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Boston's #1 Yankee fan tells Torre on how to lineup the new Bronx Bombers. |
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| Batting Order vs. RH Starters | ||
| Lead Off | Soriano 2b | Too much is made about on base average. A better measurement is seeing how often a leadoff hitter gets to 2nd base. As Red Sox fans know (see Wade Boggs/Dwight Evans) getting to first base is not always that valuable if it's going to take 2 more hits to score a run. So, even though Soriano's OBA may be a lowly .360, his chance of being at least to 2nd base before Jeter, Giambi, Williams bat should be closer to a very respectable .340. Remember, there will be multiple ways for him to get to scoring position. Doubles, Triples, SB's, PB's/WP's and Nick Johnson/Jeter grounders to the right side should enable Soriano to reach 2nd base a high percentage of the time before the meat of the order gets to the plate. |
| 2nd | Johnson DH/1b | First, having a lefty hit second is desirable due to the hole created when a runner is on first. Second, Johnson should average over 4 pitches an AB which will allow opportunity for Soriano to steal second (and more chances for WP/PBs) Thirdly, batting second will allow Johnson 5 AB's a game. As a reluctant DH, getting one more AB a game should help him mentally. Also, in 5 AB's there is a good chance he may force the pitchers to throw 20 - 25 pitches a game to him alone. (Which on its own is the limit for most Red Sox starters. |
| 3rd | Jeter SS | Even though his OBA supports Jeter hitting leadoff, do you really want the cornerstone of your defense (at a physically demanding position) and a guy you need out there every day to bat leadoff? Do you really want Jeter trying to steal 30-40 bases? With his high average, extra base power (plus being the best situational hitter on the team) Jeter is ideally suited to hit 3rd. Utilize his speed to go 1st to 3rd - or score on Giambi or Williams doubles. Plus, maybe steal the occasional base with 2 outs. .320 BA, 20 Hr, 100 rbi, 110 runs, 20 sb should within his reach from the 3 hole. |
| Clean-up | Giambi 1b/DH | No brainer. Best all around hitter on the team. Should get an enormous amount of RBI opportunities. |
| 5th | Williams CF | 2nd most dangerous hitter on team so need to bat him 5th to protect Giambi. Being switch hitter should keep managers honest on bringing lefty relievers in too early to get Giambi out. Pencil him in for 110 RBI's hitting here. |
| 6th | Posada C | Next most dangerous hitter. Need to protect Williams. Also a switch hitter so limits opposing managers options. Walks a lot so will keep pressure on and prolong 1st inning rallies. |
| 7th | White LF | Great hitter to have at 7. Power, average and speed can be well utilized here. |
| 8th | Vander Wal RF | Needs to be out there against right handers - especially at home. Should hit 15 hr's at Yankee stadium alone if given all the ab's against RH starters. |
| 9th | Ventura 3b | Hitting 9th should send the message to Ventura that all he needs to do is relax and play solid defense. He, like Vander Wal, should hit at least 15 balls into the short RF porch in Yankee stadium. From the 9th spot, this will put put a lot of pressure on opposing pitchers. .260, 20, 65 rbi should be fine. |
| Batting Order vs. LH Starters | ||
| Lead off | Soriano 2b | See above |
| 2nd | Jeter SS | Opposite field capabilities enhance his value at #2 against lefties |
| 3rd | Williams CF | Best hitter on the team against lefties. Give him added opportunities at #3. |
| 4th | Giambi 1B | See above |
| 5th | Posada C | Dangerous from right side. Being switch hitter should keep managers honest on bringing lefty relievers in too early to get Giambi out. |
| 6th | White LF | See above |
| 7th | Spencer RF | Should be quite dangerous at #7 against lefties. |
| 8th | Johnson DH | Little less pressure at #8 against lefties. Still, makes the back of the order no picnic. |
| 9th | Ventura / Coomer 3b | Coomer should get the call against most lefties, especially on the road. Ventura should still get the call on some home games vs lefties to keep the hr pressure on the pitcher. |
| Bench Notes |
Even though Nick Johnson should not be viewed as a platoon player, lets take
the opportunity to sit him down about 20 games against tough lefties. Use
10 games to play Gerald Williams in CF and let Bernie switch to DH to give
him a break. The other 10 games should have Posada as the DH and Castillo
catching. (Torre needs to limit Posada from catching more than 132 games so
using him as DH sometime will allow his bat to stay in the lineup more
often) Should allow Posada to hit in 140+ games but get him adequate
rest. Let's keep Jeter/Soriano fresh. Get Enrique Wilson 15 - 20 starts at 2b/SS, spread consistently across the season to keep him from getting too stale. Also, get Jeter out of there during blowouts to get him rest and keep Wilson somewhat sharp. White/Vander Wal/Spencer dilemma - Vander Wal should start all games in RF against righties (should be around 110 games) Spencer should get all the RFstarts against lefties plus pinch hit for V Wal against LH relievers. Being a superior fielder Spencer should also be a defensive replacement in RF in the late innings. Rondell White should be limited to about 130 games in LF. Give Spencer the additional 30 games in left. So barring injury White should get 500 ab's, Vander Wal around 400 and Spencer 350. If matched up against the proper Pitchers, this should be a very productive and well rested corner outfield trio. Let Nick Johnson play at least 40 games as 1B and have Giambi DH. Giambi will complain but he needs to understand that the Yankees will be playing in October so his bat is needed in there for at least 180 games and 800 plate appearances. He should welcome the opportunity to rest the legs and keep Johnson sharp in the field. |
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