Post by MSBNYY on Jun 1, 2011 9:54:10 GMT -5
Ok, so it's June 1, and the newspapers sometimes do this, so screw it--I will too.
Report cards for the 2011 Yankees.
Let's start with the lineup.
1. Jeter-- C. He's hitting .264 in the leadoff spot, with just a .326 OBP as of this post. That's a #9 hitter. I'm going to ignore salary. He only got to a C because he's heated up a little bit lately. In fairness, his May was better than his April, and if he carries his May through the end, it won't be great, but he'd end up with a B/B-.
2. Granderson-- A+. Can't say enough how good he's been. His biggest weakness was the inability to hit a lefty. He's been hitting them well this year. Maybe the success at the plate is helping him defensively too, because I feel like he's been better this year. Smoother, more range. Overall, great work. I don't expect him to keep this up, but I hope he does.
3. Texeira-- B. The power numbers are there. Can't complain, but the number 3 hitter in the lineup can't be hitting .258. At least he's drawing some walks, but a slow guy on first in a big spot in the order can't happen. The #3 spot is for the best hitter on the team. He's not it. He needs to hit better, but his defense is still very good.
4. ARod-- B+ ARod's still ARod. He's hitting .287 with 9 HRs. The power isn't where it should be, but the rest of the team is doing fine with the long ball. If not for history, they should shuffle 2-4 in the lineup around a bit. But I'm sure by the end of the year, ARod will be at or close to 30HR and drive in 100.
5. Cano-- B. His defense is worse, his hitting is worse, but he's still very good. I may not expect a year like 2010, but I expect a little more than what he's shown so far. He's better. His OBP is too low.
6. Nick Swisher-- F. Swisher may be a nice guy, but his performance on the field has been terrible. The offensive numbers speak for themselves. He's hitting .213, with .335 OBP and just a .314 SLG. No power, no average, no OBP, and worse, he is the worst defensive RF I have ever seen. He cost us a game by getting a terrible jump on a catchable flyball against Minnesota, and almost made an identical play against the Mets. He needs to step it up.
7. Jorge Posada--F. All he is supposed to do is hit the ball. He's hitting .169. This is the kind of performance that sometimes forces great players to retire midseason. Is it premature to have that happen in May? Probably, but by the all star break, the Yanks have to consider benching or releasing him, which would be a sad end to a great Yankee career. I'd hate to see him in another uniform, but right now, I also hate to see him in the lineup. Sucks, but I think Montero, who isn't ready yet, can do better than Jorge's numbers.
8. Russell Martin-- C+. He started off exceeding all expectations, but he's come down to Earth. I didn't expect him to do as well as he has, and that was one hell of an April, but in May he only hit .200. It was terrible. I guess that's why most people don't catch every single day.
9. Brett Gardner--C. He blew the leadoff job. He's only hitting .250 with a .331 OBP. For a patient hitter, that's terrible. I like the guy, and he's had a very good May. If he performs like he has in May through the rest of the season, that C will turn into a B+.
Report cards for the 2011 Yankees.
Let's start with the lineup.
1. Jeter-- C. He's hitting .264 in the leadoff spot, with just a .326 OBP as of this post. That's a #9 hitter. I'm going to ignore salary. He only got to a C because he's heated up a little bit lately. In fairness, his May was better than his April, and if he carries his May through the end, it won't be great, but he'd end up with a B/B-.
2. Granderson-- A+. Can't say enough how good he's been. His biggest weakness was the inability to hit a lefty. He's been hitting them well this year. Maybe the success at the plate is helping him defensively too, because I feel like he's been better this year. Smoother, more range. Overall, great work. I don't expect him to keep this up, but I hope he does.
3. Texeira-- B. The power numbers are there. Can't complain, but the number 3 hitter in the lineup can't be hitting .258. At least he's drawing some walks, but a slow guy on first in a big spot in the order can't happen. The #3 spot is for the best hitter on the team. He's not it. He needs to hit better, but his defense is still very good.
4. ARod-- B+ ARod's still ARod. He's hitting .287 with 9 HRs. The power isn't where it should be, but the rest of the team is doing fine with the long ball. If not for history, they should shuffle 2-4 in the lineup around a bit. But I'm sure by the end of the year, ARod will be at or close to 30HR and drive in 100.
5. Cano-- B. His defense is worse, his hitting is worse, but he's still very good. I may not expect a year like 2010, but I expect a little more than what he's shown so far. He's better. His OBP is too low.
6. Nick Swisher-- F. Swisher may be a nice guy, but his performance on the field has been terrible. The offensive numbers speak for themselves. He's hitting .213, with .335 OBP and just a .314 SLG. No power, no average, no OBP, and worse, he is the worst defensive RF I have ever seen. He cost us a game by getting a terrible jump on a catchable flyball against Minnesota, and almost made an identical play against the Mets. He needs to step it up.
7. Jorge Posada--F. All he is supposed to do is hit the ball. He's hitting .169. This is the kind of performance that sometimes forces great players to retire midseason. Is it premature to have that happen in May? Probably, but by the all star break, the Yanks have to consider benching or releasing him, which would be a sad end to a great Yankee career. I'd hate to see him in another uniform, but right now, I also hate to see him in the lineup. Sucks, but I think Montero, who isn't ready yet, can do better than Jorge's numbers.
8. Russell Martin-- C+. He started off exceeding all expectations, but he's come down to Earth. I didn't expect him to do as well as he has, and that was one hell of an April, but in May he only hit .200. It was terrible. I guess that's why most people don't catch every single day.
9. Brett Gardner--C. He blew the leadoff job. He's only hitting .250 with a .331 OBP. For a patient hitter, that's terrible. I like the guy, and he's had a very good May. If he performs like he has in May through the rest of the season, that C will turn into a B+.