... this team is bad defensively too. It's not that they can't field the ball, they're 4th in all of baseball in fielding percentage (.986), it's just that they have a hard time getting to the ball. Basically they're a team of Derek Jeters; no range, but once they get to a ball they're great.
Yesterday over at Replacement Level Yankees Weblog SG posted AL Zone Ratings through September 8th (hat tip to Ed Valentine), and the numbers aren't pretty. The only Yankee near the top at any position is Melky Cabrera, and he doesn't even start anymore because he couldn't hit.
Here are the Yankees players' rankings at their respective positions:
Jason Giambi: .824 - 11th
Robinson Cano: .802 - 15th (only AL player worse is Jose Lopez)
Derek Jeter: .822 - 11th
Alex Rodriguez: .788 - 11th
Johnny Damon: .848 - 8th
Melky Cabrera: .920 - 3rd
Bobby Abreu: .786 - 17th (Worst in the AL)
That's pretty awful, isn't it?
Looking ahead to 2009 the Yankees should be able to improve defensively in several areas. Giambi will be gone, and there's a good chance Abreu won't come back as well. So that's two positions the Yankees can easily improve upon. Xavier Nady (.874 ZR) is better defensively than Abreu, and hopefully the Yankees can acquire a good defensive first baseman (Mark Teixeira?). You would also hope Cano can regain his 2007 form where he was 3rd in the AL in ZR for second baseman.
Don't misunderstand me; I'm not trying to say that if this team played better defensively they'd be in the playoffs, because they wouldn't. But team defense is very important, and the Yankees must improve in this area next season.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
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4 Comments:
What makes you think Abreu won't be back. I, for one, have no issue with Abreu. Yes, he is timid the closer he gets to the wall but he is basically a 300. hitter with 15-20 homers and 90-100 RBI's. Would I move him to 5th or sixth, maybe, but he is a valuable member of our team.
He's a fine hitter, but I don't think he's worth keeping around due to his awful defense. And it's not just being afraid of walls, the guy has BY FAR the worst range of any right fielder in the AL. J.D. is second to last with an .829 ZR, Abreu's is .784. There's also no reason to believe he's going to get better next season.
We need a complete overhaul. Id like to have some guys that come every day to compete. Guys that can bunt, catch and drive in runs
I agree with that, although I think it can be done without a "complete overhaul." Several smart moves can get it done.
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