Despite a productive partnership, once the ‘09 season is completed, the Yankees will likely cut ties with current DH, Hideki Matsui. The the only reason for the relationship’s end is Matsui’s lack of positional flexibility—that and age. With several large contracts on the books and a number of aging players on the roster, the Yankees don’t want another aging player clogging up the DH spot for the better part of the season. Matsui’s knees prevent him from playing the outfield, even sporadically. Thus, the revolving DH idea has gained a footing.
However, while it’s nice to filter your veterans through the DH role in order to provide them with ample resting opportunities, by losing a regular DH, especially one as good as Hideki Matsui, you create a significant void in your lineup. If your bench is constructed well, then perhaps a team can absorb such a loss, since no regular DH means more playing time for the part-timers. If not, though, the entire offense begins to suffer. For that reason, I believe that the Yankees should, in fact, bring in a new DH, except they should bring in one that can help them on the field a bit, too.
Here are a few options that I think fit the bill:
1. Nick Johnson – Johnson, 31, a former Yankee, would be a nice addition to the lineup. Between the Marlins and the Nationals, he is hitting .301/.427/.423 with 8 HR and 61 RBI. Although his power has diminished, his eye remains a force as he can still get on base with the best of them (17.1 BB%). He would wear the team’s offensive style pretty well. Johnson has dealt with injury issues his entire career, including this season, when he was placed on the DL with hamstring problems. However, when he’s right he can be an extremely productive player. He’s having his worst defensive year at first base, but it could be an aberration or injury-related given Johnson’s historically positive ratings there. If he signs with the Yankees, he can DH to stay fresh and help in the infield when Tex needs a day off. In an effort to keep Johnson healthy, the Yankees could also choose to rest him throughout the season, which would allow others to slot in at DH from time to time.
2. Adam LaRoche - While I think Johnson is probably a better fit, LaRoche could also be a good DH candidate. He has his fair share of problems, in that he’s better known as a second half hitter, he struggles against lefties, and he’s not a particularly good defender, but, as a DH, two of these issues can be resolved (the Yankees can sit him against some lefties so that others can DH for the day). Between the Pirates, Red Sox and now the Braves, LaRoche is hitting .273/.348/.489 and has 23 HR. While powerful, he doesn’t do anything particularly well—he doesn’t walk much and he strikes out a lot (his 0.48 BB/K is the second worst in the NL)—yet his value would be boosted, I think, if given a DH role. Plus, LaRoche will turn 30 in November, so he’s surprisingly young. The Yankees can afford to sit him against some lefties, as I mentioned before, which would open up DH opportunities for A-Rod, Jeter, Damon (if he returns) and Posada. Of course, Teixeira would be well rested, too, since LaRoche can play first.
3. Bobby Abreu – Surprised? Bobby Abreu was one of the best free agent signings this offseason, given his price ($5 million) and his overall value (2.6 WAR). He’s still an awful outfielder, but he’s hitting .299/.399/.435 and has been a force in LA’s lineup. By giving him a DH role, the Yankees get a player capable of stealing 20 bases, driving in 100 runs, and, in Yankee Stadium, maybe Abreu can hit 18-20 homers. Of course, we know what Abreu can do, firsthand. He can help out in right field a few days a month so that the Yankees can rest others and Girardi can sit him based on matchups, so that the others can DH. In terms of Abreu’s fielding, the defensive lapses would be manageable as long as he produces offensively. Abreu may also be a shorter commitment than Johnson or LaRoche, given his age (although he may earn more per year).
These are three options that work, in some way, for the reasons I’ve provided. Each player I’ve listed is somewhat limited in their positional flexibility—Johnson, LaRoche and Abreu only play one position a piece—yet, in terms of fielding value and versatility, they offer more than what Hideki Matsui did as a DH only. Abreu and Johnson seem like the best fits with LaRoche being an outside option. One player that people might mention that I have not is Vladimir Guerrero, although he may be far too similar to Hideki Matsui (why not resign Matsui). The Yankees could also try and bring back Xavier Nady who can play first and right field (health permitting). What do you think? If you don’t like these guys—Johnson, Abreu and LaRoche—are there any other players you’d like to see the Yankees pursue for DH?
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No, No, No… Sorry none of those ideas really appeal to me for the Yankees DH spot, if these are the main choices I say re-sign Damon to DH for a year and sign a LFer like Figgins, Bay or Holliday anyone of the three would be a better player than Johnson or Abreu or LaRoche. Bobby has little power but makes a lot of contact but he would have to hit 3rd which moves Tex and Arod to 4 and 5 but I like Tex hitting 3rd in our line up to much to want to do that. Johnson is a guy with little power and for a DH you have to hope he maintains the .300 average to even be an asset and he wouldn’t be as good a contact hitter as Chone who also lead off where Johnson can’t. LaRoche isn’t a terrible player but he is a 7th or 8th hole hitting DH with the kind of line up we would be putting out and I don’t think an everyday DH should be a lower line up hitter, just doesn’t make sense.
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Chris H. Reply:
September 15th, 2009 at 3:32 pm
Well, Chone Figgins is bad defensively in left field, so he’s not a great fit. Bay is also awful in left field. Holliday is the best option and I think they should sign him while resigning Damon to be the DH, but they don’t appear willing to go in that direction (for financial reasons, perhaps). Also, if you bring back Abreu, he doesn’t “have to” hit in front of A-Rod. That’s nonsensical, really. He can hit where Girardi wants him to hit. Also, having your DH hit at the bottom of the order is a testament to your team’s depth. There’s nothing in the MLB rulebook that says that your DH needs to bat cleanup or in the middle of the order.
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The other Chris H Reply:
September 15th, 2009 at 4:27 pm
No but if you are signing someone who won’t play defense and can’t hit well enough to hit in the 3, 4 or 5 hole they shouldn’t be a DH or they a weakness to the team.
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Chris H. Reply:
September 15th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
Any of the players mentioned could possibly hit in any of those spots if this was another lineup. The Yankees have an all-star lineup, though, so obviously, any free agent you sign now isn’t going to displace A-Rod or Mark Teixeira. Adam LaRoche or Abreu could always bat fifth if Girardi wanted too, but he seems fine with Posada hitting fifth.
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The other Chris H Reply:
September 15th, 2009 at 6:21 pm
What the Yankees need is a 5 hole hitter though because we don’t have one right now… Matsui is holding down the spot as best he can but he isn’t what he use to be so no one “fears” him enough not to walk Arod. You add Adam Dunn and allow him to hit 5th then you have some protection I just think any pure DH you add needs to be able to hit 5. Posada has been hitting 6.
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Chris H. Reply:
September 15th, 2009 at 6:33 pm
Yea, obviously Posada has been hitting 6th because Matsui is around. But, if we’re speaking about the future, then the Yankees seem content with Posada hitting fifth since he has done it this year (28 games). Also, I doubt the Nationals will trade Dunn. If they do try, though, the Yankees will be on him.
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The other Chris H Reply:
September 15th, 2009 at 6:41 pm
I don’t know how you could be comfortable with Posada hitting 5th when he is getting older the numbers are only going to go down and he is becoming a huge double play probability in big situations now. Having Posada stay 6th is best for the strength of the line up IMO.
They could let Dunn go but I agree with you if they were going to do it they would have already before the trade deadline…
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Why not resign Damon as the DH and go after a free agent outfielder (Matt Holliday or Carl Crawford (if available))?
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Chris H. Reply:
September 15th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
I would love to see them sign Holliday and DH Damon. I wonder if they will, though, based on the long-term, big money contract that Holliday may seek.
Crawford has an option and probably won’t be a FA.
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The other Chris H Reply:
September 15th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
Holliday is the best choice because he can hit 5th with average and power while providing real protection for Alex and Tex and keep the top of the order the same with Damon at DH… Chris I know you think he is going to command a huge contract but I don’t think he will get more than 4 years on a reasonable contract or 3 years and more money, the economy isn’t back to normal and baseball will tighten the belt even more this off season.
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Miranda and Miranda and Miranda and Miranda and Miranda!
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The other Chris H Reply:
September 15th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
Can’t hit lefties at all so how is he a DH? Someone who will probably hit 9th in the line up, bat .250 with maybe 15 HRs or so is all he could do.
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scott l Reply:
September 15th, 2009 at 4:50 pm
I disagree with you like normal. Miranda will hit better then .250 ba. The Yankees will DH both Arod and Posada against lefies. Add to that I believe Montero will be up hopefully for good by the break so do they really need a full time DH?
Heck they might even offer Nady arbitration and he could accept and be part of the mix.
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The Scout Reply:
September 15th, 2009 at 5:13 pm
Miranda is simply a complete unknown at the major league level. The Yankees will never go into a season with such a question mark, nor should they.
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Chris H. Reply:
September 15th, 2009 at 5:17 pm
Agreed, Scout.
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scott l Reply:
September 15th, 2009 at 5:48 pm
That is exactly why they may do it! He kills right handed pitching so why not give him a few months before looking for a more expensive option? Either he is on the 25 man roster or he will be traded as he is out of options.
You have to give him a chance as you don’t want him to have success elsewhere.
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The other Chris H Reply:
September 15th, 2009 at 6:20 pm
I don’t think he will be, he can’t hit lefties at all, he hits for power but not immense power he only hit 20 or so in triple A with a terrible batting average. He has never proven he could hit good pitches well enough to warrant playing time, at this point he is trade bait or at best a bench player who will get pinch hit appearances like Hinske.
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Would rather trade for Seth Smith if the Rockies make him available.
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Chris H. Reply:
September 15th, 2009 at 3:58 pm
Ha. I like Seth Smith, but it’s not the type of the move the Yankees would make.
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scott l Reply:
September 15th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
Seth Smith is exactly the type of move the Yankees need to make. They did something similar last year when they went out and got Swisher.
Smith can be an offensive force especially at the stadium and he has the arm for right field.
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Chris H. Reply:
September 15th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
I like Smith, but the Yankees won’t do it. He’s not necessarily proven, either, although he hasn’t received consistent playing time.
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I forgot about Crawford- he would be great for us. He has speed and plays great d. I’m not so sure Tampa keeps him for next year. they seem to be trimming payroll. If somehow the yanks can snag him, I’d say re-sign Damon and let Crawford play the outfield.
If not Crawford, I’d go after Bay or Holliday. I wonder who will command more money.
Either way, I’d still want Damon back as a DH. He still swings the bat well.
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The other Chris H Reply:
September 15th, 2009 at 4:29 pm
They got rid of Kazmir so they would have money to pick up Crawford’s option I am pretty sure, he is actually productive money for them hard to see them let him go over BJ Upton who they could trade and free up more money.
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scott l Reply:
September 15th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
With both Joyce and potential star Desmond Jennings one of either Upton or Crawford could easily be moved for a closer this off season. Jennings is a younger and cheaper version of Crawford imo.
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Chris H. Reply:
September 15th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
They’ll either keep Crawford or trade him. Chris is right, they freed up money by trading Scott Kazmir. They pretty much did it to keep Crawford for another year.
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scott l Reply:
September 15th, 2009 at 5:53 pm
Are you sure? Do you know the Rays GM? Does he take your calls? Desmond Jennings can replace him or Upton. Jennings can be a star and his time is now. Why not trade Crawford while is value is high?
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The other Chris H Reply:
September 15th, 2009 at 6:16 pm
Because unlike Kazmir and Upton Crawford is actually producing for them and they can’t trade Crawford unless they pick up his option, so either way he won’t be a free agent is Chris’ point.
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Chris H. Reply:
September 15th, 2009 at 6:35 pm
Exactly. And no, I don’t know them personally—duh—but based on the many reports I’ve read, their plans are pretty clear.
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The other Chris H Reply:
September 15th, 2009 at 6:43 pm
Once they traded Kazmir to me it pretty much put a stop on any chance that Crawford would hit free agency or be traded to the Yankees with out giving up an arm and a leg. Now maybe they would be willing to trade Upton in division with out giving up that much but it would cost at least Jackson and a couple pitchers.
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I WOULD probably let one of Damon or Matsui go, better a year early than a year too late.
My dream DH who can play a little RF is Adam Dunn, a guy who IMO would hit 45-50 HR’s in YAnkee Stadium and hit for a higher in our lineup also.
I also like Miranda to save money but Dunn might be had on the cheap, considering he 40 HR’s what, 6-7 years in a row?
I hear he’s a great teamate and lockeroom guy also.
I believe he’s a FA again next season.
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Chris H. Reply:
September 15th, 2009 at 5:20 pm
I’d love to see Adam Dunn as our DH, too. The guy can mash and, remarkably, his BA is .282. He’s a butcher in the field, but if he can play RF and 1B once in a while, that would be useful in terms of resting others. I think the Nats are going to build around him and Ryan Zimmerman next year, though, so I don’t think they’ll trade him. They have a good offense—they just need pitching.
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scott l Reply:
September 15th, 2009 at 5:54 pm
I would much rather trade for Joey Votto then Adam Dunn.
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The other Chris H Reply:
September 15th, 2009 at 6:17 pm
What is your obsession with Votto? We get it you love him… They aren’t trading him and I wouldn’t give up a bunch of prospects for him when we don’t need offense right now and don’t even know who will be a main player in free agency and how the economy will play a part in it.
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scott l Reply:
September 15th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
The Yankees need a young left handed bat that has power. Votto fills that need. The Reds have way to many holes to fill and do not have the players to contend next year. The Yankees can help. Also with Alonzo coming Votto is expendable so why not make them a good deal? If the Yankees don’t make a 5 for 1 or 6 for 2 deal they will lose good players to the rule V draft anyway.
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He is playing very well right now and the Yankees can do a lot worse then bringing in Smith!
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Chris H. Reply:
September 15th, 2009 at 5:53 pm
I definitely agree, but it’s just not like the Yankees to bring in a young and unproven player like that. People were going nuts when they brought in Swisher, imagine what would happen if they brought in Seth Smith and said, “Here he is, our new DH!”
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The other Chris H Reply:
September 15th, 2009 at 6:18 pm
I would rather trade for Ian Stewart to be our LFer than Smith to DH.
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scott l Reply:
September 15th, 2009 at 6:20 pm
Lol as he would either be our new left/right fielder! King Hal wants the Yankees to be smarter with payroll. The Yankees need to look to bring in younger players who are team controllable. Smith is exactly the type of player then need to go after. I believe they will make an attempt to acquire a player like him this off season before committing to older players.
Smith is having a season very much like Damon but he can field!
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The other Chris H Reply:
September 15th, 2009 at 6:29 pm
How is 15 HRs and .310 BA like Damon at all? Damon is hitting with more power and less contact, there years aren’t even close really, I would go with Stewart he has more HRs the average isn’t there but it will come, he is young and can play LF/RF/3B which means Hisnke is replaceable and Pena can take Hairston’s place because when Arod DHs or has a day off Stewart can play 3B.
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scott l Reply:
September 15th, 2009 at 7:28 pm
Look at total bases per plate appearance and if you do this you will see Smith is having a very very good season in less pa. The only reason Smith is not playing more is that the Rockies have a plethora of very good outfielders.
Damon 1 hr every 24 pa, .44 tb/pa
Smith 1 hr every 23 pa, .47 tb/pa
Smith is 9 years younger and can FIELD!
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SS Derek Jeter
DH Nick Johnson
1B Tex
3B Arod
C Posada
2B Cano
RF Swisher
LF Melky
CF Gardner
SS Derek Jeter
DH Johnny Damon
1B Tex
3B Rodriguez
LF Holliday
C Posada
2B Cano
RF Swisher
CF Gardner/Melky/Jackson
LF Chone Figgins
SS Derek Jeter
1B Tex
3B Arod
DH Damon
C Posada
2B Cano
RF Swisher
CF Gardner
I really don’t mind any of those 3 line ups going into next year but number two is definitely the most feared but would cost more than the other two.
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scott l Reply:
September 15th, 2009 at 6:48 pm
To bad none of them will ever happen so dream on!
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The other Chris H Reply:
September 15th, 2009 at 6:59 pm
Dude your a dick so don’t respond to my posts your worthless to me your opinions don’t even get considered like everyone elses.
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I agree about him hitting 6th, but I’m speaking about next year. The Yankees would probably slot him in without worrying. I do think that by adding an elite 5-hole hitter, like Matt Holliday, the team would be unstoppable (actually, Holliday batting 3rd would probably be best with Tex hitting 5th).
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The other Chris H Reply:
September 15th, 2009 at 7:01 pm
I’m speaking about next year too… A line up in which Posada is hitting 5th and Matsui isn’t on the team scares me because Posada is a catcher and old he could get injured or his bat could be .270 BA he isn’t far from that now I just think we either need a 3rd hole hitter to move either Arod or Tex to the 5 hole or sign a Holliday or Bay in order to protect Arod and keep Posada 6.
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I actually think Dunn could play a decent Rf in Yankee Stadium.He has a strong arm and though he can’t cover much ground, he catches the ball pretty well.He’s as good as Hinske with a better arm and maybe 50 HR’s in our lineup with 130 RBI’s.Good on base percentage like Swish too and he never has had protection in a lineup like we can give him.
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The other Chris H Reply:
September 15th, 2009 at 8:35 pm
What would you give up that the Nationals are going to want? Dunn fills seats on a bad team so they would really need incentive to lose money like that…
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Oh and how everyone is saying Chone Figgins is never going to happen I have already read a bunch of stuff that has the Yankees interested in Chone, we were interested in trading for him a few years ago and he has always killed us both average wise and stealing bases wise not to mention he is a true switch hitting lead off man which in today’s game is very valuable. Don’t count the Yankees out on him, I am positive they will offer him a 3 year deal whether he accepts or for how much not sure, I think he wants to stay in LA but who knows for sure.
Bay I think is lower on the Yankee list than any of them but he will still get a look because he works counts, walks a lot and hits for a lot of power which would make him a nice 5 hole hitter protecting Arod because walking Arod with Tex on second and one out could result into a 3 run HR real quick, his D is weak yes but that is why he is on the bottom of their list.
Holliday is going to receive a phone call everyone needs to believe that for sure! He is the top free agent in this years class and the Yankees always call that guy just to see what the water is like in that area and in this case he also fits two needs one in the line up and one in LF because he is a real upgrade in LF defense wise. Now the contract size and amount could be tricky but with Matsui and Wangs numbers coming off the books we have some free money to work with and if Holliday takes a 3 year deal with a club option or a 4 year deal worth a little less than he would have gotten in the economic market of 2 years ago then I think the Yankees will play ball but if he wants to get paid super star money he is out of luck. However I think going to Oakland proved to him and the league he isn’t the guy to carry a team but more so a great secondary piece to pair with another good hitter or in our case two great hitters, and he may take a little less to win a ring and be in a line up like ours.
I don’t think Abreu wants to come back to the Yankees after we didn’t offer him the money he wanted so why would he come back to DH for even less money or about the same than he is making this year on another one year deal?
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So are you dude! lmao! The Yankees are not signing any type A free agents (Figgins/Holliday or injury prone Johnson). Get real after last years spending spree they are not doing that again. They want to keep there first round draft pick.
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Well to add on to this I just read on Buster Olney’s blog that he thinks the Yankees are the current favorite to sign Figgins to play surprise LF and fill in at 3rd for Arod on days he DHs or needs off… It makes to much sense to not try, he can play every position in the infield but catcher and he play LF better than Damon and switch lead off with a .300 batting average. Do you know how deadly the line up would be with Figgins leading off and Gardner in the 9 whole and Jeter in the two hole? Think about all the hit and run, first to third and steal situation there would be for the Yankees, the power swinging line up we have now plus extra speed to make us one of the most versatile line ups in the league history.
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For fairness and for argument sake lets throw in the “old proto type” DH players who are free agents this year… First off Jim Thome will be a free agent and looking to DH again and with Yankee stadium he could really smash but I wouldn’t offer him more than a one year deal because he can’t play first or any position and is at the end of his rope and career. Hank Blalock is a free agent and his left handed swing could be useful in the line up but he is very much like Thome except he actually can play a little first and third but he is also at the end and should be no more than a year or a year and a team option. The interesting one is Aubrey Huff because he can hit 30-40 HRs, he is left handed and he can play both LF and 1B as well as DH so he has some versatility to rotate players through DH but I don’t know what he would do to the chemistry next year. He had his problems with Joba and I think something like that could really divide a team, however it could also be no big deal but it’s a risk. Once again I think huff is only worth a one year deal or a one year deal with a team option.
Andruw Jones did prove he could hit this year, not enough to be an every day DH but he could play a little DH, a little RF and a little LF and at times come off the bench the Yankees offered him a minor league contract at the beginning of the season so you know they would have interest and his versatility and lack of needing to start is really closer to what the Yankees would be looking for over the other older guys who just DH or need to play every day because of the contract size.
Other than that it looks like the usual suspects like Figgins, Bay Holliday or Crawford (if Damon DHs) if he is available are the only other guys they might look at which could bold well for Damon DHing and another lesser player being signed to play a little out field and a little DH together.
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ISN’T DUNN A FA AGAIN NEXT SEASON?
I’d certainly give up some solid pitching prospects, we have too many anyway.We can AFFORD TO GIVE up A CATCHING PROSPECT, NOT ROMINE but a maybe Higashioka type. Pena & Russo are buried also and might have some value.
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The other Chris H Reply:
September 15th, 2009 at 9:55 pm
He is a FA after 2010… Those prospects don’t have name recognition and the Nationals aren’t in a position to trade a name and the only one they have recognized by everyone (casual fans don’t know Zimmerman) for no bodies they need real prospects they can say are the next starter at a position for them for a while or they need a major league player with just as big a name and a few smaller prospects.
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Anybody but Abreu.Pleeze.
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The other Chris H Reply:
September 15th, 2009 at 9:53 pm
That’s basically my feeling on the idea…
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