New York Yankee notes: These are NOT about Johnny Damon

by Ed Valentine on Jan 21, 2010 7:58 AM EST in New York Yankees News

While the Johnny Damon watch continues there are a few other stories worth noting about our New York Yankees. So, let's take a look.

How good was Derek Jeter's 2009 season? Well, let's put it this way. We know that those who lean heavily on Sabermetrics love to bash Jeter, but the statistically-savvy folks at FanGraphs loved Jeter's '09 campaign.
Replacement Level Yankees Weblog wonders if the Yankees should consider prized prospect Jesus Montero for left field. Umm, no they should not. Let the kid have some time to grow in Triple A, and let's not quit on the idea of Montero being able to catch just yet. Eventually, maybe he will need a new position. But, not just yet.
Yankee Scrolls takes a look at the Yankee bench as it is currently constructed, and comes away holding its collective nose.
Zell's Pinstripe Blog is beating the drum for the retirement of Joe Torre's No. 6 by the Yankees. I loved Torre and still do, but my first reaction to that is no.
TheYankeeU wonders if Jamie Hoffman was the right choice for the Yankees in the Rule 5 draft.
The SWB Yankees Blog is advocating that the Yankees bring back reliever Stephen Jackson, who was just DFAed by Pittsburgh.

Tweet Comment 13 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Unless the Yankees are/plan on being comfortable with Cervelli as an everyday catcher, I want Jesus to stay in AAA and become an everyday catcher for us.

by Gelatin on Jan 21, 2010 9:03 AM EST via mobile reply actions

It's all about position

The key to the Yankees’ offense in the dynasty was getting above average production up the middle, which mitigated the average output from the corners. Posada, Knoblauch, Jeter, Williams were among the best offensive players at their positions, so a defense first 3B and a rotation of LF didn’t weigh down the lineup.

If Montero is a left fielder, or even a right fielder, his value is significantly less than while he’s a catcher.

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

by jscape2000 on Jan 21, 2010 10:17 AM EST up reply actions

There was nothing wrong with Brosius bat,he hit when it counted

Let the Panic bloom

by cashman bashman on Jan 22, 2010 11:28 PM EST up reply actions

Don't the Yanks

Have like 4 decent catching prospects in the minors minus Jesus? I mean yeah let Jesus see if he can get better, but it’s not the end of the world if he moves to left. There are backup options.

by DarthRichter on Jan 21, 2010 9:10 AM EST reply actions

Yes, they do

They are loaded with catching prospects. So, if Montero ends up needing to move somewhere it should not be a real problem in the end.

by Ed Valentine on Jan 21, 2010 9:17 AM EST up reply actions

But, Austine Romine is the next closest catcher, and he’ll start the year at AA. The Yanks need Montero to be a catcher for his timing as much as for his bat.

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

by jscape2000 on Jan 21, 2010 10:18 AM EST up reply actions

Agreed

Let the Panic bloom

by cashman bashman on Jan 22, 2010 11:30 PM EST up reply actions

If it's not about Damon, then why read it at all?

Seriously, this is a well collected grab-bag of thoughts, etc…

Agree that the bench looks awful- have been saying this since November.
Jamie Hoffman looks like a minor league outfielder.
Not all that thrilled, somehow, about retiring #6.
I think we can afford to wait 2 or 3 months on Montero.
Jocaoby Ellsbury’s arm Makes Johnny Damon look like Roberto Clemente’s (when he was alive).

by designatedquitter on Jan 21, 2010 10:41 AM EST reply actions

Huh? Sabermetrics love Jeter

I don’t know what you’re talking about saying that the stathead crowd loves to bash Jeter.

Most defensive metrics rate Jeter poorly, at least prior to him improving his game at SS in the last 2 seasons. But any stat worth its salt is good evidence that Jeter is extremely valuable, especially his superior hitting while playing an acceptable SS.

What most people object to is the hagiography – the idea that Jeter is some mythical creature who has no holes in his game. The basic message is this: Jeter is incredibly valuable and a first ballot HoF player – why is it a problem to say that he doesn’t have very good range going to his left?

by DK Jr. on Jan 21, 2010 10:51 AM EST reply actions

I guess

I was thinking defense.

by Ed Valentine on Jan 21, 2010 1:13 PM EST up reply actions

Cervelli

is only 23 years old and a pretty good catcher. If Montero’s bat is as good as they say, let him come up and get some playing time in Left while still getting a chance to catch every few days…

by david d on Jan 21, 2010 11:53 AM EST reply actions

not a bad thought

but I suspect there’s a lot of caution about moving Montero out of his catcher development until they see that he can’t improve any more, if that even happens.

Cervelli is solid defensively (definitely superior to Posada and possibly at this point to Montero) and has shown offensive promise (not as good as Posada or Montero but still good). He will likely be the backup to Posada until Romine or Montero is MLB ready, then I think there may be a 3 catcher platoon at some point with Montero and Romine splitting time at C while Montero splits time with the aging stars at DH, and possibly have Cervelli be the 2nd backup in case of injury to either Romine or Montero. Or if Romine takes longer to develop, it’ll be a Montero/Cervelli split at C.

Of course, this is looking way down the line at the point where Romine and Montero are both MLB ready and Posada has retired or chosen to be relegated to DH.

For the coming season, I think it’s possible we’ll see Montero come up in September just to get a few at bats and possibly split time (with Cervelli) at the catcher spot to give Posada some rest for the playoffs.

by phonty on Jan 22, 2010 1:48 AM EST up reply actions

Defense at catcher

There was a link on this site last month, I believe, rating catchers’ defense that used, among other things, percentage of balls in the dirt blocked. (This speaks to an excess of time and lack of life skills on the part of whomever replayed every single pitch, but we have the benefit of it).

Posada’s defense was about as poor as it gets. The surprise was that Molina was as bad, or perhaps worse, can’t recall exactly. Cervelli was in the top third. The Yankees seemed to do pretty well as a team last year despite the poor defense at catcher. ( I believe that they finished over .500).

Assuming that a plus offensive performance from Posada overcame his defensive shortcomings, then there is little risk in bringing up Montero to catch poorly as long as he puts up Posada-like offensive numbers.

ps- I didn’t need to look at the ratings to know that Posada is a poor defensive catcher- the Molina part was what was surprising. Assuming that the rating reflected reality, keeping Cervelli over Molina is a no-brainer.

by designatedquitter on Jan 22, 2010 10:41 AM EST reply actions

Screw it lets send a proposition to MLB

to include a rule that would let Cervelli catch and Posada hit in his turn in the lineup but not take up the DH spot.Surely Selig knows what Cervelli could do to him if he wanted,Damn nation and stuff.That should scare him into allowing it.

Let the Panic bloom

by cashman bashman on Jan 22, 2010 11:34 PM EST reply actions