TwitterChoices
19 Apr 2012
Three plays in the first inning of tonight’s game make me think that the Yankees need to consider the future a bit more.
Start with the “throw” Nunez made from second that was very wide of first.
Follow that up with Ibanez’s attempt to catch a liner in left.
Cap it off with the “throw” Ibanez made from left on a play at home.
Here’s what I come up with- Ibanez is an awful outfielder while Nunez is an awful infielder. With Gardner on the DL, the Yankees need an everyday leftfielder, so why don’t they try something else?
Nunez may or may not have a true big league bat, I don’t think anyone can say for sure at this point. Even if he does, his glove is going to cost you runs. He could become a competent hitter in the bigs, but in the infield his glove is just too messy. So, if you believe in his bat, why don’t you try him in the outfield for an extended period?
Think about it, the Yankees have a hole in their outfield for the next two weeks. Ibanez is not someone who inspires confidence and Andruw Jones doesn’t seem that interested in playing the position. So, why not put Nunez in left for the majority of the next two weeks? Unless something weird happens, the Yankees will have an opening in right next season. I’m not saying Nunez could fill that opening, but there is a chance he could. Why don’t they find out?
The Yankees normally do not focus on the future. But, with Gardner’s injury they have a chance to experiment. Why not take it?
Apr 20, 2012 @ 10:29:46
Defense is the most underestimated component of the game. The Yankee teams that won with regularity in the 1970s and 1990s were great defensive clubs. If Texas had a competent outfield, they would have beat the Cardinals. There are many examples of this.
Nunez is a terrible infielder. But I remember Cano struggling defensively and improving vastly. Is Nunez Cano or Soriano? Probably the latter, so you may be right that he will be an outfielder/emergency infielder in the future.
Here’s what I think: cut the b.s. resting guys in April. Play your regulars, give Nunez a shot in left, and platoon Ibanez and Jones at DH.
Apr 20, 2012 @ 22:40:39
Corey,
I agree that defense is the least appreciated component of the game, and that the winning Yankees clubs of the 70s and 90s were defensively strong (except for Reggie Jackson). Those guys simply didn’t beat themselves.
I think Cano’s early defensive struggles were due primarily to a lack of focus — that’s where I think Larry Bowa helped him immeasurably as a coach — by getting in his face and forcing him to focus. I also believe his lack of focus owed primarily to immaturity, which was something that manifested itself in many ways through 2008 — remember when Girardi was forced to take him out of that game for not hustling?
I think Nunez’s defensive problems are more like Soriano’s than Cano’s — Nunez just isn’t a very good fielder, and every mistake just adds to the pressure in his mind and makes it worse. I really don’t know if he’ll be any better as an outfielder — or much of a hitter, for that matter. I have my doubts.
As for Joe resting his older regulars, I believe Joe is determined to rest the older guys on a regular basis throughout the year. I can’t say that I disagree. A-Rod has proven to be fragile these past few years, and Jeter is no kid. He plays a very demanding position, and the season is a grind. If the Yankees are counting on these guys to produce in August and September, it may be prudent to be disciplined about resting them on a regular basis. I think his handling of the bullpen — which is a marked improvement over Torre’s — has earned him some credibility in my eyes to cut him some slack on this and see how it plays out.
Apr 20, 2012 @ 23:39:02
Girardi himself mentioned the possibility of Nunez playing in the OF:
http://web.yesnetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120420&content_id=29204944&oid=36019
Apr 21, 2012 @ 13:37:49
Greg
I think you are right about Nunez and I get the sense that he is unfortunately starting to turn into Knoblauch a bit. It looks like he is trying to aim his throws.
I thought Girardi made a good point the other day when asked about Nunez’s defense. He said that part of the problem is that the Yankees are asking him to play three different infield positions and the throws are obviously different at all three. Nunez only played 19 games at second in the minors and 17 at third, so he is very raw at both spots.
I also think you nailed it with Cano. I also remember that they sent Melky down to the minors because they thought he was a bad influence on Cano.