No Nakajima? No Problem! Possible Utility Options For The New York Yankees
by Brandon C. on Jan 6, 2012 9:30 AM EST
in New York Yankees Analysis
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PrintNow that we know Hiroyuki Nakajima will not be playing for the New York Yankees in 2012, it's worth speculating that the Yankees will be in the market for a new utility infielder for the upcoming season.
Eric Chavez filled the hole last season, but his ability to get injured each season in peculiar ways, along with his average play for the Yankees, leads to the questioning of his future with the Yankees.
The Yankees are interested in bringing Chavez back, but the Tampa Bay Rays, San Diego Padres, and Washington Nationals are also interested in Chavez.
I say let Chavez walk, (or perhaps send him away in a wheelchair) as with Alex Rodriguez' injuries, the Yankees cannot afford to take a risk at the utility infielder position.
Here are some alternatives:
Willie Harris- I cannot believe I am writing this, but Willie Harris is one of the better options out there. Harris boasts terrific speed, as well as the ability to get on base. While Harris had an off year in 2010, his OBP's in 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2011 were all above .340, in addition to above league averages.
Harris can play every position except for catcher and first base, so the Yankees would not necessarily need to carry Chris Dickerson or Justin Maxwell on the roster.
There is one glaring issue with Harris, however, one that may even eliminate him. Harris is not a very good fielder.
Follow me after the jump for the rest of the options.
Miguel Tejada- Miguel Tejada was basically awful at the plate last year. Tejada hit .239/.270/.326, while only belting four home runs. Tejada is an injury risk, as he only played in 91 games last season.
The Yankees may consider Tejada because he has "looked great" in his Winter League, and he is known for terrific defense.
Random Free Agent- Pick a random free agent from the 2012 class and the Yankees could be interested. Obviously we do not scout the players as much as the Yankees do, so the Yankees could see someone in the class that they scouted heavily and jumps out at them, and could pick up that player. Maybe Wil Rhymes is the next Alex Rodriguez according to Yankees scouts!
Brandon Laird (or other in house players)- The Yankees could look within their own system and have a bunch of players battle it out for the job. Whoever plays best in Spring Training gets a roster spot, with Eduardo Nunez playing majority of utility infield.
Thoughts?
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You say you can't believe you mentioned Willie Harris...
…I can’t believe you mentioned Miguel Tejada!!!
Just once I'd like someone to call me "Sir," without adding, "You're making a scene."
First thought: Departing players should get a gift basket from Derek Jeter.
Second thought: Maybe Minka Kelly, who must have hundreds of them, would be willing to part with some of hers.
Third thought: I probably shouldn’t be posting this.
Fourth thought: If the Red Sox could sign Nick Punto, there must be someone like him out there, who could be acquired by trade if necessary. I happen to think that bringing back Chavez is not the worst option, especially if he can time his injuries not to coincide with ARod’s. Let Laird or somebody with a decent glove back up Chavez, and keep Nunez around for his speed and occasional pop.
by designatedquitter on Jan 6, 2012 9:52 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
That’s three utility IF on one 25 man roster.
I don’t see why everyone is saying “if Chavez can stay healthy” when he never ever has
Follow me on twitter @nyybrandonc
Co-Manager/Writer for Pinstripe Alley, Editor/Writer for 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 Jan 6, 2012 11:22 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
I think he meant use Chavez as long as you can
then use Laird when he gets inevitably injured. I think Laird should be given a chance to compete! Laird vs. Pena (for competition only) vs. Corban Joseph maybe?
Harris
no. NO
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
The artful muppet formerly known as KrmtDfrog.
Please read my sardonic wit and over-blown sense of self over at headkicklegend.com
by Cory Braiterman on Jan 6, 2012 10:38 AM EST reply actions
I had no idea that I had expectations
is this a good or a bad thing
The artful muppet formerly known as KrmtDfrog.
Please read my sardonic wit and over-blown sense of self over at headkicklegend.com
by Cory Braiterman on Jan 6, 2012 10:49 AM EST up reply actions
Along with Harris, Tejada
Other potential MI bench players:
Craig Counsell
Omar Vizquel
Aaron Miles
Álex Cora
Jack Wilson
Carlos Guillén
Orlando Cabrera
Ronny Cedeno
Édgar Rentería
My top five would be Cedeno, Renteria, Miles, Guillen, and Omar (give him a shot at a ring, but he is not very good anymore).
Why?
Follow me on twitter @nyybrandonc
Co-Manager/Writer for Pinstripe Alley, Editor/Writer for 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 Jan 6, 2012 11:20 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
I want Omar Vizquel!
Is Cedeno a free agent? If yes, I think he would want more than a 1 year bench player role so i’m not sure if he’d be worth it/signable
*Harris instead of Miles
got those mixed up somehow when I was typing.
by cookiedabookie on Jan 6, 2012 12:32 PM EST up reply actions
This is just a list of players available, not who I would want to see them sign
Counsell is pretty far down that list, if not last.
by cookiedabookie on Jan 6, 2012 1:39 PM EST up reply actions
Haha I wouldn’t assume anyone here would want to see him signed.
by MichaelGGBGrabow on Jan 6, 2012 4:35 PM EST up reply actions
Agreed. Plus Nunez has a better bat than those free agents
He just needs to take the brick out of his glove.
Eric Chavez filled the hole last season
by Jedi Master A-Rod on Jan 6, 2012 12:50 PM EST reply actions
and filled it satisfactorily, when he was physically able to perform
by long time listener on Jan 6, 2012 12:51 PM EST up reply actions
hole?
I'll do whatever it takes to win games, whether it's sitting on a bench waving a towel, handing a cup of water to a teammate, or hitting the game-winning shot.- Kobe Bryant
A.J. Burnett's only fan!
Chavez is good when healthy
When Chavez was in the line-up and healthy, I felt like we didn’t give up much. When Pena and Laird were in, it was a disaster. When Nunez was in the other team got 28 outs. The key is Montero. If he can catch, we don’t waste the DH with a young, healthy player. If he can’t catch, we have to trade him in July for a #2 SP. If last year proved anything, it’s that you can’t win a world series with only 2 good pitchers.
Apparently working for the Gillbert, AZ Fire Department according to Wiki and a local newspaper…
"Don't you think it's strange that you'll make more money than President Hoover this year?"
"Why not? I had a better year than he did." - G.H. Ruth
Haha! That’s awesome, I’d never heard of that woman before. What a bizarre coincidence to have three ex pro ballplayers in the same non sports related job.
by MichaelGGBGrabow on Jan 6, 2012 4:23 PM EST up reply actions
a dame working as a firefighter?
Now I’ve seen everything.
by long time listener on Jan 6, 2012 4:56 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Drew Sutton? I don't know if he's
been signed yet. But I think he would make for a good utility infielder
by E-ROC on Jan 6, 2012 1:36 PM EST via Android app reply actions
Won’t Ramiro Pena and Eduardo Pena be able to back up most of those?
Andruw Jones can play third… ha.
If Teixeira plays around 150 games, Swisher can play the other 12 at 1st. That should work, right?
Fielder just lost another 'suitor'
The Cubs have acquired first baseman Anthony Rizzo and right-hander Zach Cates from the Padres for right-hander Andrew Cashner and outfielder Kyung-Min Na
is Anthony Rizzo Brett Wallace 2.0? What’s with young first basemen getting traded everywhere? Rizzo, Wallace, Alonso, Smoak…
he probably lost them in the folds of his flesh
Because he’s fat.
by long time listener on Jan 6, 2012 2:55 PM EST up reply actions
Possibly in between the pecs and gut area!
"WHO WOULD LEAD?! THE CLOWN?!"
by I'mGivingYouARaise on Jan 6, 2012 2:58 PM EST up reply actions
fatties do lose a lot of stuff there
by long time listener on Jan 6, 2012 3:00 PM EST up reply actions
Especially hoagies!
"WHO WOULD LEAD?! THE CLOWN?!"
by I'mGivingYouARaise on Jan 6, 2012 3:01 PM EST up reply actions
Keep Chavez and let the young guns develop!!
He was decent when healthy last season, has a good glove and can hit when he needs to in the right situations. The Yanks have been hell bent on rebuilding a team by using their farm system, and they have been adamant with this since 2007. My feeling is not to waste time on getting a has been for cheap when we can keep someone who was already decent for us last year, use the money for pitching or where we need the offense, and in doing so we allow guys like Nunez, Pena, and Laird to develop more for when the inevitable comes with the end of the jeter/arod era.
Chavez would have to be resigned anyway. Why not pay someone roughly the same who isn’t made of glass? Chavez just cannot stay healthy, so I don’t think it’s worth it.
Jesus Montero fangirl
by WhatwouldJeterdo on Jan 6, 2012 6:24 PM EST up reply actions
Chavez isn't that good either
He hit alright for the first month before the injury, but when he got back he was non-existent almost.
I'll do whatever it takes to win games, whether it's sitting on a bench waving a towel, handing a cup of water to a teammate, or hitting the game-winning shot.- Kobe Bryant
A.J. Burnett's only fan!
The Mets have signed Cedeno to a one year deal.
The Angels have also signed Jorge Cantu…why? Does this mean that Trumbo might be on the way out? What would they need Cantu for? or is Callaspo out?
Cantu is a backup at best at this point. I’m surprised he even got MLB deal
Follow me on twitter @nyybrandonc
Co-Manager/Writer for Pinstripe Alley, Editor/Writer for Blueshirt Banter
"No matter what I talk about, I always get back to baseball."
"Every day is a great day for hockey."
Minor league deal….alright I guess
Follow me on twitter @nyybrandonc
Co-Manager/Writer for Pinstripe Alley, Editor/Writer for 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 Jan 6, 2012 11:47 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
There's a baseball logger
on Jepordy tonight! Coincidence?? IGYAR? Might could be.
"I don't want one of those guys who'll drive in two but let in three every game." Casey Stengel
by tnredneckyankeesfan on Jan 6, 2012 7:03 PM EST reply actions
Seems like as good a place as any to post this
If anyone is interested in a playoff fantasy football pool, follow this link and search the term “trombone” (shouldn’t be tough to figure out which group it is). Password is “rusty”.
Also
by Jedi Master A-Rod on Jan 6, 2012 7:26 PM EST reply actions
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