in November… so he’ll be 36 in 2010 and 37 in 2011, not 38.
It’s a tough call, but I go with Damon if the $$$ is comparable. But if it’s not — and it appears Matsui will take less but we don’t know that — then go with the more economical option.
Having a guy who is strictly a DH is not ideal, but it isn’t toxic either. Especially if the Yanks dispense with the nonsense of carrying 12 pitchers for much of the season.
lets put our boy matsui on the andy pettitte one-year-at-a-time program. as long as he produces and stays healthy, sign him up for another contract and we’re set. he doesnt want to go anywhere else, and we’re not gonna do any better than godzilla.
My list of DHs in order of preference:
1. Matsui
2. Nick Johnson
3. Damon
100. Miranda
Matsui’s far superior in terms of the advantages he brings, no split, power, high avg RISP hitter
Nick Johnson owns but its yet to see if his power will return
I personally love the idea of Cervelli as our backup. Jose Molina is a very good defensive catcher, but he is such a weak hitter and a liability on the base paths. Cervelli is young, fiery, and a fresh set of legs.
The pitching staff responded well with him behind the plate.
Besides he is a nice low cost option. If he stumbles we have a lot of good talent at catcher, everyone praises Jesus Montero for his hitting prowess, but Austine Romine is no slouch either.
Unless we get a free agent surprise, Juan Miranda makes sense to me at DH, as the regulars would also slide in and out of the DH role to get some rest. We saw this past year how much it paid off to have a healthy rested team going into the playoffs.
Certainly Cashman can still tweak things for the better, but I’d feel good going into the season with the current crew.
Granderson lessens Boras big time,in leverage. Damon knows it too. He could side step Boras like Alex did, if he wants to stay.
If the Yankees were ready to move on when Alex opted out. They didn’t even have a replacement yet,Damon’s replacement is on the team. Cashman has everything in his favvor.
“Jacobs and Atkins aren’t good enough to be Yankee DHs because DHs have to hit, and they don’t.”
I am not exactly sure what you definition of hitting is, but Jacobs had 32HRs in ~475ABs in 2008. Sounds like some hitting to me. Atkins was a consistent 20hr, 100rbi guy until last year. He hit more home runs on the road than at home, though his slugging percentage was down on the road. People get a little too worked up about the Denver effect, though. Most player not named Swisher are much worse on the road. They weigh down the balls in Denver now too.
Given the fact that they want a DH who can play the field so they can rotate veterans means the DH is not necessarily going to be an everyday player. I believe power is the one ingredient that cannot be sacrificed, and these (along with Cust) are price effective and worth considering.
Keeping the DH slot ‘open’ probably means that Damon/Matsui is there most of the time with Melky/Hoffmann/Gardner in left most of the time. Damon would slide back to left when someone needs a day off.
The Yankees cannot go into the season without at least one more bat. Remember last season when Swisher and Nady were supposed to be redundant? Going into the season with Melky as your everyday leftfielder and a rotating DH is a recipe for disaster. Even if you can accept Melky in LF, you still have a hole at DH.
They don’t need superstars, but we need at least one more .800+ OPS hitter and a righthanded platoon type.
Give the ABs to Juan Miranda against RHP and save the $ for something useful…
the Yanks haven’t made an offer to Damon because Boras told the Yanks don’t even call with an offer less than 4yrs and or an offer less than 13mil…being that they have no intention of offering 3-4yrs and/or 13mil a yr salary they feel what’s the point…
They feel his value is 1-2yrs @ 7-8mil a yr and they are right!
Ok 37 instead of 38. My point was he’s awful in the outfield now and will be worse in two years
Jerkface, My DH list looks like:
1) Damon
2) Matsui
3) Other not named
Damon can play the outfield and can still run. Both Damon and Matsui are clutch hitters. I’m a little worried about Matsui’s knees. He didn’t play an out in the outfield and still needed his knees drained a couple of time.
Melky is a bit above replacement. Has been, for several years. Please, Melky haters, give it a rest. He’s cheap, he’s a switch hitter, and can hit in the clutch. His fielding is slightly above league average. What else do you want?
Think of who this team had in the OF during the late 90s run. Chad Curtis, anyone?
If Matsui could field even 50 games this would be a no brainer, and Damon would be on his way to the Giants or the White Sox.
at what point to we give Miranda a shot ?
I admire Matsui for all he’s done for the Yanks, and he had a nice post season. But looking back on the entire season I also remember him getting on top of a lot of balls and hitting weak grounders to second. Many of them into inning ending double plays.
If we can resign him for under $5M he’d be a steal, but I just don’t think there’s a lot left in those legs/knees.
i think the yankees havent contacted damon b/c they dont want him back, plain and simple.
he’s going to be way overpaid and get a 3 year deal from someone who is then going to regret that 3rd (and probably 2nd) year deeply.
i love johnny, but he has to halve the $’s and years he wants before he makes any sense at all
INDIANAPOLIS — Brian Cashman sounds like a general manager who doesn’t believe the Yankees’ designated hitter hole needs to be filled by Hideki Matsui or anybody else outside the organization.
“Juan Miranda can be a DH,” said Cashman, who cut off a question about not having a DH. “We have Jorge Posada, we have Mark Teixeira and A-Rod and a number of guys who can swing over on their days of rest. We have people we can play in that position internally right now.”
And if Johnny Damon returns he will get at-bats as the DH.
Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/sports.....z0ZfyDfdKa
if the options are 1) Damon in LF and mirana at DH or 2) melky in LF with matsui at DH then option #2 is cheaper and much much better defensively.
While I like Matsui as DH, I think there’s some thought to having a DH that can also play the corner infield as well as OF. Pena can then be primary utility at SS and 2B.
Having Damon back would be nice, but definitely not a 3 yr deal. Matsui shouldn’t be considered for more than one year at a time as well.
Yankee Trader, there is no proposed trade. Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun is an idiot; if he had read the article, he would have seen that it was just the incoherent ramblings of a sportswriter with nothing better to do.
“Damon can play the outfield and can still run.”
this is a joke, right? damon has become a very poor OF in just the last 2 years, he has no range and balls he gets to bounce off his glove. now project his decline over the next 2 seasons and you have one of the worst OF’ers in the majors.
i dont want to see johnny, one of my favorites, end up like bernie (another one of my favorites) emarrasing himself. if you want him back, you have to make the case that he fits as DH for whatever terms he will take, or you cant make a case for him at all.
It should be hoffman on the team and gardner traded or to the minors or gardner on the team and hoffman returned. Having said that, would love to have derosa and matsui. Derosa can play left field and the infields on times arod, jeter, tex dh.
Damon is already limited in the OF so he is really a DH too.
The Yankees position on DH is completely assinine. This notion that Miranda will be as good a DH as Matsui is laughable. This is just Cashman postering so as not to tip his hand to Matsui and Damon. The other thing that annoys me is how all of a sudden, Matsui isn’t good enough to DH just because he doesn’t play the field. Hello!!!!!!! He didn’t play the field all of last year. How did that turn out? Sign Matsui and be done with it. I don’t understand why there has to be all of this drama.
does derosa play ss?
The Yankees do not want Lackey. People are fixated on the Yankees acquiring Lackey or Holliday and it’s not happening.
Isn’t this Hoffman kid just another version of Shelley Duncan?
Unless we get a free agent surprise, Juan Miranda makes sense to me at DH, as the regulars would also slide in and out of the DH role to get some rest. We saw this past year how much it paid off to have a healthy rested team going into the playoffs.
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And the Yankees didn’t have a proven DH last season?
Open DH means no one player slotted to fill that role. Having Miranda do it isn’t keeping it open.
i agree. i’d rather have matsui back, and sign sheets/duscherer and be done with it all.
Dye will be Cheap… And hes a great clubhouse/character guy, and could play a corner spot if needed.
No Ham, not a joke at all on Damon playing in the outfield and running. He can still steal 20 bases a year and play in the outfield on days when the DH slot is being used by others. I would not want him as my everyday LFer, but he can fill in a few days a week where Matsui cannot.
I’m sorry, but it’s completely silly to think the Yankees would target Lackey so that the Angels can get Halladay. The Yankees don’t have much of an interest in Lackey at the numbers he’s going to end up signing for.
Laura – Bring back Matsui in 2010!
December 14th, 2009 at 10:13 am
Sign Matsui and be done with it. I don’t understand why there has to be all of this drama.
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Laura, I agree 100%
I’ve started telling people that all I want for Christmas is Matsui back with the Yankees.
this is a joke, right? damon has become a very poor OF in just the last 2 years, he has no range and balls he gets to bounce off his glove. now project his decline over the next 2 seasons and you have one of the worst OF’ers in the majors.
____________________
While I agree that Damon isn’t great defensively, you can’t seriously believe that decline is a linear thing. It isn’t.
Hoffman is nothing like Shelley Duncan. He was rated the best outfield defender in the Dodger’s system and he has gotten on base in minors. The only reason he hasn’t been in the majors much so far is because the Dodgers are heavy with outfielders. Worst case, he becomes the Yankees fifth outfielder because he plays all three positions at a superior level. He doesn’t have any power and he is unlikely to ever be a starter, but he has value on the current team.
gardner probably will be traded, but thats more the kind of trade you make in ST after you establish the pecking order and make sure everybody’s healthy. hes not going to bring you back anything great, but if everything else falls into place you can maybe move him to a team who has OF issues for an arm you might be able to use. but if you have any injury problems or you feel there arent any better options on the bench, you still have him around.
Am I alone in thinking Damon is a bad re-sign to play left field? I would much rather have Matsui as the everyday DH (I think he’s a better hitter) and have a defensive guy like Brett Gardner ready to go play LF and be a speed guy on a regular basis.
With Damon’s arm and balky calves I think he’s only going to become MORE of a liability out there in the field. Why not go with a guy you already know can’t play LF and gameplan around it, rather than hamstring yourself with Damon?
Jacobs hit below .250 and ON BASED lower than .300.
Atkins hit .226 , onbased .308, also his slugging was garbage. His On base has gotten worse each of the last 4 years.
The only thing worse than a low average, low on base slugger, is a low average, low on base slap hitter.
Atkins and Jacobs are not players the yankees should be targetting.
I think budget has a lot to do with filling the remaining holes. I don’t think the team wants to spend on DH and utility, just in case they can make a play for another starter. At this point, by my calculations, they’re approx at $187 million, and I don’t think they want to exceed around $195 million tops. Not bad considering last year they were at between $206-$209 million, depending on who’s calculations you use.
damon had 12 steals.
Romine is hardly going to be ready to replace Cervelli if Cervelli stumbles – he’s going to be playing in AA this year. In no way do I want Montero up this year. I don’t care what he did to AA pitchers; the more experience he gets hitting a baseball, the better….not to mention if he’s going to be a catcher, he needs to play as much as possible. He’s gotten no playing time in winter league, so he doesn’t even have that to fall back on.
“Hoffman is nothing like Shelley Duncan.”
Okay, my bad. I just found it puzzling that LAD would let him go if he was so good.
Gardner doesnt have to be traded. He can just go back to AAA. He still has options.
Miranda, a 26-year-old left-handed hitting first baseman from Cuba. He hit .290 with 19 homers and 92 RBIs for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (Triple-A). In eight big league games he batted .333 (3-for-9) with a homer and three RBIs.
Young, Cheap , and can hit !
Here’s a Tiger Woods joke I heard over the weekend.
What’s the difference between Santa Claus and Tiger Woods?
Santa stopped at three HOs.
I thought it was cute.
Laura, they didnt really let him go. They have a deep system when it comes to outfielders and you can’t protect them all. It’s probably only 50/50 that he sticks in NY….but at least he has a chance.
And since the Yanks were just going to let Bruney walk if they didnt find a trade partner, then anything they get from Hoffman is gravy.
That’s an old article, and I’m sorry, Cash is delusional if he thinks that Miranda and a combo of all the other players is going to cut it. How is it possible that he thinks Tex, Jeter, Alex, etc…..are going to need or want all those days off? How is it possible he doesn’t know that a crappy player will be replacing the everyday guy if they do this?
Laura:
Hoffman is neither good nor bad, he has a few marketable skills which the Dodgers just couldn’t use a roster spot for. If he hits lefthanders at all then he should get play for the Yankees as they stand right now. He could be right back out the door if they make 1-2 trades or signings, though.
We need a LF fielder who can hit.
Miranda, a 26-year-old left-handed hitting first baseman from Cuba. He hit .290 with 19 homers and 92 RBIs for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (Triple-A). In eight big league games he batted .333 (3-for-9) with a homer and three RBIs.
Young, Cheap , and can hit !
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Young, cheap, and has 1 more option year to prove he can hit. Then he’ll get a real shot or be traded.
Hoffman would be a good signing if we didn’t already have Melky and Brett. ISTM that Hoffman is a right-handed clone of the other two — a good fielding CF with good speed but whose hitting may not be that strong. The likelihood is that Hoffman will lose out to Melky and Gardner in spring training or early in the season and be returned to the Dodgers. That’s a shame, because he might develop into a good player. Unfortunately, it’s difficult for the Yanks to keep him on their major league squad.
It’s true we could get away with only one more hitter but I don’t want melky as the starting LF. I want two hitters – matsui for dh and Damon/Cameron for LF
There shouldn’t be a big rush to trade Gardner or Melky, they are both still developing and cheap payroll. There is nothing wrong with having depth going into spring training.
As for the Matsui thing…I’m not for running him out of town, but the reality is he has limited skill set due to his age & should not be over valued.
If the Yankees are serious about lowering payroll then signing Matsui and Sheets puts the best team on the field that still achieves that goal IMO.
1. Jeter (SS)
2. Granderson (CF)
3. Tex (1B)
4. Arod (3B)
5. Matsui (DH)
6. Posada (C)
7. Cano (2b)
8. Swisher (RF)
9. Melky (LF)
1. CC
2. AJ
3. Pettite
4. Sheets
5. Hughes
Joba, Robertson, Marte, Rivera, etc. in the pen.
Thats a nasty team and by my calcuations the payroll would likely be less than 2009. Someone can correct me if I’m wrong on that
“We need a LF fielder who can hit.”
Carl Crawford won’t be available until 2011.
I’d like to see what Miranda can do, but we don’t need a first baseman. And, if the thought is a full-time DH, Matsui is probably the guy.
But wow….wouldn’t it be fun to watch Jim Thome launch some missles into the Bronx sky?
I know it won’t, and shouldn’t happen, but that would be fun to watch.
For the record, Miranda started playing some outfield last year so he probably should get a chance at a bench role. That said, if he makes for such a a good regualr DH, why did the Yankees sign Hinske last year? Nobody’s buying it Cashmoney…
We need a better hitter than Carl Crawford out there. There a pretty good chance he’ll decline early, too.
Ham, I stand corrected on the number of steals Damon had, but the point is he still can run where Matsui cannot. I think we need one of the two on the team, losing both this year is too much offense and proven post season hitting to take off the roster.
Losing Damon and Matsui is only too much if we don’t replace them.
Damon is the most replaceable as we could consider Granderson his replacement, and then sign Mike Cameron to replace Melky. Matsui is such a great bat behind A-rod he will be tough to replace, but a guy like Nick Johnson will have an OBP around .400 and hit around .300, which would be a good backup.
The only problem is convincing him to come to the yankees to DH and not play 1b for another team.
If they don’t bring back Matsui, my money is on Miranda as the DH vs. RH pitching, and Nady being brought back to DH vs. LH pitching and occasionally play LF once his elbow is good to go.
Phil, I agree on Crawford. Which again leads back to holliday, he’s available, he’s relatively young, and he’s an upgrade offensively and defensively over last year in LF, but I don’t see how they can sign him without increases the payroll unless they sign him and stop there
the problem with people who want damon back is they think they’re signing the johnny damon we got in 2006. damon is a poor OF’er and nothing special on the basepaths now, and he isnt going to be getting younger and healthier over the next 3 years. he stole only 4 bases after the asb this season, and that was with alot of rest. the decline in his game is noticable and steady, and yes, linear. its called getting old.
johnny played his whole career full-out, crashing into walls and running like crazy, thats a big part of what made people love him so much. but it is catching up to him rapidly.
thats why they are pushing for 3 or 4 years, this is his last chance to cash in, if he signs a 2 year deal, he wont make squat after that and he knows it. unfortunatly the team that falls for it is going to regret it badly and pretty quickly
How many better hitters than Carl Crawford are there ? Especially ones that will be available.
Ham Fighters: I would re-sign Damon, and I’d fully expect to get 2009 Damon. Which is: a clutch offensive force marred by fielding like a rusted up android from star wars
Cash is not showing his hand and wisely so. Hideki does not really have any options, and neither in the final analysis will Damon in spite of Boras’ incessant posturing. Assuming no “Teixiera like” deal emerges, Cash will have his choice, on his terms, as the mid to end of January rolls around. Cash has “grown up” as a GM who knows how to negotiate.
There are many better hitters than Carl Crawford and his 103 career OPS+.
“If the Yankees are serious about lowering payroll then signing Matsui and Sheets puts the best team on the field that still achieves that goal IMO.
1. Jeter (SS)
2. Granderson (CF)
3. Tex (1B)
4. Arod (3B)
5. Matsui (DH)
6. Posada (C)
7. Cano (2b)
8. Swisher (RF)
9. Melky (LF)
1. CC
2. AJ
3. Pettite
4. Sheets
5. Hughes
Joba, Robertson, Marte, Rivera, etc. in the pen.
Thats a nasty team and by my calcuations the payroll would likely be less than 2009. Someone can correct me if I’m wrong on that”
I like it..
My list of DHS
Matsui
Johnson
Delgado
Thome
Damon
A-Rod needs protection.. Damon is not protection, either is anyone on that roster with out Matsui or the before mentioned heavy htiters..
Jerkface: I think Grandersen replaces Matsui hitting behind ARod (at least against right handed pitching). But I agree, that Matsui’s bad will be hard to fully replace. He is a force.
Carl Crawford’s value doesn’t come from his bat. He is decent, and useful, but he also has elite speed and plays elite defense in LF.
Its the total package that makes CC2 a target to salivate over.
Guys that might hit better than CC in the OF that will be FA at the same time:
Dunn
Werth
Cuddyer
Others that will
Mauer
Jeter
Berkman
No known offers of substance or rumors with Damon. If Scott Boras is posturing, he’s going about it in the wrong way. Cashman is not in a desperation mode primarily because of the Granderson deal. Boras is using Damon as a tool for Holliday.
For what Boras wants, Cashman can sign Matsui for less or think on good contact hitter Nick Johnson. Either Gardner or Hoffmann will shake out by the end of spring training.
See what the medicals say for Ben Sheets. If positive, sign him to a sensible contract.
Okay, my bad. I just found it puzzling that LAD would let him go if he was so good.
Laura – he got caught up in a number crunch.
Protection for A-rod (Matsui) is IMO more important than filling the two hole with someone not on the roster (Damon). After spending time with K-Long the holes in Granderson’s swing, particularly against lefties should be filled. That said, we should not have to live with the left field horror show of last year (hopefully)…..tho he will never publicly state it, Girardi will be happier. Something like the “Abreu situation in RF in 08″.
No thanks on Miranda – I don’t believe in him and I’m not leaving the DH half in the hands completely untested rookie (who isn’t exactly on anyone’s list of best prospects). I definitely have no interest in rehabbing Nady, who isn’t that good when healthy and who has now had 2 TJ surgeries…..
How good is Deutscherer? I’m not familiar with him at all, but I don’t think I’m inclined to trust a guy going from the AL West to the AL East, especially if he’s a soft-tosser (not saying that he is, but IF he is).
Matsui’s 28 HR/90 RBI is very good, but not tremendous considering where he normally hits in the batting order.
What concerns me is how many times he dribbles the ball to 2nd for an easy out or a double play. When he’s on base he’s not threat to run.
If he’s our DH I’ll be ok with it, but I’d rather see the younger guy (Miranda)get a chance and also let Posada/Jeter/Alex/Tex/Swish take a couple games at DH.
It would help Girardi keep everyone fresh & healthy.
Here’s the thing on Damon –
There’s no shot you get him for a 1 year deal. Not with guys who are far worse than Damon getting multiyear deals (Pudge, Kendall, Polanco, Teahan, Scutaro). Now that doesn’t mean he’s going to get the 4 year deal that Boras wants for him, but I do think that once Boras starts telling clubs that Damon’s available for 2 years his market is going to explode.
I also think that the multiyear deals for older players (Pudge, Kendall) put a damper on the idea that the Yankees can get Mike Cameron or Hideki Matsui for 1 year deals.
I think with any of the three of them (Damon, Matsui, Cameron) Cashman is going to have to go at least two years and of the three of them the only one I feel comfortable extending that extra year to is Damon.
The market might push Cashman to making a deal for a player who is on a one year contract rather than giving the extra year to a free agent.
Uhh why the heck are my posts being eaten by the filter? Lohud hates me
No thanks on Miranda – I don’t believe in him
Betsy- How can you believe in him if he doesn’t play
How good is Deutscherer?
Poor man’s CM Wang – he’s not going to strike lots of guys out and you wonder how he doesn’t get lit up but somehow you look up and realize that it’s the 7th inning and he’s cruising.
What concerns me is how many times he dribbles the ball to 2nd for an easy out or a double play.
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Matsui only grounded into 4 double plays the entire season. That was lowest on the team. He busts it out of the box.
From what i recall the rap on Miranda was that he does not hit lefties well. I tried to get his L/R splits from SWB last yesr but I didn’t see how to get them. He mashes righties and obviously has a lot of power. Probably would need to be paired with a righty DH.
Jason Kendall and Pudge and whomever getting multi-year deals does not change anything for Damon and Matsui. Those players got paid bunk.
I’d pay Damon or Matsui for 2 years @ 6 million total if they want.
Betsy- How can you believe in him if he doesn’t play
I have no problem with Miranda in general. My issue remains that either at DH or in the OF I would like a solid #2 hitter and if the team is, essentially, just adding Miranda and Granderson I don’t see them addressing that need. That’s why I’m also not terribly high on Mike Cameron.
I’m ok with Melky in LF.
Frankly, his numbers weren’t too far off David DeJesus’ numbers, and he’s cheaper, so I’m not sure DeJesus would be enough of an upgrade there.
Crawford is – despite what some are saying – much better than both, and is also young.
So – he – shouldn’t – be – declining – anytime – soon.
But he would cost in young talent. That said, it’s something to consider.
From what i recall the rap on Miranda was that he does not hit lefties well. I tried to get his L/R splits from SWB last yesr but I didn’t see how to get them. He mashes righties and obviously has a lot of power. Probably would need to be paired with a righty DH.
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He did well against lefties last year. This year is his chance to show it is repeatable and work his way onto the squad over the course of the season / for next year.
minorleaguesplits.com
I believe in Miranda in NYS.
I kind of like the idea of Deutscherer.
I would sign Damon to a 2-yr deal and have him DH… you can really play around with the lineup at that point and I think it should look something like this…
Jeter
Damon
Granderson
Arod
Tex
Posada
Cano
Swisher
Cabrera
You could flip Granderson and Damon and have them bat 2 or 3 in either order, it doesn’t really matter. The interesting thing to me is that moving Tex to the 5 hole gives Arod the protection everyone keeps talking about and then you still have Posada, Cano and Swisher behind Tex to protect him as well.
If Miranda gets the nod he’ll see less than 90 games at DH, and he will likely see some time in RF for a 10th of what it would cost for Matsui. That matters because Cashman isn’t done yet!
Mike, it’s not like we’ve ever gotten a real sample of what he can do in the big leagues. I’m not willing to give him the DH job (or even half of it) when we don’t have any clue as to whether he can handle big league pitching.
I don’t think Matsui’s low GIDP total has anything to do with his ‘speed’. He has to be the third slowest on the team behind Posada and Molina.
Jason Kendall and Pudge and whomever getting multi-year deals does not change anything for Damon and Matsui. Those players got paid bunk.
Well right, but if we agree that those players are not as good as Damon or Matsui then why would Damon or Matsui take either 1 year deals or low money deals?
Chip, thanks. I don’t think I want Deutscherer – he needs to stay in the AL West.
The Rays are not trading Crawford to the Yankees..so forget him.
Miranda could be provide some pop..
We’ll never know unless we bring him up and let him play. Much like the Kendry Morales for the Angles.
We don’t need a mercinary at every postion. It’d be nice to root for some young Scranton blood.
If used by Girardi the same way as last season, Matsui’s numbers should be close or the same. For what he lacks in speed because of his knees, he makes up by being a smart baserunner.
Not that Damon isn’t but were talking about 2 players that clearly can’t play LF and one with a greedy agent and the other with an agent (Arn Tellum) that Cashman can work with.
Well right, but if we agree that those players are not as good as Damon or Matsui then why would Damon or Matsui take either 1 year deals or low money deals?
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Baseball contracts work like this, you either get paid more money or you get a longer deal, only really good players get high AAV and years. Matsui and Damon would be forced to take 1 or 2 year deals because they would make more than Pudge or Kendall. Pudge getting 2 million dollars doesn’t mean Matsui isn’t going to sign a 1 year deal for 8 million.
Mike, it’s not like we’ve ever gotten a real sample of what he can do in the big leagues. I’m not willing to give him the DH job (or even half of it) when we don’t have any clue as to whether he can handle big league pitching.
I agree with you that you don’t hand him the job, but if the Yankees don’t bring in another player I think you give him the chance to win the job in the spring.
There are enough free agents out there though that I think even if the Yankees don’t bring in a name guy they can bring in a few players on minor league deals to make it a decent competition.
Matt, The point with Damon is that on days when someone else needs to DH, he CAN play LF. Matsui cannot play in the field any longer. You don’t ever have to lose Damon’s bat but you will lose Matsui’s.
Baseball contracts work like this, you either get paid more money or you get a longer deal, only really good players get high AAV and years. Matsui and Damon would be forced to take 1 or 2 year deals because they would make more than Pudge or Kendall. Pudge getting 2 million dollars doesn’t mean Matsui isn’t going to sign a 1 year deal for 8 million.
I know how baseball contracts work, but if I’m Matsui and his agent I look at the deals that have been handed out thus far (2 years $6 mil for Pudge, 3 years $15 mil for Teahan) and I think a reasonable offer for my client is 2 years $18 mil at least.
Pittsburgh, couple things…
Is Melky ‘a bit’ above replacement in Left Field? I find that hard to believe. And since when is ‘a bit’ above replacement an acceptable alternative? As for Melky hitting in the clutch, I may have watched a different World Series than you. So there’s that.
Lastly? Yes, Chad Curtis played LF for the Yankees during their LF run. But Bernie Williams was in center and Paul O’Neill was in right. Not to mention a young Derek Jeter at shortstop, and a young Jorge Posada at catcher. Time travel these guys back into the lineup and I’m fully on board with Melky in right. Tho’ I’d prefer Knoblauch.
My concern with Crawford is mostly that he hasn’t improved much in the last few years. I have had the opportunity to him play quite a bit. He always looks like he is just one or two tweaks away from taking off and being a really great player.
There is always the thought that if he hit a few more HRs, or if he was more patient, or if he did this or that just a bit better. The problem is, he doesn’t do any of that. He is what he is. That is very good, and better than what the Yanks will put in LF this year, but I don’t look for him to have any break out monster seasons.
The concern is that when the speed starts to drop, he hasn’t become the type of player in the other phases to continue to be a force.
Hey Betsy, did you think Detroit would trade Granderson to the Yankees?
I would love to see Miranda ge a chance as a part time player, but he’s not actually young. He’ll be 27 in April. Guys in their mid 20′s tend to put up big numbers in AAA. I think his bat is a little more similar to Andy Phillips than a regular or even platoon DH.
I think it’s unrealistic to expect the Yankees to reproduce the same offense in 2010 as they did in 2009. They had 8 guys with an OPS+ of 125 or higher, the 9th (Melky) had an OPS+ of 99. Basically everyone performed at or above their projections.
So we are losing Damon and Matsui (as of now) and we have to think about the fact that Posada and Jeter are 37 and 35 respectively and likely to regress.
Adding Granderson more than offsets the loss of Damon since he’s projected to be slightly more valuable at the plate and a lot more valuable in the field. We still have to think about the loss of Matsui and the likely regression of some of the older players.
This is why I think the Yanks need to add 2 bats. Pick up Damon or Cameron and Matsui or Johnson. That way we can have insurance against injury and regression from last year.
At the very least we need a solid DH like Matsui or Johnson to offset having Melky start in LF all year. I think the best course of action is to get Cameron, move Granderson over to LF and then sign Matsui for DH. The offense and defense of that team would be tremendous.
Yankees could bring in Jonny Gomes – he was non-tendered by Cincy. Played 98 games for them last year hitting 20 HR, .267 with a .338 OBP.
Again, when I say “bring in” I’m not talking about treating Jonny Gomes or Ryan Church like they’re Johnny Damon and giving them 2 year deals at 10 mil per, I’m talking about bringing them in on either 1 year deals or minor league deals with invitations to spring training.
I know how baseball contracts work, but if I’m Matsui and his agent I look at the deals that have been handed out thus far (2 years $6 mil for Pudge, 3 years $15 mil for Teahan) and I think a reasonable offer for my client is 2 years $18 mil at least.
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And many teams might not bite on that. Though I would definitely sign Matsui for 2 years / 18 mil. I think we’ll just have to disagree on the effect jason kendall and pudge rodriguez or mark teahen would have on Hideki Matsui.
Because if I were Cashman I’d ask Matsui how many positions he played and when his birthday is because teahen is 27 years old and plays almost every position.
And the Teahen contract was set by the Scutaro and Figgins contracts, which is what a reasonably young super utility player would get.
2 yrs $18M would be ridiculous for Matsui based on the return we would expect to get. He isn’t going to suddenly get younger or more athletic for the outfield.
Their bench is need of some drastic improvement. I agree that the DH position can be filled relatively easily and I am of the opinion that this should be accomplished in the least expensive way possible. You’d think a guy like Nick Johnson would be along the lines of what you’re looking for. I personally think Damon is the ideal missing piece right now for a number of reasons, but it sounds like his agent is going to blow that one for him/us.
Oh well. Move on.
I’m not sure who else is available, but I wonder how expensive Jermaine Dye would be…more or less than Damon? Surely he can play the OF just as well as Damon, right? And he wouldn’t have to every day if we kept Melky, which I am fine with.
2 yrs $18M would be ridiculous for Matsui based on the return we would expect to get. He isn’t going to suddenly get younger or more athletic for the outfield.
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He is only 35 and has shown no signs of decline in his swing or whatever. The only issue is his years. 1 more year removed from surgery could alleviate the issue where he required draining.
At any rate, I wouldn’t mind even a slight overpay for Matsui because he is a known quantity and of the supposed revenues the Yankees get for advertising from Japan.
George, I thought I read somewhere that Matsui is fine with a 1 year deal…
Why do some Yankee fans think we have to have superstars in every position?
DeJesus 13HR, 71RBI, 4SB, .347 OBP, .434 SLG, .281 AVG
Melky 13HR, 68RBI, 10SB, .336 OBP, .416 SLG, .274 AVG
Crawford 15HR, 68RBI, 60SB, .364 OBP, .452 SLG, .305 AVG
All of them are absolutely acceptable in LF.
Of course, there is alwasys…
Holliday 24HR, 109RBI, 14SBN, .394 OBP, .515 SLG, .313 AVG
I’m not sure who else is available, but I wonder how expensive Jermaine Dye would be…more or less than Damon? Surely he can play the OF just as well as Damon, right? And he wouldn’t have to every day if we kept Melky, which I am fine with.
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No, this is incorrect. He would be less expensive than Damon. If Damon fields like C-3PO, Dye fields like a Hutt might. His bat is worse. He is right handed so he loses the stadium advantage. He is also old.
Pass in so many ways on Dye. The Yankees don’t need to go after guys who had down years and hope for a rebound (we sort of already did that on Granderson). There are a lot of proven options out there.
Jerkface, the Yankees get like $15 million in marketing for Matsui.
To you and I that’s a hefty some, but I distinctly remember someone on MLB or somewhere saying that it is chump change to the Yankees.
The Mad Prince in Pinstripes
December 14th, 2009 at 11:25 am
George, I thought I read somewhere that Matsui is fine with a 1 year deal…
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I’ve heard the same thing
I meant knees for Matsui. Also do not put Carl Crawford in the same line as Melky and Dejesus as ‘acceptable in LF’. Anyone who doesn’t think Crawford is less than exceptional as a left field solution for any team is probably crazy.
Wow, Chad. No offense, but here’s hoping — assuming, actually — that Brian Cashman knows more about baseball than you do. On what planet is Melky Cabrera an adequate corner outfielder? (Okay, in fairness, the more appropriate question is “What team?” but I can guarantee you that the answer is not “the Yankees).
Some homework is required. Happily, it involves you reading the best baseball writer on the planet, who just happens to work for the YES family.
Here: http://www.myyesnetwork.com/12….._conundrum
And here:http://www.myyesnetwork.com/12.....work_to_do
Good luck and happy holidays.
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I’m really not a huge fan of this comment. Melky is a perfectly capable corner outfielder given how much we make up for that offense around the rest of the field. We don’t need a superstar at every position. It is a waste. We won a bunch of WS with Chad Curtis manning left field didn’t we?
I am fine with what Chad said up there.
Chip,
I don’t think bringing in a guy who has been non-tendered 2 years in a row by teams worse than the Yankees is a good move. Tampa even left him off the playoff roster last year. I know you are only advocating a no-risk minor league deal, but I think even that is a waste of time for a guy who really is unable to play in the majors. The numbers he has put up have only been because he was put in very limited roles against the types a pitchers he is capable of not being overmatched against.
To you and I that’s a hefty some, but I distinctly remember someone on MLB or somewhere saying that it is chump change to the Yankees.
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So 15 million per year, which offset the cost of Matsui’s prior contract, would do well to offset an even smaller contract. The only issue there is the money that could be made from a potential replacement in the marketing.
Ok Matsui is “ONLY” 35
Keep in mind Jeter is now 35
Alex 34
Posada 38
and even Tex at 30 will need a break from the field every now & then. $9M a year for a part time DH doesn’t make sense.
We need an above average hitter in left.
DaSaint007,
I will be very angry if the Yankees invest money in an overrated LF like Matt Holliday.
I am not sold on that guy at all. I know I may be a minority in this respect, but as you wrote, the Yankees don’t need superstars at every position. Melky can fill the role just fine.
Its the DH I am more concerned with.
Gomes is a moron thug that doesn’t bring enough to the table. I would bring him to spring training if it cost nothing then cut him the first day and have all the Yankees laugh at him, and then Shelley Duncan suplex him through a table.
We lived with Melky last yr and had the best offense in the league. Why can’t we live with him this yr?
Yeah, we won’t get league avg. production from LF, but we will get way above average production from CF.
gidp is not measure of a guy’s not being worth signing. if it were, eddie murray and don mattingly whould have been working at a car plant or something rather than having the great careers they had.
Jerkface,
I’m all for Matsui on a 1 year contract around $7-8 million.
But as far as the marketing goes, I think the comment about it being chump change basically means its not a factor to the Yankees.
Winning is and Matsui is a winner, so we’ll see how that shakes out. Ultimately, as you know, the greatest factor with Matsui has to be his inability to play a position.
Lets bring back Aaron Guiel. He is certainly better than that Melky.
Ok Matsui is “ONLY” 35
Keep in mind Jeter is now 35
Alex 34
Posada 38
and even Tex at 30 will need a break from the field every now & then. $9M a year for a part time DH doesn’t make sense.
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Generally catcher’s do not DH on their offdays. And I do not consider Posada a viable DH candidate. He has even said himself its a different mindset that he is not ready for.
Many, many players continue to play considerable amounts of games well into their 30′s. I am not worried about well conditioned athletes like A-rod and Jeter needing Dh time.
Who is your choice for DH then?
(and consider that I only said I would pay Matsui 9 a year if I were the GM, not that the yankees will or should)
please don´t sign Damon! his Arm can blow up any second! Everytime he was throwing the ball hard you could see pain in his face!
His body is a wrack!
Matsui for 5 Mill and one year plus a team option on four Mill(and 1 Mill. buy out) would be great!
Godzilla for 100 Games is enough!
the yankees get way above league average production from c, 1b, 2b, ss, and 3b, so melky being below league avg doesnt mean spit. and on top of that, he’s clutch, which evens the eqaution even more.
And Teixeira is not going to require DH time. That is ridiculous. Maybe 1 or 2 games. He is 30 years old and is highly disciplined.
A-rod, a 33 year old player after hip surgery, only needed 1 day off every 2 weeks.
The team needs a full time DH.
Why do some Yankee fans think we have to have superstars in every position?
DeJesus 13HR, 71RBI, 4SB, .347 OBP, .434 SLG, .281 AVG
Melky 13HR, 68RBI, 10SB, .336 OBP, .416 SLG, .274 AVG
Crawford 15HR, 68RBI, 60SB, .364 OBP, .452 SLG, .305 AVG
All of them are absolutely acceptable in LF.
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Well Crawford is a stud – and I don’t think he really belongs in this list. But you know my feelings on DeJesus and if Melky is batting 9 I still don’t see the difference between whether he is playing LF or RF.
I’m a big Keep Melky and Sign Godzilla fan!!! Keep Godzilla in New York where he belongs!!!!
it amazes me how many people supposedly don’t trust Miranda or are down on Miranda and have never seen him play at all.
What exactly is your opinion based on?
His bats nothing like Andy Phillips and he’s only 26 @ AAA because he’s been playing professionally stateside for 2 1/2 yrs…he spent 2yrs out of organized baseball totally while he got his visa issues straightened out…
What he is is a young cost controlled player who is a born hitter as well as a lefty power hitting rbi man. He has nothing left to prove at the AAA level as he’s played there two years and hit .290,hit close to 40hrs and driven in 170+rbus and been an all star league selection both years…
If the Yanks decide to turn over the primary dh role to him I think he could repeat Matsui’s rookie year line of .287/16hrs/87rbis in 400+ abs as he’ll dh about 100-120games and for 545K I’ll take that.
“It is a waste. We won a bunch of WS with Chad Curtis manning left field didn’t we?”
We actually only won one World Series with Chad Curtis getting regular ABs in LF. Even then, the Yankees were still using Tim Raines and Darryl Strawberry as a DH/LF rotation. I have no problem with the Yankees adding a bigger bat to compliment Melky, but the Yankees would be nuts to go with Melky as the LF and Miranda as the primary DH.
“What he is is a young cost controlled player who is a born hitter as well as a lefty power hitting rbi man. He has nothing left to prove at the AAA level as he’s played there two years and hit .290,hit close to 40hrs and driven in 170+rbus and been an all star league selection both years…”
How is that different from Andy Phillips at 26?
For the price of Matsui, the Yankees can add both Doumit and Nady. Doumit would DH and Nady would PH for Melky and for Granderson against lefties. Doumit could play RF on occasion instead of Swisher and also serve as insurance for Posada as a third string catcher.
We need an above average LF. Wow.
.274 AVG isn’t good enough.
.281 AVG isn’t good enough.
.305 AVG isn’t good enough.
.313 AVG isn’t good enough.
Amazing.
Does anyone have the numbers for Alex when Matsui is not hitting behind him?
Sushi.
Will someone please find that 30HR, 120RBI, 30SB, .450 OBP, .550 SLG, .333 AVG player that is affordable and good enough please?
Phillips had been in the system for 6yrs and was not as accomplished a hitter as Miranda….Miranda was a star player in Cuba just like his buddy Kendry…
Andy Phillips was a scrappy college player not close to the same level of talent as a hitter as Miranda
It is interesting to be part & also observe the Matsui debate because in a few years we will be having even more furious debate as we face the decline of our other beloved Yankee heroes.
I truly have enjoyed Matsui as a Yankee. He was a great acquisition and has been a clutch hitter.
In all reality I believe he will be offered a deal. Like I said if so that’d be ok.
My point is that we wouldn’t see a big drop in numbers with Miranda. And the Yanks have to look to their future as all of our stars are maturing.
can one of you statheads tell me if swisher is above league average for rf’s? im sure granderson is above avg in cf, so if swisher is above league average, then melky in LF would be the only position player not above league average on the yankees
If not for Andy Phillips, we would’ve been stuck with that Carlos Pena guy.
oh…nevermind.
If the Yankees determine that the cost for Matsui, Damon, Cameron, Johnson etc are too high for them right now, here are some low risk guys who the Yankees could bring in with low risk contracts:
Marcus Thames
Ryan Church
Ryan Garko
Jonny Gomes
Adam LaRoche
Troy Glaus
if the Yankees decided to pass on Damon, I would rather they bring in Rick Ankiel than anyone on that list or Holliday or Bay. Ankiel is very good defensively, he is younger than Cameron, like Cameron he strikes out a ton, but he’s also left handed which, in Yankee Stadium, would be a plus.
I’m glad Granderson’s deficiencies against lefties still made him good enough as our new CF.
da saint, did u project out shelley duncan’s aaa #’s to a full year in the majors?
Bret, Don’t minimize how important it is to have hitters that can produce in the post season. This team is going to sleepwalk to the post season. That is why we need either Damon or Matsui on the roster.
Noreaster
December 14th, 2009 at 11:51 am
Bret, Don’t minimize how important it is to have hitters that can produce in the post season. This team is going to sleepwalk to the post season. That is why we need either Damon or Matsui on the roster.
—
I think Matsui will take a 2 year deal elsewhere.
My point is that both Phillips and Miranda put up monster numbers in their mid 20s in AAA. Actually Phillips was an All-American college player, BTW and missed two years due to injury. I’m sure he was scrappy too, but he was a highly touted prospect at one time. I liked Phillips as a part time player and I like Miranda as a part time player. Miranda’s natural power could make him a useful player, but handing the DH spot to him is a severe offensive drop from Matsui.
LOL Ham!
Available Free Agent Left fielders (courtesy MLBTradeRumors.com):
Garret Anderson (38) – Type B, not offered arb
Marlon Anderson (36)
Jason Bay (31) – Type A, offered arb
Emil Brown (35)
Marlon Byrd (32) – Type B, offered arb
Jack Cust (31)
Johnny Damon (36) – Type A, not offered arb
David Dellucci (36)
Cliff Floyd (37)
Jonny Gomes (29)
Matt Holliday (30) – Type A, offered arb
Reed Johnson (33)
Ryan Langerhans (30)
Laynce Nix (29)
Greg Norton (37)
Wily Mo Pena (28)
Jeremy Reed (29)
Gary Sheffield (41)
Cory Sullivan (30)
Fernando Tatis (35) – Type B, not offered arb
Marcus Thames (33)
Randy Winn (36) – Type B, not offered arb
Other than Holliday and maybe Damon, do any of these old farts (yet they’re younger than me) impress anyone?
Again, I still say Melky is fine, as would be DeJesus or Crawford, unless someone can show me better and more likely choices.
Lackey’s taking a physical for the Red Sox? Anybody else hear this.
And as far as DH is concerned, Matsui or Miranda works for me. Damon has priced himself out of consideration. Best of luck to him.
Jack, saw it on SI.com
DaSaint –
I agree with what you’re saying which is why I would be fine bringing in a RF who averages .272 with a .345 OBP, 15 HR, 80 RBI, 107 OPS+ and gives some solid D even if he was cut loose by the Braves. And then play Melky in LF and Swisher at DH.
Of the guys listed above, I would bring in Wily Mo or Gomes on MINOR LEAGUE deals. And I also think that Garret Anderson still has enough in the tank to be a decent DH in the same way Nick Johnson would be. Can’t expect him to hit for power but he’s going to be a guy you can trust in the 2 spot because you know that he can be trusted to be a good situational hitter.
whatever Lackey !
Depending on who else is involved, Marcus Thames might not be a bad cheap pickup. If the Yankees seriously go with Miranda at DH, then Thames is the perfect righthanded compliment. If they go with Matsui and are serious about Melky as the everyday LF, then Thames could get righhanded ABs in LF either in Melky’s place or with Melky giving Granderson a day off. It’s not ideal, but a cheap part of a working solution.
mlbtraderumors and fanhouse report Lackey taking physical for Sawx.
“Of the guys listed above, I would bring in Wily Mo or Gomes on MINOR LEAGUE deals. ”
Like JerkFace said, Gomes is a thug. I don’t want him in pinstripes.
it was on Twitter, too:
ed_price Source: Free-agent P John Lackey to take physical with #RedSox. Bos apparently moving on to 2nd choice after Jason Bay. Working to confirm.
The sox probably asked for lackeys medical records and that turned into he’s taking a physical to be signed… They can have him if they want to overpay for a #3 starter witha glaring need for a bat and becketts contract running out. Sign Ben Sheets and ill match him up against lackey any night
Just one thing on Andy Phillips.
Phillips to me fell victim of something that happens to a lot of players, he wasn’t a good pinch hitter. He was a guy, like Shelly Duncan, who needed to play everyday to get into a groove at the plate and when he was in that groove he could hit, but getting one or two at bats a week he just couldn’t produce.
It’s why guys like him, Josh Phelps, Duncan looked so good in spring training and made the roster but never stuck long, because in spring training they were playing regularly and then when the season started they were sitting on the bench
I’d rather have a young and still developing Melky in LF than the majority on that list.
The team had nice chemistry last year. Even Alex became a team player. We don’t want to end up with a cancerous bum in the clubhouse. Cashman has to be careful of who he signs.
Let Lackey go to Boston. I’ve never liked the guy, now I’ll just have further reason to hate him. lol
Wallypip
you are of course ASSUMING that there would be a dropoff in production from Matsui to Miranda but that assumption is based on nothing. Miranda COULD play next year and exceed Matsui’s production from the past year,not likely but possible.
I’m sure the consensus opinion was that Kendry Morales wouldn’t come close to replacing Texeira’s production in the Angels lineup…how’d that work out?
Hopefully we can land Sheets
Assuming no Damon or Matsui:
For the OF I either trade for DeJesus to play LF (Gardner & Aceves), move Melky to RF and DH Swisher or I sign Church, play Melky in LF and Swisher at DH.
Hey, what about Nady? Is he out for good?
also Melky is a great clubhouse guy…you could tell AROD really enjoys mentoring him and Cano
“Let Lackey go to Boston. I’ve never liked the guy, now I’ll just have further reason to hate him. lol”
My sentiments exactly. He’ll be exactly where he belongs; with the rest of the losers.
Pete’s doing a live chat right now and he is trying to confirm Lackey rumors
Hopefully we can land Sheets
Mike I agree – I would pass on Damon/Matsui/Cameron/Nick Johnson/Holliday and go with one of the less expensive options in the OF and focus on improving the rotation by bringing in Ben Sheets.
I think that knowing Cashman’s feelings on pitching he would tend to think that way as well.
Chip I agree with you about that point about guys like Andy and Shelly. I for one thought that Duncan could have been a productive rh power bat for us if given a real oppurtunity and consistant abs..
The team doesn’t have to have an all star at every position.
The Yanks tried that & it didn’t work. The Mets tried to do that & it backfired.
What made last season great was the contributions from the guys we didn’t expect much from. Melky & his multiple walk-offs, Ramiro Pena, Cervelli, and Swisher coming up big.
I thought Lackey hated Boston and New York? I guess he hates the Yankees more, ha….
I have been reading that the Chi Sox are looking for a leadoff guy that can improve their outfield defense, a lefty power bat, and pen help. How about a trade involving Brett Gardner and Juan Miranda for Carlos Quentin. Quentin, Granderson, Swisher with Melky and possibly Hoffman coming off the bench. Quentin is still young 28 in august, above average d, potential all star and under team control. Sign Matsui 1year 5 million to DH.If Grandersons woes continue against lefties slide Cabrera into center.
Jeter
Cano/Granderson
Tex
Arod
Matsui
Quentin
Posada
Swisher
Granderson/Cano
“Mike I agree – I would pass on Damon/Matsui/Cameron/Nick Johnson/Holliday and go with one of the less expensive options in the OF and focus on improving the rotation by bringing in Ben Sheets.”
Yeah I agree, lets get crappy players instead of good players. :rolleyes:
“George December 14th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
The team doesn’t have to have an all star at every position.
The Yanks tried that & it didn’t work. The Mets tried to do that & it backfired.
What made last season great was the contributions from the guys we didn’t expect much from. Melky & his multiple walk-offs, Ramiro Pena, Cervelli, and Swisher coming up big.”
my thought exactly and it is why I don’t want someone like Cameron and shipping a good young outfielder in Melky
I’m fine with an OF of Melky in LF, Granderson in CF, and Swisher in RF.
Melky is a developing player. I would expect him to continue to do so this year, and he has an above-average arm. We’re fine for 2010 and can adress 2011 (and it’s available players) when it arrives.
Just add a DH, stir, and you’ve got a team. And the perfect ingredient would be Matsui. I can’t see him asking for more than a year, but I’d do a team option on a 2nd year if that’s what it took.
Why would the White Sox trade an all-star for 2 bench players? it makes no sense
put me down for Mark DeRosa….can play IF/OF/DH takes care of everything
“How about a trade involving Brett Gardner and Juan Miranda for Carlos Quentin. ”
Kenny Williams won’t do that deal. One of the things they like about Quentin is that he’s cheap and under their control. They aren’t looking to move him.
We don’t have to have a start at every position, but having an above average hitter at every position would give us a huge advantage.
“put me down for Mark DeRosa….can play IF/OF/DH takes care of everything”
I think that he’s looking for more money than the Yankees are looking to spend.
Derosa plays a lot of positions but he plays none of them well. He has some pop but not a good OBP. Pass.
I think Sheets or Jason Marquis would be needed. I think the idea is pitching depth is still worrisome. I mean who is comfortable with Aceves, Gaudin and Mitre? We need Aceves in the bullpen more than ever now since we dealt Bruney. I would go with Hughes this year as number 5 starter and fourth being one of these free agents. Go with Joba in the Pen. I think then you can pick up a Matsui as DH, a Jermaine Dye or some combination. And if I had a choice to spend the money, I’d rather not bring back either Damon or Matsui if I can get Lackey instead.
Quit worrying about Granderson’s woes against lefties.
Excellent article on him…
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.c.....index.html
And boston signing Lackey, if true, only means that they’re not going to get Halladay. boston’s rotation would be Beckett, Lester, Lackey, Dice-K, Wakefield. That’s a good rotation, but still nothing to shake in one’s boots over. They still can’t hit.
Thanks TampaYank!
Do you get to many “A” Games?
I live in Jacksonville & I travel to Tampa for work so I get in a few games a year. I enjoyed seeing Montero & Romine there early last year.
# Laura – Bring back Matsui in 2010! December 14th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
“put me down for Mark DeRosa….can play IF/OF/DH takes care of everything”
I think that he’s looking for more money than the Yankees are looking to spend.
———————————————–
for those guys who care his wife was voted hottest wife in MLB…
Money aside he would make a nice addition
“We need an above average hitter in left.”
Yes, a batter that can hit in the 2nd spot and take pitches while putting the ball in play a good portion of the time. Damon for all his faults in regard to his noodle throwing arm and certain route lapses in LF, takes pitches and has enough bat control to put the ball in play.
“for those guys who care his wife was voted hottest wife in MLB…
Money aside he would make a nice addition”
Only if his wife sits behind the plate every night. Otherwise, no thanks
So the Angels are willing to let Lackey walk. What do they know about his medicals that others should know?
CAVEAT EMPTOR!!!
“I thought Lackey hated Boston and New York? I guess he likes money more, ha….”
Fixed.
The sox better have good rotation because their defense is bad and as it stands now they aren’t scoring any runs..
Huge advantage over who?
We already have a huge advantage in payroll.
We have a huge advantage at 3B.
We have a good defensive/excellent offensive SS.
We have an excellent defensive/offensive 2B.
We have a huge advangage at 1B.
We have a huge advantage in CF.
We have a huge – ok, maybe not huge, but advantage at C.
How many huge advantages at the 8 positions do we need to win? What, we missing LF and RF to win again? Please.
“We don’t have to have a start at every position, but having an above average hitter at every position would give us a huge advantage.”
Agreed, I think some people overrate the importance of the defense as it pertains to our left fielder and underrate the significance of having an above average hitter at every position. We’re not talking superstar hitters either just above average from 1-9.
that would be a ideal player to get, play all positions and someone who can hit…not many of them out there
If Boston signs Lackey, they can then finally trade Bucholz for a bat.
“Huge advantage over who?
We already have a huge advantage in payroll.
We have a huge advantage at 3B.
We have a good defensive/excellent offensive SS.
We have an excellent defensive/offensive 2B.
We have a huge advangage at 1B.
We have a huge advantage in CF.
We have a huge – ok, maybe not huge, but advantage at C.
How many huge advantages at the 8 positions do we need to win? What, we missing LF and RF to win again? Please.”
Your problem is you’re looking at by comparing the lineup against other teams batting lineup. Forget that, I’m talking about keeping constant pressure on the opposing team’s pitchers because they’re are no soft spots in your batting lineup. This wears out opposition pitchers more than anything because they’re constantly under stress going up against really good hitters throughout the entire game.
boston can simply add Adrian Beltre and his bat at 3B.
They can then try to sign Bay, but I don’t think they want to sign 3 major Free Agents.
Miranda has virtually nothing in common with Andy Phillips.
They don’t even hit from the same side.
Really – comparing two players and one is a lefty power hitter – ballpark factor, anyone??
Miranda hit a 460 foot shot against the Rays – that’s the kind of power the man has.
Yeah – he’s going to be 27 – what’s the point? He’s fully developed – take a break from judging his bat and actually take a LOOK at him: he’s got the classic power-hitter build for a reason – very thick lower half, low center of gravity.
He’s hit at every level in his career. He’s not going to be awed by ML pitching. He’ll need time to adjust, and then he’ll be hitting shots at NYS. He’s also able to drive the ball with power all over the park and is not a strict pull hitter by any means.
And he hit .291 vs. lefties last season – and his slug was even better vs. LHP – over .500 (look it up).
I hope we bring Matsui-san back – but I would be stoked to see Miranda taking swings for the Yankees in 2010. Get rid of Hinske, then, and let Miranda come off the bench. He’s one of those “minor league” players who would be able to deal with a PH or DH role.
They don’t
Can’t wait for spring training to see Granderson excel.
I’ve had my eyes on him since 2006 when Det beat the Yankees heading to the WS.
The fact he is excited to be a Yankee shows he’s motivated.
Da Saint, until his name was brought up, I had no thought that Granderson would even be available. I didn’t think about it much – what’s your point ?
You can get by with bad defense in the regular season. But studies have shown it’s extremely important in the playoffs.
DaSaint,
Actually we do have a huge advantage at C. The fact is, Posada can still play average defense at catcher and his bat is incredible for the position. If you think about it, there is really only 1, maybe 2 catchers that are better than Jorge. Mauer and possibly Brian Mccann.
Andy Phillips couldn’t hit a curveball. Sort of like the Phillies.
“If Boston signs Lackey, they can then finally trade Bucholz for a bat.”
I’m not so sure of that Phil. I think it’s in their best interest to keep Buchholz as their starting staff will get really expensive with Beckett an upcoming free agent and Lackey signing an expensive contract.
“We have a huge advangage at 1B.”
Over Youkilis? If so, that’s not true.
Melky was not the starting CF last year…did he sulk? No, he worked hard and kept a positive attitude. He is still young, and has potential. I bet a lot of clubs would be happy to have a #9 hitter like him.
Craw, we’re getting greedy. Are you saying that the only way to win is with pressure from the 1 through 9 hitter? That having 2 average hitters will cause failure? Didn’t we win with Melky in the lineup as it was? Didn’t we just improve in CF? Didn’t we just add speed to the bases? Damon is a good hitter, granted, but his speed was declining. Melky has about the same speed as Damon has now, though admittantly not the bat. But Damon won’t be in LF, so our defense improves, which saves runs.
With Melky, we have an above average defender, an above average arm, above average bat, and above average speed.
With Granderson we have an above average defender, an above average arm, above average bat, and above average speed.
With Swisher we have an average defender, an above average arm, below average bat, and below average speed.
If anything, RF is deficient.
I would love nothing more than for the Red Sox to tie up payroll and years in John Lackey.
The guy may be a bulldog (and be prepared for Gammons to be waxing poetic how he hasn’t seen a bulldog like this since Hershiser), but he’s also oft injured and we can hit him. Anything that makes the Red Sox more right handed is a good thing for us.
That would effectively take them out of the Doc sweepstakes.
It’s starting to feel like the Red Sox are realizing they have to make the best of this free agent crop or their fans will revolt.
Theo, the “genius”, picked the wrong off season to be a buyer. There are no true #1′s or franchise players out there right now. That’s why the market has been slow to develop. I think franchises just aren’t that excited about this crop of players.
Cash went all in at the right time and got players who are actually worth it as evidenced by how they contributed to a title.
I think the wheels are starting to come off the franchise up in Boston. No one wants to trade with them unless they they pay them to or give them the 2-3 prospects they don’t want to give up.
When you start buying the players to fill in the cracks you HAVE to be right, otherwise these deals can sink your franchise for years.
Phil
December 14th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
Andy Phillips couldn’t hit a curveball. Sort of like the Phillies.
====
Right. Miranda has no such issue. Phillips would be better to be compared with S. Duncan.
The more I think about it Matsui is the answer. I have gone back and forth on this. Damon would be nice but he wants some ridiculous contract. I have no problems with Melky in left. Matsui is needed to protect Alex. I wouldnt mind though the Yankees taking a shot at Atkins for a utility man. The team would be real good like that.
If Swish and Melky our the corner outfielders, shouldn’t Melky be in RF for his arm? I recall that, whenever Girardi would bring Gardner in as a defensive replacement for Damon, Swish would move to left and Melky would go to right.
“Craw, we’re getting greedy. Are you saying that the only way to win is with pressure from the 1 through 9 hitter? That having 2 average hitters will cause failure? Didn’t we win with Melky in the lineup as it was? Didn’t we just improve in CF? Didn’t we just add speed to the bases? Damon is a good hitter, granted, but his speed was declining. Melky has about the same speed as Damon has now, though admittantly not the bat. But Damon won’t be in LF, so our defense improves, which saves runs.”
Getting greedy, hey you’re supposed to be a Yankee fan there is no such thing as getting greedy, it’s about winning games. I rather have Damon in the lineup in LF than a weak hitting Melky. If you want to overrate the defensive importance of your leftfielder go right ahead, but I want my corner outfielders to do one thing really good and that is hit.
Bodhisattva – Destiny Wears Pinstripes -
I agree 100 percent . I’d be excited as well to see Miranda get a crack !.
“If Swish and Melky our the corner outfielders, shouldn’t Melky be in RF for his arm? I recall that, whenever Girardi would bring Gardner in as a defensive replacement for Damon, Swish would move to left and Melky would go to right.”
You want your outfielder with the most range in left field versus right at Yankee Stadium.
upstate kate
December 14th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
Melky was not the starting CF last year…did he sulk? No, he worked hard and kept a positive attitude. He is still young, and has potential. I bet a lot of clubs would be happy to have a #9 hitter like him.
====
kate,
Agreed. He’s also a .296 career hitter in the no. 9 spot (over 600 PAs).
Another thing about Melky is, when he hit the ball out of the park last year – LH or RH – most of his HRs were of the without a doubt variety.
I remember at Citifield he hit a shot – and I mean, a shot – to the deepest part of that park that was nearly out.
Melky’s got some power – and what the geniuses here trumping his low slug don’t understand is he’s not a guy in his 30s who’s played minor-league ball all his life – he’s still a kid, has a quick bat, and hit a good deal of line drives last year – and most notably, was his transformation hitting right-handed.
He’s about to break out. I can see 18-20 HRs this year. I’ll take that – and his excellent defense – on the corner.
However, if he is going to be a 4th OF, I’ll root for him to be traded. Even though he can bunt, beat out grounders for infield hits, and play situational ball, I’d prefer to see him get a chance to develop his ceiling, which he hasn’t reached yet.
Matsui! Matsui!
To the haters:
At Baseball Prospectus (stathead mecca and altar), Melky Cabrera’s 2009 VORP was 17.6.
So yes, that’s a “bit” above replacement.
You cannot have your stats both ways. Either believe them for everyone, or believe them for nobody.
Thank you Bodhi
an informed opinion that actual has a basis! how refreshing.I know you share my interest in the minor league system as well as such I recommend you jump over to pinstripesplus. they have two new articles one on Rey Nunez and another which is a ranking of the top 25 teenagers in the system with short bios on each player good stuff.
You of course may have already seen it but if not def a good read
PITCHING! The priority should be another ace starter and we’re done!
http:www.i-hate-scott-boras.com
Has an article on the Yankees giving Damon 2 weeks to take deal.Interesting take on the saga.
“You want your outfielder with the most range in left field versus right at Yankee Stadium.”
Swisher’s career UZR/150 in LF (5.6) is better than Melky’s (4.0).
Mike RI
December 14th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
Bodhisattva – Destiny Wears Pinstripes -
I agree 100 percent . I’d be excited as well to see Miranda get a crack !.
=====
Another thing people aren’t considering re Miranda: he hasn’t not gotten a chance because his bat isn’t for real – he plays 1B (and not well) – we have no spot for him.
His name is coming up now because he’s a legit candidate for a DH role.
Maybe we’ll get to see him get his chance! I don’t want him dealt and to become a guy who tortures us in our own park in an enemy uniform.
Edit link
http://www.i-hate-scott-boras.com
champ809
December 14th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
Thank you Bodhi
an informed opinion that actual has a basis! how refreshing.I know you share my interest in the minor league system as well as such I recommend you jump over to pinstripesplus. they have two new articles one on Rey Nunez and another which is a ranking of the top 25 teenagers in the system with short bios on each player good stuff.
You of course may have already seen it but if not def a good read
=====
Thanks, champ – I know about Nunez and I saw that piece – we have some Bronx Bombers in the making, don’t we? Hoping we soon see reports that Mesa and DeLeon are getting better at picking up the spin! That would really ice it for our COF of the future!
Looking more at Melky and Baseball Prospectus, they keep estimating him at a VORP of 2 or so (like they did in 2009), and he keeps exceeding expectations year after year.
He’ll do just fine in LF.
That’s why it will be either Damon or Matsui. Maybe Mike Cameron, but lesser of a known quantity, so he’s down on the list.
I’m thinking more and more they give Sheets a one year try at maybe $6-8 million incentivized to maybe $10 million based on IP.
Then the offseason is over.
My guess? Halliday to Phillies. Lackey back to Angels. Bay to Mets. Beltre to Angels. Holliday back to Cardinals. Wang to Cardinals. Damon/Matsui non signer to Angels.
Sox irrelevant.
Worth repeating, right on Mr. October!
MR. OCTOBER
December 14th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
I have been reading that the Chi Sox are looking for a leadoff guy that can improve their outfield defense, a lefty power bat, and pen help. How about a trade involving Brett Gardner and Juan Miranda for Carlos Quentin. Quentin, Granderson, Swisher with Melky and possibly Hoffman coming off the bench. Quentin is still young 28 in august, above average d, potential all star and under team control. Sign Matsui 1year 5 million to DH.If Grandersons woes continue against lefties slide Cabrera into center.
Jeter
Cano/Granderson
Tex
Arod
Matsui
Quentin
Posada
Swisher
Granderson/Cano
Rich in NJ
December 14th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
“You want your outfielder with the most range in left field versus right at Yankee Stadium.”
Swisher’s career UZR/150 in LF (5.6) is better than Melky’s (4.0).
=======
So, is your argument that Swisher has more range than Melky Cabera???
BTW, Good luck with that.
“Sox irrelevant.”
You are kidding yourself. They will be a very good team.
PittsburghYankeeFan
December 14th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
Looking more at Melky and Baseball Prospectus, they keep estimating him at a VORP of 2 or so (like they did in 2009), and he keeps exceeding expectations year after year.
He’ll do just fine in LF.
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Melky’s got ability and is a work in progress.
To read people here, he’s some 32-year old schlump who was forced into emergency service and has somehow, undetected, gotten away with Indian Cigar Man defense in CF and a non-existent bat.
He’s not bound for superstardom, but he can hit, and he always could. He’s one of the those kids, for instance, who could always hit a curveball.
Rich
Nonetheless, Yankees are back where they belong, on top of the Sox and WS Champions.
Sox may be good next year, but they’re back to their usual position of the past 90 years–looking up. They have a ton of hole to fill, and a decent Rays team to compete with for 2nd place.
That’s why right now they are not relevant (to me, at least).
…or perhaps I leapt to justice…
Maybe your argument is that UZR – even UZR/150 – is a defensive metrics bully offering questionable meaning…..?
leapt to judgment, lol…
By delaying the Matsui signing Cashman has the wiggle room to still be in the Roy Halliday & Matt Holliday races. If Boston does have Lackey then they likely won’t pursue Halliday.
Cashman isn’t done yet. He doesn’t have to rush on Matsui. If anything waiting helps him keep the price down. Damon may still have some stuff left, but he’s far from the 2006 Johnny we signed and therefore NOT worth signing a multi year deal.
My reply to Bodhisattva on Melky got eated.
To summarize my points: UZR/150 is not the be all or end all, but it cannot be dismissed out of hand.
Melky may take bad routes to balls in LF and maybe that can be fixed, but it would be a mistake to assume that he is necessarily better than Swisher.
“Melky is a developing player. I would expect him to continue to do so this year,”
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Except he is not developing. He is the same hitter as he was in 2006. What you see is what you get with Melky.
“He is the same hitter as he was in 2006.”
With less ISO D.
Jim in VT
“What you see is what you get with Melky.”
And that is OK in my opinion. Will he be Bernie Williams? No. Is he a decent player who contributes? Yes. Is he worth $8-10 million when he becomes a FA? No.
Bern, baby, Bern! He’s due for a comeback.
Adam Dunn for DH!
Get Vladimir Guerrero. Matsui is now and Angel, Damon is stubborn because of his greedy agent, free agency pool is thin.
Vladdy might be old but he can still hit. Give Guerrero a 1 year $5-6 million contract.
Brett Gardner is going to be the Yankees opening day Centerfielder. Curtis Granderson will be in LF, batting 5Th. Nick Swisher will be in RF unless (Hopefully),Jamie Hoffman OR Jon Weber will surprise everybody and win the rightfield job, Thus sending Nick to DH and giving the Yankees the best DEFENSE in all of baseball.
Josh Hamilton for left and the 5th spot in the batting order.
Damon for DH