I still happen to love the idea of Mark Teixeira playing first base for the next eight years, even at the likely $200 million price tag. He does something Manny cannot do and that's play gold glove caliber defense, but we'll get into that in a moment. Offensively bringing Manny in makes the Yankees lineup very very scary. Manny is one of the best hitters in the game, and a 1-2 punch of A-Rod and Manny in the heart of the Yankees order would be murder on opposing pitchers.The Yankees are in on the Mark Teixeira sweepstakes but don't appear overly optimistic to outbid the determined Angels or Red Sox. Should the Yankees lose out for Teixeira, who's drawing interest from the perennially also-ran Nationals and Orioles in addition to the three aforementioned clubs, they seem ready to pounce for Manny Ramirez.
There are those suggesting the Yankees are only in the running for Teixeira to either monitor the rival Red Sox or drive up the price for the switch-hitting slugger. But while it's true the Yankees don't appear as eager to sign Teixeira as the Angels and Red Sox, they do appear willing to sign him at the right price. After already signing CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett for $243.5 million combined, the Yankees appear disinclined to offer $200 million for Teixeira, which is what it may take to get him.
That's where Manny may come in.
While the Yankees have a trio of accomplished corner outfielders -- Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui and Xavier Nady -- they appear to love the idea of Manny and could still utilize Damon in centerfield on occasion.
But now onto defensive, which is one of my major concerns with this team heading into 2009. The Yankees already have one of the worst defensive teams in the league; last year they ranked at the bottom in team UZR (ultimate zone rating: The number of runs above or below average a fielder is in both range runs and error runs combined.), with a -39.4 rating. Only the Cincinnati Reds (-41.7) and Colorado Rockies (-70.9) were worse. The top two teams in the league, the Rays (73.0) amd Phillies (44.4), just happened to find themselves in the World Series last year. And if you were wondering, the Red Sox were ranked third with a 41.3 UZR, and should improve if they add Teixeira.
The Yankees were also at the bottom in RngR (range runs: The number of runs above or below average a fielder is, determined by how the fielder is able to get to balls hit in his vicinity.), only ahead of Colorado. Once again the top three teams in the league were the Rays, Phillies, and Red Sox.
But don't get me wrong, the Yankees' problem is not that they cannot catch the ball, because they can. They ranked at the top in fielding percentage (.986), committing only 83 errors last year, good for second best in the league. And they were also near the top in ErrR (error runs: The number of runs above or below average a fielder is, determined by the number of errors he makes as compared to an average fielder at that position given the same distribution of balls in play.). When they're around the ball they make the play, the problem is actually getting to the ball, their range. They're old and slow, and adding a 37 year old Manny Ramirez will only make matters worse.
We better get used to watching Yankees outfielders chase down ball in the gaps. An outfield of Manny Ramirez, Johnny Damon and Xavier Nady is not something I look forward to watching. Add that outfield to an already sub-par infield, which won't be helped by the addition of Nick Swisher, and the Yankees will be a disaster on the defensive side of the ball. This is the main reason why the Yankees should bring in Teixeira, stick with Brett Gardner or even Melky Cabrera in center, and leave Damon in left. Gardner and Melky are superior centerfielders and Damon is much better when he plays left. Look at Damon's 2008 UZR; in CF he had a -5.6, and in LF it was 8.4. He goes from below average in center to above average is left.
This defensive team:
C - Posada
1B - Teixeira
2B - Cano
3B - A-Rod
SS - Jeter
RF - Nady
CF - Gardner/Melky
LF - Damon
DH - Matsui
is light years better than this one:
C - Posada
1B - Swisher
2B - Cano
3B - A-Rod
SS - Jeter
RF - Nady
CF - Damon
DH/LF - Manny
DH/LF - Matsui
12 Comments:
i love the idea of Manny in our lineup, but we need to open the dh spot, which means we have to trade matsui. we could then put manny as full time dh and put damon in left. we would still need a solid centerfielder, i like Ankiel. we should continue to look around, possibly dejesus, ichiro or just let melky play.
we shouldnt be afraid of giving up a pitcher or two, because from what we hear we have plenty of young studs, although they havent proven themselves up at the big league level. we need a great defensive centerfielder, Beltran would be nice right now Cashman!
if swisher becomes an issue at first, we have the flexibilty of possibly switching him and nady. with the possible addition of manny, the lineup will be much better, so i say we could afford to put melky in and let him hit his .250-.270, or gardner if you want more speed.
we know what the yankees are thinking, " we have to leave first open for posada, jeter and eventually arod." i understand why they wouldnt sign teixeira, i dont like it but, because tex is exactly what we need.
I totally agree, this team has forgotten about defensive for the last few seasons, and they also need to get younger not older.
Dan, trading Matsui will be very difficult, nobody wants him.
And while you're right that this "we have to leave first open for posada, jeter and eventually arod." may be their thinking, I absolutely hate their philosophy.
Unless they can trade Damon or Matsui bringing in Manny makes no sense. They also need to get younger and more athletic and adding Manny does neither.
The Posada/A-Rod/Jeter argument to first base doesn't work. I don't think Jeter would ever be moved to first because he wouldn't hit well enough for the position. Only place he can go is the OF. Posada can be DH IF need be from '10-'11. So the DH would be available to A-Rod when he needs it in around 4 years.
I really hope there is something to the Teix/Manny rumors. We could really use another bat.
well, lets not forget, the giants have shown interest in matsui, we have too many corner OF/DH types, teixera like many have said is a smart investment, its not like he is always getting injured, he is a clean shaven classy guy and i would like him at 1B i dont know why they wont get serious with him we still have about 35 million to play with from our expiring contracts give pettite 10mil, and you still have 15 that you can toss at TEX and add more on and say he does get 8 years 200mil thats maybe 10 mil more a year than last year and we added a huge (literally) Ace, in CC, we added AJ, we add a Big bat to protect AROD, im sorry as much as pitching wins we cant just lose abreu and giambi and not get a bat to replace them .. i think if he gets close to a deal with boston Boras will call up CASH like he always does and say "hey, you in or what?"
Anon, the interest that the Giants showed was last year prior to another season where he couldn't stay healthy. I really can't see any NL team wanting him at this point he can really only be a DH.
They do have too many corner OF'ers, which is why adding Manny may solve one problem, but it creates another.
They do need a bat, and they also need a first baseman, Teixeira solves both those things. And yes, there is no doubt in my mind that Boras will give Cashman a call before any contract is signed.
I'm willing to live with a Melky/Gardner CF platoon (for 1 year) if it means having enough $$$ to get Tex. Also we could let Hughes/Kennedy/Aceves/Coke battle it out for the #5. And let Cody Ransom be the utility infielder. This way we could afford to "invest" in Tex. He would instantly improve the Yanks in so many ways and be a rock for many years to come. 10yr/$200mil, Just Do It!
Nady is probably the only tradable asset in the OF that makes over $1mm. The Yankees would have to eat a significant portion of Damon's contract to move him, which would be counter-productive if they were trying to clear payroll to sign Manny or Tex.
I like the acquisition of Manny. Who's better than a Manny Ramirez on a new team, against the Red Sox with a chip on his shoulder ready to prove/destroy his former team? Cement him in LF. He'll be fine if you let Gardner patrol CF.
Nady in RF.
Gardner in CF.
Manny/Damon in LF.
Swisher at 1B.
Damon/Manny at DH.
Trade Matsui. Eat half his salary for a nice setup man or something. Or give him sporatic playing time to keep him fresh in case of injury.
Oh, and it's not about the money for Teix I don't think. It's the years. So Manny is the solution to that, just give Manny 3 years and the Yanks will be happy.
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