One Reason for the Season

by jscape2000 on Aug 16, 2008 7:50 AM EDT in Analysis

Melky Cabrera's season seems to have ended with 401ABs and OPS+ of 69.

(OPS+ is OPS adjusted to the season average, so that the all time average is 100, a player with a 150 OPS+ is half again as productive as the average player).

So when was the last time the Yanks gave 400 ABs to a player with an OPS+ under 70?

First, a couple near misses:

	AB	OPS+	Season	Team Record
Scott Brosius	470	70	2000	87-74
Joe Girardi	398	69	1997	96-66

And our winner, the shortstop for the 1990 Yankees, Alvaro Espinoza (.224/.258/.274, 50 OPS+, 1/2 SB/CS). That year, the Yanks went 65-97.

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Ohhh, riiiiight

It was all Melky’s fault. Well, now that he’s in the minors, I guess we can win now. Super.

by runbrettrun on Aug 16, 2008 9:07 AM EDT 0 recs

I guess you didn't notice the .220 BA since May 1

Okay, I get it. He has an nice arm. But he doesn’t have anything else to add to the equation.

by anaconda on Aug 16, 2008 10:48 AM EDT up 0 recs

No no

Not all Melky’s fault. This is a part 1 of 25.

It’s Girardi’s fault for not benching him sooner, and Cashman’s fault for not finding the Yanks a better option.

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Aug 16, 2008 12:17 PM EDT up 0 recs

Agreed n/t

by runbrettrun on Aug 16, 2008 12:55 PM EDT up 0 recs

Maybe

all of our scouts have severe drinking problems.

by runbrettrun on Aug 16, 2008 10:56 AM EDT 0 recs

Melky'll be back

when the rosters expand. He’ll have more ABs.

by DocBrown82 on Aug 16, 2008 11:27 PM EDT 0 recs

It's not about the at-bats in the future

It’s the lousy ones he had in the past.

Torre loved Melky, and constantly praised him for infusing the veteran team with “energy” and “excitement”. Sadly, since mid-May Melky’s bat hasn’t infused us with anything except angst.

This was a wake-up call to Melky, to Robbie, and pretty much anyone else who isn’t doing the job. I applaud the move. If they do bring Melky up in Sept. (and I’m almost certain they will), hopefully the “energy” and “excitement” will be there—along with a potent bat.

"Baseball is the background music of my life." -George Will

by Ronster22 on Aug 18, 2008 2:29 PM EDT up 0 recs