Fixing the New York Yankees Offense

by jscape2000 on Oct 20, 2011 5:00 PM EDT in New York Yankees Analysis

I'm sick of thinking about the starting rotation, about CC and AJ, about C.J. Wilson and Yu Darvish.

So, instead, let's thinking about fixing the offense.

This year, for the first time since 2008 (when they were so injury racked they missed the playoffs) and only the second time in 5 years, the Yankees did not lead the league in runs scored.

This problem, unlike the rotation, seems fixable. By position-

C: .241/.321/.398

Solution: Less Martin, more Montero. If Montero is half as good as his September call up leads me to dream, then he'll help the Yankees by playing half of his games as a DH and half as a C. He has to play at least 140 games next season for the Yankees to improve.

1B: .246/.338/.474

Solution: These numbers aren't really a problem (not a far cry from the .279/.348/.488 Tino produced while in the Bronx), but since Tex hit .302/.380/.587 against lefties and .224/.325/.453 against righties, maybe it's Tex who should be platooned.

I wonder if someone like Nick Punto or Jerry Hairston Jr. wouldn't come to the Bronx to play shortstop twice a week, third base twice a week? This would allow Jeter and Arod to spend significant time at DH (Arod especially) and keep ABs from being thrown away on the likes of Ramiro Pena. I know that was basically the plan with Eric Chavez, but Chavez was on the DL when the Yankees needed him most.

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Comments

What about Nunez?

I do like Hairston a lot., though. Punto is gritty and gutty, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he should get playing time.

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by Brandon C. on Oct 20, 2011 5:03 PM EDT reply actions

If we were to sign Punto

I would hope its only for utility and he wouldnt be starting 4 times a week

by Yankees10 on Oct 20, 2011 5:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Why spend money on a backup MIF when we have Eddie Nunez?

by Briceratops on Oct 20, 2011 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions

^THIS

Except Nunez needs to cut down on the errors. I held my breath every time a ball was hit to him.

by nj23nut on Oct 20, 2011 5:37 PM EDT up reply actions

You have Teixeira's splits wrong.

He crushed lefties and was Jeff Mathis against righties.

by Briceratops on Oct 20, 2011 5:08 PM EDT reply actions

Right you are

Fixed!

"Have faith in the Yankees my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."
Pinstripe Alley | The Hometown Fan | @jscape2000

by jscape2000 on Oct 21, 2011 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions

You got Tex's splits reversed

by lololol on Oct 20, 2011 5:08 PM EDT reply actions

It's not that bad

I just looked it up, and we were second overall in the league in runs scored (867). The only team with more was the Sawx (875). We were 12 higher than the Rangers (855), and 80 runs better than the fourth-place team (Tigers, 787). Our biggest problem as far as offense was concerned was that distinct lack of clutch hitting (late innings, RISP, etc.). We got so close so many times, but just couldn’t capitalize in the postseason.

by pastor2b on Oct 20, 2011 5:09 PM EDT reply actions

Which basically means that they either clobbered someone

or lost 1 run games.

by nj23nut on Oct 20, 2011 5:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Backup IF isn't a problem when we have Nunez time to shine.

by Briceratops on Oct 20, 2011 5:10 PM EDT reply actions

He sucks in the field

"Unpleasant Internet Dude"

by david d on Oct 21, 2011 3:31 AM EDT up reply actions

I don't think he will commit twenty errors again.

by Briceratops on Oct 21, 2011 3:44 AM EDT up reply actions

I love the concept

That not being #1 in scoring means there is a problem in the offense that needs fixing. Yes, you always try to improve the team, that’s not a difficult concept to grasp. But anything that gets done to this offense falls more into the category of routine maintenance than fixing. And much of the fix isn’t going to come from Montero filling in a catcher for Martin, because he’s going to be busy replacing Posada at DH. Which will be a major benefit right there.

by d_c_guy on Oct 20, 2011 5:10 PM EDT reply actions

This is a big fix, because it represents a change in philosophy around how we use Jeter, Arod and the DH slot.

"Have faith in the Yankees my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."
Pinstripe Alley | The Hometown Fan | @jscape2000

by jscape2000 on Oct 21, 2011 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions

Keeping Andruw Jones should be one of our first offseason priorities.

I also wouldn’t mind seeing us pursue Eric Hinske to replace Chavez.

by Briceratops on Oct 20, 2011 5:14 PM EDT reply actions

Absolutely agree on keeping Jones

Not a huge fan of Hinske though. I want to see Chato get a chance to have the role that Chavez had this season, but we all know that will never happen so they’ll have to look in free agency or a trade. HInske is an option, and so are a few other guys that they can look at.

Let us all congratulate the Boston Red Sox for becoming the first World Champions in the history of sports to NOT make the postseason! Thats not easy to do!

by nyyrocks29 on Oct 20, 2011 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Jorge Vazquez cannot play third base.

by Briceratops on Oct 20, 2011 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions

I thought he was a corner infielder?

Let us all congratulate the Boston Red Sox for becoming the first World Champions in the history of sports to NOT make the postseason! Thats not easy to do!

by nyyrocks29 on Oct 20, 2011 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions

1B/DH

by Briceratops on Oct 20, 2011 5:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Did not know that

Though I still think he should be given a chance to make the roster even if he’s not as versatile as I thought.

Let us all congratulate the Boston Red Sox for becoming the first World Champions in the history of sports to NOT make the postseason! Thats not easy to do!

by nyyrocks29 on Oct 20, 2011 5:31 PM EDT up reply actions

And Chato has played third

Not very frequently, but he’s done it.

Let us all congratulate the Boston Red Sox for becoming the first World Champions in the history of sports to NOT make the postseason! Thats not easy to do!

by nyyrocks29 on Oct 20, 2011 5:33 PM EDT up reply actions

You're thinking of Montero

by waw on Oct 20, 2011 5:29 PM EDT up reply actions

He's a right fielder

Let us all congratulate the Boston Red Sox for becoming the first World Champions in the history of sports to NOT make the postseason! Thats not easy to do!

by nyyrocks29 on Oct 20, 2011 5:31 PM EDT up reply actions

"I wonder if someone like Nick Punto or Jerry Hairston Jr. wouldn't come to the Bronx to play shortstop twice a week, third base twice a week?"

I’ve been pounding this drum for a while now. We’re going to need someone – two someones – to give us regular ABs at short and third, and play passable defense there.

Though I wonder if the solution to our problem isn’t in AAA. Is there any chance El Chato can be a productive player twice, a week at third, once every two weeks at first, and once a week or so at DH? Nunez would get time at SS in that scenario. It’s clearly now or never for Chato – he’s in his late 20s and hit about as well as he’s ever going to hit in AAA, so if the Yankees can’t find a spot for him now they should trade him. I’m not someone to fall in love with non-prospects, but I can’t see why Chato shouldn’t get an opportunity to be a low-cost backup.

by long time listener on Oct 20, 2011 5:17 PM EDT reply actions

Who's Chato?

/ThingsRandyLevinethinks.

Let us all congratulate the Boston Red Sox for becoming the first World Champions in the history of sports to NOT make the postseason! Thats not easy to do!

by nyyrocks29 on Oct 20, 2011 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Sign Edwin Jackson to be utility infielder!

/thingsRandyLevinethinks

Follow me on twitter @nyybrandonc

Writer/Editor for Pinstripe Alley, Blueshirt Banter

"No matter what I talk about, I always get back to baseball."

"Every day is a great day for hockey."

by Brandon C. on Oct 20, 2011 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions

5 years, 90 million!

Let us all congratulate the Boston Red Sox for becoming the first World Champions in the history of sports to NOT make the postseason! Thats not easy to do!

by nyyrocks29 on Oct 20, 2011 5:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Chato had a good run, but really, REALLY tailed off after that.

I’m not sure if we’d get Good Chato enough in limited ABs to make up for the Bad Chato that’s likely to show up more.

Jesus Montero fangirl

by WhatwouldJeterdo on Oct 20, 2011 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Nunez and Hairston would be nice.

Punto’s pesky, but is he really any good at this point?

by DCyanks21 on Oct 20, 2011 5:18 PM EDT reply actions

I'd like who they get to be a backup for the left side to be a nice bench player as well

I’m talking about a legitimate threat as a pinch hitter/runner or a defensive replacement. A-Rod and Jeter will play every inning of every playoff game in the field as they should, and it would be nice if these bench players they pick up would all be able to contribute in ways off the bench as well, and not just as someone who is playing to give the starter rest. They have that in Nunez, who is not only a good backup to give Jeter and A-Rod rest, but he can also really run so he can be used late in games as a pinch runner when he’s not starting.

This is where Jorge Vazquez comes in. It’s time to give him an opportunity. He can hit, and he can hit for power, and he can play third base and first base just like Chavez could. He’s probably a better hitter than Chavez was at the end of this season as well, and someone with his kind of power would be nice to have off the bench in a meaningful game if needed. Give him the spot. I think he’s done all thats possible to earn it and morons like Randy Levine just look at his age and think that he can never play major league baseball. Give him a shot!

As for first base, Tex will bounce back. And for the catcher, I’d love to get rid of Martin entirely, but seeing as this will never happen I want Montero catching as many non-AJ Burnett pitched games as possible in 2012.

Let us all congratulate the Boston Red Sox for becoming the first World Champions in the history of sports to NOT make the postseason! Thats not easy to do!

by nyyrocks29 on Oct 20, 2011 5:24 PM EDT reply actions

More rest for Martin should improve his numbers, as well as give Montero more playing time at C (the rest at DH).

Kevin Long needs to lock Tex into a batting cage, and not let him out until he fixes that left-handed swing. Then he needs to do the same for Gardner, to improve his swing a bit.

A-Rod needs to work on getting completely healthy this offseason. Then, he and Jeter need to be completely encased in bubble wrap between games (and between innings, maybe) to preserve them for the entire season. Maybe also require the rookies to carry them back and forth from the dugout to the field, to preserve their aging bodies a bit longer.

by waw on Oct 20, 2011 5:28 PM EDT reply actions

It'll take more rookies than the Yankees have in the organization to carry a Centaur around the field.

Let us all congratulate the Boston Red Sox for becoming the first World Champions in the history of sports to NOT make the postseason! Thats not easy to do!

by nyyrocks29 on Oct 20, 2011 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Nothing wrong with this offense

that couldn’t be solved by actually playing up to their potential. The lack of clutch hitting in the playoffs wasn’t just one or two guys, it was the whole team (except Posada, ironically). If these guys hit in the playoffs like they do in a regular season game against the Royals, no one would beat them.

by nj23nut on Oct 20, 2011 5:46 PM EDT reply actions

We need two backup IF

Because at some point, Jeter or A-Rod is going to hit the DL, and we’ll need someone to be the regular 3B/SS, and someone else to give the other guy rest.

One of those guys is Nunez, who has to figure out his defense and improve his ability to get on base.

The other guy has to be able to play 3B or SS, and preferably 1B as well. It would also be nice if they could be a LH bat off the bench. Chavez could be that guy if he doesn’t retire. Punto isn’t much different than Nunez, besides the ability to play defense.

The guy I like in all of this is Wilson Betemit. Plays 3B (bad defender, though), switch hitter, has some power.

You could also try a minor-league deal for a guy like Jorge Cantu or Jose Lopez, to see if they have anything left.

by PortlandYankee on Oct 20, 2011 5:49 PM EDT reply actions

Another name floated today: Casey Blake

by PortlandYankee on Oct 20, 2011 6:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Honestly, I don't think Hairston should ever ever left the Bronx

We need some combination of Nunez/Hairston/power hitting corner infielder. I think Hairston can play some outfield too and I think so can Punto (?) if either of them can then that would be the perfect bench with Andruw Jones returning. Nunez, Hairston, Punto, Jones. Wow. or you can even cut out Punto and carry a third catcher with Cervelli/Romine if they still aren’t sure about Montero yet.

by jetanumba2 on Oct 20, 2011 7:58 PM EDT reply actions

Stop letting Teixeira switch-hit

And bring back Hairston, Jr.

by bango31 on Oct 21, 2011 1:53 AM EDT reply actions

This team has a large number of aging veterans. I would not expect any of them to put up significantly better numbers.

Catcher- Martin is a better receiver than Montero will ever be. He will continue to get playing time and therefore at bats.

First base- Teixeira is on the wrong side of 30. Any improvements from him are likely to be marginal at best.

Second base- not a problem

Shortstop- Best case is the second half of this year for a whole year. Lots of hits, reduced power. Worst case is something in between plus injuries.

Third base- Best case is that the present occupant somehow stays healthy and is the fourth or fifth best hitter at the position in the league. Worst case is this year redux.

LF- Gardner is what he is. .270 average, long pitch counts, strikeouts, walks, and stolen bases. Preferably more stolen bases.

CF- Best case is that the Grandyman stays at the present level for a few years. No problems here.

RF- If we re- sign Swish, we know exactly what we will get, and it is satisfactory.

In other words, the present starting lineup is unlikely to contribute any more than the added value of Montero vs Posada at DH. Ironic that Posada was actually a valuable hitter from September 1st onward.

by designatedquitter on Oct 21, 2011 9:43 AM EDT reply actions