Abreu: Why Does He Bat Third?

In his last 50 games this season, covering 218 PA, Bobby Abreu’s BA/OBA/SLG line is: .254/.326/.431

And, in his last 25 games this season, covering 110 PA, Bobby Abreu’s BA/OBA/SLG line is: .237/.327/.371

Yet, in 78 of the 87 games that Abreu has played for the Yankees this season, he’s batted third - where your best hitter should reside.

I don’t get it. I really just don’t get it.

People like to complain about Joe Girardi batting Melky Cabrera in the lead-off spot at times - and, they should - but, we don’t hear much about the strange call to continue running Abreu out there in the three-hole. Why?

July 9, 2008 | Filed Under The Airing of Grievances

Comments

5 Responses to “Abreu: Why Does He Bat Third?”

gphunt on July 9th, 2008 12:43 pm

But he walks and takes so many pitches….oh wait that was the Abreu of old.

So who’s the new 3 hole hitter? Giambi?
Steve Lombardi on July 9th, 2008 2:03 pm

Maybe Posada as a DH - or Matsui if he comes back…
antone on July 9th, 2008 2:28 pm

They should bat ARod 3rd and Giambi 4th…drop Abreu to 6th and bat Posada or Matsui when healthy in the 5 hole…if Posada and Matsui are both playing then bat Abreu 7th and Cano 8th
Steve Lombardi on July 9th, 2008 4:24 pm

Or, if Damon comes back…

Bat Damon 1, Gardner 2, Jeter 3…
and have Abreu bat 7th, with A-Rod 4th, Giambi 5th and Posada 6th.
July 9th vs. The Rays : WasWatching.com on July 9th, 2008 4:46 pm

[...] I called out Bobby Abreu this morning - and he gets the game-winner today, in extras, his first Yankees walk-off hit…and he gets the Gatorade Bucket too (with Cano and Cabrera playing the roles of Jim Burt and Harry Carson). [...]