Comments on: Observations From Cooperstown: The Offense, The HOF, and Elliott Maddox http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/07/22/observations-from-cooperstown-the-offense-the-hof-and-elliott-maddox/ Development site for Bronx Banter Blog's upcoming look and feel Thu, 23 May 2013 18:30:04 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: Bruce Markusen http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/07/22/observations-from-cooperstown-the-offense-the-hof-and-elliott-maddox/#comment-88576 Bruce Markusen Sat, 23 Jul 2011 03:18:08 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=63345#comment-88576 So I complain about the Yankees' offense, and they go out and score 17 runs! A soothsayer I am not. So I complain about the Yankees’ offense, and they go out and score 17 runs! A soothsayer I am not.

]]> By: monkeypants http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/07/22/observations-from-cooperstown-the-offense-the-hof-and-elliott-maddox/#comment-88575 monkeypants Fri, 22 Jul 2011 22:58:32 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=63345#comment-88575 [6] I seem to have killed this thread, but this one is for you, OYF: http://blogs.thetimes-tribune.com/yankees/?p=11169 [6] I seem to have killed this thread, but this one is for you, OYF:

http://blogs.thetimes-tribune.com/yankees/?p=11169

]]> By: monkeypants http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/07/22/observations-from-cooperstown-the-offense-the-hof-and-elliott-maddox/#comment-88574 monkeypants Fri, 22 Jul 2011 21:08:54 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=63345#comment-88574 OK, one more---hey, I don't get to banter much these days, so tonight is a treat! [5] Maybe the easiest-and-best thing the Yankees could do would be to add another OF, so that he, Swish and Teix (and maybe Po if he's around) can split the RF-DH-1B duties. OK, one more—hey, I don’t get to banter much these days, so tonight is a treat!

[5] Maybe the easiest-and-best thing the Yankees could do would be to add another OF, so that he, Swish and Teix (and maybe Po if he’s around) can split the RF-DH-1B duties.

]]> By: monkeypants http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/07/22/observations-from-cooperstown-the-offense-the-hof-and-elliott-maddox/#comment-88573 monkeypants Fri, 22 Jul 2011 21:02:51 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=63345#comment-88573 [5] I do agree with you that they need to find out what they have with Montero. I am actually cautiously optimistic that he can be a ML catcher for a couple of years, in the Mike Piazza mode: excellent offense outweighing really bad defense. Maybe not. Let's see, though. In the short term, he probably represents at least an upgrade at DH. [5] I do agree with you that they need to find out what they have with Montero. I am actually cautiously optimistic that he can be a ML catcher for a couple of years, in the Mike Piazza mode: excellent offense outweighing really bad defense. Maybe not. Let’s see, though.

In the short term, he probably represents at least an upgrade at DH.

]]> By: monkeypants http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/07/22/observations-from-cooperstown-the-offense-the-hof-and-elliott-maddox/#comment-88572 monkeypants Fri, 22 Jul 2011 20:59:58 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=63345#comment-88572 [6] His off year is cause for concern. On the other hand, that line would make him by far the best offensive catcher on the team this year. He is still drawing walks this year and hitting for a reasonable average even though his power is down. Plus, one should not ignore his entire MiL corpus: .870 at AAA last year and a career .859 OPS. Lastly, not only is Cervelli hopeless, Martin is rapidly heading into it can't get much worse territory. At the least, maybe Martin simply needs more rest to stay on teh top of his game. All in all, I'll take my chances on Montero. Heck, some around here were anointing Nuñez the SS of the future, and this is a guy with a career .687 OPS in ML and .687 OPS in MiL. And he's three years older than Montero! [6] His off year is cause for concern. On the other hand, that line would make him by far the best offensive catcher on the team this year. He is still drawing walks this year and hitting for a reasonable average even though his power is down. Plus, one should not ignore his entire MiL corpus: .870 at AAA last year and a career .859 OPS. Lastly, not only is Cervelli hopeless, Martin is rapidly heading into it can’t get much worse territory. At the least, maybe Martin simply needs more rest to stay on teh top of his game. All in all, I’ll take my chances on Montero.

Heck, some around here were anointing Nuñez the SS of the future, and this is a guy with a career .687 OPS in ML and .687 OPS in MiL. And he’s three years older than Montero!

]]> By: monkeypants http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/07/22/observations-from-cooperstown-the-offense-the-hof-and-elliott-maddox/#comment-88571 monkeypants Fri, 22 Jul 2011 20:54:38 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=63345#comment-88571 [5] Well, I thought that it was obvious my post represented my interpretation, or if you prefer, opinion. As I see it: Swisher is not a real option as BU1B because there is currently no credible replacement for him in RF. Talk of Chavez is irrelevant because the man can't stay on the field and hasn't for years. He makes Nick Johnson look like the Iron Horse. The larger thrust of my post was twofold. 1} Modern roster construction is silly, as teams continue to carry pitchers that are never used only to short their bench. A third catcher does come into play more often than the 12th or 13th pitcher, especially in games that go into extra innings. Last night was potentially a prime example. Down by 1 run, the team surely should have PR for Martin, but they did not. Having a third catcher (who can play a couple of other positions ideally) allows for more late inning maneuvering out of the catcher position, a position that has provided little offense this year save for 60 ABs in March and April. 2] As bad as Posada has been, he has shown some life. He has hit well at home (.800 OPS) and he has hit reasonably well as a RH batter (.774 OPS). If deployed properly, he could still offer some utility to the team. Yes, they could use to improve at the DH position, but that need not mean releasing Posada. But just to clarify, that is my interpretation of the data and situation. [5] Well, I thought that it was obvious my post represented my interpretation, or if you prefer, opinion. As I see it: Swisher is not a real option as BU1B because there is currently no credible replacement for him in RF. Talk of Chavez is irrelevant because the man can’t stay on the field and hasn’t for years. He makes Nick Johnson look like the Iron Horse.

The larger thrust of my post was twofold. 1} Modern roster construction is silly, as teams continue to carry pitchers that are never used only to short their bench. A third catcher does come into play more often than the 12th or 13th pitcher, especially in games that go into extra innings. Last night was potentially a prime example. Down by 1 run, the team surely should have PR for Martin, but they did not. Having a third catcher (who can play a couple of other positions ideally) allows for more late inning maneuvering out of the catcher position, a position that has provided little offense this year save for 60 ABs in March and April.

2] As bad as Posada has been, he has shown some life. He has hit well at home (.800 OPS) and he has hit reasonably well as a RH batter (.774 OPS). If deployed properly, he could still offer some utility to the team. Yes, they could use to improve at the DH position, but that need not mean releasing Posada.

But just to clarify, that is my interpretation of the data and situation.

]]> By: a.O http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/07/22/observations-from-cooperstown-the-offense-the-hof-and-elliott-maddox/#comment-88570 a.O Fri, 22 Jul 2011 20:44:02 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=63345#comment-88570 [6] The party line is that he's pouting. Not sure if that's better or worse than just sucking, LOL. [6] The party line is that he’s pouting. Not sure if that’s better or worse than just sucking, LOL.

]]> By: OldYanksFan http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/07/22/observations-from-cooperstown-the-offense-the-hof-and-elliott-maddox/#comment-88569 OldYanksFan Fri, 22 Jul 2011 20:21:12 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=63345#comment-88569 Is anyone concerned that at AAA, Montero has only posted a .281, .337, .410, .748 line? Is anyone concerned that at AAA, Montero has only posted a .281, .337, .410, .748 line?

]]> By: a.O http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/07/22/observations-from-cooperstown-the-offense-the-hof-and-elliott-maddox/#comment-88568 a.O Fri, 22 Jul 2011 20:13:24 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=63345#comment-88568 [3] You say there is no need to release Posada as though it's a fact or something other than your opinion. LOL. The need for a #3 catcher (read: emergency) is also something that happens approximately less than once per season and he should definitely not be the #2 1B because his defense over there is pretty suspect. Chavez and Swisher are both better. And DH needs an upgrade. [4] Only problem with Montero and Martin sharing the job is the huge defensive drop-off. Remember, he didn't make the club for one reason only, and that was because his defense sucks. IMHO, he will never be a good MLB catcher. But I definitely think it's time for the Yanks to find out once and for all whether he can hit MLB pitching on a regular basis. Regardless of what they do, I hope they add some offense. We need a latter-day Justice to carry us home this year. [3] You say there is no need to release Posada as though it’s a fact or something other than your opinion. LOL. The need for a #3 catcher (read: emergency) is also something that happens approximately less than once per season and he should definitely not be the #2 1B because his defense over there is pretty suspect. Chavez and Swisher are both better. And DH needs an upgrade.

[4] Only problem with Montero and Martin sharing the job is the huge defensive drop-off. Remember, he didn’t make the club for one reason only, and that was because his defense sucks. IMHO, he will never be a good MLB catcher. But I definitely think it’s time for the Yanks to find out once and for all whether he can hit MLB pitching on a regular basis.

Regardless of what they do, I hope they add some offense. We need a latter-day Justice to carry us home this year.

]]> By: monkeypants http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/07/22/observations-from-cooperstown-the-offense-the-hof-and-elliott-maddox/#comment-88567 monkeypants Fri, 22 Jul 2011 19:35:51 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=63345#comment-88567 With regard to Montero, I am not convinced that he shouldn't be the starting catcher right now. Cervelli is useless---on that everyone seems to agree. But Martin has been pretty much awful since April. Take away his first 60 ABs and his season line is really, really bad. I would be interested in seeing Montero share the starting job with Martin, at least for a while. With regard to Montero, I am not convinced that he shouldn’t be the starting catcher right now. Cervelli is useless—on that everyone seems to agree. But Martin has been pretty much awful since April. Take away his first 60 ABs and his season line is really, really bad. I would be interested in seeing Montero share the starting job with Martin, at least for a while.

]]> By: monkeypants http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/07/22/observations-from-cooperstown-the-offense-the-hof-and-elliott-maddox/#comment-88566 monkeypants Fri, 22 Jul 2011 19:33:52 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=63345#comment-88566 [2] There is no need to release Posada. I would keep him around in an increasingly limited hitting role and as the #3 catcher and #2 1B. Of course, that would be easier to do if teh team didn't carry 12 pitchers, one of whom is designated the "only use if we need a long man because the starter is knocked out in the first inning and we are down by 10 runs," a situation that seems to happen somewhere between once and never per season. [2] There is no need to release Posada. I would keep him around in an increasingly limited hitting role and as the #3 catcher and #2 1B. Of course, that would be easier to do if teh team didn’t carry 12 pitchers, one of whom is designated the “only use if we need a long man because the starter is knocked out in the first inning and we are down by 10 runs,” a situation that seems to happen somewhere between once and never per season.

]]> By: a.O http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/07/22/observations-from-cooperstown-the-offense-the-hof-and-elliott-maddox/#comment-88565 a.O Fri, 22 Jul 2011 18:52:31 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=63345#comment-88565 In addition to exchanging Montero for Cervelli, much as it pains me to say it, I would trade for a DH and release Posada. In addition to exchanging Montero for Cervelli, much as it pains me to say it, I would trade for a DH and release Posada.

]]> By: Jon DeRosa http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/07/22/observations-from-cooperstown-the-offense-the-hof-and-elliott-maddox/#comment-88564 Jon DeRosa Fri, 22 Jul 2011 15:23:52 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=63345#comment-88564 If the Yankees don't dump Montero at this trade deadline, it'll be interesting to see what they do. The longer they keep him in AAA the less inclined any other organization will treat him like a big-time, immediate impact prospect. Because if he was that, wouldn't the yanks use him for themselves? If the Yankees don’t dump Montero at this trade deadline, it’ll be interesting to see what they do.

The longer they keep him in AAA the less inclined any other organization will treat him like a big-time, immediate impact prospect.

Because if he was that, wouldn’t the yanks use him for themselves?

]]>