Due to Nick Johnson’s extended absence–during which he’s concentrated on his mustache growing skills–the DH situation for the Yankees has been a bit in flux. With the recall of Juan Miranda, though, it appears that the Yankees are going to let Jorge Posada catch as much as he can while platooning Miranda and Marcus Thames in the non-fielding spot. This all has me wondering what’s going to happen in 2011. There’s at least one free agent worth wondering about (and he could be a possible trade candidate) and of course, there’s El Carpentiero.
The FA candidate is, of course, Adam Dunn. His contract is up after this season and we’ve gotten wind in the last week or so that extension talks between the Nationals and him are cooling. As a strict DH, Dunn could do some serious damage in the American League, especially in Yankee Stadium III. Of course, we don’t know if Dunn would like to just DH. His defense is objectively horrible, but he may still want to get a chance to “play” a position every day. If he wants to DH, though, the Yankees should take a look.
Other free agent big bats include Lance Berkman (has an option), Jason Giambi, Paul Konerko, Derek Lee, Lyle Overbay, and Carlos Pena.
Of course, though, signing a full time DH is likely to shoot the Yankees plans for the catcher position. Though he could benefit from more time in the minors–as all could–it could end up that Jesus Montero breaks 2011 camp with the big league team. We know all about Montero: the bat is there, but we’re really unsure on the glove/position.
If the Yankees are smart, and I generally assume that they are, they will attempt to let him fail at catcher before sending him to the DH pasture.
What I outlined above is probably the most likely scenario for the 2011 Yankees. If this comes to fruition, I assume the Yankees will do what we generally do not like: carry three catchers. Francisco Cervelli will be the back up catcher for at least one more year while Posada and Montero split the catcher/DH duties. This lets Jorge get a breather every once and a while ’cause he’s old and it lets Montero ease into the position and, if he’s awful at it, will cut down on his time catching.
And, honestly, option two (the Posmontvelli option), is the one I’d prefer the Yankees to do. It saves the Yankees money on a non-versatile player and it gives them a chance to lightly break in their biggest prospect bat.
There is, obviously, a chance that Montero doesn’t immediately play with the Yankees, though. In that case, I assume the Yankees will again do a cheap DH platoon to start the season. What do you guys think the Yankees should do for their 2011 DH?
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13 Responses to Contemplating the 2011 DH Situation
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TIQ IQ
Damon. You don’t need Thames then either.
I love Dunn, but keep a rotating DH. Between Po, a potentially ML ready Montero, and A-Rod/Jeter we’re going to need an open, rotating DH spot.
we have no choice, posada’s last year, full time DH, bring up montero.. cervelli does most of the catching.. posada will be hurt often next year so we need to carry 2 and a half catchers. as a full time DH he will hit .280 plus, 15 20 homers.. if he catches..we will be frustrated every game..he is done/ they gave a 4 year ,should have been 3 at that salary..after the 2011 he can coach..in prep to manage..
Dunn has specifically said he does not want to be a fulltime DH. Now 3/$36 might change his mind, but I think he’s going to shop around first to find out.
I’ve felt that this was the obvious solution since before the season.
The Yanks will not have that much free cash after re-signing Jeter and Mo. Lee would chew up almost all of it and they’ll need a 5th starter after CC, Lee, AJ and Hughes.
The 2011 offseason is going to be challenging for the Yanks budget-wise. Unless ownership increases the budget, they will have some tough choices as they won’t have the cash to keep Pettite or Vaz and get Lee and Brackman and Betances are a year away with no help at AAA (I’m not a Nova fan).
Provided that Brett Gardner, Nick Swisher, and Phil Hughs have proved their abilites it gives the Yankees the option to see Montero in 2011 so the 2011 Roster can look like this…
Starting Rotation:
A) Sabathia 2) Lee 3) Burnett 4) Hughes 5) Joba/Nova
Lineup:
1) Gardner 2) Jeter 3) Teixeira 4) Rodriguez 5) Cano 6) Swisher 7) Posada 8.) Granderson 9) Montero
*Posada/Montero split DH/C duties
Payroll:
$200 M
*Possibly 8-12 M to work with (Pettitte, Webb, Dunn, Crawford, Werth)
I would like to have Dunn, but, he wants to play the field, and he’ll ask twelve plus million a year for a position that the Yankees don’t seem to want to pay more than six million for….
i have a feeling that the yankees will seek versatility from the DH spot. a guy who can play an average corner outfield or even play first base in a pinch. a guy that can switch hit with power from both sides. who fits this bill? nick swisher.
swisher has done an admirable job playing RF for the yankees for a year and half, but my feeling is that the yanks will want to upgrade their defense without losing his bat and clubhouse presence. sure, it may be wishful thinking, but i wouldn’t be surprised if the yanks sign jason werth as the RF, and sign swish as the (albeit expensive) DH. obviously swish would have to agree to accept a reduced role, but stranger things have happened.
Why would they have to sign Swisher? He’s still under contract next year. Also, I don’t see them getting Werth. He’s going to want too much money and too many years for his age. Swisher’s defense in right has been fine for the last two seasons. If there’s any outfielder they sign, it’s Carl Crawford, but even that seems doubtful with Brett Gardner showing he can be a league average or better hitter.
my mistake – thought swish’s contract was up this year. either way, i wouldn’t be surprised if the yanks sign werth (not crawford) and move swish to be the full time DH. to me, the fact he’s still under contract makes it that much more plausible.
what role does posada play then
do you think posada is done catching after this season? who’s the starting catcher next year, montero? he may be called up at some point, but he will not break camp as the starter, that will likely be posada. sure he will share catching duties throughout the season with a number of candidates, but he will still be behind the plate more than half the games.
that is not a happy thought.. if he catches next year..he will be hurt half the season