How To Fix The Yankees
The question of “OK, Steve, if you are the Big Stein, what is your first move? [to fix the Yankees]” came up in the comments section of another WasWatching.com entry. I wanted to think about it for a bit – but, now, I have my answer.
So far this season, when the Yankees score 4 runs or less in a game, their record is 6-18. And, when they score 5 or more runs in a game, their record is 21-6. That’s a big difference.
Since there’s not much that the Yankees can do with their pitching situation, in terms of changes, looking at the win-loss records with the runs scored splits, my “first move” would be to aim to score 5 or more runs per game – more often.
And, when it comes to the Yankees hitters, any improvements that can be done are limited to the positions of 1B, 2B, LF, CF, and DH.
For those positions, I think most Yankees fans would say, at this point in the season, Tino should be at first, Cano should play 2B, Sierra should be in LF, Matsui plays CF, and Bernie is the DH.
And, I would go with a line-up of:
Jeter SS
Williams DH
Sheffield RF
Rodriguez 3B
Matsui CF
Sierra LF
Posada C
Martinez 1B
Cano 2B
It would be nice to see what that team could do, for 6 weeks, if just left alone to play.
Giambi is benched and Womack runs for the 6-7-8 hitters, where needed.
But, they would never listen to me, right?
I agree with the emphasis on the lineup….you would think that Johnson, Pavano, Mussina, Brown and whoever as #5 is much better than most rotations.
The lineup has been shuffled more times than a standard black jack shoe (7 decks). I’m actually a bit surprised at the lack of patience Torre has had in keeping a standard lineup…which is probably not so much his decision, but a mandate from above.
Womack was brought in to play 2B- and since he is not playing 2B anyomre- I agree he should be a late inning replacement to run or field for Sierra.
Tino/Giambi is a toss up for me. I’m still miffed that they let Olerud go and now he landed with the Sox….
I should clarify…from a lineup standpoint- Tino and Giambi are a toss up for me….I still think that Giambi brings an element of fear to pitchers and they still aren’t challenging him. Maybe I’m a diluted fan- but I still think Giambi has gas in the tank.
but defensively- no doubt I want Tino
Sierra in LF? I already think that outfield defense is a major weakness for this team (the main reason behind the very poor defensive efficiency) and I hardly think that adding another statue in left would be the answer. I do admit that replacing Womack with Sierra in the lineup is a major upgrade, but with the step down in defense from marginally adequate Womack to terrifyingly bad Sierra may erase those gains. I’d much rather see Bernie in LF and Sierra as the DH.
I think you’ve hit on the man who needs replacing, though. You won’t find too many fan pundits who feel Womack deserves a spot in the lineup. The best replacement may have to come from outside of the organization, though. If the Yanks go hunting for one, I’d love to see them find some AAAA outfielder with a good glove and a marginally productive bat. They don’t need a big name, they need someone who can catch the ball and not be a black hole in the lineup. Such a player ought to come relatively cheap and could solidify the team all the way around. You don’t need an all-star at every position to win, you just don’t want to flush lineup slots. Womack would be a perfect utility man (2B/SS/LF/RF and PRunner).
Put Bernie in LF, let Giambi DH, play Tino @ 1st. Keep Sierra & Womack on the bench.
I honestly don’t see what Torre’s fascination with Reuben Sierra is
Funny you should bring up the 5 run theory. Steve Bonner pointed that out last year too (sadly his blog is no longer active and his archives are not accessible). Towards the end of the season Kaat even mentioned the stat. I wonder if it’s true for most teams or if it’s just the Yankees’ magic number.
“They don’t need a big name, they need someone who can catch the ball and not be a black hole in the lineup”
How about Mike Cameron? Where’s Bobby Higinson (circa 2000) when you need him?
I needed to come somewhere and vent. The freakin’ Yankees and Randy freakin’ Johnson are losing 3-0 in the 3rd inning. This is absolutely enfuriating. Even if they come back and win this is not the RJ we need to be seeing and my patience is gone.
a 3 run CG?
can’t really argue with that.
Would’ve liked Giambi & Sierra to work the count a bit better than they did
You can’t argue with a 3-run complete game but if last year’s RJ faces this year’s Royals line-up it probably would’ve been a 3-hit, 0 run, 13k complete game.
///Funny you should bring up the 5 run theory. Steve Bonner pointed that out last year too (sadly his blog is no longer active and his archives are not accessible). Towards the end of the season Kaat even mentioned the stat. I wonder if it’s true for most teams or if it’s just the Yankees’ magic number.///
Guessing, I would say it depends on a teams pitching. If a team has terrible pitching, the number would be higher than 5 – the magic number that is. And, if they had great pitching, maybe their magic number is 4?
“I think most Yankees fans would say, at this point in the season . . . Sierra should be in LF”
What?!?!?! Are you insane?! What Yankee fans have you been talking too? Sierra shouldn’t be allowed within 100 yards of a fielder’s mitt. I’m not even sure he should be allowed to have a roster spot, let alone a place in the starting line-up.
Also, Phil: “whoever as #5″? I suppose you’re leaving that open for Wright’s return, but if Wang is removed from this rotation it will be the biggest mistake this team has made all year. Yes, bigger than starting Tony Womack and batting him second.
Cliff – I’d take Sierra in LF for the first 7 innings and then a defensive caddy over Womack in LF. You wouldn’t?
my #5 starter comment was geared more towards the post season where it doesn’t matter after the first 4…..Brown v. Wang for the 4th spot.
Make the Yankees better? As a Yankee fan I dont think you can, what team other then us can take on these contracts.
posada is solid, 1st is ok with tino, but giambi is a joke, 2nd should be cano as womack has shown nothing but fast legs, ss and 3rd ar fine, sheffield and matsui play everyday…sierra should dh, move bernie to left….i know we are paying gimabi 100+ million but he is showing nothing. tell him he either needs to go to minor to find his stroke or he sits on bench no matter how much he is making. Fire cashman just for the fact of putting together this pitching staff…. johnson will eventually turn it around but we gave up way to much, jaret wright sucks, he sucked before and after we signed him, one OK season dont make a solid starter, pavano, had one season but is a decent pitcher but not for the $$$ we are paying, brown was a huge mistake, mussina is a workhorse.