Rosenthal: Jeter a liability to Team USA

by Ed Valentine on Mar 18, 2009 4:27 PM EDT in New York Yankees News

Ugh! The criticism of Derek Jeter's defense will never end. It has even reached the World Baseball Classic, where Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports is calling Jeter's glove work a liability to Team USA's title chances.

For Team USA to have its best chance of winning the World Baseball Classic, Jimmy Rollins should be at shortstop instead of Derek Jeter.

The decision, however, is not that simple.

Jeter is the captain of Team USA, the face of the tournament for the United States, a player who has appeared in both Classics and helped promote the event when other U.S. stars have not.

Team USA also has an obligation to give Jeter and other players the work they need to prepare for the regular season -- an obligation that sometimes prevents manager Davey Johnson from making optimal use of his roster.

Before Tuesday night, Jeter had played only 15 innings at shortstop over the previous 10 days, a far lower total than he would have compiled if he had remained with the Yankees at spring training.

So, Johnson played Jeter for nine innings at short in the elimination game against Puerto Rico and used Rollins as his designated hitter.

Twice, Jeter failed to stop balls to his left that Rollins might have at least knocked down, and both led directly to runs.

If Team USA had not secured its dramatic 6-5 victory over Puerto Rico by staging a three-run rally in the ninth inning, Jeter's defense would have come under heavy scrutiny. ...

Jeter actually improved on balls to his left last season, according to the plus-minus ratings on Bill James Online. Those ratings, however, ranked Rollins as the top defensive shortstop in the majors. Jeter ranked 31st.

Johnson's stock line is that he is as comfortable with Jeter at short as he is with Rollins. It will be difficult for Johnson to continue taking that stand after Tuesday night.

The last thing anyone wants to do is embarrass Jeter, who deserves respect and appreciation for both his distinguished career and his participation in the WBC.

Rollins, though, is the better defensive shortstop.

If Team USA wants to win, Rollins needs to play.

I don't bring this up to debate, defend or criticize Jeter's defense. That's not the point.

To me, it's just another example of why the WBC is uncomfortable, and unworkable, for big-league teams.

-- Hat tip to 'The Good Phight' for the find.

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Well

it’s probably good for the tournement if the US keep losing (because if they keep winning they’ll probably lose interest even faster) so I guess Jeter is doing his part there :P

by RollingWave on Mar 19, 2009 6:46 AM EDT reply actions

Derek Jeter

What a ton of horsesh*t. Rosenthal is a bleepin moron and a closet Red Sox fan.

by babbaloo on Mar 19, 2009 8:59 PM EDT reply actions

I don’t get it….! Why would you title this rant, “Jeter a liability to team USA” and then proceed to say…. . “The last thing anyone wants to do is embarrass Jeter, who deserves respect and appreciation for both his distinguished career and his participation in the WBC.”……. Whaaaaa

by lippypike on Mar 19, 2009 10:30 PM EDT reply actions

Because

Rosenthal’s point — not mine — is that he thinks Jeter is hurting Team USA.

by Ed Valentine on Mar 20, 2009 9:52 AM EDT up reply actions

That's Obvious

But he’s totally contadicting himself!!!!!!!! He makes absolutely no sense..

by lippypike on Mar 20, 2009 10:12 PM EDT reply actions

Jeter 31st best defensive shortstop?

Ummm…I just checked…there are only 30 Teams in the MLB. Are they trying to tell me there are 29 other starting shortstops plus one sub that are better than Jeter defensively?

by Homina8or on Mar 21, 2009 4:39 AM EDT reply actions

What Rosenthal?

Jeter is a liability? Honestly, u are the biggest moron i have ever seen. I wish Rollins could make the plays Jeter makes. I ve never seen Rollins make the jumping spin throw and people fail to realize that jeter isnt 20 anymore , he is the best shortstop in the american league and still people like to say he is a horrible defensive ss. I think jeter makes crazy plays towards the hole and i dont see anybody (except maybe tejada) do that spin throw like jeter. All i am saying is that yes Rollins is a great great player but there is no way he will ever be better than jeter at anything. So Drew shut up and stick to being the biggest a-hole agent besides Scott Boras.

by BLEEDPINSRTIPES on Mar 22, 2009 8:46 PM EDT reply actions

Jeter a liability?!?

I wouldn’t go with moron. Idiot I think is more appropriate. However good Rollins may be right now, he will never be able to bring to the game the tools Jeter does. Not just his physical talents, but the shear intelligence and knowledge of the game. Those are the things that have made Jeter the best shortstop of his generation. I am not saying he is the best fielder/hitter or has the best arm. But how many shortstops have played in 6 WS in the past 14 years and won 4 of those? I’m pretty sure there is only one. And of course it wasn’t totally because of him, but without him, they probably would not have one any of those. I wish there could be 10 Jeters on Team USA instead of just the one. It’s no guarantee they would win, but it is a guarantee they would play with the intensity and integrity to put themselves in position to win it all. Rosenthal knows money, not talent. He should stick to counting the money he makes off other peoples talent instead of judging it.

by Snakebc65 on Mar 23, 2009 12:57 AM EDT reply actions