Yanks Need To Roll A Big 13 – Or A Nice 2, 20, 55 Combo In ’09
Via the Complete Baseball Encyclopedia – Yankees RCAA leaders for the period 2006 through 2008:
Player RCAA Alex Rodriguez 162 Jason Giambi 74 Derek Jeter 69 Jorge Posada 69 Johnny Damon 56 Bobby Abreu 55 Hideki Matsui 36 Robinson Cano 14 Cody Ransom 6 Kevin Thompson 2 Gary Sheffield 2 Juan Miranda 2 Kevin Reese 2 D. Mientkiewicz 1 Richie Sexson 0 Andy Cannizaro 0 Xavier Nady 0 Aaron Guiel 0 Chris Basak 0 Chris Stewart -1 F. Cervelli -1 Bernie Williams -1 J. Christian -1 B. Sardinha -1 Nick Green -2 Shelley Duncan -3 Terrence Long -4 Josh Phelps -4 Chad Moeller -5 Kelly Stinnett -5 Sal Fasano -5 Brett Gardner -6 Bubba Crosby -6 Morgan Ensberg -7 Ivan Rodriguez -8 Craig Wilson -8 Al. Gonzalez -10 Wil Nieves -10 Wilson Betemit -11 Miguel Cairo -17 Andy Phillips -19 Jose Molina -22 Melky Cabrera -32
Is it just me, or, are there a lot of zeros and negative numbers in there? Once you get past the big seven of A-Rod, Giambi, Jeter, Posada, Damon, Abreu and Matsui, there’s not that many big sticks to be seen, over the last three years, huh?
And, now, Giambi and Abreu are gone. Granted, Teixeira will fill in there nicely. But, if Jeter (-2 RCAA), Posada (-1 RCAA) and Matsui (6 RCAA) post numbers in 2009 like they did in 2008…well…that’s going to put a lot of pressure on A-Rod, Teixeira and Damon to have big seasons this year (and for Cano as well).
Damon should be good for his usual ~20 RCAA. But, what about Rodriguez and Teixeira?
In three of the last four years, Teixeira has been good for ~50 RCAA. But, A-Rod…shoot…he’s a roller-coaster.
In 2004, Alex had 35 RCAA. And, in 2005, it jumped up to 83 RCAA. But, then, in 2006, Alex was back down to 36 RCAA.
Granted, in 2007, Alex was back up to 82 RCAA. However, in 2008, it was back down to 44 RCAA.
Needless to say, it would truly help the Yankees in 2009 if A-Rod posted a season like his MVP ones from 2005 and 2007. If not, Jeter, Posada and Matsui are going to need to rebound from their terrible 2008 seasons.
In three of the last four years, Teixeira has been good for ~50 RCAA. But, A-Rod…shoot…he’s a roller-coaster.
In 2004, Alex had 35 RCAA. And, in 2005, it jumped up to 83 RCAA. But, then, in 2006, Alex was back down to 36 RCAA.
Granted, in 2007, Alex was back up to 82 RCAA. However, in 2008, it was back down to 44 RCAA.
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That seems a littttttttle unfair. Yes, he is up and down. But only in the sense that he goes from “slightly-below the expectations of A-Rod during the regular season” to “ungodly, historic statistical seasons.” We can argue about “when” he gets his hits and how important they are, but in terms of overall statistics A-Rod really doesn’t have much of a “down” year, even for his expectations. Generally speaking, he “gets his” and his aberations are more on the high end than the low end…… as least as far as I can tell.
For what Alex gets paid, I want to see at least 45 RCAA from him a season, IMHO. Anything less than that is not a good ROI.
True, it’s rude to expect 80+ from him, I agree.
But, something in the 50 to 70 range, again, for what he gets paid, is not unfair.
a-rod was also on the dl, so u can add a few RCAA for that no?
Is it just me, or, are there a lot of zeros and negative numbers in there?
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I wonder what the RCAA figures would show for the Red Sox, or for the Phillies, for the last three years?
That’s not snark; I’m wondering if the distribution pattern is the similar for other teams or not? Which leads to the question: has the Yankees rosters of the last several years been more “stars and scrubs” than other teams’ rosters?
I’d say it’s a pretty safe bet that if Posada is healthy he posts better than a -1 this season.
Matsui I’m not sure can stay healthy, so I’m just going to go into the season with little to no expectations of him.
I feel like Jeter is going to bounce back this year. He was solid in the second half of last season(.324/.388/.426/.815) and I think his injury early in the season led to his average start.
I’m wondering if the distribution pattern is the similar for other teams or not?
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This. It’s hard to judge how the Yankees are doing without comparing them to other teams.
Also, that Melky Cabrera guy sure sucks, doesn’t he? Though, to be fair, RCAA is just offense, right? So he’s probably not quite that bad when you take defense into consideration.
Also, is RCAA position-adjusted?
~~is RCAA position-adjusted?~~ No.
~~has the Yankees rosters of the last several years been more “stars and scrubs” than other teams’ rosters?~~
Good question. I don’t have CBE access at work. Anyone know?
It’s hard to judge how the Yankees are doing without comparing them to other teams.
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IIRC, they were middle of the pack offensively.
So he’s probably not quite that bad when you take defense into consideration.
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According to Fangraphs, he’s about average.
Given their value ratings, combining offense and defense, last year he should’ve paid the Yanks $200k.
But, something in the 50 to 70 range, again, for what he gets paid, is not unfair.
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Jeter gets paid just as handsomely and produces far less than A-Rod.
Your post essentially will be bookmarked by me for every time I have to hear about how A-Rod is this or that. The guy’s been the BEST player BY FAR on the Yanks and we’re nitpicking him over everything.
~~Jeter gets paid just as handsomely and produces far less than A-Rod.~~
I thought this was about A-Rod? But, FWIW, sure, Jeter is overpaid.
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