Thursday, February 20, 2014

What Should the Yankees Batting Order Be This Season?

CHARLIE NEIBERGALL/AP

The Yankees go into the 2014 season with a dramatically different lineup than they did last year. They upgraded the outfield by going from the likes of Ichiro Suzuki and Vernon Wells, to Carlos Beltran, Jacoby Ellsbury, and a full season of Alfonso Soriano. Brian McCann steps in as the new starting catcher, a huge improvement there both offensively and defensively.
Still, the infield has become an absolute mess with the departure of Alex Rodriguez and Robinson Cano. Replacing them are Kelly Johnson and Brian Roberts, who has played just 192 games since 2010. They have to count on Mark Teixeira and Derek Jeter to be healthy yet they played just a combined 32 games last year. 
So, while they are much better than last year, they seriously lack the centerpiece that they had in Cano. They'll probably be more balanced, given the speeds of guys like Ellsbury and Brett Gardner and the power of McCann and Soriano. But still, not having that main guy is going to be problem, as none of these guys are entirely a guarantee. 
Based on splits vs. LHP/RHP, I've constructed what I think the lineup should be. Now, it probably won't happen, as it's more than likely Jeter will bat at the top of the order behind Ellsbury because it's Derek Jeter. 

vs. RHP
Dale Zanine, USA TODAY Sports

CF Jacoby Ellsbury (.328/.374/.489/.863)
LF Brett Gardner (.285/.357/.410/.767)
RF Carlos Beltran (.315/.362/.509/.871)
1B Mark Teixeira (.239/.331/.438/.770)*
C Brian McCann (.266/.357/.512/.869)
DH Alfonso Soriano (.236/.278/.456/.735)
SS Derek Jeter (.294/.346/.377/.723)*
3B Kelly Johnson (.218/.295/.429/.723)
2B Brian Roberts (.227/.303/.362/.665)
* using the splits from Jeter and Teixeira's last full seasons, both in 2012. 
Ellsbury and Gardner should be able to set the table quite easily against righties. Beltran and McCann both hit 17 homers off RHP last year and now their swings will be perfect for Yankee Stadium. Teixeira probably hits LHP better but he will still obviously try to hit it into the short porch batting left-handed. But it'll be interesting to see if Soriano and Jeter will still be able to be consistent given their advanced ages. 

vs. LHP
COREY SIPKIN/NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
CF Jacoby Ellsbury (.246/.323/.318/.641)
SS Derek Jeter (.364/.399/.542/.941)*
1B Mark Teixeira (.269/.333/.531/.865)*
DH Alfonso Soriano (.293/.349/.555/.904)
RF Carlos Beltran (.252/.281/.448/.729)
C Brian McCann (.231/.279/.337/.616)
2B Brian Roberts (.284/.327/.441/.768)
3B Kelly Johnson (.291/.337/.349/.686)
LF Brett Gardner (.247/.317/.427/.744)
* using the splits from Jeter and Teixeira's last full seasons, both in 2012. 
On the flip side, this lineup is going to have a huge problem trying to hit lefties this season. Other than Teixeira, Jeter, and Soriano (none who are givens), all struggle against them in the last few seasons. Johnson has one of the weirdest splits I've ever seen. Last year he hit for a bad average but hit 16 homers vs RHP, but hit .291 vs LHP but for zero homers. Roberts hit lefties very well in 77 games last season.


19 comments:

  1. What happens when we go into a NL ballpark? Does alfonso just sit for that day in your mind?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. May I answer you, thanks? LOL
      Against Righties, Yes!

      Delete
    2. Honestly I think it will just be a rotational thing.

      Game 1

      Gardner, Ellsbury, Beltran

      Game 2

      Soriano, Ellsbury, Gardner

      Game 3

      Soriano, Gardner, Beltran

      Delete
  2. Against righties....
    CF Jacoby Ellsbury (.328/.374/.489/.863)
    LF Brett Gardner (.285/.357/.410/.767)
    RF Ichiro Suzuki
    C Brian McCann (.266/.357/.512/.869)
    1B Mark Teixeira (.239/.331/.438/.770)*
    DH RF Carlos Beltran (.315/.362/.509/.871)
    SS Derek Jeter (.294/.346/.377/.723)*
    3B Nunez
    2B Dean Anna

    Against Righties....
    CF Jacoby Ellsbury (.246/.323/.318/.641)
    SS Derek Jeter (.364/.399/.542/.941)*
    1B Mark Teixeira (.269/.333/.531/.865)*
    DH Alfonso Soriano (.293/.349/.555/.904)
    RF Carlos Beltran (.252/.281/.448/.729)
    C Brian McCann (.231/.279/.337/.616)
    2B Brian Roberts (.284/.327/.441/.768)
    3B Kelly Johnson (.291/.337/.349/.686)
    LF Brett Gardner (.247/.317/.427/.744)

    ReplyDelete
  3. I think Mark Teixeira is tailor made for this team as the 5th hitter as much as Carlos Beltran is for the third spot... righties or lefties... just my 2 cents. Soriano cleans up as well.

    Jeter is a great #2 hitter and he is there on my list. I know the splits don't agree with that but still, it's Jeter. He isn't batting 7th. Not unless you want the stadium burnt down. I know you mentioned that it wouldn't happen and are just relaying what the stats say, just saying.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am sorry Daniel, I was interrupted and didn't finish the thing...

      Against Righties
      CF Jacoby Ellsbury (.328/.374/.489/.863)
      LF Brett Gardner (.285/.357/.410/.767)
      DH RF Carlos Beltran (.315/.362/.509/.871)
      C Brian McCann (.266/.357/.512/.869)
      1B Mark Teixeira (.239/.331/.438/.770)*
      RF Ichiro Suzuki
      SS Derek Jeter (.294/.346/.377/.723)*
      2B Dean Anna
      3B Nunez

      Against Lefties

      CF Jacoby Ellsbury (.246/.323/.318/.641)
      SS Derek Jeter (.364/.399/.542/.941)*
      RF Carlos Beltran (.252/.281/.448/.729)
      DH Alfonso Soriano (.293/.349/.555/.904)
      1B Mark Teixeira (.269/.333/.531/.865)*
      C Brian McCann (.231/.279/.337/.616)
      2B Brian Roberts (.284/.327/.441/.768)
      3B Kelly Johnson (.291/.337/.349/.686)
      LF Brett Gardner (.247/.317/.427/.744)

      I disagree with Jeter hitting at #2 slot except with a lefty out there. The idea is to win games not make a PLAYER look good. I just don't see him producing as he once did...do you really want Ryan to hit in the #2 slot when he comes in, in the late innings?
      I like having speed and power mixed back to back to back, #9-Nunez, #1-Ells and #2-Brett!

      Delete
    2. If you believe Joe Girardi he said he wouldn't be doing much late game replacing for Jeter.. so the late inning replacement thing I don't worry about as much.

      Delete
    3. Daniel...
      I did comment about that a few days(?) ago when someone Hal(?), or whomever said Ryan was a late inning replacement for Jeter.
      I said something like...Jeters ego would not allow such a thing to happen! Unless he is going to be as bad as the experts think he will be, it is impossible to take him out of a game. I mean he isn't one of those two bit 3rd basemen we had is he?

      Delete
  4. My last post, I always hold up my end! Thanks very much for allowing me to comment on this site!

    ReplyDelete
  5. ROCKET....not again ?
    What brought this on ? You were splendid.
    Put that old, beat up Irish body in a cold shower....and come back swinging.... Don't be like 'Ballpark '.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Get one back, lose another. Can't win for losing.

      Delete
    2. ROCKET REED....now of the pink Irish.
      You are not going to leave me here on the skirmish line, on my own ?
      You are not allowed to do that. We have too many miles, and too many years together.
      I can not see what caused this. Are you feeling alright ? Want to talk ?

      I've known many old Irish women in my years....they confused me also.
      Remember Ballpark ?...don't be like him !!.......................................................patrick.

      Delete
    3. Another ignored email, another slap in the face. Washed my hands. Didn't beg twasp, won't beg Ken.

      Delete
    4. Daniel....Don't beg anyone, and don't take any of this personally.
      You will hear from Ken....................................................patrick.

      Delete
    5. I did, didn't like the answer I got.

      Delete
    6. Daniel....slide over, son. Let me do the heavy lifting.
      You stay focused on your boys, and all the work you do here.
      **Who is the young boy, holding a bat.....in that recent post of yours ?

      Delete
  6. Daniel..............thanks for the heads-up. Thought it was you / or your oldest son.
    Will talk to you Sunday. ......Playing tunes tonight, and trying to charm Anne Marie.
    We'll get the wheels back on the tracks. Take care.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If that doesn't work, alcohol always does. Good luck Pat.

      Delete

Sorry for the Capatcha... Blame the Russians :)