Another Important Question

by jscape2000 on Oct 8, 2009 3:00 PM EDT in New York Yankees Analysis

Even after Jorge allowed 3 (!!!) passed balls in last night's game, leading to the Twins' first chance to score, I still want him to catch AJ Burnett.

But that's really the second questionable decision of Joe G.'s post season. Because Brett Gardner had better start tomorrow.

They sat Gritty Gutty against the lefty. I disagree with the move, but it's solid baseball think, so I won't pull my hair out over it.

But if Joe G. starts the superior defensive/ vastly inferior offensive catcher while benching the vastly superior defensive/ roughly equivalent offensive center fielder, I'm going to be upset.

Gardner's game is all about speed. And he's got game changing speed. It's not like the Yankees don't have other pinch runners.

Why wouldn't you use that speed offensively and defensively for 9 innings?

Leaving GGBG on the bench for the entire postseason is basically saying, I'm hoping that the other team scores their runs one homers and seeing eye singles so his defense wouldn't have been a factor, and I hope we're down by a run in the late innings with a man on first so that Gardner can steal second.

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Dude!

I love ya man, but you need to just relax and watch the games. Life is good, we will dispatch the Twins and move on the next round. Enjoy the ride, my friend. I think you’re just giving yourself a headache.

by Ed Valentine on Oct 8, 2009 3:13 PM EDT reply actions

Not really. I feel good.
But this is setting a precedent. Joe G. doesn’t seem like the type to make one decision in the first round of the playoffs and another in the second round.

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

by jscape2000 on Oct 8, 2009 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Precedent?

Who cares about precedent? We should care about winning.

by HappyLuckyGoldenDragonNumber1! on Oct 8, 2009 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Simple answer...

Melky – more power, higher OPS, better arm, switch hitter.

Gardner does lead the team in “grit” though. Unfortunately that’s not terribly relevant.

Gardner’s speed isn’t “game-changing” if he can’t get on base, and since he’s got an OBP of .306 since early July, it’s apparent that he can’t.

Melky hasn’t been any better, but at least he’s something of a power threat and hits from both sides.

by New York Sports Jerk on Oct 8, 2009 3:19 PM EDT reply actions

Isn't there a "Grit" chart or metric we can find?

by HappyLuckyGoldenDragonNumber1! on Oct 8, 2009 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Putting Molina in effects two positions

Catcher and Pitcher. Molina is a better catcher than Posada and AJ feels better as a pitcher with Molina behind the dish. Simple. As for Melky or Gardner starting, it is just a philosophical question. Melky is a better hitter with more pop and has a better arm. Gardner is faster and has better range. By having Gardner on the bench you save his legs for when you need them the most, not dependent on him getting on base. What would you rather see? Gardner go 1 for 4 and whip around the bases in the 2nd inning with 2 outs or save him to pinch run for Matsui or Posada/Molina in the 8th in a close game where he could possibly get all the way to third? To me Gardy or Melky is a 50/50 split, probably also depends on who is pitching that day for the other team.

by HappyLuckyGoldenDragonNumber1! on Oct 8, 2009 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Gardner playing could affect two positions too...

…has anyone asked Damon who he prefers playing catch with between innings?

by New York Sports Jerk on Oct 8, 2009 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions

zing!

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

by jscape2000 on Oct 8, 2009 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't think Damon even bothers to play catch

Well at least I don’t think he even bothers to throw the ball back.

by HappyLuckyGoldenDragonNumber1! on Oct 8, 2009 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions

He prefers playing with a 3rd grade girl

because then, finally, he doesn’t look as ridiculous throwing the ball.

As such, I think it’s about time we get a 3rd grade girl to play CF in the playoffs.

Facial LaFleur, total facial.

by Lord Duggan on Oct 8, 2009 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Thats why I am thinking

If its a choice between Matsui or Damon next season… I am leaning towards Godzilla with his mad crutchness

by HappyLuckyGoldenDragonNumber1! on Oct 8, 2009 7:44 PM EDT up reply actions

whatever happens with melky

I just want him to wake up and start hitting again…his bat has been awol for about a minute now…

by NYYWinsRings26 on Oct 8, 2009 3:29 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

i disagree!!! burnett and molina click!!! i love posada but there r not a match
it happens, look at carlton, and mc carver!!!!

by OLDGUYJJ on Oct 8, 2009 3:43 PM EDT reply actions

Melky/Gardner...

In terms of batting, they are almost equal. Gardner’s incredible speed would make him a better offensive player overall, however.

Gardner is also a much better fielder. I was really surprised when I looked up Melky’s defensive stats on fangraphs. He had slightly above average range, but his arm was actually below average this year, which was surprising to me since that is what most people know him for. In case you’re wondering, the way they judge an outfielder’s arm is based on how many runners he throws out, and also how often runners try to tag up on him. Gardner had above average arm, and very good range.

by Wraithpk on Oct 8, 2009 4:00 PM EDT reply actions

So on Fangraphs, that means Melky gets no credit for the number of guys who Don’t tag up?

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

by jscape2000 on Oct 8, 2009 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions

I have a better way to judge their arms...

…by WATCHING THEM.

Nobody who has watched a second of Yankees baseball would argue that Gardner’s arm is anywhere close to Melky’s.

by New York Sports Jerk on Oct 8, 2009 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions

You use your eyes?

Vision is anecdotal.

by HappyLuckyGoldenDragonNumber1! on Oct 8, 2009 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions

And statistics count for nothing

Just because Nick Punto is almost 32 and is only slugging .324 in 2200 at bats doesn’t mean he can’t turn things around and wind up in the Hall of Fame.

by 3460kuri on Oct 8, 2009 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions

That's all a little circular.

A team’s coaches look at stats to decide whether their runners should tag up on a particular outfielder… but the outfielder’s arm is rated statistically in part on how many runners tag up… so if you have a good arm runners don’t tag up on you, which means you have a good arm, which means runners don’t tag up on you…

by pinstriper on Oct 8, 2009 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions

I have Nick Punto on my fantasy team.

What the f$%k is the internet?

by FreeBradshaw on Oct 8, 2009 6:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Who beat you for 14th place?

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

by jscape2000 on Oct 8, 2009 7:05 PM EDT up reply actions

lol

by NumberSeven on Oct 8, 2009 8:29 PM EDT up reply actions

The Brooklyn Cervelli's.

What the f$%k is the internet?

by FreeBradshaw on Oct 8, 2009 9:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Agree

It should be Gardner. The only reason not to start him would be so he could pinch run, but as you said, we have other qualified pinch runners.

by Rumplestiltskin02 on Oct 8, 2009 4:11 PM EDT reply actions

I disagree

By starting Gardner, it lets Girardi put him on base as a pinch runner in a critical situation, and in that situation Gardner’s speed IS a game changer. Look what happened in that game against the Angels as an example… Gardner pretty much manufactured a run, and it helped us to win that game. If Gardner starts, we can’t use him for that sort of thing.

by pinstriper on Oct 8, 2009 6:01 PM EDT up reply actions

it is clear that a majority of yankee fans disagree with your take on Gardner. Melky is the better all around player and his defense is exceptional. The reason why Melky’s assists are down is because teams don’t run against him. When both are in the lineup Gardner’s range and Melky’s all around ability dramatically improve the Yankees defense but Damon and Swisher need to play for their offense.

Another reason to bring Gardner off the bench is his base stealing ability. Swisher draws a walk in a one run game and Gardner runs for him. The defense improves and the chances of scoring improves dramatically in that crucial moment..

Girardi is managing this correctly. Melky should start and Gardner is the late inning weapon.

by Jtmc on Oct 8, 2009 4:23 PM EDT reply actions

Bottom line

Melky and Gardner are relatively equal at the plate. Melky’s a better hitter overall tho.

On the bench? Melky is relatively useless, but Gardner can really help you as a pinch runner. Boom, Gardner to the bench. Him and CC can use their ‘grit’ to chew sunflower seeds.

What the f$%k is the internet?

by FreeBradshaw on Oct 8, 2009 6:34 PM EDT reply actions

i dont see how melky and gardner are anywhere close to equal when melky is better for contact and for power...

But I do agree gardner should be on the bench most def.

by NYYWinsRings26 on Oct 8, 2009 9:30 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Gardy should start

one of every 3 to 5 games. If Girardi was thinking of starting Gardy he would have rostered Guzman to be Herb Washington. Whom should be the starting CF may be a debate amongst fans but it sure looks like the guy that matters has chosen Melky for now.
I don’t think it’s clear which guy is better. You can make a case for either because they have different strengths. Personally, I’d pick Melky because he has a cannon and he might get ahold of one, but then, I’d also pick an entirely different OF alignment.

by Peter Lacock on Oct 9, 2009 12:49 AM EDT reply actions