May 22, 2006
The Long of It
SB at Replacement Level Yankees Weblog details the moves the Yankees made recently due to injuries (you really need a scorecard at this point). He doesn't like the Terrance Long move at all:
2)Yankees purchased the contract of outfielder Terrence Long from Triple-A Columbus.
In case you were wondering what I was referring to as asinine and stupid. Long's a bad defensive OF who has broken a .400 SLG mark once in the last 4 years, and had the following OBP over the last 4 seasons, .298,.293,.335,.321. But, since he's now 30, expect him to get priority in Joe Torre's pecking order over people who have the potential to be better than mediocre.
I don't think the Yankees outfield is in bad shape right now. Cabrera is hitting and getting on base. When Sheffield returns, you move Melky to left and see what happens. It would be nice to see him hit for power, but the Yankees should be able to live with a .395 OBA. And if he works out well, maybe the Yankees let Sheffield go at the end of the season and start making themselves a bit younger.
I would love to see Melky be the rightfielder of the future. He has put great at bats on Schilling, Beckett and Wagner (off the top of my head). I believe he was only one of two Yankees to get hits off Vicente Padilla. He's only making like 200,000 grand too. Oust Sheff.
Say what you want about Sheff's contract and sour disposition, but the man strikes fear in the hearts of opposing pitchers. Not exactly the same effect when 'Melky' walks up to the plate..
I agree and disagree with both of the above. Melky is the outfielder of the future, but Sheff is the outfielder of the present. With Hideki out for the rest of the season and A-Rod hitting into double plays with the go-ahead run on base, we need Sheffield. Unless you want to rely on Jeter to get EVERY clutch hit for the rest of the season. When Sheff returns, put Melky in left and let Bubba spot start when Sheff and Damon need to DH. Bernie should not be playing nearly as many games as he is now down the stretch.
For several years now, the Yankees have spent heavily on their front line and neglected their reserves. They've had a weak bench -- and the callup of Terrence Long indicates that they've failed to stockpile useful Quad-A type players at Columbus. The Red Sox, by contrast, have made a point of keeping useful players on the bench (Gabe Kapler, Dave Roberts, Alex Cora) and in Triple-A (Adam Stern, Hee-Seop Choi, Enrique Wilson). I believe Bill James once wrote that over the course of a full season, the "bench" plays at least as much as one regular. Teams have lost pennants for lack of a bench; in an injury-plagued season, it could cost the Yankees a playoff spot.
Let's not exagerate - the Yankees have overlooked pitching in the past, but Cairo, Crosby, and Philips are just as servicable as Kapler (gone), Roberts (gone), and Cora. I think the combination of the Bill James quote and the reference to Hee-Seop Choi as s "useful" player is evidence of a Red Sox fan. I'd rather have Durazo at AAA than Choi.
i thought sheff walking was already decided? wasn't the decision not to pick up the option made already?
"wasn't the decision not to pick up the option made already?" No, Shef was pushing Cashman to pull the trigger during Spring Training. Cashman push the decision off, but he did not pass. Sheff has been pissed since, and that's always good fun.
Terrence Long is starting in the Yankees' outfield? Wow. I can't really add much to that. Terrence Long.
Actually, I take that back, I can: I never thought I'd see Johnny Damon, Jason Giambi, and Terrence Long in the same lineup after the 2001 ALDS, but wow, there they are. It almost brings a tear to my eye.