News Archive on New York Yankees

Granderson Is A Yankee, But Does He Fit?

Wednesday, December 9th, 2009
Granderson Brings Question Marks To Yankees

Granderson Brings Question Marks To Yankees

Recently announced by ESPN’s Buster Olney, the Yankees just completed a three team trade that will bring Detroit Tigers All-Star centerfielder to New York in an eight player trade.  As part of the deal, the Arizona Diamondbacks get Edwin Jackson from Detroit and  Ian Kennedy from New York.  The Detriot Tigers get Max Scherzer and Daniel Schlereth from Arizona and Phil Coke and outfield prospect Austin Jackson from New York.

So what does this all mean?

First, it appears that Johnny Damon played his hand very poorly and once again Scott Boras has screwed one of his top clients.  As I recently projected in my assessment of the top free agents, Damon will be this year’s Bobby Abreau and will be playing for peanuts next season.

Second, in the matter of just two days, the Yankees have dumped both Brian Bruney and Phil Coke from their vaunted bullpen.  This signals that Joba Chamberlain’s days in the starting rotation have come to an end or he’ll be pitching in Toronto next year.

Third, the Yankees clearly are making starting step for future moves.  Get ready for a Roy Halladay landing in New York City.

But getting back to Granderson.  The move is puzzling.  Here is a guy entering into the prime of his career and in three consecutive years the guy has regressed since getting his big contract with the Tigers.  His batting average has dropped from .302 in 2007 to .280 in 2008 to a pawltry .249 in 2009.   Worse, his OPS, which really defines a player’s offensive contribution, has plummeted from .913 to .859 to .780 in the same span.  What that means is he is not getting on base and not hitting when it counts.  All this occurred while having the luxury of Placido Polanco, Magglio Ordonez and Miguel Cabrera batting behind him.

Digging deeper into his stats, Granderson has displayed an absolute inability to hit lefties.  Over the last three seasons, he has posted a .202 batting average against lefties while displaying almost no power with only registering a homer in every 44.6 at bats.  Get two strikes on him, and he almost an automatic out.  Over the last three seasons, he registered just a .198 batting average once the pitcher gets in the command position. This is not to mention his 393 strikeouts, which ranks as the worst among leadoff hitters in major league baseball.

In contrast, Johnny Damon delivered a .268 batting average against lefties, his power dropoff is significantly less and when he’s down in the count, has a batting average 25 points higher than Granderson.  When he gets a full count, he has an OPS of 1.061.  Damon was clutch and carried pitchers into the count to his benefit, not his detriment.

Beyond his stats, Granderson has shown to lack the intangibles.  Detroit was a team lacking player leadership.  Miguel Cabrera was a lost cause is this area, confirmed by his after hours drinking escapade at the end of the 2009 season.  Granderson was they guy Jim Leyland needed to turn to the keep them in the mix and he totally let his coach down.  As the Tigers collapsed in the last 4 games of the regular season, Granderson delivered a 2 for 15 showing leading his coach to drop his All-Star centerfielder to 7th in the order in the must win game 162.  In summary, Detroit gave up on Granderson.

Granderson is a platoon player at best for the Yankees given his drawbacks.  While he is an improvement in the area of fielding over Damon, that is pretty much it.  Age doesn’t much matter in the equation, its what you do on the field.  Ian Kennedy, Phil Coke and Austin Jackson was a lot to give up for a platoon player that will likely bat 9th in the Yankees order given his poor on-base percentage.

In this trade, the person I am happiest for is Ian Kennedy.  He has wonderful stuff and Joe Girardi really mishandled him to set him back.  Heading to Arizona is a great fresh start for the kid and he’ll finally get his chance for a team that knows how to bring along young pitchers.  Kennedy is going to a quality pitcher in the bigs.

The Yankees are definitely going to be in the market for a right-handed outfield bat to rotate into the mix.  One obvious choice is to re-sign Xavier Nady given his ability to play all outfield positions.  The Yankees also need to start thinking about bullpen support as well.  If they pick up Halladay in a trade, either Chamberlain or Hughes is gone, along with a budding future star at catcher in Jesus Montero.

Right now, the Yankees are not looking good for a repeat without a few more najor moves to fill in the holes they now have in the outfield.

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Posted in Arizona Diamondbacks, Detroit Tigers, MLB, New York Yankees | 1 Comment »

MLB Free Agency Gets Off To Slow Start

Saturday, December 5th, 2009

Major League Baseball’s free agency period kicked off on November 5th with a flurry of activity as 171 players filed and flooded the marketplace with baseball job seekers.  We are now one month into the process and only 15 signings have occurred.  This lack of activity is finally displaying some prudence by team owners in their spending activities, although the contract amount given to Placido Polanco still has many scratching their heads.

Here’s my breakdown on the Top 10 available free agents and where they will likely land:

John Lackeylackey

Without question, the best player on the market.  Given his performance in the ALCS, Lackey showed he is the man to give the ball to when it counts.  He is a #1 starter and will be paid like one.  Right now, it appears that the Mets and Red Sox are the leaders in the hunt for his services.   But don’t be surprised if the Texas Rangers make a push to sign him.

Prediction:  New York Mets

Matt HolidayMatt Holliday

Holliday showed scouts last year that his place is in the NL after proving to be nothing but an average player when facing more curveballs and change ups in the AL.  Don’t expect any AL teams to be hunting for Holiday’s services.  Re-signing with the Cardinals makes a lot of sense, as he proved to be a great complement to Pujols in the lineup.  I see the other major suitor for Holliday this winter to be San Fran.  The Giants are in desperate need for hitting and will be going after Holliday hard.  Keep an eye on the Astros and Braves making a play as well.

Prediction:  San Francisco Giants

Vladimir GuerreroVlad Guerrero

Vlad’s playing days in Anaheim are over.  Despite his recent injury woes, he is still one of the most dangerous hitters in the game.   I don’t think we’ll see Vlad going back to the NL, as his body no longer can withstand the rigors of a 162 game season.  Look for him to land in a DH role somewhere in the AL.  The most likely landing spots are Detroit, Minnesota and Chicago (AL).  All have a need for a solid middle of the lineup bat and have an open spot for him at the DH position.

Prediction: Chicago White Sox


Jason BayJason Bay

One of the highlights of the Red Sox’ dismal season, Bay displayed his tools that make him one of the more desired players in free agency.  One of the concerns coming out of Pittsburgh was Bay’s ability to play in the spotlight.  He showed that wasn’t an issue at all.  At 31, Bay is still in his prime and can be a solid producer for years to come.   There are a slew of teams that are going to be after Bay, including Chicago (AL), St. Louis, San Fran, New York (AL), New York (NL),  Seattle, and Atlanta.  This is not to mention the Red Sox want him back.

Prediction: New York Yankees

Johnny DamonJohnny Damon

His agent Scott Boras has sealed his doom in New York.  There is no love lost between Cashman and Boras.  Damon’s demands are outrageous given his declining skill sets.  His outfield range is gone, he has no arm and has lost a step on the base paths.   I expect Damon to be this year’s Bobby Abreau and he will price himself right out of the market.  Boras will leave him hanging out there to take a beating.  Whatever team is not able to fill their needs early will lean to Damon come March.  I am putting my money on either the Mets or Atlanta here.

Prediction:  Atlanta Braves

Jarrod WashburnJarrod Washburn

Washburn couldn’t have picked  a better year to shine in 2009.  Heavily sought after during the trading deadline, Washburn unfortunately went down due to a lingering issue with his planting knee that got him hammered in his final few starts with Detroit.   Washburn still has great stuff and has a solid 2-3 years left in his arm.  The Yankees have been enamored with Washburn for years and will likely finally score him.  Boston will be in the mix mainly to just drive up the price knowing the Yanks love this guy.

Prediction:  New York Yankees

Rich HardenRich Harden

The super-talented, oft-injured Cub will generate a lot of interest.  It’s hard to believe Harden has been in the league for so long and he is still just 28 years old.  Going back to Chicago doesn’t look likely given the disappointment in his durability.  Cost conscious teams are likely to stay away.   I see the biggest interest coming from Boston, Los Angeles (AL), New York (NL) and Philadelphia.   In the end, Philly and the Mets will likely shy away.  Boston needs to fill in some holes in the staff, look for them to take the risk.

Prediction:  Boston Red Sox

Fernando RodnetFernando Rodney

This guy strikes me as someone that wants to win.  His days in Detroit are over and he is likely going to sign with a contender and accept a setup role that could turn into a stopper job if called upon.   While Seattle, Florida and Tampa Bay may make a push for Rodney, Philadelphia will generate interest with him and they need him more than anyone.  Rodney can flourish in setup or closing role, he’s just that versatile.  His ability to take over for Lidge if he continues to struggle makes Rodney enticing.

Prediction: Philadelphia Phillies


Jose Valverde

Jose ValverdeWithout question the best closer on the market.  Unfortunately for Valverde, none of the big market teams that can offer an outlandish contract need a stopper.  Just the wrong year to be a free agent stopper.   Valverde will generate some interest from Tampa, Seattle, Florida and perhaps Chicago (NL).  Houston has offered arbitration and I wouldn’t be shocked if Valverde accepted it.  He stands a great chance at getting a nice ruling in his favor and he can step back out in the market next season when the Yankees may be looking for Rivera’s replacement.

Prediction:  Houston Astros

Miguel TejadaMiguel Tejada

Despite the steroids baggage that comes with Tejada, the guy continues to smash the ball and shows no signs of decline.  Unbelievably durable, you cannot dismiss this guy earns his paycheck.  There is not much of a market out theew for shortstops given Boston and Toronto have filled their needs.  Houston, Detroit and Minnesota all have issues at the position and need to fill the hole with a dependable player.

Prediction:  Detroit Tigers


Hideki MatsuiHideki Matsui

The World Series MVP is on the market, but his inability to play the field any longer given his age make him a difficult pursuit for most teams.  While Matsui had a productive 2009 season, his inflexibility to play the field hurt the Yankees ability to rotate its aging team.  The Yankees need to open up a hole to allow Jorge Posada’s bat at DH now that he is going to be needing more off days behind the plate.  This signals an unlikely re-signing unless Matsui takes a huge paycut.  If Yanks choose not to bring him back, Seattle is the only other team that appears to make sense.

Prediction:  Seattle Mariners

Check back in March to see how close I was on these predictions.  It’s going to be a real interesting offseason.

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Posted in Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Detroit Tigers, Florida Marlins, Houston Astros, Los Angeles Angels, MLB, Minnesota Twins, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, St Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers | No Comments »

Yankees Prevail in Rain Delayed Game 3

Sunday, November 1st, 2009
A-Rod Camera Knocking Home Run

A-Rod Camera Knocking Home Run

Game three of the 2009 World Series stared with a 1:20 rain delay and that was about the time it took for the Yankees to get their bats rolling. The Phillies took early control of the game with a Jayson Werth solo shot in the second followed by a bases loaded walk to Jimmy Rollins and a sac-fly by Shane Victorino to make it 3-0.

The Yankees started their comeback in the fourth on a two –run homer By Arod that hit a camera on top of the fence. It started as a double but was later ruled a homerun by instant replay. This was the jump start the Yankees needed as they plated three more in the fifth on a  Andy Pettitte single and a Johnny Damon double plated two more to make it 5-3. Nick Swisher connected on a solo shot in the sixth to make it 6-3.

After a shaky second inning, veteran Andy Pettitte retired  9 out of 10 batters from innings 3-5 before giving up another solo shot to Werth to make it 6-4. Pettitte kept the Yankees in the game and showed his experience and composure. Jorge Posada added a RBI single in the 7th and Hidecki Matsui  added a  pinch-hit  solo homer in the 8th to make it 8-4.

The Yankees bullpen also got a boost as Joba Chamberlain worked a 1-2-3  7th followed by Damaso Marte’s  1-2-3 in  the 8th. Philip Hughes got one out in the 9th before giving up a solo HR to Carlos Ruiz to make it 8-5. Old reliable Mariano Rivera recorded  the final 2 outs to nail down the 8-5 victory. The victory leaves the Yanks in great shape as they send their ace CC Sabathia  to the mound in game 4.

The bullpen looked better and will see if Arod’s homer will ignite this potent Yankees offense. The Yankees are half-way home to another World Series title.

Posted in MLB, New York Yankees | No Comments »

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