February 23, 2008
Jeter in the Outfield
Via WasWatching, Jeter says no to a position shift:
Many scouts believe Jeter would be able to make an easy transition to the outfield, where his speed, strong arm and terrific instincts would make him a natural. Asked about the possibility, Jeter waves off the question before it's finished.
"I ain't going out there," Jeter said. "It's not as easy as it sounds to just pick up a glove and say, 'I'm going to be an outfielder today.' It doesn't work like that."
As for his current position, Jeter feels he's a better shortstop now than he was during the early years of his career thanks to experience. By making the necessary adjustments on a regular basis, Jeter is constantly addressing what he feels are his strengths and weaknesses in the field. Just don't ask him what those are.
"I'll leave that to the computers to figure out," he said with a grin.
He doesn't move to his left or right well.
Posted by David Pinto at
09:50 AM
|
Defense
|
TrackBack (0)
So he can't move left or right well...isn't that a lot of what being a good shortstop is?
Disappointed to hear that. I think that after Damon's and Matsui's contracts expire after 2009, Jeter would be well suited--at 35--to shift to LF, providing the Yanks can find an adequate SS replacement (Carmen Angelini won't be ready that quickly). I think he could take to such a switch much as Robin Yount did, and it would help him in his pursuit of 3000---or even 3500---hits.
Remind me again why it's A-Rod who is considered the selfish a****le on the Yankees? If Jeter was really the leader that his sycophants claim he is, he would have volunteered to switch positions when A-Rod arrived, and they wouldn't be stuck now with an aging player at a key defensive position that he's never been very good at anyway.