(The following is being syndicated fromThe Captain’s Blog; follow me on Twitter at).
If the first weekend is any indication, Joe Girardi is going to be extremely pro-active when it comes to doling out rest to his aging veterans. Over the years, the Yankees’ manager has become fond of using the DH slot to give his players a “half day off”, but usually that practice has been reserved for later in the season. This year, however, Girardi has already put his plan into action.
Raul Ibanez looks a fly ball into his glove during yesterday's game. In the first inning, his misplay allowed the Rays to score an early run. (Photo: Getty Images)
In only the second game of the season, Derek Jeter was allowed to cool his heels in the DH slot before handing the baton to Nick Swisher in the series’ finale. Considering the Captain’s age and Swisher’s sore groin, that seems like a sensible precaution, but, there’s just one problem. The Yankees’ roster was not constructed to facilitate such an aggressive strategy of frequent rest.
When the Yankees were scouring the market for a lefty DH, Raul Ibanez name was at the forefront despite there being other options who figured to have a more potent bat. Ironically, defense was the reason he was the team’s favored choice. After announcing the signing, Yankees’ General Manager Brian Cashman touted Ibanez’ ability to play outfield as a deciding factor. Unfortunately, he doesn’t play it well. The Yankees got a first hand look at that reality on Sunday, when the first ball hit to Ibanez, who hadn’t played right field since 2005, bounced past him and rolled all the way to the wall. As a result, instead of an inning ending out, the Rays were gifted a first inning run.
Sunday’s game wasn’t the first time this weekend the Rays took advantage of a conspicuous member of the Yankees’ defense. On Saturday, Eduardo Nunez was filling in for Jeter at SS, and, sure enough, he too botched the first ball hit his way. This time, the error led to two unearned runs, which eventually proved to be the margin of defeat. Errors are a part of the game, but with Nunez, they happen much too frequently. In only 433 2/3 innings at short stop, the 25 year-old infielder now has 15 errors at the position. Pro-rated over an entire season, that would amount to about 50 errors, which isn’t what you’d expect from a team’s primary backup middle infielder. And, it’s not like Nunez has been the victim of small sample size jitters in the major leagues. As a short stop on the minor league level, his .938 fielding percentage over 2,706 chances doesn’t fit the profile of a sure-handed defensive player.
Eduardo Nunez’ Defensive Statistics in the Minor Leagues
| Year | Age | Team | Lg | Lev | Po | Ch | E | Fld% |
| 2005 | 18 | Staten Island | NYPL | A- | SS | 332 | 28 | 0.916 |
| 2006 | 19 | 2 Teams | 2 Lgs | A-A+ | SS | 421 | 37 | 0.912 |
| 2006 | 19 | Charleston | SALL | A | SS | 265 | 23 | 0.913 |
| 2006 | 19 | Charleston | SALL | A | 3B | 15 | 1 | 0.933 |
| 2006 | 19 | Charleston | SALL | A | 2B | 75 | 2 | 0.973 |
| 2006 | 19 | Tampa | FLOR | A+ | SS | 156 | 14 | 0.910 |
| 2007 | 20 | 2 Teams | 2 Lgs | A-A+ | SS | 528 | 33 | 0.938 |
| 2007 | 20 | Charleston | SALL | A | SS | 395 | 27 | 0.932 |
| 2007 | 20 | Tampa | FLOR | A+ | SS | 133 | 6 | 0.955 |
| 2008 | 21 | Tampa | FLOR | A+ | SS | 399 | 19 | 0.952 |
| 2009 | 22 | Trenton | EL | AA | SS | 484 | 33 | 0.932 |
| 2010 | 23 | Scranton | IL | AAA | SS | 410 | 10 | 0.976 |
| 2010 | 23 | Scranton | IL | AAA | 3B | 24 | 2 | 0.917 |
| 2010 | 23 | Scranton | IL | AAA | 2B | 18 | 2 | 0.889 |
Source: Baseball-reference.com
If the Yankees figured on using the DH as a weigh station for their veteran fleet, it begs the question as to why two of the team’s chief backups are such liabilities in the field. Unfortunately, the most obvious answer is the Yankees’ brain trust doesn’t see it that way. If so, Ibanez and Nunez are likely to see more than their fair share of time on the field.
Joe Girardi doesn’t pick the roster, so you can’t blame him for Ibanez’ and Nunez’ defensive shortcomings. Also, considering the age of his best players, there’s no debating his desire to keep them fresh and healthy. However, that doesn’t mean the Yankees have to hold their nose and swallow every time they rely upon their bench for defense. At the very least, Girardi needs to use foresight when allocating rest. For example, the best time to sit one of his outfielders would be with a lefty on the mound. That would allow Andruw Jones, not Ibanez, to play the field without compromising the offense. Of course, such a conflict won’t always be avoidable. In those situations, Girardi will need to balance the defense liabilities of his bench players against their expected offensive contributions. In other words, it might be better to have Jones face a righty then let Ibanez bring his glove out to the field.
How many "E's" in Eduardo Nunez? About 50 pro-rated over the course of a season. (Photo: Getty Images)
Unfortunately, there are currently no alternatives to Nunez, so when Jeter gets his half day off, the Yankees’ pitchers will be forced to hold their breath on balls hit to short stop. Barring the acquisition or promotion of a more suitable defensive player (or the development of Nunez’ offense to the point that it compensates for his poor glove work), Girardi could mitigate some of the risk by simply limiting Nunez’ playing time. However, in order to accomplish that, he would have to give Derek Jeter more full days off. If the plan is to DH Jeter about 40 times, and being the DH really is like getting a half day, then maybe 20 full days off would be a suitable alternative? Using that logic, the Yankees would be able to cut their exposure to Nunez in half. Although Jeter might balk at the proposition, the benefit to the team would be compelling, especially if Girardi only sits his Captain against right handed pitchers.
Whether it’s pro-active planning, utilizing full days off instead of quasi-rest as a DH, or changes to the roster, the Yankees’ can not rely on the likes of Ibanez and Nunez to play defense. It’s only three games into the season, but their shortcomings with the glove have already meaningfully contributed to two losses. Hopefully, Cashman and Girardi view the opening weekend as a wakeup call because too much rest without adequate alternatives on defense could wind up putting the Yankees to sleep.
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My main problem,is the whole CONCEPT of half days off. They arent daus off. Arod hasnt worn,down. His stamina and conditioning isnt the problem. How exactly does 25 dh games prevent a bruised thumb??? Seems to me most injuries to infielders happen at the plate and on,the bases. OFers obviously tend to hurt their wrists and hands in the field but, again, it has NOTHING to do with stamina.
The yankees players have gotten hurt not worn down.
Jeter plays a demanding position and occasionally looks tired. Give him a whole day off.
I don’t see how one dh day a week prevents injuries to arod.
Proof???? Seems like the type of thing that makes perfect sense until you think a bout it for five minutes.
Ps ibanez is atrocious. Nunez is a disaster. I remain highly skeptical nunez ever hits enough to surpass replacement level with his defense. He isnt 19. Hes 25. This is the player he is
I agree that most injuries seem to happen on the base paths. What we dont know is how the wear and tear of playing the field contributes to these injuries. I’m sure the feeling is that by not playing the older players in the field as often, will limit the wear and tear on their bodies and the nagging injuries that lead to more injuries or serious injuries. I think its a legit theory. I think anyone who has played sports knows that when you play with an injury or are worn out that you tend to suffer another injury.
My personal experiences have been a couple Hamstring pulls playing the 4th or 5th game in weekend softball tournaments. By those games, I’m pretty damn tired and sore. I think its the tired and sore that the Yankees are trying to avoid. I do not think the Yankees feel that Arod or Jeter are going to hurt themselves fielding a ground ball. For anyone not 35+ yet, its hard to imagine how just being on your feet in the field for 2 or 3hrs a night can wear you out, but I assure you it can.
Thats funny. Im 37 and still play adult fast pitch wood bat baseball. 40 game season. Double headers sunday after working all week as a roofer in Miami. So I can imagine sore.
They are not sore yet. And while im in really really good shape arod is in elite world class athlete shape.
No excuse for dhing him yet. I mean, give me a break. If he is tired fine. THEN GIVE HIM THE DAY OFF. This half day stuff makes absolutely no sense.
I dont think they are sore yet either, I think they are trying to prevent it from happening. THey have a plan and are implementing it right from the get go of the season.
Try playing 162 games with only 20+/- days off in 6+ months! Ad to the 162 days; travel time, time zone changes etc.!
I too, played fast pitch baseball, last year they said I was to old…so, I understand your outlook. One thing you may have missed is, the players put in about six+/- hours every game day…with the work-out, practise and game combined.
Anyhow, Joe G. is putting more work and care into the team than just coping the line-up from day-to-day and wearing out the players and pitchers as did Joe T.
The funny about this is if Alex and Jeter have healthy, productive seasons, everyone will take that for granted and give Girardi no credit. It’s much like his bullpen management, which drew scorn in its first year of implementation when he would avoid using certain relievers on certain days.
If anyone wants to get past knee jerk criticism and try to understand what Girardi is doing, look at the schedule. There are only two days off this month. Could you work an entire month with only two days off without having your performance suffer, either mentally or physically? Now imagine being asked to perform at the highest level at an advanced age.
Taking advantage of resting guys whenever you face a lefty means you won’t give up too much offense (since Jones/Nunez hit lefties well) and are doing what you can to keep your stars healthy. Fans want to win every game, bit that can ultimately be self defeating in baseball. Its a marathon, not a sprint. I’m glad someone is looking at the big picture, and that fans aren’t running the team. If they were, it would be a disaster.
I like girardi in general and his bp management is excellent but you have to call them as you see them. It wss not a good week for girardi. Doesnt matter, its a fantastic team and girardi is a capable mansger. But the half days stink.
Joe is a fine mgr. but, sometimes he goes by the book too much. He has said that A-Rod will come to him and tell him when he needs a day off, if this is true (I don’t doubt it) then why rest him before being asked?
And resting the best defensive player they have (Brett) and replacing him with Jones every time a lefty is on the mound is crazy! Ok, against the tough lefties, I agree but, not the run of the mill guys…Bretts glove is to good to give-up. A guy with his glove and speed hitting around .240+ is ok…he saves runs (game winning catch in the 9th) and showed last night he can get the job done against a lefty, he is not a black hole, as are some players.
I mostly agree, the only thing I don’t agree with is only giving Alex days off when he asks. Alex doesn’t seem like a guy who’s asking for days off unless he just can’t get on the field, you have to protect players from themselves sometimes.