The Yankees must go through a few changes in terms of their offense and defensive allignment if they want to improve in 2012. I have a few changes in mind. Though some may be far fetched, a man can dream.
The Yankees should start by having Jesus Montero split time at the Designated Hitter slot with Alex Rodriguez. Montero would be the DH against right handed pitchers and Rodriguez DH against lefties.
The reason Jesus Montero wouldn't DH against lefties is because he would be converted to left field in place of Gardner, who hit a mere .233 against left handed pitchers last season while Montero hit .500. Also, Montero has a good arm and hasn't been a catcher long enough to have bad knees. I think Montero would make a competent left fielder.
Meanwhile, Alex Rodriguez, whose performance has begun to slip because of a recent string of injuries, needs to get some time off while staying in the lineup. Having him DH against lefties would be a perfect way to keep his bat in the lineup.While Rodriguez is the DH, Nunez would play third. I know Nunez made twenty errors this seasons, but only six of them were as a third baseman.
Lineup vs RHP
1. SS Derek Jeter
2. CF Curtis Granderson
3. 2B Robinson Cano
4. 3B Alex Rodriguez
5. 1B Mark Teixeira
6. DH Jesus Montero
7. RF Nick Swisher
8. C Russell Martin
9. LF Brett Gardner
Lineup vs LHP
1. SS Derek Jeter
2. CF Curtis Granderson
3. 2B Robinson Cano
4. DH Alex Rodriguez
5. 1B Mark Teixeira
6. LF Jesus Montero
7. RF Nick Swisher
8. C Russel Martin
9. Eduardo Nunez
To my beloved nephew. You can't relegate Alex to the bench with four years left on his contract, you don't know what that's going to do for his fragile ego. Plus having Nunez, an inexperienced Montero, and an aging Jeter on the left side, and the famous "short porch" on the right side, you've weakened your defense. Put Montero in Right Field every day (why treat him like Joba?.) Put Alex & Derek on the left side and keep Nunez as the utility guy for whichever old man breaks down at short or third. Plus two more suggestions. Unless he signs with another team, schedule a Jorge Posada Day! My schedule would be the same for lefties or righties.
ReplyDelete1. LF Gardner 2. CF Granderson 3. 1B Teixera 4. 2B Cano 5. 3B Rodriguez 6. SS Jeter 7. Jeter 8. C Martin 9. Swisher [Assuming no off-season trades]