Right, Chris
January 23, 2009, 8:41 pmOn October 8th, I put forth the following (bold) prediction:
This will allow for the following 2009 team:
Johnny Damon CF
Derek Jeter SS
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Manny Ramirez RF/DH
Jorge Posada C
Hideki Matsui DH/OF
Xavier Nady LF
Robinson Cano 2BCC Sabathia LHP
Chien-Ming Wang RHP
A.J. Burnett RHP
Andy Pettitte LHP
Joba Chamberlain RHP
Obviously, I was wrong about Manny and Andy is looking like a no-go. But, I prefaced this projection by saying that Manny was a longshot, so I sort of saved myself there. A.J. got more than I expected him to as well, which threw off the allocation of dollars. Also, although I predicted a 2010 signing of Matt Holliday, I do not think that will happen. While the team needs outfielders, I believe they’ll go another, cheaper route.
Most of my contract predictions were way too high, although I had CC (7/170) and AJ (5/80) both in New York and just about at the right price. I botched Tex, thought he’d stay West (but glad he came East!)
IT IS MORE LIKELY IF MANNY IS SIGNED HE WOULD DH OR PLAY LF AND NADY WOULD BE IN RIGHT. YOU SHOULD KNOW THIS
Making the assumption that Matsui after the 2 knee operations will be fine as far as hitting….and we’ll know that in ST. Also, “No Manny” at this point! What about this for the top of the order….Matsui’s numbers are eerily similar to Paul O’Neil in almost every offensive category,both are lefthanded bats, both mentally tough…. and I heard a rumor that it worked out okay with Paul as the number 3 hitter!
1)Johnny Damon CF
2)Derek Jeter SS
3)Hideki Matsui DH/OF
4)Alex Rodriguez 3B
5)Mark Teixeira 1B
Arod doesn’t need to get mental about not batting cleanup and Tex provides excellent protection.
Teix is better than Matsui so they would benefit from Teix getting more ABs over the course of the season than Matsui. Also, Teix is a better baserunner.
Protection is very over-rated, up there with batting average, saves, and pitchers W-L records. People think its important because everyone has always said it is, but the numbers indicate otherwise.
Tex has more power but Strikes Out a lot more. The protection factor is psychological and who more psychological than Mr. Rodriguez.
Good debate, guys. Joe DelGrippo posted about something similar today so I just wrote on it. Feel free to check it out.
Here is that post about the lineup.
http://nybaseballdigest.com/?p=5962
Hey Joseph. I love the work you’ve done with FOX Sports. Thanks for stopping by.