Comments on: Is Johnny Damon really that bad on defense?

By: Left field closing arguments: Johnny Damon | River Avenue Blues

Left field closing arguments: Johnny Damon | River Avenue Blues — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 05:01:41 +0000

[...] his defense. It was pretty bad in 2009, both by scouting and by statistical standards. I tried to find a glimmer of hope, but was unsuccessful (Keith Law even added a negative scouting report to supplement the numbers). [...]

By: Damon thinks his defense “was a positive” for the Yanks | River Avenue Blues

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 02:01:34 +0000

[...] a cliff in 2009, as he went from a 6.7 UZR over 659.1 innings to a -9.2 UZR in 1,117.2 innings. I looked all over for evidence that UZR was wrong, but didn’t find much. Even the scouting view, courtesy of Keith Law, doesn’t favor [...]

By: Damon: I don’t want no stinkin’ paycut | River Avenue Blues

Damon: I don’t want no stinkin’ paycut | River Avenue Blues — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:31:38 +0000

[...] bring you back. But let’s be realistic. You’re 36, and 36-year-old outfielders who are declining in the field don’t get to sign a multi-year deal without some sort of pay [...]

By: What Went Right: The Improved Defense | River Avenue Blues

What Went Right: The Improved Defense | River Avenue Blues — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:31:55 +0000

[...] at five of the seven non-pitcher & catcher spots this year. Johnny Damon’s unexpected nosedive off the defensive cliff is the glaring exception, although Alex Rodriguez also went backwards a bit last year, likely due [...]

By: Reacher

Reacher — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:40:34 +0000

I should add that his “arm” required no comment for the rather obvious reasons.

By: Reacher

Reacher — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:37:52 +0000

The “eyeball” test often is not borne out by the stats…but in this instance it clearly is. Casting aside for a moment, the egregious plays, and they were memorable, every play was an adventure…there was always doubt as to whether the ball would be caught however routine it was. His eye to hand coodination is now dubious, at best, if not shot altogether; rarely, if ever did he catch the ball in the conventional fashion, often sticking out his glove at the last moment, to his left or right, leaving the issue most always in doubt. It may be “fluttering” or not running on the balls of his feet, but he was consistent. Going back to the wall was also an adventure, jumping too early, too late or not at all. Damon, most simply put, is no longer a “professional” leftfielder; his presence in the field is an insult to the hallowed game.

By: themgmt

themgmt — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:18:46 +0000

Damon spent much of 2009 out of position. Shaded towards the line too much.

By: let matsui go

let matsui go — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:48:58 +0000

The Yankees absolutely need to let Matsui go so that they can begin to pay damon (if they keep him) at dh. I don’t care what the defensive numbers say, damon has always been awful defensively in LF. His arm is atrocious and he always takes awful routes to the ball after taking bad breaks off the bat. I think the yankees need to pray that Minnesota sigs mauer to an exension so the red sox don’t sigj him. The best option for the Yankees is playing in tampa. If Crawford is available in a trade, I would pay extra to get tampa to trade him in the division. If he was a FA right now I am sure the Yankees would be keying in on him over holliday or bay. He is a tremendous defender with really solid offense and spectacular speed. If he is available in a trade come july the Yankees need to pounce. He would be the absolute perfect fit on the Yankees.

By: tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside

tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:45:54 +0000

Fair enough.

The only person that exists whose eyeball test would be foolproof is that mythical non-person you described who does not really exist.

By: Pete

Pete — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:26:02 +0000

Amazing we won a championship with 2 bums in the corner outfield spots, eh?