glennhoffmania said:
I know EE will accuse me of being obsessed, but at some point doesn't even Jeter have to realize how counter-productive it is to consistently have better defensive players move around or sit on the bench to accommodate him? Would he rather make the playoffs with Drew or Ryan at SS or miss the playoffs while playing SS?
Not obsessed, but damn, while Jeter certainly shouldn't be hitting near the top of the lineup, he's at least bringing a little offense to the table over Ryan. Jeter has an OPS+ of 86 this year. Ryan, 34. When Ryan last got regular ABs he rocked an OPS+ of around 50. Drew's OPS+ this year so far is 63, albeit in somewhat limited ABs. But he is going to play every day too. So with both Jeter and Drew needing to be in the lineup, who should play where? DH is out because Beltran can't play the OF and they need his bat more than Jeter or Drew. So it is either SS or 2B for the two of them . Between Jeter and Drew, neither of whom have ever played 2B, who is more likely to be successful in playing 2B for the rest of this season? Drew is younger, more athletic, and is a better fielder. I don't think there is any question he can make the adjustment better than Jeter. Jeter's lack of familiarity at 2B would probably expose his defensive shortcomings even more than SS already does. Beyond all the drama such a move would entail, it isn't even certain that there is a net benefit from an on-field performance perspective.
We're all ready for Jeter to go, but at this point, I just don't see the utility in trying to get him to move to a new position with just a couple months left when there is really little indication that he will be the difference in making the playoffs one way or another. Assuming Drew can play 2B, at least the Yankees are putting good defensive players on either side of him. It looks like the Yankees are mitigating risk as best they can. It's too bad Beltran can't play the OF. That is the piece of roster construction that really should have been avoided.
