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Thursday, June 12, 2008

Bondy: Joe Girardi must rest aging Yankee players when it is called for

Then there is the less discussed case of Jeter, whose bat has lost a bit of its pop in recent weeks. He is at .272 with just three homers. If he kept up these numbers throughout the full season, Jeter would post career lows in batting and slugging averages.

Jeter started in his 60th game, his 13th in 13 days, last night. He missed a week early on with a strained quad, and that was that. Given Jeter’s age - he turns 34 this month - and the high demands of his fielding position, he could probably use a few more built-in breaks. But if Girardi issued that order, the manager might risk the irritation of the captain. Jeter is forever eager to play.

Ask Jeter about his recent struggles, and he reminds you that the season is young and that his numbers really don’t mean much of anything.

“My season is the team’s season,” Jeter said before going 1-for-3 in the Yanks’ loss to the A’s last night.

Hey, moaner! A true man amongst men!

Repoz Posted: June 12, 2008 at 07:54 AM | 18 comment(s)
Related News: General, NY Yankees

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1. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Griffin (Vlad) Posted: June 12, 2008 at 10:10 AM (#2816796)

Giving these guys more rest might not be a bad idea in the long run, but I don't think you can write off Jeter's struggles this year as simple fatigue.

2. Pasta-diving Jeter (jmac66) Posted: June 12, 2008 at 10:13 AM (#2816800)

I don't think you can write off Jeter's struggles this year as simple fatigue.

aging is a form of fatigue

(believe me, I know)

3. Ryan Jones Posted: June 12, 2008 at 10:16 AM (#2816809)

Girardi's in trouble both ways on this one. If he plays the older players, whose bats he needs in the lineup to compete, they wear out and start performing worse, possibly leading to late season losses. If he rests them, then he has to play the massively inferior backups, possibly leading to mid season losses. Either way, he gets ripped in the press for losing, and he can't afford to punt any games given the way Boston and Tampa are playing (and given that the Jays are still right with the Yankees).

4. Ryan Jones Posted: June 12, 2008 at 10:17 AM (#2816810)

aging is a form of fatigue

This is painfully true.

5. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Griffin (Vlad) Posted: June 12, 2008 at 10:20 AM (#2816813)

Why can't the Yankees come up with better backups? Is it just not an area that they think is worth worrying about?

6. aleskel

Posted: June 12, 2008 at 10:29 AM (#2816821)

Why can't the Yankees come up with better backups? Is it just not an area that they think is worth worrying about?

thin benches have been a real problem the last 2-3 years, but I think it's a result of a) lack of focus on the farm system from 2002-2005, then focusing on developing pitching rather than position players, and b) having enough talented, and durable, everyday players that it's hard to attract free agents for bench roles, since they know they don't have much of a shot of getting regular playing time

7. The Good Face Posted: June 12, 2008 at 10:41 AM (#2816829)

The only really glaring problem they have with the bench is the 1B/3B bat-off-the-bench issue and lack of a 5th OF. Molina is an adequate backup catcher, as long as he's a backup. Alberto Gonzales can't hit, but is a fine fielder and has a decent chance of having a nice career as a utility IF guy. The way Jeter's hitting, I'm not sure you lose much with Gonzales in the lineup. Betemit can play all infield positions dreadfully and can't hit from the right side at all, but is dangerous against RHP. However, Morgan Ensberg was totally cooked and Shelly Duncan is made of suck. They'd gain a lot of flexibility if Matsui was willing or able to play an adequate 1B, but alas.

I think they made an effort to have a better bench this year... they definitely upgraded at backup catcher, but they had some gambles fail to pan out. Happens with bench players. Guys who are consistantly good tend to be starters.

8. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Griffin (Vlad) Posted: June 12, 2008 at 10:50 AM (#2816844)

"Molina is an adequate backup catcher, as long as he's a backup."

Yeah, but they're the Yankees. Why are they settling for "adequate"?

9. RB in NYC (Now with Resolutions!) Posted: June 12, 2008 at 10:54 AM (#2816848)

Yeah, but they're the Yankees. Why are they settling for "adequate"?

How many teams have "great" back-up catchers? I mean, if a guy is that good behind the plate, he should probably be starting somewhere--and probably will leave to do so ASAP.

10. The Good Face Posted: June 12, 2008 at 11:09 AM (#2816879)

How many teams have "great" back-up catchers? I mean, if a guy is that good behind the plate, he should probably be starting somewhere--and probably will leave to do so ASAP.

Exactly. Where would they get a great backup catcher anyway? They'd be stupid to pay big bucks for a free agent since they're already doing that with Posada. Plus what quality free agent would go someplace to sit behind a star? Should they give up valuable trade chips for a high quality catcher so he can catch 40 games and sit on the bench behind Posada? Even if they had a top catching prospect, do you really want him sitting behind an established star, or playing every day in AAA?

11. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Griffin (Vlad) Posted: June 12, 2008 at 11:15 AM (#2816885)

"Plus what quality free agent would go someplace to sit behind a star?"

Up until this year, the Yankees were able to credibly promise free agents a shot at a ring. Would you rather start for a crappy team, or end the year with a trophy? It's not an open-and-shut thing, especially if the money is pretty close.

Posada is 36 this year. How many 36-year-old catchers stay fit and hearty all season? For the Yankees to assume that he wouldn't miss some time this year is negligent at best.

12. aleskel

Posted: June 12, 2008 at 11:20 AM (#2816890)

How many teams have "great" back-up catchers?

come to think of it, how many AL teams can be said to have great bench players, period? They're so much more important in the NL that bench talent just drifts there. I just remembered the offseason rumor of Mark Loretta signing with the Yankees, instead choosing to sign with Houston.

13. Shooty Did Not Kill McGurk

Posted: June 12, 2008 at 11:25 AM (#2816899)

I think the A's do a good job of building a bench. Of course, the problem with the A's is that the bench too quickly becomes the starting line-up.

14. aleskel

Posted: June 12, 2008 at 11:29 AM (#2816902)

the Angels seem to do a good job as well, but they're intentionally built like an NL team

15. Ryan Jones Posted: June 12, 2008 at 11:32 AM (#2816910)

come to think of it, how many AL teams can be said to have great bench players, period? They're so much more important in the NL that bench talent just drifts there. I just remembered the offseason rumor of Mark Loretta signing with the Yankees, instead choosing to sign with Houston.

Well, a couple years ago, the Jays had a bench of Hillenbrand, Johnson, McDonald, Zaun, and someone else. In general, thought, you're right, in that bench talent seems to drift to the NL, because players typically want to play.

16. Edmundo is Super Average Man

Posted: June 12, 2008 at 11:34 AM (#2816913)

How many teams have "great" back-up catchers?
Chris Coste is an ideal backup catcher -- he has some power, appears to be decent behind the plate and knows that he couldn't catch 100 games a year at age 35. He's happy to be in the majors, has got the veteran presence and is well liked it seems. He's hitting up a storm this year and has been stealing time from Carlos Ruiz who has been teh suck offensively. They've been splitting the starts recently and unless Ruiz starts contributing, that's going to continue.

17. SJ and the pants of freedom. Posted: June 12, 2008 at 11:39 AM (#2816917)

Would you rather start for a crappy team, or end the year with a trophy? It's not an open-and-shut thing, especially if the money is pretty close.

You know, a lot of competitive people want to play. Its not really as open and shut as you make it.

If I love the game of baseball, and I can play 120 games or 40 games, knowing I have limited time to do so, I might choose the 120 games.

18. Shooty Did Not Kill McGurk

Posted: June 12, 2008 at 11:45 AM (#2816922)

If I love the game of baseball, and I can play 120 games or 40 games, knowing I have limited time to do so, I might choose the 120 games.

I'd play. Look at the standings. The M's and Tigers and Indians all stink. The Yankees aren't all that great. Supposedly crappy teams like the Rays and A's and White Sox and even the Rangers are playing well. IOW, who knows what will happen to a team one year to the next. Just get me on the field. Playing is more fun than not playing. Competing is more fun than sitting on the bench and rooting for other guys to carry you to the promised land.

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Bondy: Joe Girardi must rest aging Yankee players when it is called for

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