Why No Kotchman For Cashman?
by Brandon C. on Jan 31, 2012 3:45 PM EST
in New York Yankees Analysis
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Since the Jesus Montero trade with the Seattle Mariners, I have heard just about every player in MLB rumored to be the next Yankees DH.
I heard Barry Bonds shoud come back, Hideki Matsui should return to pinstripes, Jose Canseco should too, and even that I should be signed as the next DH of the New York Yankees.
One name I have not heard mentioned by any of the top journalists out there, meaning that the Yankees have not had "rumored interest" in him, is Casey Kotchman.
Kotchman, a former highly touted prospect, played for the Tampa Bay Rays last season, and hit .306/.378/.422 in 146 games (563 PA) and was worth 2.8 WAR, more than Johnny Damon (1.5) and Matsui (0.3) combined.
One of the best defensive first basemen in the league, Kotchman could spell Mark Teixeira every once in a while, and play DH when he doesn't. The only snag in a possible Kotchman signing is his lack of defensive versatility, as he only plays first base, but looking at the market there are no solid "utility" DH candidates.
So, I ask, why no Kotchman for Cashman?
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if we're dead-set on having strictly a DH, Kotchman seems like the way to go
I guess the Yankees are looking more towards flexibility and want a utility player so the DH can rotate.
by long time listener on Jan 31, 2012 4:01 PM EST reply actions
My point is though, there doesn’t seem to be that option
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Co-Manager/Writer for Pinstripe Alley, Editor/Writer for Blueshirt Banter
they're not going for a utility DH, just utility
They assume Bill Hall and Nunez can spell A-Rod and Jeter a couple of times per week, and Jones can DH a couple of days, and they can also use Cano or Tex there once in a while.
by long time listener on Jan 31, 2012 4:07 PM EST up reply actions
Why no Nunez+Kotchman?
Kotchman replaces Chavez, Nunez gets larger role.
Follow me on twitter @nyybrandonc
Co-Manager/Writer for Pinstripe Alley, Editor/Writer for Blueshirt Banter
Felipe Lopez
I think Lopez would be a better option. Can play anywhere and is only 2 years removed from a 350+ wOBA season. He’s be much cheaper too. I bet CK is trying to sell high on his 358 BABIP. Lopez is only 31-ish.
Most arguments are really about context.
by SheaWasBettor21 on Jan 31, 2012 4:12 PM EST reply actions
335 BABIP
Wrong page. Still too high for such a bad player.
Most arguments are really about context.
by SheaWasBettor21 on Jan 31, 2012 4:18 PM EST up reply actions
To fill the role, a guy like Casey Kotchman would be my choice. Against righties last season, he had a 136 wRC+ and a .367 wOBA. Additionally, at this point in the offseason, his contract demands are probably not too steep. He seems like a good candidate to be signed as Spring Training looms closer.
Contributing writer for Pinstripe Alley.
Follow me on Twitter @frankiecamp48
by Frank Campagnola on Jan 31, 2012 4:15 PM EST reply actions
Where’s that from?
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Co-Manager/Writer for Pinstripe Alley, Editor/Writer for Blueshirt Banter, Writer for On The Banks
My article from the 27th in response to Kuri.
Contributing writer for Pinstripe Alley.
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by Frank Campagnola on Jan 31, 2012 4:16 PM EST up reply actions
Ohp. Great minds think alike
Follow me on twitter @nyybrandonc
Co-Manager/Writer for Pinstripe Alley, Editor/Writer for Blueshirt Banter, Writer for On The Banks
There’s a lot of ABs to be made up against righties and he’s easily the best combo of cheap/productive against them left on the free agent market.
Contributing writer for Pinstripe Alley.
Follow me on Twitter @frankiecamp48
by Frank Campagnola on Jan 31, 2012 4:21 PM EST up reply actions
Eh...
It doesn’t make sense to sign a DH whose only defensive position is 1b. We have a 1b who plays every day and doesn’t need to be “spelled” much.
Plus Kotchman benefitted from an unsustainable .335 BABIP last year. He was decent back in 06 and 07 but from 2008-2010 he was pretty craptastic.
Pass.
by Let's Talk About Tex Baby on Jan 31, 2012 4:16 PM EST reply actions
Trade
Hughes for Seth Smith or Brandon Allen
Most arguments are really about context.
by SheaWasBettor21 on Jan 31, 2012 4:22 PM EST reply actions
Seth Smith’s numbers outside of Coors are very average. Not worth trading Hughes. Don’t know enough about Brandon Allen off the top of my head.
Contributing writer for Pinstripe Alley.
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by Frank Campagnola on Jan 31, 2012 4:23 PM EST up reply actions
78 wRC+ last season? Yikes. Why trade for Allen and give up players when a guy like Kotchman, who hits righties well and would be a great DH platoon along with Jones, can be had for just cash?
Contributing writer for Pinstripe Alley.
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by Frank Campagnola on Jan 31, 2012 4:25 PM EST up reply actions
Upside
He’s only 25 or 26, and consistently destroys AAA pitching (429 wOBA in AAA last year). 6-2, 235, built like a linebacker, ridiculous power. He’s been jerked around by the DBacks.
With Allen, you’re adding depth to the future, as well as the present. He can play OF too.
Most arguments are really about context.
by SheaWasBettor21 on Jan 31, 2012 4:30 PM EST up reply actions
He’s got huge power for sure, but it seems like he’s a Quad-A player. He hasn’t had that power transition to MLB yet and he’s about to turn 28. Also, that 35% k-rate in 2011 doesn’t bode well for his future.
Contributing writer for Pinstripe Alley.
Follow me on Twitter @frankiecamp48
by Frank Campagnola on Jan 31, 2012 4:31 PM EST up reply actions
should read 26. not 28
Contributing writer for Pinstripe Alley.
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by Frank Campagnola on Jan 31, 2012 4:32 PM EST up reply actions
Jerked Around
He’s been jerked around a lot and he had to switch leagues. His minors K% is much lower.
I think he presses in the bigs because the Dbacks never committed to him. If every 25 year old hitter with a cold streak of about 150 at bats wasn’t given more opportunity, there would be like 8 teams in the major leagues.
Most arguments are really about context.
by SheaWasBettor21 on Jan 31, 2012 4:37 PM EST up reply actions
If they felt he would have done well for them, I’m sure they would have kept him around. It’s easy to doubt his contact ability when each time he’s been a the majors, his k-rate has been at or over 34.5%
Contributing writer for Pinstripe Alley.
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by Frank Campagnola on Jan 31, 2012 4:40 PM EST up reply actions
Mark Reynolds
Reynolds was atrocious, and his defense is even worse than his K%. They just didn’t like Allen. Never left him alone in the lineup.
Most arguments are really about context.
by SheaWasBettor21 on Jan 31, 2012 4:44 PM EST up reply actions
Like I said, I’m sure there was a reason for it. Teams don’t just not play people just to dick them around for the the hell of it.
Contributing writer for Pinstripe Alley.
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by Frank Campagnola on Jan 31, 2012 8:15 PM EST up reply actions
Fair enough.
Most arguments are really about context.
by SheaWasBettor21 on Jan 31, 2012 11:18 PM EST up reply actions
I’m not saying Allen is a sure thing. Big risk with big upside. I’d bet if you did more research on Allen, we’d come very close to agreeing on what he is.
My guess is we’re farther apart on what Hughes is. I think Hughes is worthless in the AL East, particularly in Yankee stadium. I liked Hughes at 94 mph, but while every young arm has fluctuating velocity, I’ve never seen Hughes SIT at 94.
As a starter, he’s always dipped to 91-93, touching 94. Young arms typically lose 1-3 mph from where they SIT after transitioning to the big league workload, so I think the loss in velocity is permanent.
Of course, there’s always exceptions like Greinke, who just “found it” again. It’s possible Hughes does this, but it’s pretty rare.
Most arguments are really about context.
by SheaWasBettor21 on Jan 31, 2012 4:49 PM EST up reply actions
True.
But I like Smith’s athleticism and think he could do well as a platoon vs righties. He’s got huge power.
92-93 mph Hughes would have been worth asking for Tyson Ross too. At 89-90, I think Smith is fair.
Most arguments are really about context.
by SheaWasBettor21 on Jan 31, 2012 4:26 PM EST up reply actions
Get Infield Utility Guy Who Can Hit Rather Than Get A DH?
Does anyone know of any available free agents or players on the trade market who can field decently at 3rd base & shortstop and can hit too? The Yanks currently have Eduardo Nunez as their chief utility guy; he hits “ok” but has a horrendously negative 1.2 dWAR rating. They also have Ramiro Pena who appears to suck all around. Would it be possible to upgrade from Nunez and get a guy who can give at least 400 quality at bats? This way, they could let Arod and Jeter share the DH spot for a good chunk of the season and not waste any of the Steinbrenner family’s money on a one-dimensional DH. Does anyone have any leads?
by alansaltnpepper on Jan 31, 2012 4:45 PM EST reply actions
Felipe Lopez
He has talent. He just doesn’t seem to care. I bet playing on the Yankees would make him care.
Most arguments are really about context.
by SheaWasBettor21 on Jan 31, 2012 4:52 PM EST up reply actions
That’s a silly argument
Follow me on twitter @nyybrandonc
Co-Manager/Writer for Pinstripe Alley, Editor/Writer for Blueshirt Banter, Writer for On The Banks
350+ wOBA
Well, there’s not chart for it, if that’s what you’re looking for. I don’t like the assumption that players do their best all the time. They’re human.
With this said, I referenced his 350+ wOBA 2 years ago above. He’s had other good seasons too, and was an elite prospect back in his day. There’s a ball player here, and he’s only 31. Could probably get him for less than Kotchman, and he can play anywhere except catcher.
Most arguments are really about context.
by SheaWasBettor21 on Jan 31, 2012 4:56 PM EST up reply actions
He has talent. He just doesn’t seem to care. I bet playing on the Yankees would make him care.
I can say
The Yankees should bring back Randy Winn because his heart just wasn’t in it the first time, but now he has the inspiration and motivation to succeed beyond belief!
Follow me on twitter @nyybrandonc
Co-Manager/Writer for Pinstripe Alley, Editor/Writer for Blueshirt Banter, Writer for On The Banks
lol
It isn’t the main reason I think he’s a good gamble. It’s a narrative for a talented 31 year old player who looks great at times, and bad at others, with no obvious cause for the variance.
If Winn was 31, had a little pop, could play 4 IF positions and was 2 years removed from a 350+ wOBA, I’d probably be throwing his name in here too.
Most arguments are really about context.
by SheaWasBettor21 on Jan 31, 2012 5:02 PM EST up reply actions
At least you admit it’s a narrative haha
Follow me on twitter @nyybrandonc
Co-Manager/Writer for Pinstripe Alley, Editor/Writer for Blueshirt Banter, Writer for On The Banks
It’s certainly not my most scientific observation. He has times when he does something great and makes it look so easy, and I ask myself, “Why isn’t he better?”
Sometimes talent is like porn. Difficult to quantify, but you know it when you see it.
Most arguments are really about context.
by SheaWasBettor21 on Jan 31, 2012 5:22 PM EST up reply actions
Maybe Lopez
If he can repeat his 2009 season he would be more than adequate filling in at 3rd & short. Maybe he was affected by injuries last year as I can see his fielding took a big dip too. He can pitch too! One inning for the Cards in 2010 without giving up a run.
by alansaltnpepper on Jan 31, 2012 5:06 PM EST up reply actions
Forgot about that.
He’s got speed, good contact rates, decent bet for a double digit walk rate. I think he’s a nice fit.
And I really do think he’d benefit from the Yankees culture. As Brandon correctly pointed out, I have no basis for this belief, but he has other strengths as well.
Most arguments are really about context.
by SheaWasBettor21 on Jan 31, 2012 5:10 PM EST up reply actions
How about this...
I like the Kotchman idea, but the front office has said that they want to pull off a trade. If that’s true…what about Alex Gordon? Would the Royals come off of him and if so, what would it take?
Royals wouldn’t trade him
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Co-Manager/Writer for Pinstripe Alley, Editor/Writer for Blueshirt Banter, Writer for On The Banks
Who then?
Who would make the most sense for the Yankees if they pull off a trade?
by twlincoln2011 on Feb 1, 2012 3:42 AM EST up reply actions
Extension
If reports are true, they are talking extension.
Most arguments are really about context.
by SheaWasBettor21 on Jan 31, 2012 8:59 PM EST up reply actions
He is awful.
That being said, I hope the Yankees sign the shit out Kotchman.
FREE GUYER!
by SandalsNoPants on Jan 31, 2012 11:51 PM EST reply actions
Against righties last season, he had a 136 wRC+ and a .367 wOBA.
That would play very well as a left handed batter in Yankee Stadium.
Contributing writer for Pinstripe Alley.
Follow me on Twitter @frankiecamp48
by Frank Campagnola on Feb 1, 2012 1:45 AM EST up reply actions
SSS and an inflated BABIP.
He’s a groundball machine and got lucky with infield hits last season. But again, I hope they sign him.
FREE GUYER!
by SandalsNoPants on Feb 1, 2012 7:25 AM EST up reply actions
we were planning on just signing his shit
Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows
Don't need him
kotchman isn’t that good. why do we want a guy with a career .398 slugging percentage when the guys filling in at DH would be much better hitters. We don’t need him at all
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