A-Rod options

by Travis G on Mar 5, 2009 2:34 PM EST in Analysis Comment 14 comments

If Arod has to be sidelined until June, who should the Yankees play at third? Should they stick with Ransom and Berroa, or should they sign a free agent?

I'm of the mind they should sign a free agent, and there are some decent ones still out there.

Mark Grudzielanek, Damion Easley and Ray Durham are still available. Grudz would be a decent stop-gap. He hit .299/.345/.399 last year. That's far from terrible. He's normally a second-baseman (playing just 31 career games at third), but a transition for a veteran like him shouldn't be too tough. After all, he's been an above-average infielder (combining his time at second and shortstop).

Easley did not fare as well, hitting .269/.322/.370, but he's played a lot more games at third (173 to be exact). His problem is that he's never been a good fielder.

Ray Durham looks like the best offensive option, having hit .289/.380/.432 (he's also the youngest of the three). The problem though, is that Durham's never played a game at third-base. In fact, he hasn't played any position besides second in his entire pro career, so how well could he translate to the hot corner?

As far as in-house options, Cody Ransom is not that bad a hitter (.251/.348/.432 for his career). That is, however, a rather small sample (166 ML games), and he's not a good fielder.

Angel Berroa's career fell off a cliff after robbing Hideki Matsui of the Rookie of the Year Award in 2003. His career line is .260/.305/.378 and he's a slightly below average fielder.

The obvious solution seems to be Durham. He's far more proven on both offense and defense than Ransom (1975 games vs. 166), and there's still time in spring training to 'teach' him thirdbase. The Yanks should certainly hang on to Ransom, in case Durham cannot possibly switch to third, but that seems unlikely.

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Durham is ooooooooooold

and useless. He has never played third. To me, that’s a bad idea. Right now I don’t have a good one, but not Durham. Please.

by Ed Valentine on Mar 5, 2009 2:54 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

he's still younger

than Grudz or Easley. Ransom ain’t no spring chicken, he’s 33 and Berroa is 31. is 36 that much worse when he’s so much more proven?

As a 37-year-old, Durham had a 112 OPS+.

by Travis G on Mar 5, 2009 2:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Problem is

he has never played third base. I don’t see him as a realistic option.

by Ed Valentine on Mar 5, 2009 3:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

but no one who's available via FA

has played much 3b. Grudz only 31 games. Easley a fair amount (173 games), but Durham’s a much better hitter.

Ransom just 7 big league times (and 222 MiLB games). he would be exposed big time in an everyday role.

going back to your age point, it really doesn’t matter how old someone is, only how productive.

by Travis G on Mar 5, 2009 4:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Dallas McPherson?

With Gaby Sanchez expected to win the Marlins 1B job, Cantu at 3rd, plus Helms and Bonifacio on the team, Florida probably won’t have room for McPherson. He’s also out of minor league options, so they’d have to trade him. He could be a good stopgap option for a month until A-rod’s ready.

by OraNge DusTT on Mar 5, 2009 2:57 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Berroa

has been less than impressive to me this spring. Ransom has been great, but I think playing him everyday will expose the fact that he is not an everyday option (see also: Jose Molina).

I would be fine bringing in a vet like Grudz. I also heard mention on Sportscenter today (I think it was Jayson Stark) who said a guy like Mark Teahen might be available on the trade market- not sure how much KC would ask in return, and sure he’s a few years removed from 3 but he’s young, he’s got some pop, and he’s logged over 200 ML games at third base. It also gives them more flexibility in moving one or two of Nady/ Swisher/ Melky as Teahen can also be a 4th or 5th outfielder once A-Rod comes back. Food for thought.

by NumberSeven on Mar 5, 2009 2:57 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

*few years removed from

3B.. that should read.

by NumberSeven on Mar 5, 2009 2:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Ransom ...

should be given the opportunity, while the Yankees burn up the phones trying to find a decent glove/bat guy. I’m kinda ticked about this because Arod had ALL off-season (since we didn’t make the playoffs) to have this addressed. Jackass.

I read that someone thinks the “cyst” could be brain cancer since Arod’s got his head up his ass most of the time anyway. I thought it was pretty funny.

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

by Ronster22 on Mar 5, 2009 3:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

For what it's worth

From Pete Abe:

Yankees GM Brian Cashman just said Alex Rodriguez has a torn hip labrum and cyst.

They’re trying rest and rehab. The cyst was drained. The hope is he’ll keep playing.

This was posted about 20 minutes ago.

by NumberSeven on Mar 5, 2009 3:40 PM EST reply actions 0 recs