New York Yankees News: The Captain

by Lord Duggan on Feb 9, 2011 7:01 AM EST in New York Yankees News

Mood Music - In My Time of Dying by Jimmy Page and The Black Crowes

SBNation's big free agent acquisition, Rob Neyer, weighed in on a topic very dear to New York Yankees fans: Derek Jeter and his attempt to bounce back after a rough 2010. Quote:

The mechanical causes of Jeter's .270 batting average? I don't have the slightest idea. Perhaps Kevin Long does. But the problem does show up in some other statistics, as Jeter's line-drive percentage was way down last season, his ground-ball percentage way up.
What I think is that Jeter suffered from more than his fair share of bad luck last year, and that he'll probably bounce back regardless of what Kevin Long does.

I think that's what we're all hoping for. In other Captain news, Jeter says that he is over the contract squabble of the off-season, which is good to hear. Derek Jeter needs the Yankees and the Yankees need Derek Jeter, and even if this is just lip service, it's good to see that they are at least making an attempt to bury the hatchet and move on. The whole thing got uglier than most of us expected, but I think there's too much history between Jeter and the organization for either side to hold a major grudge.

At SB New York, 'Ed Valentine' lists the Yankees on Michael Young's trade list. While Young's estrangement from the Texas Rangers may provide an opportunity to snag him at a bargain rate, Ed is correct in saying "First and foremost, the Yankees have no place for Young to play."
Russell Martin is now healthy enough to resume catching drills.

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Comments

I wonder why Young would want to come to the Yanks if there's no spot to play

its the same situation as where he’s at so it kinda doesn’t make sense

Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows

by Rorschach44 on Feb 9, 2011 7:34 AM EST reply actions

Young could spell Jeter or Arod one day a week

and Cano twice a month. If he could also be a fifth outfielder, bam, he’s a regular. If we can pick him up for spare pieces, get ’em.

You never know what your history is going to be like until long after you're gone.

by TommyJohn on Feb 9, 2011 9:06 AM EST reply actions

You do realize he is owed $48M over the next three seasons, right? His displeasure in Texas is that he’s going to be the full-time DH and won’t have the chance to play the infield everyday. And Cano is not getting traded to make room for Michael Young.

by Scooby Snacks on Feb 9, 2011 4:27 PM EST up reply actions

Michael Young > non-contract year Adrian Beltre and Mike Napoli combined

I’d take him for spare parts but there really isn’t a spot for him, unless we get rid of Pena/Nunez, Cervelli and platoon him at DH with Posada and have Posada/Martin at catcher

by jetanumba2 on Feb 9, 2011 10:02 AM EST reply actions

Agrre...but

It sure is nice to see this great new ownership down in Texas taking it on the chin. Young has been a very unselfish player and the Texas media and fans should bash the owner pretty good. Right or wrong…I don’t care. Welcome to MLB Mr Greenburg.

by Kansas Yankee on Feb 9, 2011 9:28 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Fangraphs had an article yesterday showing that away from Texas' bandbox, Young loses about 100 points of slugging pct and becomes a rather ordinary offensive player. (They compared him to Uribe).

On the other hand, if he takes Ramiro Pena’s spot on the roster, Pena isn’t an ordinary offensive player on the best day of his life. I could see having him as a backup infielder/ outfielder, but if he wants to start, he’s looking in the wrong place. As an all- around backup, he would be lucky to get 350 at bats.

On the other, other hand, if he were signed to be a starter, then someone else might be free to be traded for a pitcher.

by designatedquitter on Feb 9, 2011 10:16 AM EST reply actions

Jeter Joltz

I don’t know if Jeter’s got another .330 season in him. History would probably bet against him, but I’m not. I watched some video of Jeter from 1998, 2005, and last season and discovered that his bat speed seems to be slowing. I listened to Kevin Long’s regarding the adjustments he made to Jeter’s swing and there’s no doubt in my mind that we will see two things from the 2011 incarnation of Numbah 2.

—Less right field action
—Increased power to left

Without question, Jeter’s swing will be much quicker through the zone resulting in a jump in power numbers. It really wouldn’t surprise me to see Derek hit 18-22 dingers this season. I suspect the change will add a few points to his average.

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

by Ronster22 on Feb 9, 2011 11:25 AM EST reply actions

Huh - Better Power??

After any animal reaches maturity, power declines with age. Not just for Jeter, pretty much every animal is affected. Its why we all eventually die instead of living forever.

by NYYankeeDude on Feb 10, 2011 9:39 AM EST up reply actions

Stats don't lie ...

Even pre-steroid era there have been many instances where players see a sudden spike in numbers at advanced age. Lighter bats, tweaks to mechanics, better nutrition and workout regimes all play a role in not only extending a player’s career, but also giving him some spikes.

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

by Ronster22 on Feb 17, 2011 1:37 PM EST up reply actions

The Yankees Need Derek Jeter?

um, no they don’t. he is past his prime and is a huge liability on the field. i can’t wait until he a) swallows his pride and drops himself in the order and let GGBG bat leadoff (cause god knows Girardi won’t) and b) switches positions; he is not a capable SS anymore.

by jjdel8895 on Feb 9, 2011 1:32 PM EST reply actions

Kool-Aid

There's always next year

by david d on Feb 9, 2011 1:49 PM EST up reply actions

I say just do him Old Yeller style!

"WHO WOULD LEAD?! THE CLOWN?!"

by I'mGivingYouARaise on Feb 9, 2011 3:39 PM EST up reply actions

Didn't he win a gold glove last year?

He’s not the best defensive SS in the league, and never was, but “liability” is kind of harsh IMO. He’s getting too old to stay there, but he’s still serviceable IMO.

"When my time on Earth is gone, and my activities here are past, I want they bury me upside down so all my critics can kiss my a**"- Bob Knight

"Talent is God-given, be grateful. Fame is man-given, be humble. Conceit is self-given, be careful."- John Wooden

"Never take anything for granted. Don't forget, great prices have been paid and will be paid again if you become too smug, too egotistical and self-assured."- Johnny Cash

by JumpinJackFlash on Feb 9, 2011 5:38 PM EST up reply actions

Do you really expect him to get dropped in the order while he is chasing 3000 hits?

Seriously?

Maybe in August or September if he is hitting .250, but then, we don’t really expect that, either.

by designatedquitter on Feb 10, 2011 11:28 AM EST up reply actions

Unbelievable

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=Ag2hrrStjg0Ya7Y9UHEluiERvLYF?slug=ap-arbitration-pirates-ohlendorf

There's always next year

by david d on Feb 9, 2011 3:28 PM EST reply actions

Ohlendorf!

that guy was cool

I R TEH HAX!!1!

by Brian5517209 on Feb 9, 2011 6:04 PM EST up reply actions

I liked him

and thought we let him go too soon. But that’s quite the raise.

There's always next year

by david d on Feb 9, 2011 6:06 PM EST up reply actions

He lost fewer games than AJ Burnett, and on a much worse team.

He should be getting $20 million.

by designatedquitter on Feb 10, 2011 11:29 AM EST up reply actions

a Princeton man, too

You can always tell a Princeton man.

by long time listener on Feb 9, 2011 6:07 PM EST up reply actions

Very good choice of Mood Music, Duggan

"WHO WOULD LEAD?! THE CLOWN?!"

by I'mGivingYouARaise on Feb 9, 2011 3:39 PM EST reply actions

What I heard a lot could be an actuality or it could be a summary of that quote: I heard that when he did his signature bloop hits the opposite way just didn’t have any lift. He couldn’t drive the ball as well and thus hit more into the ground. I think he will come around to hit close to .300.

by JMP on Feb 9, 2011 5:33 PM EST reply actions