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Yanks Could Use a Designated Hitter


By Mike Silva ~ January 14th, 2012. Filed under: New York Yankees.

The Yankees pulled off a coup last night when they acquired Michael Pineda from the Seattle Mariners for top prospect Jesus Montero. I wrote about the impact of the deal in detail, but the one thing we all must remember is how it was the offense, not the pitching, that let the Yankees down in the ALDS. Looking towards 2012, can you feel comfortable the offense won’t do the same again? The bottom third of the Yankees order looks a bit light without a full-time DH, and the health/decline of some of the veterans is cause for concern.

The Yankees scored 867 runs last season; good for second in all of baseball. They struggled against a league average Detroit staff in the ALDS despite only facing Justin Verlander one time. Over a third of their production in the Series came during a 10-run outburst in Game 4.

The hope going into this season was that Montero would provide them the right handed pop from the DH slot to complement lefties such as Curtis Granderson and Robinson Cano, as well as switch-hitters like Mark Teixeira and Nick Swisher, who drop-off against left handed pitching. You also can no longer rely on A-Rod to stay healthy and produce like he did earlier in his Yankees career. Don’t forget how we saw the offense go into the doldrums for stretches last season.

We keep hearing about the Yankees budget, but the signing of Hiroki Kuroda to a 1-year/$10 million dollar contract proves the Yanks will spend on shorter term deals. I believe they could import a veteran DH and still use the position to rotate for other positional players. Johnny Damon, Vladimir Guerrero, and Hideki Matsui are still out there. Carlos Pena is also still without a job. With spring training a month away, I believe any or all of these players could potentially be had for a reasonable deal.

Guerrero is the most interesting fit since he is right-handed. No longer the star we saw in Montreal and Los Angeles, Guerrero still hit .290 with 13 home runs with Baltimore last year. He is also just 2 years removed from a .300/29/115 season with Texas. You aren’t looking for him to be a middle-of- the- order producer, rather someone who can balance the lineup and add some pop towards the bottom third. He made a little over $7 million dollars last year, but is now 37 years old and won’t get close to that money guaranteed on the open market. This could be a good value signing.

The two sentimental picks would be former Yankees Damon and Matsui. It’s no secret that Damon has been looking to get back in the fold since he priced himself out of pinstripes during the winter of 2009. Damon actually hit better against LHP (.812 OPS) than RHP (.715) last year. His bat, like Guerrero, isn’t the same, but he looked to have a bit more in the tank than Vlad. Knowing the long memory that Brian Cashman has its unlikely the Yankees would go down this path.

As for Matsui, he dropped off considerably in Oakland last year, producing the worst offensive season (.696 OPS) of his career. Perhaps hitting in a naked lineup and in the horrible Oakland Coliseum had something to do with it. His bat was much perkier on the road and he hit .297 during the second half of the season. He made only $4 million last year, so this might be a real bargain if he is still healthy and willing to play at a discount. He also, like Damon, hits LHP very well.

Carlos Pena would cost a bit more, but he is the only one mentioned where there is precedent of interest. The Yankees claimed him off waivers this past August, but they couldn’t come to an agreement with the Cubs. I could see Pena hit 40 home runs at Yankee Stadium, and even spell Mark Teixeira with equally good defense at first base. He will be the most expensive of all, undoubtedly asking for at least $10 million dollars guaranteed. Remember, Scott Boras is his agent. Also remember, it would make the Yankees very left-handed heavy and Pena, unlike Damon and Matsui, struggles against southpaws to the tune of a career .210 batting average.

The Yankees made a great deal last night for the long and short term health of the pitching staff. They need to complement it with a veteran DH signing; similar to how they jumped in and signed Kuroda to a reasonable 1-year deal.

Mike Silva is a freelance writer and radio host since March of 2007. This website is his own personal "digest" of New York Baseball He's also hosts NYBD Radio on Blog Talk Radio and 1240 AM WGBB. Check out his sports media commentary at www.sportsmediawatchdog.com. Check out his official website, www.mikesilvamedia.com
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22 Responses to Yanks Could Use a Designated Hitter

  1. Saket
    January 14th, 2012 at 10:11 am

    I’d love to see Matsui back in pinstripes. He and Damon are the sentimental favorites. I also think Boras is on the phone with Cashman right now talking up Prince. Unlikely to happen though.

  2. Mike Silva
    January 14th, 2012 at 10:18 am

    Saket

    I think you are right, Boras would love to get the Yanks in the bidding for Fielder, however I doubt they go that length for a hitter. Maybe 5 years ago George would – not the fiscally restrained Yankees.

  3. root_thing
    January 14th, 2012 at 11:47 am

    Damon or Matsui would be perfect. The Yankees don’t need more power — they need someone who can get a single in a clutch situation. A home-run-or-nothing player like Pena is the last thing they need!

  4. Chuck Johnson
    January 14th, 2012 at 11:48 am

    I don’t see the Yankees filling any positional needs through free agency.

    I think they will trade some of their now useless young arms (Betances/Phelps/Warren, maybe even Banuelos or Hughes) for a Martin Prado/Michael Cuddyer type, a guy with a decent presence in the batter’s box who offers multi-positional value on the field.

  5. Joseph DelGrippo
    January 14th, 2012 at 11:50 am

    Title:

    “Yanks Could Use a Designated Hitter”

    Should have been: Yanks Could Use a RH Middle of the Order Hitter.

    But, they had one and traded him.

    Damon, Matsui and Guerrero are all over the hill, done as major threat hitters. And Pena is a first baseman who gets on base at a 36% clip, but whiffed 162 times last year. No on him either.

    To plop any of them as a DH would hurt the Yankees roster.

    With the Yankees getting older, they need more youth and versatility with their new position player opening. Any of the above retreads can’t play any position with any effectiveness.

    Plus, I believe from now on, Cashman is staying away from anything to do with Scott Boras. So no Prince Fielder.

    Now that Cano is a Boras client, only deal Cash needs to make now is an extension for Robbie. Give Cano a little better Carlos Gonzalez type deal (6/110), and be done with Boras for good.

  6. Joseph DelGrippo
    January 14th, 2012 at 11:52 am

    Basically, I was writing my thoughts when Chuck posted his say.

    I agree that versatility is the key for the now open spot.

  7. Michael Maggi
    January 14th, 2012 at 12:24 pm

    Prado is THE perfect fit for this team. Can play 2B, 3B, LF, DH when needed.

  8. Mike
    January 14th, 2012 at 6:09 pm

    I like the idea of taking a flier on Vladimir. He would be a decent part time DH and bat off the bench. We aren’t asking him to produce the huge numbers he used to…. Just a bottom third of the order hitter who would balance out the lineup.

  9. Russ Cress
    January 14th, 2012 at 7:18 pm

    I don’t think the Yankees NEED a DH.

    What they need for the long term is a quality young 3B, that way they can move A-Rod to DH

    I know people are going to scream “You can’t pay a guy 30 million to DH” but I’d rather have 4 productive years from a 30 million dollar DH than 2 from a 30 million dollar 3B.

    A-Rod’s hip is a time bomb and moving him to DH before it turns to dust is the best move long term

    Prado, is a guy I don’t love but he may be a fit in a way. Since we know Atlanta is one of the teams (along with Pittsburgh) who are willing to take A.J. if the Yanks eat a bunch of money, an AJ + like 14 million bucks for Prado (3 million before arbitration) could make sense

  10. mike farrell
    January 14th, 2012 at 10:16 pm

    Why not look at a permenent long ferm dh/1b. Prince Fielder? Could rezt tex at first and play 60 games at 1st.

  11. Chuck Johnson
    January 14th, 2012 at 10:52 pm

    Hey Mike, can you get me Loretta Swit’s autograph?

  12. Stu B
    January 15th, 2012 at 12:35 am

    @Russ: The Braves have Tim Hudson, Jair Jurrjens, Tommy Hanson, Brandon Beachy, and Mike Minor, all of whom are arguably better than Burnett, plus Randall Delgado and Julio Teheran on the horizon. What use do they have for Burnett?

    When proposing a deal for the Yankees, try to consider the needs of both teams, not just those of the Yankees.

  13. James
    January 15th, 2012 at 2:24 am

    How can you call this pulling off a ”coup” when the rest of your article is about the big hole it created in the lineup? It was a great trade for both sides, for sure, not a coup. Not even sure the Yankees got the better of this, given the availability of pitching on the free agent market and scarcity of big bats. I don’t think you even agree with yourself!

  14. Daler
    January 15th, 2012 at 6:17 am

    Am I nuts to say just sign Prince. 5 yrs. 20 per. Opt out after 3. He hits 50+ in YS behind Cano.

  15. Daler
    January 15th, 2012 at 6:18 am

    Call me crazy 2. U really think boras met w Hal about Ed Jackson??? No chance.

  16. Daler
    January 15th, 2012 at 6:20 am

    #3. I can see Hughes for Dominic Brown. Helps both. N Kennedys great yr should make NL gm’s die for Hughes.

  17. Alex
    January 16th, 2012 at 1:01 am

    Get Guerrero. It’s a no brainer. People underestimate him. If there is people on base, Guerrero is a very dangerous hitter. Problem with Baltimore was there was no one on base! When bases are empty, you can pitch around Guerrero, when you have people on in scoring position, he makes you pay. Perfect for the yankees.

  18. Brien Jackson
    January 16th, 2012 at 1:10 pm

    “Perfect for the yankees.”

    Except for the part where they already have a right-handed DH on the roster (who hits southpaws better than Vlad these days) and Vlad doesn’t hit left-handed.

  19. Joseph DelGrippo
    January 16th, 2012 at 4:40 pm

    Brien,

    If you are referring to Andruw Jones as the right handed DH, I would be very hesitant in using him much as a DH. If Jones starts a game as a DH, then Gardner has to play against a LHP, which leaves the Yankees without a backup outfielder. I am not interested in Chris Dickerson for a full time bench spot.

    With their current open positional roster spot, it is imperative for the Yankees to get a very versatile type who can fill in at the infield corners with an ability to play outfield.

    That guy appears to not be in the Yankee system right now.

    Chavez is perfect for the LH corner infield guy, but who can trust him anymore and with his injury history, I wouldn’t want him running around a vast outfield.

    Brandon Laird can fill an IF/OF role but not sure if he will hit well enough or play great defense to compensate for a lesser bat.

    I believe it is important to keep Jones as 4th OF, and mix Nunez in most IF positions to get 3-4 starts a week.

  20. rj
    January 17th, 2012 at 10:20 am

    Minor correction: Guerrero isn’t 40; he’s soon to be 37.

  21. Mike Silva
    January 17th, 2012 at 11:33 am

    Thanks for the catch – that’s what happens when you talk about too many 40-year old DHs!

  22. Chuck Johnson
    January 17th, 2012 at 4:12 pm

    I think you’re both right.

    Thirty-seven is Guerrero’s baseball age, but 40 is probably what’s on his birth certificate.

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