All I am asking for is a reason you think the Yankees will be the second best team in the division. Backing up your assertions is an excellent way to avoid ass holes.
Chris, Nobody thinks money = wins. But the Yankees have spent their money, for the most part, on really good players. And really good players = wins. Usually.
Offensively, Jeter is only a hole in relation to the rest of their lineup. He is still a slightly above average short stop with the bat. You can say pretty much the exact same for Cano. I imagine they will want him to be very, very patient at the plate this season.
Teixeira is a very good player, and will make the Yankees better both offensively (second in VORP last year, barely, to Pujols among 1st basemen) and defensively.
Jeter? He's fine. But he's not getting any younger, he's terrible on defense, and soon his defense may force a move to a position where his bat doesn't play. Last year he was 7th in VORP among SSs, behind Hanley, Reyes, Rollins, Steve Drew, Hardy, and Peralta. He edged Mike Aviles by .2 points and Christian Guzman by .6.
But E, E, E...
Are you really going to defend Mr. Cano? Do you know who put up more VORP than Robinson last year? Ray Durham, just in his Milwaukee stint. In like 500 fewer plate appearances. Overall he blows Cano out of the Water. Cano is superior defensively, of course, but here is a list of better offensive second basemen in 2008:
Utley, Pedroia, Kinsler, Brian Roberts, Uggla, Derosa, Kelly Johnson, Jose Lopez, Polanco, Hudson, Fontenot, Matsui, Lopez, Alexei Ramirez, Clint Barmes, Iwamura, Ray Durham, Aaron Miles, Brandon Phillips, Inglett, Kendrick, Rickie Weeks (oh yeah), Jeff Kent, Mark Grudzielanek, Jeff Baker, Alexi Casilla, Mark Loretta, Alberto Callaspo, and Ray Durham again.
That was fun. I'd call that a hole in the lineup.
The Yanks were pretty pedestrian offensively last year, and I don't think they've really improved that much. They should, however, be much better defensively and pitching-wise.
I'd also point out that with their new pitchers they have a lot of money tied up in an injury-prone guy, and a guy with a bad body who worked an insane amount of innings (although I actually think CC will be fine).
So Jeter is better than the average SS and Cano is worse. I'll grant you that. However, that took you time to look up all those names, so I win the battle of off the cuff remarks.
The Yankees just spent over $400 million of three guys, and their salary next season will barely increase because of turnover. You really think taking a chance on Burnett is a big deal? Really?
Essentially you are arguing that the Yankees are going to struggle because they have a bad #9 hitter (who is very good defensively) and an injury prone but generally very good #4 pitcher. (While injury prone, he has averaged over 21 starts a year). Find me a better 4th starter. It's impossible. Burnett is not a weakness. He may be a risk monetarily, but he is not a "hole."
But you are right, they have a poor #9 hitter. Clearly they are in a lot more trouble than the Red Sox and Devil Rays.
Oh, I think I may still hae a say in the battle of "off the cuff" remarks.
Who is catching for the Yankees next year, I wonder? Who is going to DH? Plus they still have Melky.
All I said was that their offense won't be super-duper, and it won't. An OK offense got slightly better. I expect A-Rod to rebound, Jeter to decline, and who else is still around? Johnny Damon still kicking around? Matsui stuck DHing from now on? Meh.
I think they're better and that they will make the playoffs (I thought that last year too), but I don't think it's a slam dunk in that division. And if you're the Yankees, these are all good signings. And yes, their payroll went down, but they're also highly leveraged, and vulnerable for that reason.
Sabathia Wang Chamberlain Burnett (unknown, fuck maybe Lowe!)
And the Yankees are only highly leveraged if you assume they have no more money to spend. There is no evidence of that whatsoever, especially when you look at the bulk of their non 2009 contracts are up next year or in '11.
Melky can't be counted as a hole if you are the surrogate debater for Chris, as he wanted the Brewers to make the deal for Cabrera.
Why can't Posada catch? And if he is DH'ing, Molina is an excellent back stop. I wouldn't count catcher as one of their problems.
They have Swish, though this will put him mostly on the bench, I would guess. Maybe in the corners. Who would he replace, Abreu? That's about a wash, isn't it?
It is my understanding that Posada's shoulder is fucked.
Joba is a bit of a wild card with the health thing. I wouldn't slot him in at 3 just yet.
Either way you slot them, Joba/Burnett are the best #4 pitcher in baseball. Purely on "stuff" they are the best #3 also.
I was just thinking out loud on Swisher, not saying he would make them better or anything, just trying to get my mind around how you set that lineup and who gets the AB's.
You might DH Swisher and lead him off, just for the .OBP!
I hate the Yankees, and this is tupid. CC is way more valuable than an OK first baseman.
ReplyDeleteI prefer the Yankees, and I think Tex is amazing and this is still stupid. Why do the Brewers not get the Yankees 2010 pick?
ReplyDeleteNot that it matters much, but do we get their second round pick or a pick between the first and second round?
ReplyDeletethis spending spree by the Yankees is something to behold.
ReplyDeleteJust for fun what would the Brewers get if the evil empire signed Sheets?
Prediction even with all this money and firepower Yankees will be lucky to win the wild card and will not even get close to the WS
I don't think they are allowed under the CBA to sign any more class A free agents.
ReplyDeleteUnless they see significant injuries, I don't see how anyone could honestly say the Yankees would be lucky to win the WC. Show me a hole in that team.
Most All-star teams do not actually do well the old too many Chiefs and not enough utility players
ReplyDeletePlus they have two very good teams in their division in Boston and Tampa Bay.
If just spending money was all you had to do Baltimore would be more successful
so the answer you have is "no holes, but i bet they suck"
ReplyDeleteinsightful.
What ever ESK if people do not agree with you they are instantly stupid and wrong must be great to have all the answers
ReplyDeleteWhat is it like being a flaming asshole every single day of your life?
pretty awesome.
ReplyDeleteAll I am asking for is a reason you think the Yankees will be the second best team in the division. Backing up your assertions is an excellent way to avoid ass holes.
They have holes. Jeter is a pretty big hole. Robinson Cano ain't all that, his value is too tied up in BA. And I suspect that catcher will decline.
ReplyDeleteChris,
ReplyDeleteNobody thinks money = wins. But the Yankees have spent their money, for the most part, on really good players. And really good players = wins. Usually.
Offensively, Jeter is only a hole in relation to the rest of their lineup. He is still a slightly above average short stop with the bat. You can say pretty much the exact same for Cano. I imagine they will want him to be very, very patient at the plate this season.
ReplyDeleteTeixeira is a very good player, and will make the Yankees better both offensively (second in VORP last year, barely, to Pujols among 1st basemen) and defensively.
ReplyDeleteJeter? He's fine. But he's not getting any younger, he's terrible on defense, and soon his defense may force a move to a position where his bat doesn't play. Last year he was 7th in VORP among SSs, behind Hanley, Reyes, Rollins, Steve Drew, Hardy, and Peralta. He edged Mike Aviles by .2 points and Christian Guzman by .6.
But E, E, E...
Are you really going to defend Mr. Cano? Do you know who put up more VORP than Robinson last year? Ray Durham, just in his Milwaukee stint. In like 500 fewer plate appearances. Overall he blows Cano out of the Water. Cano is superior defensively, of course, but here is a list of better offensive second basemen in 2008:
Utley, Pedroia, Kinsler, Brian Roberts, Uggla, Derosa, Kelly Johnson, Jose Lopez, Polanco, Hudson, Fontenot, Matsui, Lopez, Alexei Ramirez, Clint Barmes, Iwamura, Ray Durham, Aaron Miles, Brandon Phillips, Inglett, Kendrick, Rickie Weeks (oh yeah), Jeff Kent, Mark Grudzielanek, Jeff Baker, Alexi Casilla, Mark Loretta, Alberto Callaspo, and Ray Durham again.
That was fun. I'd call that a hole in the lineup.
The Yanks were pretty pedestrian offensively last year, and I don't think they've really improved that much. They should, however, be much better defensively and pitching-wise.
I'd also point out that with their new pitchers they have a lot of money tied up in an injury-prone guy, and a guy with a bad body who worked an insane amount of innings (although I actually think CC will be fine).
So Jeter is better than the average SS and Cano is worse. I'll grant you that. However, that took you time to look up all those names, so I win the battle of off the cuff remarks.
ReplyDeleteThe Yankees just spent over $400 million of three guys, and their salary next season will barely increase because of turnover. You really think taking a chance on Burnett is a big deal? Really?
Essentially you are arguing that the Yankees are going to struggle because they have a bad #9 hitter (who is very good defensively) and an injury prone but generally very good #4 pitcher. (While injury prone, he has averaged over 21 starts a year). Find me a better 4th starter. It's impossible. Burnett is not a weakness. He may be a risk monetarily, but he is not a "hole."
But you are right, they have a poor #9 hitter. Clearly they are in a lot more trouble than the Red Sox and Devil Rays.
Oh, I think I may still hae a say in the battle of "off the cuff" remarks.
ReplyDeleteWho is catching for the Yankees next year, I wonder? Who is going to DH? Plus they still have Melky.
All I said was that their offense won't be super-duper, and it won't. An OK offense got slightly better. I expect A-Rod to rebound, Jeter to decline, and who else is still around? Johnny Damon still kicking around? Matsui stuck DHing from now on? Meh.
I think they're better and that they will make the playoffs (I thought that last year too), but I don't think it's a slam dunk in that division. And if you're the Yankees, these are all good signings. And yes, their payroll went down, but they're also highly leveraged, and vulnerable for that reason.
Help me out, Sabathia, Wang, ???, Burnett?
Slightly better offense? You are nuts.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/files/oracle/discussion/yankees_signed_teixeira/
Sabathia
Wang
Chamberlain
Burnett
(unknown, fuck maybe Lowe!)
And the Yankees are only highly leveraged if you assume they have no more money to spend. There is no evidence of that whatsoever, especially when you look at the bulk of their non 2009 contracts are up next year or in '11.
Melky can't be counted as a hole if you are the surrogate debater for Chris, as he wanted the Brewers to make the deal for Cabrera.
Why can't Posada catch? And if he is DH'ing, Molina is an excellent back stop. I wouldn't count catcher as one of their problems.
Do they still have Swisher or is he a free agent?
They have Swish, though this will put him mostly on the bench, I would guess. Maybe in the corners. Who would he replace, Abreu? That's about a wash, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteIt is my understanding that Posada's shoulder is fucked.
Joba is a bit of a wild card with the health thing. I wouldn't slot him in at 3 just yet.
Either way you slot them, Joba/Burnett are the best #4 pitcher in baseball. Purely on "stuff" they are the best #3 also.
ReplyDeleteI was just thinking out loud on Swisher, not saying he would make them better or anything, just trying to get my mind around how you set that lineup and who gets the AB's.
You might DH Swisher and lead him off, just for the .OBP!
oh, and as for catcher, the Yankees did sign the Red Sox best catcher yesterday. Sort of lost in all the hoopla though.
ReplyDeleteDid not know that.
ReplyDeletethat was a joke, Kevin Cash is god awful
ReplyDeleteThat doesn't mean he's not the Red Sox best catcher.
ReplyDeleteI'm very glad you got the joke!
ReplyDeleteThat also doesn't mean he isn't the Yankees best catcher.
ReplyDelete