David DeJesus in Pinstripes?
by Brandon C. on Jan 2, 2010 11:52 AM EST
in Analysis
56 comments
Over the last couple of days I have seriously pondered the idea of David DeJesus coming to the Bronx to take over in left field. Granted, the Yankees would have to acquire DeJesus in a trade from the Kansas City Royals. Just as I began thinking of it, I noticed this piece on whether or not the Yankees should trade for the Brooklyn native. I reached out to both Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star and Will McDonald of our own SB Nation Royals Blog, Royals Review. Here are the questions and answers from the interviews:
1. Is David DeJesus available?
Bob Dutton: David DeJesus is available. But the Royals are not in a
salary-dump mode (unless you count outfielder Jose Guillen) and -- right or
wrong -- do not see themselves in need of tearing everything down to start
fresh. So this has to be a deal that makes baseball sense from their
perspective.
Will McDonald: My sense is that he is and has been for awhile. Then again, Dayton Moore has been fairly aggressive as a GM, and DeJesus hasn't been traded yet, so there's room for a number of possibilities
2. What kind of prospect would it take to get DeJesus?
BD: The Royals would likely want a young position player capable of stepping
immediately into their lineup. We're talking about a real prospect here --
not some marginal backup from the Yankees' bench, even if that backup
represents an improvement on what they currently possess. My guess is the
Yankees (and, probably everyone else) will find this price to be too high.
WM: I would say "middle-high", although I'm not sure Moore is looking for another prospect. He might be looking for another big league regular. He might be mostly looking to dump salary. DeJesus is an interesting trade chip, because he's an under-rated player. And I would extend that to the Royals themselves. Dayton Moore inherited DeJesus, really one of the team's better players, and he's been looking to replace him since Day One, when he acquired Joey Gathright in his first big trade. DeJesus didn't fit Moore's vision of a CF, which was a fast basestealer who could hit leadoff and hit a magical .300. DeJesus is a .280 hitter with moderate power and good patience, but he's not in the Gathright mold. Of course, he's a much better player, which hasn't mattered much. Again, I'm speculating here, but I think the Royals want to trade DeJesus because he's moderately well-paid ($4.6 M in '10, $6M in '11) and because they think he's not good enough.
So given that, I don't think the Royals would require a lot to trade him.
3. What needs to the Royals have prospect-wise (do they need a good
pitching/hitting/position prospect?)
BD: The current emphasis is to acquire players with speed and defensive
skills.
WM: The Royals are starting to stockpile arms in the minors, and they have some interesting position-player prospects in the low minors. What they really need is a more advanced position-player who is close to contributing.
If this is really the case, I do not want the Yankees to trade for DeJesus. The .286 career hitter is not worth a prospect such as Brett Gardner and an additional prospect. Maybe if the Royals would accept one of the Yankees many infield prospects (off of the 40-man) and a AAA starter like Ivan Nova, or George Kontos (if they are willing to take an injured player) that can get it done, but do the Yankees really want to do that? Substitute Nova or Kontos with Sergio Mitre and I would certainly do the trade, but I doubt the Royals would. Thoughts?
*Thanks to Bob Dutton and Will McDonald, once again*
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I like DeJesus but.......
I don’t think the Yankees can help the Royals. I don’t think they would give DeJesus for Mitre and either Nova or Kontos. And Gardner. I really don’t like how this team is throwing away prospects though. I would love to see DeJesus in pinstripes but hard to see Gardner to go. Lose a lot of speed too.
I’d take DeJesus for Mitre and Gardner though. Good story by the way.
Now I am perplexed!
Ever since the Melky-Vasquez trade I have been thinking about who would fit best in the left field spot…and DeJesus has been the player I have been hoping would be brought in to man that position. He is relatively cheap, a local guy, and is a fundamentally sound/above average ballplayer that can play all three outfield positions. It appears Gardner is more of a 200-250 AB/late inning defensive replacement/pinch runner type of player and a guy like DeJesus would be, in my opinion, the perfect complement to the Yankee lineup.
With that said…I am not too keen on giving up too much for him (a young arm on the 40 man roster, Gardner, and/or a top single or double A prospect) for a guy that may mean just a win or two above who the Yankees already have. I have been hoping the Royals would be more interested in dumping him for salary reasons. A Hoffman and Mitre for DeJesus (with the Yank’s eating a bit of salary) type deal works…or what about dealing one of their many catching prospects (not named Montero or Romine) for him?
Otherwise, my take is don’t drain three of four viable prospects from the farm system for him. We already know the Yanks can win with the Ricky Ledee/Chad Curtis type of player in left if you put a strong enough line up/rotation around him!
As said in the article
The Royals want MLB ready players, so catching prospects wouldn’t work. The Yankees only choice would be to trade top level prospects
Writer for Pinstripe Alley.
"Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth."
"So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for."
not to meantion
if your discounting romine and Montero, then the catching “prospects” left includes your opening day back up C , a couple non-prospects and 2 two guys you just signed that you can’t trade (and have huge upside anyway)
Yanks don't have what they want.
Pass.
I think its just wait for Damon or Holliday’s price tag to be juuuuust right…or just roll with Gardner/Hoffman platoon.
They went with the Melky/Gardner platoon and it worked..how much worse could this be?
Also, I don’t think its completely out of the question that someone like Colin Curtis plays well in ST and earns a spot.
Dejesus is not worth a prospect.
In the 2010 NBA draft the NY Knicks select.....Nate Robinson. 5"9 PG from Pringles' Doghouse U!
No
DeJesus is just a little more polished than Melky, certainly not worth his contract.
I always feel pressure. What I don't have is fear. -- El Duque
by LateInningRelief on Jan 2, 2010 1:09 PM EST reply actions
Gardner/Melky/DeJesus
First of all DeJesus’ contract is not bad. The $6 mil in 2011 is an option with a 500K buyout so basically he’s owed 5.2 mil for 1 year and that’s it. As a player he’s a better version of Melky – can hit .280-.300 has gap power but not home run power and as a left fielder he’d be an excellent defender.
David DeJesus is a much better player than Brett Gardner. They are not close other than the fact that Gardner steals bases which has got to be the most overrated skill in baseball. Gardner had 284 at bats last year and had 15 extra base hits. He literally can’t hit the ball far enough to drive in a runner from 2nd in most cases.
I don’t know what it would take to get DeJesus. From what the above article says it seems like Gardner is actually the type of player they like (which is probably one reason why they lose 90+ games every year). If we could get DeJesus for Gardner and a B prospect I don’t know how anyone could say no to that. Maybe Gardner and a C or D prospect if we agreed to take back Juan Cruz and his 4 mil.
I’m not trying to bash Brett Gardner. He works hard and he seems like a good guy, but even if he peaks and becomes Scott Podsednik, that’s still not the type of player that I think fits the Yankees lineup. Sure we can win with Gardner playing left and batting 9th every day, but when Posada sits and when Nick Johnson inevitably gets hurt then the bottom of our order suddenly looks very thin. Point is if there’s a sensible way to upgrade LF we should do it.
by Let's Talk About Tex Baby on Jan 2, 2010 1:37 PM EST reply actions
No thanks.
DeJesus and Gardner are pretty equal players. Defensively they are about the same, I would rate Gardner a bit higher. Offensively, DeJesus could be better, he’s had seasons of wOBA over .350. However, his three year weighted wOBA is .339. Gardner’s last year was .337. Given both 600 plate appearances, DeJesus would be worth .1 wins more than Gardner offensively. Also take into account that Gardner is 4 years younger and could improve more, and that DeJesus’ salary is 10 times higher than Gardner’s, and this is a no brainer.
No thanks
if they were going to get him, then I would rather the Yankees just stick with Gardner. DeJesus is not worth his contract. Right now, I would take Johnny Damon and Xavier Nady over Gardner in LF. I’d take Gardner over the rest, like Dye (awful fielder, worse than Damon, and hit under .200 in the second half last year). If the Yankees are going to get a left fielder, then I think it will be Johnny Damon or Xavier Nady. If not? Well then, Gardner will be the starting LF in Fenway Park on April 4th next year.
Am I crazy?
…or did GGBG go on a tear last year right before he got hurt? I believe he had his average all the way up to .285. Now I’m not saying he’ll become a .300 hitter, but he showed tremendous improvement from ‘08 to ’09. I concede that it’s been said that he’s slap hitter and looks over-matched sometimes. I think that he has not had enough major league at bats to be judged fully. I have alot of faith in kevin long and his ability to develop hitters a la robbie and a-rod. so what do you guys think? am i crazy for seeing potential in that .285 mark?
He got it up to
.300 with a 5-6 game vs. the Mets. I agree with you fully, I say platoon him with Reed Johnson, like they did with Melky last year
Writer for Pinstripe Alley.
"Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth."
"So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for."
How many at-bats is enough then?
In 2,200 plate appearances as a professional ballplayer, Gardner’s career slugging average is somewhere around .375.
His bat could play in center field, barring a better alternative… which is what the Yankees have.
And penciling him in as the starting left fielder is totally underestimating his shortcomings as a hitter. Unless he suddenly develops the ability to consistently hit .330 or post a .400 OBP – both extremely rare skills – or can somehow starting slugging .450, his bat simply isn’t good enough for left field.
No matter how strong the rest of the lineup is, there is never any good reason to give too many at bats to an inferior player, and in an offseason where teams are looking to shed payroll and scores of free agents are soon going to be forced to scramble for the few dollars remaining, the Yankees should be poised to take advantage and find a better option for left field.
Platoon
I’m fine with any player in the MLB practically but I want Gardner to get some playing time or the Yankees should trade him. He apparently still has some trade value so why waste him.
Writer for Pinstripe Alley.
"Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth."
"So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for."
There are many good reasons
to give a lot of ABs to Gardner:
1.) The Yankees have already hit their budget. In 2009, we had a payroll that was 133% of the 2nd place team’s, 148% of the 3rd place team’s and 165% of the 4th place team’s (the Red Sox).
2.) With the lineup that they have, they already have the best offense in baseball on paper.
3.) Aside from Holliday, who’s going to sign with St. Louis this week, and Damon, who got bad advice from Boras, there isn’t anybody that’s an unarguable upgrade over Gardner.
We need to upgrade Hoffman, not Gardner.
I always feel pressure. What I don't have is fear. -- El Duque
by LateInningRelief on Jan 2, 2010 7:59 PM EST up reply actions
EVERYDAY LEFTFIELDER
We need an everyday leftfielder… no platoons
DeJesus or Nady(if healthy) work & fit the budget
Gardner best as PR & late inning fillin.
by YANKEES FOREVER on Jan 2, 2010 8:14 PM EST up reply actions
DeJesus & Nady & Johnson
are moderately above avg guys who had a big year at one point but have never strung together consistently above average seasons. If we’re okay with giving Melky 2.5 seasons to hit his stride & we buy into a notional idea that we can develop home-grown talent, then plugging Gardner into our offensive juggernaut is okay.
Cash will tinker mid-season if we have any significant holes. Pat Collins hit 36 RBIs as the 9-hole hitter for the 1927 Yanks. We have an above average hitter at every other slot.
Say it with me: We’re going to be okay with Gardner in the lineup.
I always feel pressure. What I don't have is fear. -- El Duque
by LateInningRelief on Jan 2, 2010 9:00 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Why? If the platoon gives you the best chance to win, why is an everyday player so important?
"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."
Couldn't agree more
Writer for Pinstripe Alley.
"Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth."
"So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for."
The Yankees had a platoon in CF
with Melky and Gardner.
How’d that turn out?
In the 2010 NBA draft the NY Knicks select.....Nate Robinson. 5"9 PG from Pringles' Doghouse U!
by FreeBradshaw on Jan 3, 2010 12:07 AM EST up reply actions
World championship
I always feel pressure. What I don't have is fear. -- El Duque
by LateInningRelief on Jan 3, 2010 10:00 AM EST up reply actions
9 hitter
we could seriously go without a 9 hitter our offense is just rediculous. Anything in the 9 hole will do its job. Im not worried about our 9 hitter. If its gardner we have the speedster get on base to set the table for the big boys on top. If its Nady and hes healthy, that adds another pretty much 300 hitter to the lineup. If its DeJesus hes a polished hitter that will produce for the yanks
Just let Brett play.
DeJesus is such an uninteresting option and so is Reed Johnson.
Unless we are bringing back Damon or Nady, let Brett play.
He is our best option (both in his skill set and his cost).
Get used to it
Unless Damon signs for < $7M, Brett’s the starting LF.
I always feel pressure. What I don't have is fear. -- El Duque
by LateInningRelief on Jan 2, 2010 8:00 PM EST up reply actions
Gardner's not gonna be the everyday...
dead that idea.
He’ll be platooned like him and Melky last year.
Probably with Hoffman if he does well in ST..or someone else if they shine in ST.
When one stinks..the other plays. Or just a LH/RH platoon.
In the 2010 NBA draft the NY Knicks select.....Nate Robinson. 5"9 PG from Pringles' Doghouse U!
by FreeBradshaw on Jan 3, 2010 12:10 AM EST up reply actions
melky
played in 154 games last year,get over the platooned part,gardner mostly came in as a pinch runner in late innings to get in scoring position,remember all the come from behind wins? he hardley platooned with melky,did you see last season or like most fans here just watch sports center?
Did you?
154 games…yet he started 130.
And he only started 130..and not all in CF.
Brett Gardner started 63 games in CF…primarily cuz he was injured for a while.
Did you get the 154 games off of ESPN’s website?
N8 !
Reed Johnson
If you’re a fan of Brett Gardner and want him to play then Reed Johnson makes sense. He’s hit .323/.403/.500 vs. lefties for his career, so he and Gardner could form a lefty/righty platoon. It’s either that or find a full-time left fielder. I can’t see the logic of giving Gardner 600+ plate appearances with no backup option besides a rule 5 pick.
by Let's Talk About Tex Baby on Jan 2, 2010 5:18 PM EST reply actions
Agreed
Hoffman’s the problem, not Brett.
I always feel pressure. What I don't have is fear. -- El Duque
by LateInningRelief on Jan 2, 2010 8:01 PM EST up reply actions
Big picture - Pitching
I believe that our lineup top to bottom right now is extremely dangerous. I would not like to face the the likes of Jeter, Arod, tex, granderson, posada, cano, swisher anyday of the week.
What we need to focus on is bolstering our pitching staff. Aside from CC and AJ we r looking a little sketchy.
Pettite – Pitched great last year but his age is getting up there. Can he perform like he did last year.
Vasquez – We tried this once and he didnt do much for us
5th starter – ??? we need to fill this position.
Joba..Hughes
hell….Gaudin, Aceves.
Those are 4 good options for the 5th starter spot.
“Need to fill the position”? I’d say more..one of these 4 needs to distinguish themselves.
In the 2010 NBA draft the NY Knicks select.....Nate Robinson. 5"9 PG from Pringles' Doghouse U!
Joba
Joba wasnt anything spectacular last year and we will need to see hoe hughes does as a starter but Gaudin did a great job last year filling in. But i need to see that Vasquez can over come the jitters of being on the big stage of New York. I agree that they need to establish themselves
Joba/Hughes
Joba I wouldn’t say he necessarily did bad, but the expectations of him were so high. Hughes had done some starting in his day and it was rather sketchy as well.
Vazquez was pretty good
before he got injured. I doubt he has any of these ‘jitters’. He’s a lot older now and a lot more experienced.
He wasn’t just coming over from Montreal this time….
And Joba may not have been spectacular..but he was basically average. He should get better.
In the 2010 NBA draft the NY Knicks select.....Nate Robinson. 5"9 PG from Pringles' Doghouse U!
by FreeBradshaw on Jan 3, 2010 12:09 AM EST up reply actions
Agree
I hope vasquez does a heck of a lot better than last time. If he can solidify that 3rd spot the yanks will be sitting pretty. Joba should do a lot better too. He should get the work in that he needs to become a starter for the whole year. He should be able to go deeper into the game than 6 innings this year.
DeJesus a Yankee? Awesome!
DeJesus is a great fit for LF and #9 spot.
How about Hoffman & Mitre instead of Garde???
Cash make it happen but keep Garde
I seriously doubt they would accept that
They would want Nova or McAllister if they aren’t getting Gardner. It would be Nova/Hoffmann (doubt that would get it done) or Gardner/Mitre (doubt that would get it done
Gardner/Nova might
Writer for Pinstripe Alley.
"Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth."
"So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for."
DeJesus vs Gardner
Hate to see Garde go… but DeJesus would be a significant upgrade.
Cash, if it takes Garde/Nova for DeJesus Just Do It !!!
We want #28 in 2010
Enough trade already
Enough with the trade already! The Yankees have traded a lot of players from their farm system (Austin Jackson, Phil Coke, Ian Kennedy, Vizcaino). There are not enough left. They should stock again their farm and concentrate on getting a left fielder from the free agency.
I like to see Damon back but the Yankees wallet might prefer getting Reed Johnson or Jerry Hairston Jr.
trade
This is what the yankees do. They trade there farm talent for people who have proven themselves on the field. Perfect example is granderson for jackson and others. Jackson is a great prospect but granderson is an all star who has proven himself in the major leagues.
I have seen..
a better swing from a 4 year old playing Wii then Garde’s. He is a pinch runner at best..
Pain heals, chicks dig scars, glory lasts forever!!!!!!
Question
Why does everyone keep calling him Garde?
Writer for Pinstripe Alley.
"Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth."
"So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for."
GIRADI CALLS HIM "GARDE"- NICKNAME???
by YANKEES FOREVER on Jan 3, 2010 2:29 PM EST up reply actions
GARDE OR GARDY
OK I WILL BUY “GARDY”
EITHER WAY, ON A TOP TIER TEAM HE STILL IS ONLY A LATE INNING FILL-IN AND PR
by YANKEES FOREVER on Jan 3, 2010 3:22 PM EST up reply actions
LF FINAL ANALYSIS
BEST OPTION- NADY,IF HEALTHY, KEEP GARDE
GOOD OPTION- DEJESUS MINUS GARDE IN TRADE
WORST OPTION- GARDE/JOHNSON PLATOON
Gardy*
It’s gardy with a y
No more caps please
Writer for Pinstripe Alley.
"Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth."
"So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for."
David Dejesus...
Is basically a veteran Melky Cabrera.
They’d have to trade a pretty good prospect for a guy who is no better then Melky.
Why?
N8 !
How did u reach out to
KC Star? This is just a blog.
What do you mean?
Are you asking how I got to ask Bob Dutton the questions?
Writer for Pinstripe Alley.
"Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth."
"So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for."
Simple process
Usually when looking for an interview I look for an email address listed on their blog. If they don’t have that I contact the newspaper and ask for that. If that doesn’t work I ask a different writer on the newspaper or move on to the next option. Once in a while there are calls made, but usually as a blogger email is the best tool. Hope that helped.
Writer for Pinstripe Alley.
"Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth."
"So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for."
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