With the hot stove dwindling just below a simmer, yesterday saw Ken Rosenthal “break” a story with respect to the Yankees’ interest in … Bill Hall. This is indicative of, at the very least, Cashman’s continued interest in having a veteran presence to spell Alex Rodriguez. A more optimistic and/or pessimistic view may be that the team is looking to send Eduardo Nunez packing – be it to Scranton to work on his ability to be the shortstop of the future, or to another team … with the reader determining which version is the better-case scenario. Regardless of your preference, it seems unlikely that the team will do anything other than supplement their bench with such a signing. While none of this is particularly exciting, perusing the list of remaining free agent infielders should be a bit more than an exercise in futility … so, there’s that.
The method to this madness, Hall “batted” .211/.261/.314, good for a 55 wRC+ and -1.6 fWAR, for the Astros and Giants in 2011 on the heels of a solid 2010 with the Red Sox (.247/.316/.456, 107 wRC+). His defensive metrics range from passable to horrific, albeit in small sample sizes at every position but catcher, with 3B being his best position … and one that he did not play in 2011. At 32, he’s a relatively known commodity, in that he’s consistently inconsistent. His ability to man the outfield in a pinch does add some value.
Carlos Guillen
Guillen has played a total of 96 games over the past two seasons, with only 28 of those coming in 2011. He hasn’t played a game at a position other than 1B, 2B, LF, or DH since 2008, and he hasn’t played those positions terribly well, either. In reality, he only makes the cut to be listed due to his surprisingly stout numbers in 29 games between the two Yankee Stadiums – .293/.354/.500 – and to offer a tip of the cap to a once very good player.
Helms can be filed under the “only if they’re really desperate for a Rodriguez” category, as he has a .239/.300/.344 slash line over the past five seasons. The once solid defender at third has also regressed into something less than statuesque, to boot. Please bear with me, as Helms represents the absolute bottom of the barrel.
Why, pray tell, is Felipe Lopez not the bottom of the barrel? I’m not sure. He did post very strong walk rates in 2009 and 2010 (10.4% and 10.0%, respectively) and he’s a roughly average defender at 3B. There really isn’t much more to say, though, as he was barely replacement-level in 2010 and below in 2011.
The personification of Tony La Russa’s love affair with utility players and the double switch, Miles is something of an abomination with both the bat (his 2011 83 wRC+ was 10 points above his career norm) and the glove (at any position other than second). Why does he make the cut? Because he’s gritty, and if there’s anything the Yankees have been lacking over the last several years, it’s grit.
In a vacuum, Teahen is an interesting player. Over his seven year career, he has produced slightly above-average walk rates and average-ish ISOs while playing significant innings in all four corners. Prior to his disastrous 2011 campaign, Teahen put up solid numbers against right-handed pitchers, including a solid .269/.332/.411 line between 2009 and 2010 while playing most of his games in the cavernous Kauffman Stadium. However, all of this represents quite a bit of puffery on my part. Teahen is probably a tick below average at 1B, LF, and RF, though his defensive metrics were fairly horrific. His 219.2 innings at the hot corner graded out fairly well by most metrics … which represents a drastic turnaround for the rest of his career, and a contrarian view according to most scouts and analysts. Additionally, his ISO has slipped for three consecutive seasons and his wRC+ has went from a tick below-average to well below over the past two years. What does all of this mean? In something of a twist … I’d endorse a minor league deal, or something of that nature for Teahen. Why? Yankee Stadium should suit his swing, he’s still young enough to have something left in the tank, and anyone looks palpable on the heels of Aaron Miles.
To the best of my knowledge, the last real news regarding Chavez’s intentions was way back in November, when he stated that he intends to play in 2012. Much has been written about Chavez’s still-solid defense (9.5 UZR/150, 0 TZ, 1 DRS), fine pre-injury production (.303/.410/.424) and post-injury swoon (.252/.294/.339), so it seems redundant to add much else.
If the team is merely looking for a caddy for Rodriguez – that is, someone to spell him occasionally – then Chavez seems like a fine option as a known commodity to the team. That being said, his injury issues remain fairly disconcerting, even in a limited capacity, and it seems that the Yankees would like a semi-reliable option to spell Rodriguez. Unfortunately, with Wilson Betemit signing with the Orioles, however, that option doesn’t seem to exist on the free agent market.
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6 Responses to Bill Hall, and the (Not So) Super-Utility Bargain Bin
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TIQ IQ
I have absolutely no idea what anyone sees in Eduardo Nunez. He’s a guy who, by all defensive metrics (which I hate) and the eyeball test is catastrophically bad in the field with zero instincts. He would need to hit like Manny to make up for that.
Nunez has the raw ability to be a good fielder, and many are of the mindset that those tools will eventually translate. I myself am somewhat torn. He’s almost 25 and has been a butcher in the Majors … but he’s only a year removed from BA gushing over his ability in the field. At the very least, he has a shot at being an average defender all over the infield, which is more than most utility infielders are capable of.
Offensively, he’s a very good base-runner with solid contact skills. I’m also impressed by his walk rates, which are better than those posted in the minors and trending in the right direction.
In short, I think he can be a fine utility player, and fairly valuable as a league-minimum type for another year or two. I think he’s well worth receiving that shot, too.
He actually has pretty good range at short, which is what is lacking when Jeter is in the field. Unfortunatley unlike Jeter he has bad foot work, gets erratic, and rushes his throws. He does have a strong arm, which is a plus, but the innacuracies, have led to an ungodly ammount of errors. The good news is you can teach foot work and patience with throws, plus we have one of the best recieving first basemen in baseball. Because of that he has the ability to improve his short comings in the field, he won’t win any gold gloves but he can become a league average, maybe slightly better, defensive short stop with time. You can’t teach range, you can’t teach arm strength, he just has to work on how to use those to his advantage.
Great post, Dom. With what’s out there right now, Nunez starts to look like a more attractive option.
Unless people remember to factor in Miles’ grit. With grit like his, I’m still shocked that a team hasn’t shelled out well, WELL above market value’s worth of dollars for multiple years of his services.
Honestly since Nunez figures to be on this team I’m a bit perplexed as to why Chavez isn’t signed yet. After last season he cant possibly be getting lucrative or starting offers and even with him and Nunez and jones and cervelli/romine you still have. another roster spot to play with for a 5th OF or 4 corner dh if you wanted to carry 12 pitchers. And honestly there is basically no reason to carry 13 pitchers with the quality of pitching on this team and the age of the position players. Even if you don’t i simply do not see any available player who is any better than Chavez though i do see quite a few who are significantly worse.
I would sign Chavez. A-Rod remains a major risk and I do believe Chavez could recover some power while offering a very good glove at third. As to Nunez, he needs to improve defensive reliability. His speed, though, is an underrated asset on an aging team. Able to steal almost at will last year. New Age metricvs undervalue sapeed, especially in (presumably) post-steroid era where run production is deflating. I also think Nunez bat will imrove somewhat, with some pretty good doubles power. All in all, a valuable guy on roster given age on left side of infield.