So far, it appears that most of the blogosphere agrees with the decision, even those coming at it from various angles.
Derek Jeter’s career’s OBP: .385
Johnny Damon’s career OBP: .354
Derek Jeter GIDP the last two years: 45
Johnny Damon GIDP in last two years: 9
So Jeter should get on base more often and have fewer opportunities to ground into a double play. This would seem to make sense.
David Pinto, who’s much smarter than I am, figured out that the new look would give the Yankees three more runs a year. If that results in one more victory, it was worth it.
Jeter is a groundball machine. In 2008, he led all of baseball in GB% with 58.3%. That isn’t new though, as every year since 2005, he’s been around the 60% mark. Combine those groundballs with the fact that he’s lost some speed (back-to-back seasons of significantly below career avg SB%) and lost some power (decreasing IsoP and increasing AB/HR), and you have the making a man who enjoys DP. If moving up Jeter one spot makes him less likely to ground into double plays, then by golly, go for it.
So far the only dissenting voice I’ve heard is Michael Kay’s, which just tells me that (noted Baseball expert and historian) Randy Levine doesn’t like it. He argues that Jeter’s opposite field hitting is better suited moving Damon along, and that the GIDP avoidance ONLY counts 162 times a season, at the beginning of games. While GIDP isn’t the best reason to make the move, anything that can be avoided that many times is worth doing in Baseball.
I would add two notes to support the move. Brett Gardner hitting in front of Jeter will be very tough to double up, especially in situations where they start the runner. Jeter’s ability to hit the ball to the right side will be even more useful with Gardner on the basepaths. Also, this is the first concession Derek has had to make to age, the next one will be moving him off shortstop.
Baby steps, baby steps.
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No, there was also Steve Lombardi’s gem: “So, whether Jeter bats first and Damon bats second; or, if Damon bats first and Jeter bats second, both of these guys are going to get the same number of PA either way – and both will reach base about 37% of the time. And, the impact to the Yankees line-up will be no different either way.
Anyone who wants to make a case that this potential line-up switch is a good or bad thing for the Yankees is trying to make themselves look smart.”
I was pretty shocked to see such a poorly thought out statement. Apparently OBP is the only thing that matters- what happened to SLG and GB%? Those are the reasons for the move. Moshe Mandel(Quote)
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Steve S. Reply:
March 27th, 2009 at 8:54 pm
I saw that, and there was so little substance there I just skipped past it. Steve S.(Quote)
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Is it so hard for the writers to look at more relevant stats?
Who is better when seeing a starting pitcher for the first time in a game Jeter or Damon?
JETER!
Who is better at leading off the game? Yes Damon has done it 3 times as much as Jeter.
JETER! scott l(Quote)
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I think it’s a great idea and it’s pretty hard to argue against. Bronx Baseball Daily(Quote)
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Steve…
If you were posting that article on your last place…you would be ripped, good going. If nothing else, I will not be subjected to Jeter killing all those rallies (really not that many, just seems so). Old Ranger(Quote)
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