Replacing Jerry Hairston
By
Even though the Yanks walked away from Anaheim with a much needed series win, they may have suffered a pretty significant loss when supersub Jerry Hairston Jr. left yesterday’s game in the middle of his 7th inning at-bat after hearing “a pop” in his right wrist. Apparently Jerry has dealing with wrist issues for quite some time, initially injuring it when he dove for a ball while with the Reds. He’ll hit the MRI tube later today, at which point we’ll know the extent of his injury, but I can’t remember the last time I heard a player said they heard something “pop” and it didn’t turn out to be serious.
On the surface it might not seem like such a big deal, especially since Hairston’s hit just .175-.306-.325 in the team’s last 32 games, but he gave the Yankees two things: extreme versatility and a usable bat off the bench against lefthanders. We’ll get back to the versatility thing in a second, but for now let’s discuss the value of Hairston’s bat off the bench.
You may think his offensive contributions are insignificant, and in the grand scheme of Yankee Universe they kinda are, but the guy has hit .252-.326-.439 off southpaws this season, by far the best any righty on the Yanks bench can offer. Melky Cabrera offers the next righty bat off the bench, going .253-.329-.407 off lefties, but chances are he’ll be starting in center since Joe Girardi seems to like having Brett Gardner ready to go as a pinch runner late in games. Based on what we’ve seen out of Girardi the last two seasons, I think it’s extremely unlikely he’d send Eric Hinske or even Gardner up to plate to hit against a lefty late in games, regardless of what the numbers say. So with Hairston potentially out for a while, the Yankees may have to do without a righthanded hitter on the bench in the playoffs.
(Sorry, but Shelley Duncan doesn’t belong anywhere near a Major League playoff roster.)
Getting back to the versatility issue, it’ll probably take two players to replace Hairston. Ramiro Pena is the no doubt about it backup infielder in Jerry’s stead, but he’s never played the outfield in the big leagues and got just 18 total chances in a handful of games in centerfield with Triple-A Scranton. There’s just no way you can send him out there in the playoffs and expect him to get the job done. There’s also the little matter of Pena hitting .284-.318-.363 as a big leaguer, just .091-.130-.091 against lefties (SSS warning). He’s a more than acceptable backup infielder on the defensive side of the ball, but he offers almost nothing at the plate
As for replacing the outfield portion of Hairston’s contributions, the leading candidate would be Fast Freddy Guzman. The Yanks are fortunate enough to have two approximately league average centerfielders on their roster, so Hairston didn’t figure to get much playing time in the outfield anyway (he’s played just 90 innings out there for the Bombers). There has already been some talk about Guzman making the postseason roster as a pinch runner, and a lengthy injury to Hairston should all but guarantee his spot. Surprisingly, Guzman has a .900 OPS against lefties in his career, but the small sample size warning applies again. In reality, Guzman offers little value at the plate like Pena, with a career .541 OPS in the bigs and .704 in the minors.
We still don’t know how badly Hairston’s wrist is hurt, and while we all hope it’s nothing a little rest and/or cortisone can’t solve, the Yankees have to be prepared for the worst. They’ll probably have to go into the postseason without a reliable righty bat on the bench to send up against lefthanders, but how often would they have pinch hit for someone in this lineup a playoff setting anyway? The loss of Hairston’s flexibility is what really hurts.
Photo Credit: Rob Grabowski, US Presswire
how do you think this affects the chances of the yankees resigning him?
That’s a good question. He’s no longer a Type-B free agent because he played too many games in the outfield and no longer qualifies as a 2B/SS/3B, so there’s no point in offering him arbitration.
I think with guys like Pena and Russo knocked the door for a fraction of the price, they’ll end up letting him go. Hairston will catch on with some NL team probaby, maybe the Mets.
Especially if Peña continues to brush up on his OF skills over the winter. Dominican or Venezuelan winter league, perhaps?
Probably back home to Mexico. Competition’s a little better there too.
That works just as well. Plus, cheerleaders.
haha yeah. I think he’s shown a little potential at the plate. I think he can work out his OF skills fine out in Mexico
How does OF games-played effect his FA status, Mike?
The rankings are based on games played by position. I don’t what the exact criteria is, but he played too many games in the OF to qualify as in infielder.
So he’s a no-compensation FA now.
So, according to the ranking criteria IF>OF in terms of FA value?
No not necessarily. It just means there are way better outfielders out there than there are infielders, which pushes him down on the list.
The rankings are based on games played by position. I don’t what the exact criteria is, but he played too many games in the OF to qualify as in infielder.
So he’s a no-compensation FA now.
General information follow-up question: What IS Hairston, then? Is he not counted in either the Elias 1B/OF/DH list OR the 2B/3B/SS list? The fact that he’s played a certain number of innings in both lists removes him from A/B consideration in either one? He’s just an effective non-entity? Or is their a hierarchy between the lists, i.e. you must play X percentage of your innings at 2B/3B/SS to qualify for that list and if not you fall into the catchall 1B/OF/DH list… How does that work?
He’s on the 1B/OF.DH list, but not as a Type-A or B. He’s just a guy below those guys. There used to be Type-C’s before the latest CBA.
I have no idea what the criteria is as far as games played by position. MLBTR has a link to the latest rankings on the sidebar somewhere, you can see the full rankings there.
So, Jerry Hairston spends:
350.1 innings at 3B,
236.2 innings at SS, and
201.0 innings at LF/CF/RF…
And he’s classified as a 1B/OF/DH and not a 2B/3B/SS?
He’s played 74.49% of his big league innings this year as a third baseman or a shortstop, but he’s classified as a 1B/OF/DH. That’s a crock of shit.
The whole Elias rankings system is a crock of shit.
We should send Shelley over to the Commissioner’s office to straighten that thing out.
(gets shiv from under mattress)
any chance the yanks would go after a better super utility though he would probably get a starting job elsewhere in someone like DeRosa? unless we now think that both Damon and Matsui are coming back. DeRosa gives us someone to play LF, spot A-Rod at 3b. i like him more than a figgins type if he would take 1 yr.
I assume even with an injury situation, one would need to be on the 40 man for postseason eligibility…meaning ajax would be an impossibility?
Yes because we want somebody on the postseason roster who has never played an inning of Major League baseball.
No love for Bronson Sardinha in 2007?
Our favorite Hawaiian Yankee got into 10 games in September of ‘07:
http://www.baseball-reference......;year=2007
He was on the playoff roster two. And he has a twenty letter middle name.
http://tinyurl.com/yadzefp
He has more letters in his middle name than hits in the big leagues
So do I, and everyone else here, in all likelihood.
Hmm… no.
If memory (aka B-Ref) serves me correctly, he did get into a few Sept games.
Holy poor draft choice, Batman.
Is that a yes to my question or to your own opinion on him as a choice? Further, he could conceivably be called up before the end of the season…
As long as he was in the organization on August 31, he can be added to the playoff roster, even if he wasn’t on the 40-man roster.
But isn’t that moot as well? Don’t the Nady and Wang injuries give us exemptions to finagle anyone we want onto the playoff roster as injury replacements?
And wouldn’t Hairston’s injury triple that exemption?
What I said above would be true with our without Hairston. So yes.
When would J-Hair ever be called upon to face a lefty? Doesn’t that mean he would have to pinch-hit for someone? I don’t think the Yankees are going to pinch-hit for Damon, Matsui or others when in the postseason (I can’t even see him coming in for Brett Gardner). Maybe I’m missing something, though.
I also don’t really see him coming in as a defensive replacement in the infield (for defensive and offensive reasons). I guess I could see him replacing an outfielder in the later innings (Damon, hopefully), but then again, we’ll probably have one of Melky/Gardner available at all times, so he may not even be necessary there.
Completely agree. Maybe Mike can explain otherwise since he wrote the post, but barring a major injury to one of the starters I can not think of even a single viable situation where Hairston would get at bat in the playoffs. Even as a defensive replacement he is certainly replaceable. He is ok in the outfield I guess, but certainly not great. I would much rather have Guzman on the postseason roster anyway, considering he can have a huge impact on the game and I am sure there will be plenty of big opportunities where he can come in and steal a base or score on a sac fly.
Obviously I would want Hairston over Pena, but why are people making such a big deal about this?
Because there’s nothing else to write about?
And not to get too far ahead of myself, but not having Hairston is kind of a big deal in the World Series.
Good point on the WS, Mike. The offensive upgrade from J-Hair to Freddy Guzman could certainly be significant in such a situation.
Maybe Mike can explain otherwise since he wrote the post, but barring a major injury to one of the starters I can not think of even a single viable situation where Hairston would get at bat in the playoffs.
Maybe a World Series game in an NL park where we have to lift the pitcher? Perhaps that.
good point. did not think that far ahead. Thanks
Depends on the pitcher.
Touché.
http://www.yougabsports.com/us.....donuts.jpg (safe)
Burnett is capable of the long ball.
Yeah.
Oh, you meant as a hitter! Yeah, maybe that too.
CC hits bombs too.
I think a Hairston injury opens the door for the 11th pitcher on the postseason roster.
I felt the pecking order for the 6 bench spots was
1) Molina – backup C
2) Hinske – lefty PH
3) Hairston – righty PH, occasional IF LIDR
4) Gardner – pinchrunner, OF LIDR
5) Guzman – pinchrunner, OF LIDR
6) Peña – IF LIDR
There’s no other good candidates in the system for a postseason roster spot (Shelley can’t hit big league pitching, Miranda’s a lefty and is duplicated by Hinske, Cervelli is pointless because we don’t need two catchers), so if Hairston is done, lop him off, give his IF LIDR role to Peña, roll with a 5 man bench, keep an 11 man piching staff (which means both Joba and Gaudin make it), and pray we never need a righty pinch hit situation.
(although, I wonder if it’s possible to 60-day DL Hairston and sign Yurrendel DeCaster back… hmmm…)
Yurrendel DeCaster vs. LHP, AAA 2009 – .379/.431/.545 (66 AB)
his first name is too long
What kind of name is that anyhow? “Koomar”, what is that, like, five “O”s or two “U”s? What happened to good old American names like Dave or Jim?
You are a wealth of movie quotes, sir
The last thing he said to me, “Doc,” he said, “some time… when the crew is up against it, and the breaks are beating the boys, tell them to get out there and give it all they got… and win just one for the Zipper.”
“I don’t know where I’ll be then, Doc,” he said, “but I won’t smell too good, that’s for sure.”
And in no way is that depressing.
I’d agree. I hate the need to carry basically a useless part with no role on the team just because they “might” need a 5th outfielder. At least theres a chance another BP arm might have a positive impact in a game.
Perhaps for the first round carry Guzman would be ok, but for the ALCS, should they make it, I’d say extra pitcher…
(doublechecks math)
Wait, are you agreeing with me or not? I’m confused.
Guzman is in regardless. He’s in in all three rounds of the playoffs. He’s moot to this discussion. This is about how the Hairston injury eliminates the duplication of Peña that would have left HIM off the roster if we chose to go with only a 5 man bench and an 11 man pitching staff (which we weren’t inclined to do anyway) and earns Peña a reprieve. Guzman’s irrelevant to this.
Heh, Jerry was all stoked about being able to play in the postseason.
Quick question: If he hits the DL now, and the Yankees win enough in the postseason, does he get the bonuses, and even a ring if they win the world series? What about Nady? Does he get any of this.
Everybody gets it. You spent a day on the active roster, you get the rings and the check and the steaks and the blowjobs.
Angel Berroa and Cody Ransom and Steven Jackson and Anthony Clagett too.
i believe everyone who was on the active roster during the season gets a ring, no?
as to the other stuff i dunno
THe players vote on playoff shares, so I’d assume they’d vote him some.
Thank you all.
THe players vote on playoff shares, so I’d assume they’d vote him some.
I vote AGAINST Joba getting a playoff share, because he disrespects the game and doesn’t take it seriously.
Sincerely,
Crochety Ol’ Man Jorge
Loss of Hairston is no big deal he was a marginal contributor at best. I am really hoping Joba has a good showing tomorrow night, great opportunity for him. Pitching against the Sox and Lester is a challenege he should rise to if he is going to an ace type pitcher, of course teh Soc will know he is only going to throw so many pitches so that is a major disadvantage for Joba. I am also glad to see Girardi press Joba a bit maybe that will wake him up. As Bill walsh said “this is the pros and we dont have to keep you”
Heh.
You know Bill Walsh the former coach of the San Franisco 49ers. His former fullback Tom Rathman stated that he wa stold this by Bill Walsh after he had fumble problems his rookie year in training camp. I think its an apt quote in terms of accountability.
We know who Bill Walsh is, mryankee.
Maybe that gentleman did not know who he was.
Heh, I did. If this thread was about Jobber, I’d appreciate it.
FACT: All Cowboys fans know very well who Bill Walsh is. They can’t erase the painful memories of many a Walsh-lead 49er beatdown. FACT.
Heh, luckily I wasn’t around.
Heh, luckily I wasn’t around.
Apparently, neither was the Cowboys secondary.
http://www.instantrimshot.com
Meh, they beat up enough on his successor to make up for it. I’ll never forget the image of Steve Young losing his helmet in the NFC championship game.
none of this changes the fact that starting your comment with “I don’t care about Hairston, what about Joba” doesn’t make this on-topic.
The Joba question has been talked about ad-nauseam. We won’t have any more data until he pitches again, so let’s not talk about it until that point.
We all knew who Bill Walsh was. Even The Distinguished Gentleman Mr. Popavero.
The only person who doesn’t know who Bill Walsh is is Danyelle Sargent.
Could that be because she went to FSU?
Heh.
Loss of Hairston is no big deal he was a marginal contributor at best.
I am really hoping Joba has a good showing tomorrow night, great opportunity for him. Pitching against the Sox and Lester is a challenege he should rise to if he is going to an ace type pitcher, of course teh Soc will know he is only going to throw so many pitches so that is a major disadvantage for Joba. I am also glad to see Girardi press Joba a bit maybe that will wake him up. As Bill walsh said “this is the pros and we dont have to keep you”this thread has nothing to do with joba.
I have read numerous other posts in this thread and not all have been about hairston as well. Why are you not admonishing them?
Because all those posts are directly tangentially related to Hairston, because they’re about the ripple effect that Hairston’s absence creates on the playoff roster choices.
Joba’s start against Boston is not tangentially related to Hairston’s injury. (Well, it could be, but not in the way you made it.)
Because you are notorious for going off topic. And the things we talk about are related to the Hairston topic. Joba is not related to Hairston
are you sure there not related ?, not even 2nd or 3rd cousins ?
Does it have anything to do with Justin Verlander? PLEASE, SAY YES. PLEEEEEEEEEASE SAY IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH JUSTIN VERLANDER.
Sincerely,
mryankee
I never mentioned his name and have not in a long time. I am convinced by you all he will get pounded by the Yankees in the 1st game. I am sorry I ever thought he was a quality pitcher.
Calm down, I’m just goofin on ya. Have a sense of humor about yourself.
He is the suck. Thanks for agreeing with a point that was never made.
mryankee: 1
Strawman: 0
I have to ask you a questions I want to say I give you credit for one thing you seem unwavering in your confidence about the Yankees chances. Would you be utterly shocked if they did not win it all? is there any hint of doubt in your mind? Is any team worthy of being on the same field with the Yankees?
We’re not homers, we’re just not pessimists.
I am not either I have been convicned over the past few weeks or so that I was being overly pessimistic. I was wrong about AJ being a liability. I was wrong about the back of the bullpen in terms of depth. I was only trying to say that some of the potential opponents have some seriour strengths that should be addressed. However after having read kruk’s recent article I now more than ever want the Yanks to not only win but dominate. That guy is a completed DBAG.
However after having read kruk’s recent article I now more than ever want the Yanks to not only win but dominate. That guy is a completed DBAG.
I read that too. It was pathetic. I’m sure it will probably be addressed in a post here by one of the big three shortly, and we can all bangwagon it to death. Kruk is a chowderhead.
what did it say? can u provide a link?
Follow the link in my name; one of my co-writers broke it down FJM style.
Basically, everyone has issues but the Sox.
However after having read kruk’s recent article I now more than ever want the Yanks to not only win but dominate. That guy is a completed DBAG.
that’s the smartest thing you’ve said all day!!
(humor)
I standy my saying that tomorrow is a great opportunity for Joba. Maybe off topic but true. I also standby something I have said a few times prior and this will probably aggravate some people. I think its possible Bo Jackson could have made the HOF in both baseball and football.
Is any team worthy of being on the same field with the Yankees?
Real Madrid.
I have to ask you a questions
I have to FedEx you a book. Several of them. But nevermind, keep going…
I want to say I give you credit for one thing you seem unwavering in your confidence about the Yankees chances.
That’s because I don’t let momentary hiccups or bumps sway me. The long (and truthful) narrative of this season has been “We’re the best team in baseball”. There’s always things that don’t go your way, but we have every right to be confident.
Would you be utterly shocked if they did not win it all?
Yes. Shit happens and nothing is promised, but yes, I expect us to win it all and if we do not, that would be very unexpected.
is there any hint of doubt in your mind?
Yes, but it’s canceled out by the larger doubt that all the other teams should have in their minds, because they have larger flaws and more things to be concerned about than we do. It’s all a matter of perspective.
Is any team worthy of being on the same field with the Yankees?
That statement is ridiculously hyperbolic, so I won’t answer it. What I will say is this. We’re good. There are other teams that are good. Our team is better. Thus, while anything is possible, I feel confident that we have the advantage in any potential matchup against any possible opponent. We should feel confident in eventual victory against anyone.
I am good with that-matter of fact I would be suprised as well. I just thought it was at the very least impressive how you have not wavered. I am sure you know how hwrd it is for me to complement you.
I am sure you know how hwrd it is for me to complement you.
Nah, let’s let bygones be bygones. You’re good money, you just have a writing style that is a little funny with its oversimplification and plaintive voice sometimes, but you’re making progress.
Look at it this way: You didn’t get banned twice like Axl/Makavelli! There, see? Things are looking up!
Now let’s handshake it out. We’ll do a little of this
(slap flip slap pound)
and then take it into the Bro-hug
(hug)
and then the BRO-BOT… I AM A BRO-BOT…
and then BOOOOOOOOOOOOM, MAKE IT EXPLOOOOOOOOOODE!!!
Well thats cool with me. BTW feel free to and I would like to hear your thoughts on whether or not Bo Jackson could have been a hof in both football and baseball.
I would like to hear your thoughts on whether or not Bo Jackson could have been a hof in both football and baseball.
Hmmm… I don’t have any thoughts on that.
Look at it this way: You didn’t get banned twice like Axl/Makavelli! There, see? Things are looking up!
he got banned again?? what happened?
Axavelli will return as “The Don Killuminati”
He was the first commenter on a thread and wrote “first!!”
He was the first commenter on a thread and wrote “first!!”
sigh.
He was asking for it. I think he WANTED to get banned.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suicide_by_cop
joe-paw wakes up: why am i tied up?
axl: this is what you get
joe-paw: are you kidding me?
axl: it shuts its mouth and puts the lotion in the basket.
and scene
I would like to hear your thoughts on whether or not Bo Jackson could have been a hof in both football and baseball.
You really have no respect for the site owner’s commenting guidelines, do you?
You notice that I didn’t respond…
I did, but my comment was directed at him, not you.
“You really have no respect for the site owner’s commenting guidelines, do you?”
mryankee has never respected our wish to keep threads on topic. It bothers me now. It will really bother me soon.
He did a pretty good job of trying to trick us.
He could of put a little bit more effort into it. Something like how he likes Hairston’s defense behind Joba. Or just totally bullshit how Joba pitches better when Hairston starts.
(Sorry, but Shelley Duncan doesn’t belong anywhere near a Major League playoff roster.)
Sad but true. It’s hard not to root for Shelley but…ugh. If he’d at least looked decent while up in the bigs in these days he could be possible trade bait (a DH for a desperate team out there?) but as it stands–and at his age–it looks like Duncan will be a veteran minor leaguer at best. Too bad.
Does he have a shot at Crash Davis’ MiL HR record?
I bet someone will at least invite him to camp in ‘10.
he could be possible trade bait (a DH for a desperate team out there?)
Has Tuffy Rhodes retired from the Orix Buffaloes yet?
Personally, I think Pena is better defensively than Hairston JR, but that’s just my opinion. I agree his offense needs some help, maybe that can get done in the winter leagues, but he has had some nice hits from time to time.
Hairston has no structural damage to his wrist and took another cortisone shot for his tendinitis. Probably won’t see him play until sometime next week. This information is being reported on all of the NY papers blogs.