At 23, if Melky hit 15 HR 70 RBI as a number 9 hitter that would not be too bad. He will never be a star, but I suspect his power and OBP will improve as he matures.

FWIW, Melky also strikes me as a guy with intangibles. The kind of player who could come up big in a short playoff series with good defense, a strong arm and an ugly but well placed bloop hit against an ace pitcher.

then Hank does something stupid because he thinks he’s smarter than his baseball people.

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Somehow I think that’s going to happen no matter what the scenario.

I’d rather have a stronger team a couple seasons down the line than one that makes the playoffs this year in much the same manner as they have in the past few years.
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They’re in a position where they can not only make the playoffs, but be a stronger ballclub.

What I don’t want to happen is that they miss the playoffs (or make the playoffs and not go far), then Hank does something stupid because he thinks he’s smarter than his baseball people.

Many of the games that they lost were quite winnable. This team can make the playoffs.

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I don’t disagree with that, but I’d rather have a stronger team a couple seasons down the line than one that makes the playoffs this year in much the same manner as they have in the past few years.

The point is you can’t expect to have someone who has .900 OPS or more at every position…
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I don’t think I said that, nor do I expect that. This is the point; as a player, does _____ hurt or help the team? Everything else, order in the lineup, position played, salary, is irrelevant.

You read far too much into my post, which was highlighting the fact that the game is played offensively and defensively. He may save runs with his glove, but he may cost runs with his bat.

They could do better if the focus wasn’t on winning every game at the same time.
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Many of the games that they lost were quite winnable. This team can make the playoffs.

Does he cost less runs than the average 9 hitter? I guess so. But that doesn’t mean he’s not costing runs.

Personally, I like Melky and I think he’ll snap out of it eventually. With his arm, he only needs to be around league average with the bat to be help the team. He’s not there right now. If he hit this way for another three seasons, I’d be worried, but quite frankly, I couldn’t care less this season. I look at it as rebuilding and they’re doing OK in that respect. They could do better if the focus wasn’t on winning every game at the same time.

Raf- then why not replace Jeter or Cano? They are actually hitting worse than Melky OPS+ wise.

Obviously I know that isn’t going to happen though but it’s not Melky’s fault that there are guys on the team who are underperforming. I don’t see why he should be the one who takes the fall because others aren’t playing as well as they should or because someone like ARod or Posada gets hurt. He doesn’t back them up, that’s on the bench to step it up.

It’s not like the Yankees offense has been that bad this season, they are actually third in OPS+ and 6th in runs. The problem is their pitching is not consistent enough.

The point is you can’t expect to have someone who has .900 OPS or more at every position…obviously he’s not the best OF in the world but if you replace him with someone better it’s going to cost you something either money or talent…and you most certainly can compare him to other 9 hitters because that is the competition…if your 9 hitter is better than most other teams 9 hitters than that is an advantage for you team no?

Raf we know you don’t like Melky but he is 9 hitter
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Actually, I’m fairly indifferent…

But the idea that “the Yankees can afford to keep Melky in the lineup aslong as he is hitting 8th or 9th because they have other guys who fit into the other slots in the lineup just fine” is a dangerous idea to take, because you’re making the assumption that the offense will always be firing on all cylidners. For example, no one expected that Cano & Jeter would be doing as bad as they have. No one expected Rodriguez & Posada to miss as much time as they have. That considerably shortens the lineup.