This Wasn't A Mistake
A drumbeat that has sounded louder and louder the past few weeks is that the Yankees made a mistake declining their option on Lance Berkman. They could have kept him in pinstripes for $15 million and since he is tearing the cover off the ball so far in St. Louis why didn't they?
But, the Yankees never could have exercised that option. Not after Berkman came to New York and hit .255/.358/.349 while getting hurt and looking TERRIBLE in the field. Not with Jorge Posada already headed to the DH spot and due $13 million himself. It's easy to criticize the move now, but think back to the end of the season and find me anyone, anyone, who would have predicted this kind of season so far from Berkman.
As for Posada, his season seems to be going in reverse. He hasn't hit a homerun since April 23rd and his numbers are down to .152/.257/.354, positively anemic. Getting him going has to be a priority for the Yankees and I can't help thinking that putting him in the field for a game or two just might do it. Consider these numbers. For his career, Posada has put up an OPS .868 behind the plate and .938 (admittedly in only 68 PA's) at first, while only putting up a .674 OPS in 474 PA's as a DH. That's almost a full season at DH and the numbers are not encouraging.
So, maybe the Chavez injury can be a blessing in disguise. The Yankees could use Posada at first and give Teixeira a rest and maybe even let Jorge catch a game now and then. Posada put up an .811 OPS last year, it's hard to believe he is as bad as his 2011 stats would lead you to believe.
Comments
Peter, I have to say, we are very much running at exactly the same wave length. Now that Jeter is hitting, a fair bit of grumpy is going to land on Posada. Maybe a few games at 1st could snap him out of it but perhaps best see him until allstar break and upgrade at DH then? Has anyone else noticed that Arod's gone cold since missing a few games with injury? Is he 100%? And if he is not 100% and seemingly always nicked. Is it time he goes to DH (2012)?
Posted by: tim | May 11, 2011 01:20 AM |
Tim-
I think you are right about the timing, the Yankees don't want to embarrass Posada, so they will probably wait until July to see if he hits. Luckily, his replacement is down in Scranton- Montero.
As for A-Rod, I don't see the Yankees moving him to fulltime DH for at least three seasons. He still plays a good third so no reason to give up on his glove, unlike someone else on the left side of the infield....
Posted by: Peter![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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May 11, 2011 11:09 AM
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On Arod, I agree about his glove but if by playing him in field they reduce his bat by 25% effectiveness (dings and injuries) and they can extend his career by moving him to DH (we do have a fair few more years to go), isn't it more responsible to move him there early?
Posted by: tim | May 11, 2011 07:06 PM |