January 07, 2008
Nick of Time?
Bleacher Banter thinks there is a high probability of Nick Johnson getting traded. I would think some team can pick him up rather cheaply at this point, given his injury risk and that he missed an entire season. I wonder if the Yankees try to acquire him again?
Posted by David Pinto at
01:39 PM
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I can't see it happening, Dave. It does appear as if they are committed to giving Shelley Duncan a shot, and probably using a 3-headed monster of Betemit, Duncan and maybe Giambi and splitting the time up. I would like to know what Washington's demands would start at.
Having said that, I wouldn't mind Nick at first. Good gap power---more for doubles than HR, an excellent eye, and in the lineup the Yanks have, he'd probably hit 8th, which would be amazing. A guy whose last two seasons (2005 and 2006) that saw OPS+ marks of 137 and 149 hitting 8th. His defense is clearly better than the three alternatives I have mentioned, and he is still just 29 years old.
It's too bad he can't stay healthy. Have you heard any word on how the broken leg suffered in late 2006 (and which cost him all of 2007) is healing? I think that would be anyone's main concern.
I saw an article that says he's running the bases and expects to be 100% by spring training.
I'd love to see the Angels give him a chance to DH. Maybe the Nationals could use one of our extra pitchers.
Might do the Nats some good by keeping Johnson and trading D'meat-hook.
Though judging by the contract Young got, I don't see that happening.
As much as I liked him as a Yankee, I'd rather see Duncan, Betemit, and Giambi rotate that "gap" in the defense rather than trade for Johnson, unless the person they trade away is Betemit or Duncan (or in a perfect world, the salary monster Giambi).
Johnson's been injured for what seems to be most of his career; it's probably best just to stay away from him at this point-- especially when he doesn't contribute something that would stand-out from a healthy replacement player.
wo, a lot of guys here are wrong, if they really could grab Nick without any serious prospect invovled they SHOULD.
The Betemit / Duncan platoon is a very good solution on the run due to the lack of better option. but Nick (if healthy) is a very very good 1B.
They could still use Duncan and Betemit off the bench anyway. (they have no obvious utility guy at this point if Betemit starts at 1B more often than not) the Yanks are very lefty heavy and could always use a righty that could bash every once in a while. and it's not like the lineup with be a picture of health that couldn't use some more depth.
The NYY are a little short on overpaid 1B/DH types