Alfonso Soriano as a Granderson replacement seems far-fetched
The silver lining about a 10-week injury to Curtis Granderson: Opening Day is
still more than a month away.
Losing Granderson’s power is far from an ideal way for the Yankees to start
the spring, but it’s hardly a season-wrecker either. And while there might
be some concern over whether Granderson will regain his power right away
after his broken forearm heals, I think that’s less of an issue than it
would be were it a wrist or hand injury.
One problem the Yankees do face here is that they released their best
Granderson replacement last month. Veteran Chris Dickerson hit .316/.417/.514
with 17 steals in 69 games for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and also popped
a couple of homers in 14 at-bats in the majors last season. A plus defender
in a corner still capable of manning center, he was the fourth best
outfielder on the Yankees’ roster at the time of his release. The main issue
is that, like the three guys ahead of him, he’s a left-handed hitter, which
made him poorly suited for a spot on the team’s bench.
The Yankees also lost Russ Canzler on waivers earlier this month. Like
Dickerson, he’s now an Oriole. He would have been a liability in left field,
but he projected better offensively than any of the Yankees’ current
internal options, a group that includes journeymen Juan Rivera, Matt Diaz and
Thomas Neal and prospect Zoilo Almonte and Melky Mesa.
The one internal option not getting much play yet is Eduardo Nunez. Nunez
started three games in left field for the Yankees last season, but the team
was committed to keeping him at shortstop this spring with Derek Jeter
rehabbing. Perhaps that will change next month if Jeter shows he’s ready to
play shortstop on Opening Day.
Of course, then there are the external options. Alfonso Soriano is the name
on everyone’s lips, even though he still has two very expensive seasons left
on his contract. Also, he wields a no-trade clause and he presumably wouldn’
t be happy about shifting to a part-time role once Granderson returns.
Soriano was asked about the Yankees possibility by CSN’s Patrick Mooney
today: ”If they call for me, I have to think about it because I don’t want
to take a quick reaction and say yes or no.”
The Cubs would presumably cover a heavy portion of the $38 million left on
Soriano’s deal in order to move him, but still, even taking on $5 million or
so for 2014 would hurt the Yankees as they try to get under the luxury tax.
For a one-month Granderson replacement, he wouldn’t make much sense.
Other external options include free agents Scott Podsednik, Johnny Damon and
Bobby Abreu, none of whom figure to hold much appeal. The Mariners have
Casper Wells and Eric Thames expendable after loading up on veterans. The
right-handed-hitting Wells would actually be a pretty nice fit as a fourth
outfielder after Granderson returns. The Tigers’ Brennan Boesch and Padres’
Jesus Guzman could be made available. There are also veterans like Ben
Francisco (Indians), Conor Jackson (Orioles), Darnell McDonald (Cubs), Tony
Gwynn Jr. (Dodgers), who might not make their current teams and could be had
next to nothing, though they’re not necessarily better bets than Rivera and
Diaz.
The guess here is that Rivera is the Yankees’ Opening Day left fielder. He
doesn’t have a whole lot left, but he’s a better bet than Diaz and none of
the younger prospects are ready to hit in the majors. Keeping Mesa around as
a defensive replacement might make sense, though only until Granderson comes
back.
http://ppt.cc/o-6l
这篇在建议/分析NYY可以考虑/选择的备案
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