The Lineup Problem

The loss of Arod causes a serious potential problem with the Yankee offense.  The likely lineup was supposed to look like this:

Damon – LF

Jeter – SS

Teixiera – 1b

Arod – 3b

Matsui – DH

Posada – C

Nady/Swisher – RF

Cano – 2b

Gardner/Melky – CF

I note that the positions of the 6 through 8 hitters would be dependent on pitching matchups.

Looking at this lineup, you can see that it was premised on having two table setters (Damon and Jeter) at the top, followed by two all around hitters (Tex and Arod), followed by slow plodding two power hitters (Matsui and Posada).

This lineup was not perfect, but should have produced a reasonable number of runs.

Without Arod, the lineup looks like this:

Damon – LF

Jeter – SS

Teixiera – 1b

Matsui – DH

Posada – C

Nady/Swisher – RF

Cano – 2b

Ransom – 3b

Gardner/Melky – CF

Note that once the Yankees get past the first two hitters, the next three, the heart of the lineup, have no speed.  The players at the bottom have only limited speed, until they get to the nine hole.  And there is no guarantee Gardner or Melky will ever get on base (although reports from early Spring Training games are promising).

The lineup now resembles the slow, plodding, power heavy lineup that got us nowhere in 2004-2006.  Arod’s five category talent in the heart of the order gave the Yankees the kind of flexibility that Bernie Williams provided during the halcyon days of 1996-2001.  Without Arod, the lineup looks like Damon, Jeter, and the New York Giant defensive line.

Absent a trade, the Yankees have limited options to fix the situation.  Moving Cano up to third in the lineup is one option, but before that can happen, Cano must demonstrate that he is truly a .300 hitter.

Worse, Cano is a notoriously slow starter.  So is Teixiera.  With Arod out of the lineup until (hopefully only) May, the Yankees are going to have  a tough time generating runs in April.  And pitchers traditionally do not hit their stride until the warmer weather of May arrives.  Finally, if Posada cannot catch, the April lineup will feature Ransom, Molina, and Gardner/Melky at 7, 8 and 9 in the lineup.

This could be a really ugly April.  Heal Arod, heal.

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