Cuddyer for DH vs. LHP?

By On June 13, 2011 · 4 Comments · In Trade Musings

Over at MLBTR yesterday, Steve Adams suggested that the Twins could put Michael Cuddyer on the trading block as we near the trade deadline. While the Yankee offense is rolling along and doesn’t need much in the way of improvements, there is still at least one “position” that could use some beefing up. Jorge Posada has been tearing it up in June, but if his struggles against left handed pitching continue, the Yankees could/should be in the market for a right handed hitter to DH, even if Andruw Jones is on the roster.

Cuddyer fits in that he would only need to be a rental, and that would drive the cost down to begin with. He’s due a good deal of money, as the article says, and the Yankees can always help out there. Anything that will lessen the cost in terms of prospects is better for the Yankees. So, would Cuddyer make sense?

Though Cuddyer’s been an everyday player at a few positions for the Twins, he’s got a massive platoon split so far in 2011. He’s mashing lefties to the tune of a .488 wOBA and he’s been absolutely anemic against righties (.273 wOBA). For his career, the split is much less pronounced, though it still favors vs. LHP (.373) to vs. RHP (.329) as we’d expect. Offensively, he’s definitely suited for the position. He can hit lefties well and that’s, obviously, what the Yankees would be looking for in a DH vs. LHP. This fact shouldn’t really be a surprise, though. He may suit the position well, but that doesn’t mean a trade makes sense.

Acquiring Cuddyer to DH would mean that the Yankees would have two players on the roster that would do nothing but hit. That’s not exactly the most efficient way to construct a roster, though the Yankees showed a willingness to do this last year when they had Marcus Thames and Lance Berkman as platoon DHs. In his defense, Cuddyer has played all four corner positions as well as center field and second base. However, UZR has listed him as well below average at any position at which he has significant innings accumulated. While it’s useful that he can at least take up space in a few positions, I don’t think he’d see the field very much if he was on the Yankees.

I’m not Cuddyer’s biggest fan, but I wouldn’t mind it if the Yankees traded for him (cost dependent, of course). Still, though, I don’t think the Twins and Yankees will match up for this deal. Just because they did it last year doesn’t mean the Yankees will again feature a bench with two non-fielding players. If they trade for a bat, I expect him to be someone who can play the corner outfield spots while switch-hitting. Maybe he even plays in the same city as the Yankees (hint hint).

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4 Responses to Cuddyer for DH vs. LHP?

  1. Duh, Innings! says:
    June 13, 2011 at 1:05 pm

    The Yankees don’t need another DH. Their offense is fine the way it is.

    They need a starter or two and a reliever or two for two to four new pitchers.

    Reply
  2. nyyankeefanforever says:
    June 13, 2011 at 1:24 pm

    I believe the last thing on earth the Yankees need now is to hurl another mutt on the dogpile at DH. Between using the slot as a regularly scheduled rest stop for our aging and dinged-up vets and a farewell parade for Jorge, I simply don’t see any value in adding another part-timer from the outside to the mix.

    Our farm is hip deep in kids who can both hit and contribute in the field at several positions right now, including one with the monogram JM who could easily replace Gazoo defensively as our backup catcher and split or take over DH duties when he’s not spelling Russell behind the dish.

    What we need is pitching. Period. We’re already scoring plenty of runs. We need fresh arms, not castoff bats – no matter how cheaply they come. If Brian Cashman is wasting a single minute of his time between now and the deadline on anything other than shoring up our rotation and bullpen, I will be very unhappy indeed.

    Reply
  3. Cuddyer for DH vs. LHP? | New York Yankees blog, Yankees blog, A … | Yankees News Source says:
    June 13, 2011 at 7:37 pm

    [...] more here: Cuddyer for DH vs. LHP? | New York Yankees blog, Yankees blog, A … AKPC_IDS += "21850,"; AKPC_IDS += [...]

    Reply
  4. Musings on the Trade Deadline | New York Yankees blog, Yankees blog, A blog about the New York Yankees | The Yankee Analysts says:
    June 14, 2011 at 11:01 am

    [...] my post from yesterday about Michael Cuddyer, reader/commenter nyyankeefanforever said: What we need is pitching. Period. [...]

    Reply

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