Sexson Here, Now, Use Him “Right”

Several reports out there now suggest that the Yankees and Richie Sexson have come to agreement where he will join New York’s big league team. One week ago, I called for this move - in terms of the Yankees going after Sexson - so, obviously, I agree with the call here (by Brian Cashman).

Now, the trick is to use Sexson in a correct manner. This means its an automatic that he starts at first base when a left-handed starter faces the Yankees - with no ifs, ands, or, buts…

And, you have to get him into some blow-out games, as early as possible, to allow him to keep his batting-eye for those games where he would start against a lefty. Lastly, there’s no way - barring an injury to Giambi - that Sexson should be allowed to start (at either 1B or DH) when the Yankees are facing a quality right-handed pitcher.

If you use Sexson in a manner contrary to this…he’s probably going to hurt the team more than he will help it.

July 17, 2008 | Filed Under Roster Moves

Comments

5 Responses to “Sexson Here, Now, Use Him “Right””

butchie22 on July 17th, 2008 5:48 pm

The Sexson move is very low impact.Yeah, he has hit lefties well this year and is decent defensively but not much else. Is this move going to change the season for the Yanks,heck no. If they want to be competitive they need a real impact bat and a starter. I have a feeling that Cash doesn’t want to go this route BUT Yankee fans want to make the playoffs and so do the bloody players.
mehmattski on July 17th, 2008 6:42 pm

I am on the other side of the fence on this low-risk move, mostly because I don’t have faith in Girardi using Sexson correctly.

Girardi has shown a preference for taking as many lefty bats out of the lineup as possible when facing ANY left handed pitcher. If Sexson’s presence means that Jason Giambi (and his .903 OPS against lefties) is out of the lineup, that will make me angry.

In that case, Cashman/Girardi better come out and say that Jorge Posada will not be catching the rest of the year; that would be the only acceptable excuse to have Jose Molina in the lineup rather than Jason Giambi.
vabeach40 on July 17th, 2008 8:18 pm

I agree with using Sexon only against lefties. Steve, may I ask your opinion regarding the Yankees signing Bonds?
OnceIWasAYankeeFan on July 17th, 2008 10:16 pm

To the extent that there is a tiny chance that Richie Sexson will outslug Wilson Betamit, he’s a better choice against lefties.

But realistically, he’s a big, goofy-looking free swinger who is at an age where his skills can be reasonably suspected of being in total free fall.
Steve Lombardi on July 18th, 2008 8:41 am

vabeach40, see:

http://tinyurl.com/6h5mck