TwitterPronk?
31 Jan 2013
The Yankees have reportedly signed Travis Hafner, aka Pronk, to a major league deal. That means he will be on the 40-man and presumably make the roster as a lefty hitting DH. I get their thought process. Hafner hit .241/.361/.437 against RHP last year and in Yankee Stadium he could do some damage. However, I still don’t get the signing.
Let’s start with the obvious, this is an extremely fragile player. Since 2007, he has appeared in over 100 games once, in 2010. He will be 36, so he isn’t getting younger or better. And, he hasn’t played in the field since 2007. I wasn’t a fan of the Ibanez signing last year, but at least he could put a glove on. Hafner seems destined to be a DH and only a DH.
But the thing that really bothers me about this move is that the Yankees don’t seem to think there is anyone else in their system who can play this role. We keep hearing about getting under $189-million, well the best way to do that is with young and cheap players. For instance, Corban Joseph is a lefty-hitting second baseman who put up a line of .266/.366/.474 in 84 games at AAA last year, he is also only 23. Why not see what he can do with the bat in the big leagues? If they didn’t like that idea, Chris Dickerson was on the 40-man roster and could have provided defense and speed off the bench to go with his lefty bat. The Yankees just signed Dan Johnson to a minor league deal, he may not hit like Hafner, but he played both first and third in the minors last year so he would provide more flexibility.
But the Yankees did what they always do they turned to the veteran. It may work out well, but it doesn’t make them younger or cheaper and that is a missed opportunity in my mind.
Feb 01, 2013 @ 17:10:56
Even an aging Hafner is better than any of their other options. I even like him better than Ibanez because he’s about 5 years younger. If he’s healthy he can flat out hit. Maybe Nunez will be the DH against lefty pitchers.
This gives them a pretty good lineup. They’ll score enough runs to be competitive so long as their pitching holds up.
Feb 02, 2013 @ 17:42:41
Corey,
Hafner is:
1) aging (aren’t we all, but he’s got a head start) and he’s clearly in decline,
2) he defines fragile and
3) while he used to be able to flat out hit, that was several years ago – now he’s a huge, risky question mark.
I prefer watching players improve during the season, not struggle in their declining years. Just my opinion, obviously, but it’s what I think.
I think the money could have been spent better elsewhere and it would have been fun to watch some younger players get their shot.
Feb 04, 2013 @ 16:27:29
I like watching the kids too, but it looks like none of them is ready.
Remember that Ibanez was not a popular signing last year and he seemed to work out well. Hopefully we’ll get lucky with Hafner — there is little downside.
Feb 04, 2013 @ 21:03:19
fantasy baseball anyone? been years since I have played/run anything, back before stats were compiled automatically (yeah, I’m old).
Feb 04, 2013 @ 22:53:21
I’m already in two leagues, so I don’t think I have it in my for a third. I started playing it with a Sporting News league that mailed you a weekly update so I know what you are talking about BL. Online is a dream compared to that.
Feb 04, 2013 @ 23:22:16
Both of your leagues full?
Feb 04, 2013 @ 23:41:33
Hey, I will shoot you an email on this now.