Comments on: Yankees 7, Red Sox 1

By: williamnyy23

williamnyy23 — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 12:41:40 +0000

[29] Of course…overall value trumps dominance on one side of the field. I was referring more to the notion of going with Ransom (whom I think is excellent with the glove) as a fill in as opposed to a Wigginton-type who might give you an OPS+ over 100, but be brutal with the glove. I definitely agree with you, however, that the Yankee lineup is not at the point where added offense would contribute a declining rate of marginal utility.

As for AJax, I think he could use “more seasoning”, and if he was promoted, I don’t think it would be to takeover from Nady/Swisher. Great peril exists in reading too much into Spring stats…just take a look at Darren Reed, who seemed to hit over .400 in every spring.

By: monkeypants

monkeypants — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 12:31:07 +0000

[28] I agree, but isn’t always the case that you should try to get the best value on the field, offense and defense combined? If Jackson offers added value over Nady or Swisher, then he should be on the roster regardless of A-Rod’s injury. If not, he should develop in AAA.

Whatever the case, it is flawed reasoning (in my mind) to assume that with A-Rod the team has reached some threshold level of “enough offense” or that without him the team then needs to focus only on defense and pitching and become a modern day version of the ’85 Cardinals.

By: williamnyy23

williamnyy23 — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 12:05:07 +0000

[4] I disagree. For starters, at 23, I am not ready to say flat out that Melky can’t hit righthanded. When Bernie Williams was 24, he had an .OPS of .645 batting left handed. It’s a good thing no one made such a definitive declaration about him.

Who knows…if Melky only focuses on the right side, maybe he could improve enough to be the effective half of a platoon. Also, I think an element of competition could drive both men to play a notch better. Unless someone takes the job by playing great, I wouldn’t mind seeing a platoon.

[27] I think you can go either way…the bottom line is that with Arod out, you need to make up value somewhere. It really doesn’t matter if it is with the glove or the bat.

By: monkeypants

monkeypants — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 11:09:08 +0000

[26] since Alex is going to be out for a time, defense will be at a premium in order to maximize our pitchers’ efforts, like during the post season.

Couldn’t you turn this argument on its head: since A-Rod will be out, offense will be at a premium, so it will be better to pack the roster with the best offensive options until he returns?

By: PJ

PJ — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 05:10:56 +0000

[14] [15] I’ll grant you both that Jackson did not face much front line pitching this spring if any at all (see also Berroa), but both Nady and Swisher did, and quite badly I might add. So what’s your point? Clearly Austin’s defense, speed, and arm are all vastly superior to the two veteran options, and since Alex is going to be out for a time, defense will be at a premium in order to maximize our pitchers’ efforts, like during the post season. If they go with the hot hand with Berroa, why not go with Jackson too, if for no other reasons than for defense and for him to get a look at how much quicker everything happens at the major league level while he’s hot and not expecting the promotion? I’d like to see Nady and Swisher prove they can hit .300 plus in the minors before wasting valuable time on them in April, trying in vain to “come around” like Giambi. Oh well, they will learn one day. I just hope to God they don’t make the same mistake with Jackson that they made with Navarro. Wasn’t he supposed to be Posada’s replacement? Do you think he’s ready now? Oh wait… whoopsie! Never mind…

[16] They brought Melky up out of necessity in ’05 for a six-game cup of coffee, in the middle of a pennant race, because Bernie got hurt and really couldn’t play in the outfield any more. At the time he was batting third for the Clippers and hitting over .300, if I recall correctly. I would argue that had he started the year with the big club, he would not have turned Trot Nixon’s line out into an inside the park HR because up until that game, he had never played in a multi-level stadium before. He would go on to lead all major league left fielders in assists during his rookie year in ’06. He’s no worse for the wear of being sent down last year if his spring is any indication of his progress. That’s what’s supposed to happen to major leaguers who struggle! After all, they sent down Mantle too… “How’d that turn out again?”

;)

By: Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO

Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 02:34:42 +0000

[24]99,90 & 89 wins in 3 out of 4 years is quite good..so how about “mostly” competitive? Also, I’d love to have Ozzie interacting daily with the NYC press..great hilarity to ensue no doubt

By: monkeypants

monkeypants — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 02:19:48 +0000

[23] By “always” competitive, presumably you exclude the 72 win, fourth place campaign of 2007?

By: Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO

Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 01:47:47 +0000

[20] btw, is Hawk Harrelson still anndoucing for the ChiSox? or is “he gone!”?? I like the Sox because of Ozzie, talks so much but gets the job done, they are always competitive.

By: Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO

Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 01:40:51 +0000

last WBC-related note for those interested..just to show that what is not a real game to some is REALLY important to others..this link has two photos from the press conference when Team Japan came home..very formal, serious business here. The medal was for Murata, injured third basemen. Followed by lots of heartfelt sentimentalizing about finding the “winning spirit” and “fighting through adversity”..

http://tinyurl.com/crnkt7

By: Bum Rush

Bum Rush — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 22:25:57 +0000

Seriously, that’s pretty funny. I mean no one objected to that deal when it was made, but watch Betemit start strong while Swisher rides the bench…