Another Outfield Option?

by jscape2000 on Dec 12, 2009 10:04 PM EST in New York Yankees Analysis

Johnny Gomes is among the arbitration eligible players who was non-tendered today.

Gomes hit very well versus lefties, posting a .307 average with a .369 on-base percentage. His power certainly came mostly versus righties, but the ability to get on base consistently versus lefties should entice more teams than his power.

Should the Yanks bring in Gomez to put some pressure on the corner outfielders? He hit .307/.369/.545 against lefties. Swisher hit .244/.393/.475 and Melky hit .268/.343/.420.

Gomes could DH (or push Swisher there), and he'd be a decent bat off the bench (something we're lacking right now).

For me, the money involved is the decision maker; if Gomez will play for incentives, it becomes a no-brainer.

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For a team that's supposedly looking for more pitching,

we sure are accumulating a whole lot of signed and potential outfielders.

HAVE

Granderson
Swisher
Melky
Gardner
Hoffman

POSSIBLY

Damon
Matsui (I know he would probably DH, but this is his position)
Nady
Bay
Holliday
Gomes

Shouldn’t we be a little less focused on still more outfielders, and a little more focused on finding some pitchers?

by pinstriper on Dec 12, 2009 10:19 PM EST reply actions

well

if they get one of these POSSIBLE guys, then one guy they have will almost definietly get traded

by YanksVikes on Dec 12, 2009 10:21 PM EST up reply actions

I agree, but the pitching market seems pretty set and unmoving.
I didn’t have the energy to write another post on Lackey, Halladay or Sheets.

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

by jscape2000 on Dec 13, 2009 12:11 AM EST up reply actions

ill

pass
unless we get him for league minimum and event hen i would pass

there are better guys than
and cashman said that there are tons of dhs/resefve of’s looking for a job

the guy i would like to see them get is jermaine dye. Dye is a class A guy and a professional hitter whi can hitter lefties as he posted a .290 avg, sure he will cost more money but the porduction will be better

by YanksVikes on Dec 12, 2009 10:20 PM EST reply actions

he can barely

field a position anymore. pass.

by tombradylikesdudes on Dec 12, 2009 11:50 PM EST up reply actions

I too vote no

A good glove is more important.

by Peter Lacock on Dec 13, 2009 6:49 PM EST up reply actions

Problem with Gomes

s he is a terrible defender. He makes Swisher look like a Gold Glover.

by Ed Valentine on Dec 12, 2009 11:06 PM EST reply actions

I don’t recall that. Seems like that would take some doing.

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

by jscape2000 on Dec 13, 2009 12:08 AM EST up reply actions

In fairness to Swisher

he looked surprisingly good defensively last season. Certainly exceeded my expectations. (Admittedly those were low, but still, not bad!) He would even pull off a great play every now and then.

by pinstriper on Dec 13, 2009 12:11 PM EST up reply actions

Ryan Garko

A similar, but probably better option than Jonny Gomes who also got non-tendered today is Ryan Garko. He has a career line of .313/.392/.495 vs. lefties, and while he hasn’t played the OF as much as Gomes, he probably isn’t any worse. He’s also a better hitter vs. righties than Gomes. I think he’d be worth a couple mil as a DH vs. lefties, an emergency corner outfielder or 1b and a potent pinch hitter.

by Let's Talk About Tex Baby on Dec 13, 2009 12:21 AM EST reply actions

Garko could probably get a full-time 1B job elsewhere. I wouldn’t let him near the outfield grass.

by Scooby Snacks on Dec 13, 2009 10:20 AM EST up reply actions

Pass.

I’d rather have Matsui.

At least he DOESN’T play the OF vs. STINK when he’s out there.

"It ain't over till its over"---

How come no one covers Steve Smith?

by FreeBradshaw on Dec 13, 2009 9:45 AM EST reply actions

I'd take Matsui at DH.

The guy is pure clutch. He has plenty of power. He can get a well-placed base hit when needed. He hits lefties exceptionally well. He’s happy with a one year contract and presumably willing to take a pay cut. So what if he’s the DH? It would help him to sit once in a while for some rest while we put Posada or A-Rod or Jeter in the DH slot so THEY get some rest, too. We’ve got a small mountain of outfielders already… and if the Yankees really wanted, they could put Matsui in OF for an emergency situation (out of outfielders due to late-game pinch hitting) or during a blowout, so he could have the satisfaction of getting some playing time out there, too. It all works fine as far as I can see.

by pinstriper on Dec 13, 2009 12:17 PM EST up reply actions

agree

MJatsui is a professional hitter

a one year contract at the right price makes this a no brainer

by MSP Giant on Dec 13, 2009 12:44 PM EST up reply actions

He's also

A great PH. Those days he’s on the bench, it’s like having an MVP waiting to bat with Matsui and Gardner sitting together.

by Jaybat on Dec 14, 2009 9:30 AM EST up reply actions

not sure what all the fuss about hitting or not hitting lefties is about. Of course I’d like a team that hits .350 vs lefties and righties, but only 26% of the pitchers in the league are lefties. that would make 74% righties. If guys are going to have a weaker side, I’d rather they be strong against 74% of pitchers, rather then 26%

by Yank on Dec 13, 2009 12:01 PM EST reply actions

Are those numbers legit? I’ve been wondering about that angle. Where can I find the data?

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

by jscape2000 on Dec 13, 2009 1:46 PM EST up reply actions

Good job Yank! It's about right and it wouldn't be that hard to calculate

Also, a large chunk of those lefties aren’t very good and don’t even deserve to be in the majors. They’re only around because teams (and fans) get panicky if they don’t have one. This is why Granderson’s splits are blown out of proportion. If a guy has trouble hitting lefties it’s not only fixable, it’s also minor.

by Peter Lacock on Dec 13, 2009 6:47 PM EST up reply actions