Earlier today we took a look at whether the Yankees had enough at bats and baseballs to go around throwing both Alex Rodriguez and Chase Headley in the same infield next season and that got me thinking. What would next year’s lineup look like assuming everyone is healthy and back with the club next season including Headley and A Rod.
The thought intrigues me as having three switch hitters in
the lineup reminds me a lot of the dynasty Yankees and the 2000’s Yankees where
the success was there, just not in October. Having the right handed bat of
Rodriguez, again assuming health and productivity, balances out of a pretty
lefty heavy lineup as well which looks more like the Bronx Bombers of old then
what we have seen for the past two seasons.
This was just for fun really but this is the lineup I came
up with. I assumed that the Yankees would replace Brian Roberts at second base
with the right handed Robert Refsnyder and did not even attempt to make a
prediction at the Derek Jeter replacement. Let’s just assume he hits 9th
and is Brendan Ryan at this point but if it were Troy Tulowitzki or Hanley
Ramirez then obviously this lineup changes a lot.
Brett Gardner
Jacoby Ellsbury
Carlos Beltran
Mark Teixeira
Brian McCann
Chase Headley
Alex Rodriguez
Robert Refsnyder
That guy replacing Derek Jeter
I love having the two leadoff hitters at the top of the
lineup before the absolute barrage of switch hitters and McCann. If you wanted
to make things realty difficult for opposing managers to match up you could
plug in Headley, Rodriguez, or even Refsnyder in the second spot to break up
the lefties and become even more balanced. Either way you look at it that’s one
tough lineup to run through four times a night without giving up too many runs
and that’s just what the Yankees need after two years of dismal offenses and less
than stellar lineups.
Just as I commented on batting Ellsbury #1 and Brett #2 in a lefthanded way, Joe does it!
ReplyDeleteAs I stated my reasoning was; Ellsbury will have plenty of time to pick a pitch to run on! Whereas, with Ellsbury following Brett...Ells is not as patient as Brett, therefore, Brett will not get the chance to run as often.
I hope our third baseman will have had the sense to take a lesson from McCann in regards to getting his left foot down, if so, we may have a guy hitting very well with power and avg....not as before but, close enough!
Jacoby Ellsbury
Brett Gardner
Carlos Beltran
Mark Teixeira
Brian McCann
Alex Rodriguez
Chase Headley
Robert Refsnyder
That guy replacing Derek Jeter
You're probably right. I think Gardner is the better leadoff hitter, see's more pitches (although strikes out a ton) and gives the guys a good look at what the pitcher has that night. Ellsbury is a little more aggressive at the plate.
ReplyDeleteWhat works good in your lineup is Ellsbury is also more aggressive on the basepaths. Makes sense for Ellsbury to get on and have plenty of pitches to steal second on for Gardner to knock him in on.
Every player has their own game, if used properly, it can make the line-up much more productive. Old school says, split the two lefty's but, I say: "whatever it takes to win...works for me"!
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