Possible trade target: David DeJesus
ByThe Yankees boast a .361 OBP and a .355 wOBA as a team, the best and second best marks in baseball, respectively, but they still seem to be one bat short. Part of the problem is the underperforming Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez, but Nick Johnson‘s absence (.388 OBP before getting hurt) hurts as well. There have been rumors that the Yanks will look to acquire another hitter before next month’s trade deadline, and that it could be a versatile outfielder. We’ve already looked at a pair of possible bench options in Jeff Keppinger and Ty Wigginton, and now it’s time to look at a potential every day player: David DeJesus.
Photo Credit: Nick Wass, AP
Over the last two seasons, perhaps no player has been linked to the Yankees in speculative rumors more than DeJesus, and I’ve never quite figured out why. He was born in Brooklyn but raised in New Jersey, and I remember him having a pretty big series in the Bronx a few seasons back, but that’s pretty much the only connection I can find. Then again, the Yankees were in need of a young and productive outfielder for quite a few years there, so he made sense.
The 30-year-old DeJesus is enjoying the finest season of his career this year, already racking up 2.3 WAR in the team’s first 73 games (five win pace). His .325/.394/.482 batting line (.383 wOBA) represents career highs across the board and not not by small margins either, though a BABIP 41 points over his established career baseline is certainly helping things out. DeJesus has shown a pretty significant platoon split in his career (.319 wOBA vs. LHP, .358 vs. RHP), though it’s not as pronounced as say, Curtis Granderson‘s. For what it’s worth, ZiPS rest of the projection calls for a .297/.369/.451 batting line (.360 wOBA) the rest of the way, which represents a career year.
Defensively, DeJesus can play all three outfield spots, though he’s at his best in left (+18.9 UZR/150 career) and is basically average in center (-1.2) and right (+0.1). This year is the first time he’s played right on basically an every day basis, though he doesn’t really have the arm strength typically associated with the position. Regardless, he’s no worst than a league average defensive outfielder on a full-time basis.
Baserunning is a different matter, because DeJesus is a shockingly bad basestealer. He’s not Robbie Cano bad, but bad enough. He’s just 18-for-38 in stolen base attempts over the last three years, which is an unacceptable 47.4% success rate. I know some people don’t like the word unacceptable, but I think it absolutely applies in this situation. If you aren’t a good basestealer, you simply stop trying to steal bases. Easy fix, end of story. The good news is that DeJesus is a very good baserunner in all other baserunning situations (moving up on grounders, going first-to-third, etc.), having been worth 8.34 runs above average in those spots since 2008.
Photo Credit: Ed Zurga, AP
As for the cash money, DeJesus is owed about $2.6M the rest of this season, and there’s a $6M option for his services in 2011 with a $500,000 buyout. He’s currently projected to be a Type-B free agent, but he’s very close to Type-A status (exactly one point away) and could conceivably play his way there in the second half. Remember that every dollar the Yankees spend is actually $1.40 because of the luxury tax, so the $3.1M he’s guaranteed becomes a $4.34M expense for the Yanks. If they pick up the option, it becomes more than a $12M expense. Hal Steinbrenner put his foot down with the budget last year, refusing to approve a trade for Mike Cameron because it would have added $5M to the payroll, and so far there hasn’t been any indication that he will budge this year.
The problem with DeJesus isn’t production, far from it. The money is an issue that the brain trust will have to consider, but there’s also the question of where exactly does he fit with the team? The Yankees already boast a tremendously productive starting outfield in Brett Gardner (2.0 WAR), Nick Swisher (2.3), and Granderson (1.4), so it’s not like DeJesus is going to come in and take one of those guys’ job. The designated hitter’s spot is, for all intents and purposes, open for the rest of the year because you can’t count on Johnson a) returning anytime soon, and b) staying healthy when he does return. I suppose a five headed outfield/designated hitter platoon monster of Gardner, Granderson, Swisher, DeJesus, and Marcus Thames could be employed, but when is the last time a team tried something crazy like that and it actually worked?
We still don’t know what the Royals will ask for in exchange their best outfielder, but they’re not going to just give him away given his age, production, and salary. Assuming the option is picked up, Sky Kalkman’s trade value calculator pegs DeJesus’ trade value at $26.5M, which Victor Wang’s research says is basically equivalent to a top hitting prospect, or a top pitching prospect and a lesser prospect. If you want to start piecing together Grade-B and C prospects, you’re talking three players minimum. If Kansas City were to kick in any money in the deal, that’s just more you’d have to surrender in terms of young players.
This post isn’t intended to say whether or not the Yankees should look to go out and acquire DeJesus, I’m just presenting the information and explaining what the situation is. There’s no denying that he’s an above average every day player, but there are very real cost issues – in terms of both money and players – that need to be addressed, plus the entire playing time situation.
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The Tyler Austin Watch
I know some people don’t like the word unacceptable, but I think it absolutely applies in this situation.
/TSJCbait’d
I actually agree with you, Mike. DeJesus’s SB rate is unacceptable, and he should be given the permanent red light for the rest of his life. This is an excellent use of the word unacceptable.
another use of the word “unacceptable”fits b.cashman.what is he smoking these days?l.do not agree with his moves lately!does he think because he won the “world series”(2009)that all other teams are afraid of the yankees.does’nt he know that he has to work “twice”as hard this year to bring back another wrld.series.he talked about becoming “younger”so he let matsui/damon walk.replaced them with,thames/winn.yeah,thats getting younger.o.k.,winn is gone.now they pick-up chad mouler(gone).thames,still hanging on.why is”nt he gone.where are the”stein.brthrs.”l can’t believe strict as there “dad”was,that they are allowing this.is it because they are in 1st.place.somebody needs to wake-up “cashman”.
Over the last two seasons, perhaps no player has been linked to the Yankees in speculative rumors more than DeJesus, and I’ve never quite figured out why. He was born was in Brooklyn…
I think, for whatever reason, a lot of Yankees fans want to cheer for a “hometown” kid thus they are enamored with DeJesus despite it making no sense to try and trade for him.
sounds good,but it takes more than “hometown kids”to win a pennant/world series!!!!
l agree with you 1-hundred per cent.instead of”dejesus”give”c.collins a shot&or”golson..
Man, look at that gritbeard. So full and so gritty, yet so perfectly groomed and symmetrical.
He’s like a metrogritsexual.
a gritrosexual?
Simply put, Dejesus would be a waste on the Yankees. He has no position and I don’t think wasting money and prospects to turn a starter into a bench/platoon player is a good idea.
True.I like him,but he’s not going to be productive in any platoon situation.He also is untested in pressure situations.
He also is untested in pressure situations.
Experience is something you don’t get until just after you need it.
In Derek Jeter’s 5th World Series he hit .148/.179/.259
He was plenty tested at that point and was terrible.
To be fair, Arizona’s pitching was so dominant that series that the ’27 Yankees would have put up similar lines.
Agreed with you there. I just think experience is very overrated.
agree “dejesus”waste of money..where would you put him??what part of the bench would he occupy??save the money,give these young kids a shot..
I’d rather not have to pay for a guys bat and outfield prowess if he’s going to be playing the field every day. There has to be a better option for DH that won’t be as cost prohibitive.
*not going to be playing.
There has to be a better option for DH that won’t be as cost prohibitive.
Jermaine Dye?
Gary Sheffield?
Carlos Delgado, who should be ready by July?
I’d want someone with a lot more defensive versatility than any of those guys have.
I just want a DH. We’re only talking about the 25th man on the roster.
Are we? We’re not talking about replacing Ramiro Pena here. I’d want someone who could DH, but also spell A-rod, Jeter, or Swisher as well as start for Gardner or Granderson against tough lefties. Bringing in a fulltime DH presents a problem considering we have so many older players who could use the half day off in the dog days.
I’d want someone who could DH, but also spell A-rod, Jeter, or Swisher as well as start for Gardner or Granderson against tough lefties.
Does that player exist? A good enough bat to DH, and enough glove to play all 3 OF positions as well as SS and 3B? So you’re saying they should call up Melvin?
Well, that’s the $50,000 question isn’t it? There’s no clear answer for the player the Yankees could use. Again, I don’t think a full-time DH is the way to go, nor plucking a starter and putting him into a platoon.
Hairston Jr. fit the role well enough last year, at least defensively. But his bat isn’t DH-worthy.
(Obviously Hairston isn’t available, but I’m sure there’s someone out there like him)
But at the same time, we also had a guy last year who was a glorified DH, who was only there to hit the ball. He played LF/RF/1B, but poorly.
His name was Eric Hinske.
Until the last couple sentences, I honestly thought you were talking about Damon.
Well the Royals have two players who can present similar options: Alex Gordon and David DeJesus. Alex Gordon can give A-Rod a day off, DeJesus could start for one of the two Gardner or Granderson against a tough lefty and put up a replacement level-ish line. Furthermore, you’ll have three plus defensive outfielders if that happens. I’d be willing to give up good pieces too. If the Royals wanted something like McAllister, Nova, Laird, and Adams I’d be down. You’re getting a legitimate everyday outfielder who might get type A status (if they pick up the option they can have a spot for him too) and a former number one prospect with ability left.
ARE YOU RELATED TO “CASHMAN”??????????you gotta be kidding!!!!!we already have a”accident waiting to happen in”thames”& now you wanna go get “sheffield”(mr.prejudice),j.dye-hard&c.del-got-no-body….
go after a “legit” d./h.it’s obvious n.j.is done.another brilliant sign by “cashman”.money thrown away.could of been put to better use.
Making this trade would be like ol’ George was back at the helm. Is there a position for him? No. Will he add salary? Yes. Will he cost good prospects? Yes. Is he in any way shape or form a necessary acquistion? No.
Great – trade for him.
But Dayton Moore is at the helm, so maybe we can trick him?
IETC.
seems as though”cashman”is trying to full”ol’george’s shoes”.so far he’s doin a good job of it,screwing things up.were playing our “worse”ball ever & were still in 1st.place.goes to show you how bad tampa’s playing!but “tampa’s”not our worry,look-out for the bo-sox….we are a “accident”waiting to happen!!cashman&joe g.needs to wake up befor its toooooo late!!!
This is where Gardner’s performance has really helped the Yankees. Not only is Brett playing like an above average LFer (all things considered), but he minimizes the need to acquire a DeJesus, Crawford, Werth, etc. Sure, Werth and Crawford might be upgrades from Gardner, but not at the price they will command.
I think Girardi and Cash are sold on Gardner. They won’t need to replace him until his speed diminishes. However, once the speed goes, he’s in store for a pretty significant slide.
DeJesus is a nice player, but he doesn’t fit on this roster if Gardner continues playing well.
Agreed…
Gardner OPS: .823
Crawford OPS: .859
Considering Gardner has very little pop, he’s holding his own against Crawford’s offensive statistics. I don’t think any of us thought he could do this well. As long as Gardner doesn’t turn in a horrible second half, I think you’re right in that the FO will be sold on keeping him as the LF, especially since he’ll be insanely cheap compared to Crawford.
Werth obviously has more pop than both of them combined, but I’m not sure the Yankees feel a slugging LF is what they need right now.
EqBRR.
http://www.baseballprospectus......8;stat=496
where would DeJesus play? They are not taking Gardner, Granderson or Swisher out of their respective outfield spots.
Let’s give him the 8th inning.
IETC.
Maybe they can expand the deal and get Soria to replace Ramiro Pena?
Actually, he’d be the perfect 4th OF’er if it weren’t for the price tag. You could give him him a day in each OF spot and give the regular day off, or DH the regular that day. You can also DH him against tough righties, PH & PR him. You can find 20-25 AB’s for a DeJesus every week without killing the team.
Gee, it sounds like what Gardner did last year, doesn’t it?
No room for him, and cost would be way too much considering the season he’s having. Career year at 30 years old with an inflated BABIP. For most of his career he’s been a solid player who excels at almost nothing (except LF defense). Not nearly a good enough bat to be a full time DH, and not needed otherwise.
I agree he’s not the ideal target because he’d cost too much and because there’s no need for a player like him in the Yanks’ outfield, but I don’t think I agree with your last point about his bat not being good enough for him to be a full-time DH. I think we tend to overrate how good the DHs are – as of today, DeJesus’s .383 wOBA would place him second amongst AL DHs and would place him behind only Cano, Posada and Swisher on the Yankees.
I agree. But his .383 wOBA probably isn’t his true talent level; his career wOBA is .344. That’s still solid, but not really good DH-esque.
Yeah, he’s been good enough to be a DH this year, but for the rest of his career he hasn’t been.
But the question isn’t whether 2006 David DeJesus would be a decent DH, it’s whether 2010 David DeJesus would be. According to his performance so far and the reasonable projections for him for the rest of the season, it’s more reasonable to say he would be than to think he wouldn’t be.
That and 29 isn’t exactly an unusual age for a guy to have a career year, nor is there any reason to expect that he can’t contribute in some fashion next year. Furthermore, if he plays his way to type A status you can get a pick top recoup some of the lost prospects.
Oh for sure, but I think you have to allow for the fact that he’s in the midst of a career-year at an age at which this kind of season isn’t exactly totally insane for him to have, and knock up your projections a bit. Like Mike said in the post, he’s projected to hit for a .360 wOBA the rest of the season, which would keep him right near the top of the DH leaderboard. This season we really don’t have much reason to believe DeJesus wouldn’t be a serviceable to quite good DH.
This season we really don’t have much reason to believe DeJesus wouldn’t be a serviceable to quite good DH.
This is true, but the problem is that you wouldn’t be trading for David Dejesus-DH, you’d be trading for David Dejesus-GG Left Fielder, so the cost would be higher. Even if you put him at DH, you’re not trading for DH value, you’re paying a premium because he’s a very good LF.
Right… But that’s what I already agreed with in my first comment in this conversation:
“I agree he’s not the ideal target because he’d cost too much and because there’s no need for a player like him in the Yanks’ outfield, but I don’t think I agree with your last point about his bat not being good enough for him to be a full-time DH.”
I’m not saying the Yanks should go acquire him, I’m just saying his bat, this season, is good enough for him to be a serviceable to very good DH.
I’m supposed to read the whole comment before I respond? Come on, it’s 2010! I don’t have the patience for that.
Agree to Agree.
Ha, deal.
P.S.: you’re fat.
I do like extra cheese-sauce and chili on my delicious victorious arguments. Mmmmmmmmmm.
http://aht.seriouseats.com/arc.....urger.html
You’re welcome.
I like DeJesus, but put me in the camp that thinks he costs too much money for the lack of a place to put him in the lineup. To say nothing that other teams want him, so they’d have to outbid them on the trade package.
To say nothing that other teams want him, so they’d have to outbid them on the trade package.
That.
Kansas City’s GM is Dayton Moore, he acquired Scott Podsednik and Rick Ankiel in the same offseason. Stop pretending like any of the teams that are ran by people whose parents aren’t related by blood will give him a good offer.
Funny you mention that. In today’s Globe:
David DeJesus will be traded to the Sox: With the uncertainty surrounding Cameron and Jacoby Ellsbury, the Sox need another outfielder, and DeJesus, who can play all three outfield spots, makes perfect sense. Nick Cafardo mentioned the connection the Sox have with assistant to the general manager Allard Baird, who was the Royals GM when Kansas City selected DeJesus in the fourth round of the 2000 draft. DeJesus is batting .325 this year, but is hitting right-handed pitching at a .346 clip. He’s making $4.6 million with a $6 million salary next season, but a tidy $500,000 buyout. That makes him an ideal rental.
It makes 1000x more sense for the Sox to pursue him than the Yankees.
Dejesus for Nava, the Royals are looking to upgrade their OF.
how does thames for dejesus sound.naw,only if “cashman”is there g./m.would it work!!!!
It makes 1000x more sense for the Sox to pursue him than the Yankees.
They’re getting Cameron and Ellsbury back, and Ortiz found another pharmacist. They’ll have no spot for him in a while. At least the Yankees have a DH slot open. That and they have too many players of color as it is.
DeJesus is light skinned, he’s good money.
Boston fans are like airport security, the name’s enough to set them off. He’d have to change his last name to Dennison or something white sounding for it to work.
I’d rather trade for Alex Gordon, who Dayton Moore clearly thinks is terrible.
I like it.
Alex Gordon for Jorge Vazquez and Reegie Corona. You know Moore can’t resist another 1B/DH and another punchless middle infielder.
Or we can take on of the handful of no-hit speedy OFers in the system and trade for Gordon.
Moore’s head would explode with the idea of having another Gathright-type bat.
But seriously, Gordon could play a mediocre 3B if need be for ARod, plus he could maybe hit at a decent clip (better than anyone the team has now). He’s hitting well in AAA Omaha. And he’s 26.
Plus he’s Joba’s former Nebraska teammate and buddy. Go Huskers!
This Yankee team is unique in that you can make a very strong argument against them making any moves this season.
Starting Pitching – barring injury, no one is getting replaced here – unless if the M’s decide to give Lee away for Eduardo Nunez or less (not happening).
Bullpen – I may be in the minority, but I’m very confident CHoP can get straightened out. Marte, Robertson, Joba and Mo have all been fine (excpet for a few expected hiccups here and there). Mitre has been good, and should return soon. Gaudin has an irrelevant job, and has done it as expected. Also, he will be gone once Aceves returns. The pieces are all there, with reinforcements in SWB – Sanchez, Melancon, Albaladejo, etc.
C/DH – I really think Jorge will end up catching half the time, and DHing nearly the other half. Which leaves Miranda/Thames/ARod/Jeter/Tex/etc to DH once a week or so. I can live with that. I’m not a fan of Cervelli getting 12+ ABs a week, but there aren’t many other options out there – especially for a team with Romine and Montero within striking distance of the big leagues.
Extra Outfielder/Utility IFer – Thames and Russo/Curtis/Huffman/Golson can more than capably serve as the backup OFers. The starting OFers are all on the right side of 30, and are performing well. Pena is a pretty awful hitter, but he has decent wheels, good defensive versatility and a very good glove. Hairston was a great pick up last year because the team also needed a guy who can backup the OF and be a defensive replacement for Damon. They don’t need that this year.
My concern is the BP. I can see them trying to get another veteran arm although Albaladejo has been pitching well at AAA.
I don’t think the BP in general is a concern. I do think finding a better second LOOGY than Boone and Shannon Logan is a concern, though, because we all know there will be a situation in the 2010 playoffs where Girardi is going to want a second lefty.
I think we’ll sniff around every lefty reliever on the market, looking for a reasonable price.
I think Cashman would be hard pressed to find an available/attainable reliever with as solid a relief pitching track record as Park. Maybe I’m forgetting some guys, but over the last 3 years, Cashman has traded for only 1 reliever (Marte) and signed 2 as FA (Hawkins and Park). Although Mitre and Gaudin are relievers, they’re not your typical, volatile, short relief guys.
Although Mitre and Gaudin are relievers, they’re not your typical, volatile, short relief guys.
Perhaps we should look at marginal starters available for peanuts and move them to the pen.
Worked for Park, Coke, Mo, etc. That might be a good route to take.
I will admit, when Ivan Nova came up and pitched out of the bullpen for that one day or two, I imagined seeing “Super Nova” flash on the scoreboard. Perfect nick name for a reliever, that is my only basis for the move, and I don’t care.
leave “albajo”where he is for now..
yeah…he’s absolutely dominating AAA hitters and scouting reports indicate his arsenal and pitching style have changed. Why mess with a good thing by having him pitch in meaningful games?
l like what your thinking except for one player you bring up in the mix & that is marcus thames.once he comes off the d/l,they should turn him loose.replace him with curtis colon.curtis looks alot better than huffman.whats your feeling on my theory???.t/c
Your theory sucks.
thank you!!!!!!!!hahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!
what are you?
I honestly think it might be possible to pull a one-for-one Gardner for Dejesus deal. Which you’d at least have to consider. Gardner should be great in left (or center), and couldbe a passable offensive player overall, while Dejesus is great in left (though probably not for much longer), and is a solid offensive player overall (assuming this year represents a spike rather than a trend). It’s essentially trading an uncertain for a certain, and could prove to be a steal within a year, if Gardner finds himself unable to sustain his offensive production and doesn’t meet his defensive expectations.
On the other hand, Dejesus is unlikely to continue for very long at that +18 UZR/150 pace, and it’s possible that (especially in LF) Gardner could exceed it, or else play great defense at the even-more-valuable position of CF. Also, Gardner could continue to improve offensively, and become a legitimate Crawford-lite (i.e. Crawford without power), except he’ll be making much less money and is only 26 (?), vs. 30 for Dejesus. If Gardner takes a very possible step backwards, post-trade, then it’d be a huge win for the Yanks. If he takes any kind of step forwards, it’ll be a huge loss for the Yanks. This would be a rare example of a trade that really could only be evaluated in hindsight, since there simply isn’t any way of knowing whether or not Gardner is playing at his true talent level or not right now.
You make valid points, but I wouldn’t do it. Dejesus isn’t a good enough player to take the risk that Gardner is for real and you lost a young cheap starter like Gardner. Having Gardner be a legit starter (and he’s getting there) allows them do to more in the offseason. Salaries considered, there’s probably not a big difference between what Dejesus’ average season is and what Gardner will likely end up at (even if, as expected, it’s below this year’s performance).
I agree with all of this. I like DeJesus, but I don’t think you can trade Gardner for him. No way.
I -might- do it, only because – as Pete mentioned – DeJesus has a better track record than Gardner does. As good as Gardner has been so far this year, he couldn’t even hold his job against Melky Cabrera last year. Are we now convinced that after 3 months, Gardner has turned the corner? I wouldn’t be willing to bet the farm on that. If KC called up and asked for this deal straight up, I’d be very tempted.
As good as Gardner has been so far this year, he couldn’t even hold his job against Melky Cabrera last year. Are we now convinced that after 3 months, Gardner has turned the corner?
I agree with this, I remember him talking with Max Kellerman about how he always does better the second time around in the league saying that it takes him a while to get acclimated to his surroundings. Perhaps it took him a bit longer this time and he made some adjustments. I’d lean towards not doing it, mainly because I think you can have your cake and eat it in this situation.
It’s all about the Hamiltons, baby.
l have to agree with you on this one..I think we could do better with gardner for dejesus….
why bother with dejesus or anybody else if they claim to go after c.crawford!they have a ton of outfldrs.they can experiment with if someone should get hurt.why are they staying away from golson?colon collins,who l think looks the best outta everyone they experienced with so far.montaro should be given a chance also.d/h him see what he can do.now,a.j.another problem.l think he should be moved outta his slot until he can get his act together.move p.huges up in his slot & put a.j.in huges slot.
No.
Gardner > DeJesus
Everyone keeps saying we never know what Gardner is going to do, he’s probably going to not be good offensively, he’s probably not going to continue doing well. Well, so far he’s been worth 5+ wins in his short career. Until he proves that he isn’t going to be worth 3+ wins a year over a full season, I’m sticking with Gardner and his minimum salary.
agree,if it came down to “gardner”for “dejesus”,NO TRADE..but then again,”cashman”worries me.lately he’s been smoking something&or drinking something”funny”….
Love your blog.
The Yanks control Gardner for 4 more years. He’ll be a dirt cheap OFer next year, and then he’ll have 3 years of arbitration – which is always team-friendly.
Brett will turn 27 this August, which means they will probably get his age 25-30 seasons for less than $10-12 million total. Since he relies so much on his speed, its unlikely that he’ll improve once he gets past 30. Take away some of his infield hits and SB’s, and turn some of his 3B into 2B, and his numbers are a lot less impressive.
The Yanks would be wise to ride Gardner while they have control, and let someone else pay him once he hits FA. Every penny they save on Gardner is a penny they can spend on Starting Pitching or major impact players (like Teixeira).
like your way of thinking..agree 1-hundred per-cent.ride out garde.until something(pitching)comes along.if not anything else,he would make a good utility player..
Agree with pretty much everyone’s response – Dejesus is simply not the kind of player, especially given the yankees’ deep talent cushion but small financial cushion (sounds weird, but the team has more room to accommodate meh players than it does expensive players), that you’d take the risk on letting go of an inexpensive young player of potentially greater value for.
Nonetheless, I still think it’d be something that anyone in the FO would have to seriously consider. With a healthy roster, he would be our worst hitter, yet he’d be a very good bet to wOBA around .350 for the next two to three years and play exceptional defense. He’d cost more than Gardner, but he’s not going to be super-expensive any time soon. Basically, we would have a pretty-much-guaranteed LF solution for the next couple of years, and we have a lot of OF talent at the lower levels (assuming we sign a decent portion of this year’s draft haul), so we’d likely have a cheap replacement for him soon enough.
My point was more the uncertainty surrounding Gardner. While he has, as Mr. Whitman pointed out, been very valuable thus far in his career, and certainly seems like he could be a 3+ WAR/season guy going forward, we really don’t know that. Much of his WAR value thus far has come from his SSS UZR/150 numbers, and from positional value equivalencies. It just doesn’t feel like we have a big enough sample of anything – offense or defense, from him to know what his value will be going forward.
Most of the best guessers would project him to be a 3-4 WAR guy, but it’s not at all unreasonable to think that he could fall off a cliff offensively and be a .275/.315/.330 guy, and as we all know, there are no guarantees that defensive tools (or #s in small samples) will translate into continued excellence. So it’s not outside the realm of reasonable possibility that Gardner winds up a .5-1 WAR per year guy. If that winds up being the case, it’d suck to have passed up the guy who’s basically a lock for 3-4 WAR every year.
Again, we’re looking at two players who appear to be very similarly productive players overall, one of whom is younger and cheaper than the other. Were appearances certainties, the answer would be obvious – stick with Gardner. But appearances are nothing close to certainties, and while I happen to be a believer in Gardner, there are people who can project players without a firm base of #s much, much better than any of us can. And if those guys aren’t believers in Gardner, then they should definitely try to make this (or something like it) happen.
In other words, chances are, whatever the Yanks FO decides to do (or not do) about DeJesus is probably the right choice.
I think your points are valid and the FO would have to consider it, but I wouldn’t do it.
Looking at it from KC’s side, that would be an absolute no-brainer right?
agreed on both accounts. But that’s because I’m a believer in Gardner. That’s the caveat. If somebody who really knows his shit thinks Gardner can’t keep it up, or remain anywhere near this level offensively, and isn’t as good as we think defensively, then this is the ideal “sell high” situation, since it’s one where it seems very plausible that the player is playing at his true talent level, and not above his head.
Either way, though, there’s no way KC could pass up that deal
L think your rgt.in what your saying.from what i’ve been reading&what the latest rumors are floating around,if they(& i mean truely mean)really have to go & get someone,then dejesus would be a good choise…
thanks oz
I’ve always liked DeJesus but I have to agree the cost would be prohibitive and he just wouldn’t fit on this team. I also think Curtis is going to open alot of eyes and fill in nicely as a backup OFr and bat off the bench.
I also think Curtis is going to open alot of eyes and fill in nicely as a backup OFr and bat off the bench.
I have some oceanfront property in Nebraska that I’m selling. Are you interested?
Oceanfront and safe from terriosts?? Sign me up!
I dunno what you guys are talking about, the only question right now is whether or not Curtis is a unanimous decision on the Hall of Fame.
I also have a property in Nevada up for sale. Ocean front with a 18-hole golf course over looking the amazing vistas of the Pacific ocean.
now your talking.i’ve been saying this about”curtis”rgt.along,give him a chance.he already has opened some eye’s.it’s ashame though,the “eyes”that should be open,are closed…
two games physically can’t open eyes. Unless he goes 10-10 with like 8 home runs all over 500 feet. Then I would be convinced that there is, at least, enormous potential. But two decent games do not overwrite five years worth of suckitude in the minors.
nobody fucks with dejesus
nobody F’s with dejesus
well i’ll be damned
I suppose a five headed outfield/designated hitter platoon monster of Gardner, Granderson, Swisher, DeJesus, and Marcus Thames could be employed
Hell Yeah it could..and it would be f**king nasty! But like everyone else…i don’t want to give up Romine/Jesus..so no go.
your 5th.head needs to go.should be replaced by curtis.now you have a (5)headed outfld.& “NO”I would’nt give up “romine/jesus either…..
what?
The problem with DeJesus isn’t production, far from it. The money is an issue that the brain trust will have to consider, but there’s also the question of where exactly does he fit with the team? The Yankees already boast a tremendously productive starting outfield in Brett Gardner (2.0 WAR), Nick Swisher (2.3), and Granderson (1.4), so it’s not like DeJesus is going to come in and take one of those guys’ job.
“Sounds like one of them good problems”
-Chris Partlow
The designated hitter’s spot is, for all intents and purposes, open for the rest of the year because you can’t count on Johnson a) returning anytime soon, and b) staying healthy when he does return. I suppose a five headed outfield/designated hitter platoon monster of Gardner, Granderson, Swisher, DeJesus, and Marcus Thames could be employed, but when is the last time a team tried something crazy like that and it actually worked?
Well when was the last time the team had four legitimate starters and one platoon-ish player to try it out? Swisher can spell Teixeira if he needs a day off if they were to get another legitimate starter in the outfield. DeJesus gives them another bat and gives them some flex in the DH spot. Yes, I wish he was right handed and hit lefties better…but the only player similar to that is Austin Kearns…who seems to have gotten hit by a bus or something a month or so ago.
but do you really want to spend that kind of money(dejesus)just to have him come in the 8th.& or sit the bench & wait for someone to get hurt to play when they have guys in the system that would be playing on any team other than ours….
all these,”if this & if that.well,heres a what if!(if)cashman signs m.holladay(lft.fldr.)he wouldn’t have this problem.he would of had a lft.fldr.for the next(5)yrs.gardner would become the utility outfldr.your outfld.would look like this,(lft.)hollady,(c)grandy,(rgt.)swisher.problem would of been solved…..
While I like DeJesus, the Yanks need a versatile right handed bat with a good OF glove (the former requirement eliminates the left handed DeJesus, while the latter requirement eliminates Thames). Marlon Byrd’s name has been mentioned on the web and on the local sports radio shows, but I don’t see the Cubs dealing him nor do I see the Yankees acquiring a player with a contract that goes past this season (not including a team option). Corey Hart’s name has also been bandied about, but he’s not a role player. I believe that Cashman has learned from his past mistakes and wants roster flexibility for the offseason when Jayson Werth become available and other teams might be looking to dump higher salary players with one year left on their deals.
Therefore, the question is what player(s) would fit the bill for the Yankees immediate need?
first,when”thames”comes off the d./L.,give him his release.nowyou have a slot open.put”curtis”in his slot.if he does’nt work out,go & get a”m.byrd”,& or”dejuses”…
A. if you want to express opinions, it would help to learn proper english. I’m not saying this to be a douche, I’m saying it because it is unbelievably hard to make out what you are saying with ridiculous punctuation and unnecessary quotation marks.
B. Colin Curtis has been crappy (by major league standards) his whole life, do you really think that he’s all of a sudden become good in the last two games?
“Seriously” should be capitalized in that comment.
I live in Kansas City now. Dejesus a a good looking young man with a great smile and a good attitude. He’s a smart ballplayer but not a great. He stands out so much in KC because we presently have so much below average talent. If Dejesus goes to the Yankees the fans will love him and he will be an excellent addition to the team as a competant role player.
White Sox fan here.
“The Yankees boast a .361 OBP and a .355 wOBA as a team, the best and second best marks in baseball, respectively, but they still seem to be one bat short.”
If you were in front of me I’d punch you in the mouth……..