Monday, December 8, 2014

What Signing Headley Means For The Yankees And Prado

Earlier today it was reported that the Yankees were willing to go four years for David Roberton and Chase Headley. However, they would do so only if the average annual value of those four year deals went down.

This is good news, as I want both of those players back on the team. I spoke about the three-headed monster with Robertson, Miller, and Betances already, but now I want to bring up an important bit about re-signing Chase Headley.

While Headley is unlikely to replicate his 2012 batting numbers (.286/.376/.498, with 31 home runs), I'm willing to bet on him improving the .246/.338/.387 line he's put up over the past two seasons. The addition of Headley would mean that either Rob Refsnyder or Jose Pirela is knocked out of the starting lineup and to the bench, and even though both of those youngsters could be as productive with the bat as Chase would be, I'd feel more confident with the 30 year-old MLB veteran.

But the offensive ability of Headley is not why I'm writing this.

The fact is that without Chase Headley the positional flexibility that Martin Prado brings to the team becomes almost non-existent.

You see, due to Alex Rodriguez likely not being able to play much at third base, Prado would be stuck there the vast majority of the time. There are no more third basemen on the team.

But bring in Chase Headley, and all the sudden Joe Girardi can trot out a lot of different lineups without hurting the team either offensively or defensively. At least not by much. Here are a few examples...

Opening Day Lineup
1. Gardner - LF
2. Prado - 2B
3. Ellsbury - CF
4. Beltran - RF
5. McCann - C
6. Headley - 3B
7. Teixeira - 1B
8. Rodriguez - DH
9. Gregorius - SS

Beltran Needs A Day Off
1. Gardner - LF
2. Prado - RF
3. Ellsbury - CF
4. McCann - C
5. Headley - 3B
6. Teixeira - 1B
7. Rodriguez - DH
8. Gregorius - SS
9. Pirela - 2B

Rodriguez Needs A Day Off
1. Gardner - LF
2. Prado - RF
3. Ellsbury - CF
4. Beltran - DH
5. McCann - C
6. Headley - 3B
7. Teixeira - 1B
8. Gregorius - SS
9. Pirela - 2B

Teixeira Needs A Day Off (you know the meme)
1. Gardner - LF
2. Prado - 3B
3. Ellsbury - CF
4. Beltran - RF
5. McCann - C
6. Headley - 1B
7. Rodriguez - DH
8. Gregorius - SS
9. Pirela - 2B

Without Headley on the team, if Beltran needs a day off you have to put Chris Young in RF to start the game. If A-Rod needs a day off, then again... Chris Young. When Teixeira stubs his toe in the locker room before the game, and needs a day, then I guess they would put ARod at 1B, Beltran at DH, and Young again in RF.

What it comes down to is either playing Jose Pirela (or Rob Refsnyder) or Chris Young. And seeing as how Young hasn't hit over .236 since the 2010 season (1763 plate appearances... not a small sample size), I think we'd all rather give the youngster some playing time.

Get it done, Cash!

7 comments:

  1. Those lineups would look a lot better with Justin Upton in there. ;)

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  2. Like your site but your line ups r stupid there is no way Headley bats before tex. He's got no power. I really hope Headley gets his money somewhere else. I'm really looking forward to having some young guys up the middle.

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    Replies
    1. He gets on base more often, so Tex's power (his only attribute with the bat) doesn't lead to more solo home runs.

      Besides, I didn't give a whole lot of thought to the order, as that wasn't the point.

      But thanks for reading.

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    2. I'm pretty sure the switch hitters are stacked and interchangeable. I'd also prefer Teix to hit a little further down in the order because of his low batting average. The team is now being built on manufacturing runs and less on waiting for the three run home run.

      I'm not sure I bat Headley in front of Teix but like Bryan said, the lineups are not the point of the article. The point of the article is that Martin Prado's largest asset to the team is diminished if Headley does not come back.

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    3. That is a fact! Guys!
      As it stands right now, we know absolutely nothing about A-Rod and his ability (although, I give more credit to his talent than most)! Headley is a need for us, don't kid yourself one little bit fans!

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  3. I think A Rod will exceed expectations. He's had a long time to rest, heal, clear his head, etc. He'll be fine physically I think.

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    Replies
    1. Talent is there and IF his body can take it, he should do just fine. In a best case scenario, I would be happy with 100 productive games from him! And I hope he now understands he can't use that high leg kick at the plate anymore and, goes to using more upper body instead...he is plenty strong enough!

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