A couple of quick notes from Spring Training today, Yankees’ manager Joe Girardi announced that Robinson Cano will indeed be batting third in the lineup this year, while seeming to indicate that the rest of the batting order remain fluid (though of course we can all guess at what it will be). My initial instinct is to think that having A-Rod batting third with Cano in the clean up spot would be more productive, but the 3-6 spots in the Yankees’ lineup are pretty interchangeable, really. Girardi also stated that only C.C. Sabathia and Hiroki Kuroda have guaranteed spots in the starting rotation, which is cute.
On a more substantive note, Joba Chamberlain threw off of a full mound for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery. Joba threw 15 fastballs, a program he’ll repeat Friday, after which the trainers will evaluate a plan to incorporate breaking balls into his throwing program.
"Girardi also stated that only C.C. Sabathia and Hiroki Kuroda have guaranteed spots in the starting rotation, which is cute."
Stuff like this always reminds me of Bull Durham.
[youtube KeVca9MwDX8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeVca9MwDX8 youtube]
I'd go,,,
Jeter
Grandy
Arod
Cano
Tex
Swish
…. dh
Martin
Gardner..
Look as much as it's small sample size, we all saw the perils of having arod/tex/swish back to back to back in the middle of the order…
all three hitters are productive, but all three have holes that can be exploited by good RHP…
If Gardner hits well I'd move him to the 1/2 hole, and go Jeter; Gardner; Cano; AROD; Grandy; Tex; Swish; DH; Martin. I really want Grandy's bat in the middle of the lineup, honestly batting cleanup, but I doubt they'd move AROD.
That's the only issue, no need to worry about Gardner, he'll get his share of games up top.. and the DH and martin make for good 7/8 hitters… just need to figure out 3-6
I think people are reacting to what we saw in the ALDS in wanting to switch the order around. What we saw was three steaky hitters (one more severely injured than he let on) slumping at the most inopportune time. And of course you manage the postseason differently than the regular season, especially a five game series against an upstart team that has your number. But let's see how it goes for a month or so before we jump to conclusions. A Rod and Tex may have excellent rebound years.