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As we have stated many times since he signed with the team, Nick Johnson is not the greatest bet to make it through a season unbothered by injuries. Nick has never played more than 147 games, and missed all of 2007 and most of the 2008 season. He has had myriad injuries of all sorts, with various different body parts being afflicted. Already, he has sat a few games with a sore back, and missed a bit of time in Spring Training as well. The question I pose to you is, what would you do if he got injured and was slated to miss a long stretch of games? How would you alter the roster?
As I see it, outside of a trade, there are three options. One option that is quite unlikely to happen is to call up Jesus Montero. While his potential is enticing, he has struggled a bit at AAA and likely needs to log some more at-bats there to adjust to superior pitching. Furthermore, the most important element of development for Montero remains his defense, as his bat is close to ready while his glove lags far behind. Bringing him to the Major Leagues to DH would stop the development of his glove entirely, and would hinder his chances of ever turning into an adequate backstop.
The second option is to call up Juan Miranda. Much like Johnson, he would be the backup first baseman as well, and should be able to provide decent on-base ability and a bit of power. However, he is atrocious against left-handers, with a career .725 OPS against them (vs. .890 against righties) and therefore would need to be platooned with Marcus Thames. That would be a solid platoon, and should keep the Yankees in decent position while Johnson recovers.
The last option is to keep the roster as is in terms of hitters, and simply play Frankie Cervelli at catcher against all right-handers. Basically, Jorge Posada would DH against righties and catch when the opposing pitcher was a lefty (with Thames as the DH). This would help keep Jorge fresh while allowing the team to play their best defensive catcher more frequently. The team could use the extra roster spot to call up Mark Melancon, giving Joe Girardi another arm to throw in the mix.
Thankfully, this is simply a hypothetical at this point, as Johnson has remained relatively healthy. Hopefully, the fact that he is rarely going to play the field will help keep him healthy for the entire year, and these contingency plans are rendered moot. However, if they do need to fill in for him, I would go with the third option and just play Cervelli more. He is not atrocious offensively, and his value defensively makes this the best of the three choices to me.
What do you think?
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14 Responses to Discussion: What Would You Do If Nick Johnson Went Down
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TIQ IQ
I’d call up Miranda if Nick is put on the DL and go to a platoon DH of Miranda against righties and Thames against lefties.
Ditto.
Can I ask both of you why? It’s a perfectly defensible position, just curious as to why you prefer going that way?
Mostly because I prefer Miranda’s bat over Cervelli’s.
It’s just the easiest way, IMO. And, as JK said, I’d rather have Miranda in there every day against righties than play Cervelli and risk exposure. Employing the platoon also maximizes each player’s best skill (hitting the opposite handed pitchers) while also maximizing the defense (Gardner plays LF every day).
Well, in option #3, Gardner plays everyday, and you maximize catcher defense as well. But I understand preferring Miranda’s bat, which is why I asked.
Posada LF
Cervelli DH
Thames C
Problem solved.
I like the third option Moshe. Good stuff.
I like the Cervelli / Posada switch up. I feel like Juan Miranda could do some real damaged in a limited role up in the majors. He might even be able to play Cervelli’s playing time down a bit.
montero up… switch dh catch with posada, posada is our dh next year so lets see it a lot more this year..he should catch no more than a hundred this year.. montero cervelli is our future, i like miranda also he can fit in the mix if no montero this year..nj is a 1 year guy.. the prize got away….. austin jackson…i was very upset when he was traded.. great kid.. randy winn should be let go and keep 1 of the guys mentioned.
Cervelli catches, Jorge DH’s facing Righties. Jorge catches and Thames DH vs lefties.
that will work fine.. and send winn to the nl..
Johnson is out for two weeks. Bring up a pitcher and alternate Cervelli and Posada. Play Gardner in the second spot. Johnson is a key peice to the yankee puzzle.
our future was Cervelli, Montero and Jackson. Solid catching, alstar outfielder. Big error by yankees.