Nick Johnson back in pinstripes, pending physical*official*

[Pharmcat]

I could buy the whole we needed a #2 hitter and what not, but don't give me the "Matsui is an injury risk" because he only signed for a year AND the guy replacing him isn't exactly the most durable player in the league. He's played 770 games in 9 seasons.

we dont know the extent of matsuis knee damage, i mean i am soo sad to see him go, but reading the articles and everything, i really believe hes on his last legs

with johnson, hes had a couple injuries playing in the field, so just being a dh cuts down on that....but i mean, a 400 obp for a guy before tex and arod is to drool over imo

i mean im mad matsui left, but the yanks have his medical file, we have to trust them, we know its a better medical staff than the knicks at least

[jeff1624]

Then they should come out and say that, not the "We need flexibility" BS.

[Pharmcat]

Then they should come out and say that, not the "We need flexibility" BS.

i dont think they want to insult him by saying 'we dont believe you can play much longer on them knees'...at least we did get younger with the moves:)

[jeff1624]

It's still BS, Matsui was awesome for us, no reason to believe he's gonna breakdown next year. It's not like he signed a multi-year deal, it's a one year deal and even if their is a risk so what, the guy deserves it, he was just World Series MVP for petes sake. Cashman dropped the ball and I usually defend him but not this time.

[Wade2k6]

But you don't know that there's no reason to believe he will break down. I'm pretty sure the Yankees medical staff was checking out Matsui before they decided to pass on him. They know a hell of a lot more then a casual fan about his knee.

And on top of that like a poster stated earlier, I think it's harder to fill the 2 hole then it is filling the 5 hole on this team. Cano or Posada are capable of protecting A-Rod. But they had nobody to hit in the 2 hole because of Granderson's numbers against lefties. Nick Johnson hasn't had a season with an OBP under .408 since 2004. And he has had an OBP of .426 in his last 3 seasons played. That is huge when you are going to have players like Tex, A-Rod, Cano, and Posada behind you.

[Pharmcat]

its official now

im on board, hopefully he stays healthy

sheets next please

[Lconte17]

I'm gonna go out on a limb right now and play Nostradamus. Nick Johnson, if he remains healthy come trade deadline, will be traded. I said it I meant it.


and i agree with Pharmcat, TIME FOR SHEETS!!!!

[VinnyTheMick]

So, Johnson bats second, and the No. 5 spot goes to…
Curtis Granderson. That’s my pick. The guy hit 30 home runs last year while playing half of his games in Detroit. He had 71 RBI while getting most of his starts as a lead-off hitter counting on Adam Everett, Gerald Laird and Ramon Santiago to get on base ahead of him. His career slugging percentage is .484.

Matsui’s is .482.

An added bonus of Granderson batting fifth is that he can steal a base. That might matter when he’s hitting ahead of Jorge Posada, who has twice led the American League in double plays grounded into, and Robinson Cano, who led the Yankees in GIDP this year.

http://yankees.lhblogs.com/

[Relentless88]

So what does the Yankees line up look like now?

Jeter
Johnson
Teixera
A-Rod
Granderson
Posada
Cano
Cabrera
Swisher

?

[jeff1624]

So what does the Yankees line up look like now?

Jeter
Johnson
Teixera
A-Rod
Granderson
Posada
Cano
Cabrera
Swisher

?

I Prefer this personally:

Jeter
Johnson
teixeira
A-Rod
Posada
Cano
Granderson
Swisher
Cabrera

But it's tricky. Normally I would put Granderson behind Posada, but since Posada is the slowest hitter in the lineup, that would limit Grandersons speed on the basepaths.

I wouldn't mind seeing Granderson as the #9 hitter, that way we'd have him, jeter and johnson followed by our heavy hitters, but I know that wouldn't be a popular move with some of you.

[Jitpal]

So what does the Yankees line up look like now?

Jeter
Johnson
Teixera
A-Rod
Granderson
Posada
Cano
Cabrera
Swisher

?

I Prefer this personally:

Jeter
Johnson
teixeira
A-Rod
Posada
Cano
Granderson
Swisher
Cabrera

But it's tricky. Normally I would put Granderson behind Posada, but since Posada is the slowest hitter in the lineup, that would limit Grandersons speed on the basepaths.

I wouldn't mind seeing Granderson as the #9 hitter, that way we'd have him, jeter and johnson followed by our heavy hitters, but I know that wouldn't be a popular move with some of you.

Cano and Granderson will probably not hit back to back considering they are both lefties and Girardi likes to split them up. I'd imagine we will see the same lineup as you just switch Swisher and Granderson. -Jitpal

[PR07]

I like the move. He took a discount to play for the Yanks, and he gets on base a ton.

[moocow007]

On this whole Matsui vs. Johnson thing...

It seemed to me that Matsui signing with the Angels came out of the blue and happened rather quickly. That could either mean that Cashman told Matsui's people that they weren't bringing him back or Matsui felt that he got disrespected in some way and jumped ship.

In any case, it's worth to note that the Yankee outfield, if nothing else happens will consist of Granderson in CF, Swisher in RF and Cabrera/Gardner in LF. Now maybe it's just me but I don't think this outfield is a finished product.

Sure it now appears that everyone knows that the Yanks are apparently saving their money for a massive run at Carl Crawford next offseason but even if they bring Crawford on that would really leave them only committed to Granderson and Crawford for next season.

And now with talks that the Yanks could deal either Cabrera or Gardner to the Cubs (Cabrera has been linked to them for a while now) for pitching I seriously doubt they'd feel fine going into next season with a OF of Granderson, Swisher, Gardner and Jamie Hoffman.

I wouldn't write off Johnny Damon returning too quickly. Damon at 2 years and even $20 million is probably the best available option than anything else that's out there. Going after Holliday or Bay doesn't make sense if they want Crawford next offseason.

[moocow007]

Just scanned the FA list and here's the other OF'ers available, none of which, with the exception of Bay, Holliday and maybe Jermaine Dye (all of whom are type-A free agents) are better than Damon:

Rocco Baldelli - the current day version lacks the speed and defensive range of the Baldelli before all the injuries, an OBP of .311 is scary low.

Reed Johnson - your typical journeyman OF'er.

Scott Podsednik - had a really nice bounceback year after a couple of down (injury plagued) years hitting .304 and stealing 30 bases. Basically a Gardner type player that can actually hit but will be 34 years old next season.

Randy Winn - 2 homeruns in 568 at bats last season but the Yankees apparently have some interest. power numbers should go up hitting in the stadium (can't go much further down).

Rick Ankiel - brings power, range and throwing arm but strikes out at an abominable rate. and with his infamously poor constitution for the spotlight one can only wonder what will happen if he's thrown out there in NY.

Marlon Byrd - best power hitter/run-producer of the group with his best season in his major league career last season with the Rangers but will cost prospects if signed (type B free agent). And up until last season really more of a journeyman, 4th outfielder type.

Austin Kearns - had some nice power years hitting in pitcher parks in Cincy and Washington and is only 29 years old.

[CrazyKnicks]

Ken Davidoff (or w.e his name is) was on FOX and was asked about the Matsui situation and said that the Yanks feel like Matsui might have to retire right away in the middle of the season. That's how bad his knees are. If that's true, you can't really fault Cashman then.

[Jitpal]

The Yankees could always look to put together a deal with Melky + prospects for DeJesus and Tejeda. Get a solid left fielder that can replace a lot of Damon did from the 9th spot in the order and a wild but hard throwing reliever who has had some success in the past. -Jitpal

[Pharmcat]

johnson is official now

hoping he does well....playing DH should cut down his injuries