The Yankees are most likely done dealing this offseason as they have made one minor trade and signed one free agent. The Yankees traded a minor league infielder to the Texas Rangers for minor league outfielder Greg Golson. Golson will compete for a roster spot during spring training. The 24 year old is a speedster and solid defensively. He could be a good right handed hitting compliment to the host of left handed hitting outfielders we currently have.
The other move the Yanks made was to sign veteran outfielder Randy Winn to a one year deal in which he will most likely be playing left field. Winn played the last few years with the Giants and had previously played with Seattle and Tampa Bay. The 35 year old is a switch hitter but he might as well just be a left handed hitter which is why this move confuses me. Winn hit .292 against right handed pitchers and only .158 against lefties. So, rather than signing a right handed hitter to platoon in left field with Brett Gardner, the Yankees sign a guy that can really only do damage from the left side.
While the Yankees do have right handed hitters in Jamie Hoffmann and Golson in the outfield mix, it is unlikely that the Yanks will look to carry five outfielders on their active roster. This means that, barring some move or monstrous spring training, Golson will be sent down and Hoffmann will have to be sent back to the Nationals. We received Hoffmann from the Nationals as compensation for the Brian Bruney trade but, since he was signed and traded to the Yankees, he would have to be sent back to the Nationals if he doesn't remain on the Yankees active roster.
Essentially the Yankees have two switch hitter in the outfield in Winn and Swisher and two left handers in Gardner and Granderson. The hope is that the Yankee hitting coach, Kevin Long, can improve the swings of all four outfielders that remain on the roster so that this concern does not become an actual problem. It would be great if the guys didn't need right handed hitting compliments but only time will really tell what will happen with that.
Updated lineup:
1. Jeter SS
2. Johnson DH
3. Texeira 1B
4. Rodriguez 3B
5. Posada C
6. Cano 2B
7. Swisher RF
8. Granderson CF
9. Winn/Gardner LF
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Thanks for the updates! It's a good way to stay on top of what's happening with Da Boys. I already know more about this years team than I've ever known about the past lineups!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear it! I like that you are taking an interest in this and I know that part of it is because I am so interested. I enjoy being able to chat with you about baseball and the Yanks. I wish more people would join and chat but it's hard to get people interested in baseball in the winter. Plus, some people just don't enjoy it that much or simply do not care about the Yankees. Oh well. We'll have to watch some games this season.
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