Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Unrealistic 2014 Free Agent Targets: Justin Morneau
Justin Morneau has been long coveted by the New York Yankees but the problem is he is a left handed first basemen and the Yankees already have one of those named Mark Teixeira. I know there is always that open designated hitter spot and the platoon option with Teixeira but I cannot see Morneau going for that or a short term contract that would be Yankees friendly. Morneau is entering his age 33 season but seems unlikely to accept a short term deal in the neighborhood of three years in my opinion.
We all know that Morneau can hit in Yankees Stadium, albeit mainly in the old Yankees Stadium, after the absolute show he put on in the 2008 Home Run Derby. His left handed smooth power swing would be tailored made for the short porch in Yankees Stadium and I would think his home runs, RBI's, and batting average would all benefit from playing in the house that George Steinbrenner built.
The only thing that worries me is Justin is hitting below his career triple slash of .278/.348/.485 with 28 home runs and over 100 RBI's and has for five out of the last six seasons. Is this a decline, is it too many injuries, is it bad luck? I don't really have the answer to that and I don't think we will get the answer to that before he signs a big money free agent deal this off season and I find that deal being very unlikely to come from the New York Yankees.
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As far as I am concerned, I would move Teixeira to 3B. The Yankees do not have a 3B for 2014; Teixeira has the range and arm to play 3B; his diminished bat does not justify 1B as Yankee Stadium; Teixeira played 3B in college and the minor leagues. Teams with guts make changes such as this. Bring on Justin Morneau at 1B.
ReplyDeleteWhile I like the way you think I still think it is unrealistic. I would personally do it but I cannot see Girardi doing it assuming he comes back
ReplyDeleteJustin's triple-slash the past 3 years is .256/.318/.408, while averaging 13 HR's a season. Not only is he NOT necessary, it's silly to ask Teixeira to move for him. Especially when you consider the fact that Tex's triple-slash between 2010 and 2012 is .252/.347/.484, while averaging 32 HRs a season. Outside of a few batting average points, Tex is better in every category.
ReplyDeleteI agree but you forgot to mention how lefty friendly and hitter friendly Yankees Stadium is and how pitcher friendly Target Field is in Minnesota... that's a huge factor when looking into triple slash numbers.
DeleteAn overrated factor if you ask me. Justin is simply not as good a hitter as he once was. Give him a few more home runs if you want to, but he's still not as productive as a healthy Teixeira.
DeleteI can't see how you call it overrated when I did not make the case for either using the park factor. And it is more than just home runs you can see some doubles, batting average, RBI's, etc increase with the change in the park. And while I admit and agree that Morneau is not the hitter he once was neither is Teixeira and we do not know what to expect after wrist surgery.
DeleteYou did not see Jose Bautista hitting 50 bombs this year did you?
I didn't say that one should disregard the short porch, but I think people take it too far. Teixeira can still hit 30 home runs, while Morneau would probably be in the 20 homer range. A few extra hits here or there doesn't make up the difference to me. If anything, it's a sideways deal.
DeleteBesides, playing Tex at 3B for Morneau to play 1B is crazy. Tex would cost us so much over at 3B.
Both players are on the decline..... Tex out of position doesn't seem like a good idea.....who thought this up?
ReplyDeleteOne of our followers on twitter said he played 3B in college
DeleteYeah, Daniel, but that doesn't mean he could do it now. Oldyankee07 was a figure skater in HS , but that doesn't mean he should join the IceCapades now.
ReplyDelete