Alex, Derek meet Cliff
Friday, August 27, 2010 at 12:14 am by SJK
They are cases we've highlighted throughout the year. Yet, as we enter the last full month of the season, and with no significant improvements evident, we can say that 2010 was a year when two of baseball's biggest superstars fell off a cliff.
Alex Rodriguez
Current line: .265/.333/.485 -- (Career: .303/.387/.571)
- Career lows in OPS (.818), OBP (.333), SLG (.485), wOBA (.351)
- Lowest ISO (.222) since 1997
- Lowest BB% (9.3%) since 1999
- Lowest LD% (14.6%), Highest GB% (45.4%), Lowest HR per FB ratio (14.7%) since origin of these stats (2002)
- Lowest productivity versus a fastball (0.97 runs above average per 100 fastballs thrown) since origin of this stat (2002)
Derek Jeter
Current line: .275 /.338/.388 -- (Career: .315/.385/.455)
- Career lows in OPS (.727), OBP (.338), SLG (.388), wOBA (.326)
- Lowest LD% (17.1%), Highest GB% (65.8%) since origin of these stats (2002)
- Swinging at a career high of pitches outside the strike zone (28.5%)
- Swinging at a career low of pitches inside the strike zone (67.8%)
- Jeter's SLG is only .008 higher than Brett Gardner's SLG
- Jeter has a lower OPS+ (100) and wOBA (.326) than the much-maligned Curtis Granderson (107 OPS+, .335 wOBA)
While it would be heresy to bump Jeter down in the order, he really shouldn't be leading off. Having an OBP of .338 and leading the AL in plate appearances (583) is not a good combination.
Reason for real concern
Time will tell if 2010 is the beginning of a sustained decline for both Alex and Derek. Hopefully, they will bounce back next season. However, age and injury (A-Rod especially) are not on their side. There is reason for real concern, and both players have very unique contract situations.
I was really hoping that this was an inside scoop about Alex and Derek meeting privately with another Cliff on the off-day.
Well, shit.
I. Kennedy had 12 strikeouts today
Taco Bell’s new Cantina Tacos are just fantastic. Fantastic, I tell you.
F’in hilarious. I cant stop watching it.
hey Sammi quit hitting on other guys you slut…Alex and Derek are not into you and your bitchness.
Derek Jeter’s next contract is strictly about legacy & lifetime stats.
a business decision above winning ball games. If he happens to bounce back then that’s a plus. I hope it’s only a 2/40 deal. Hearing rumors of 4 years deals is hard to take.
A Rod’s contract is a nightmare. Good to see the stats line up with the eyes. His bat has looked noticeably slower this year.
They really had to give him 10 years? 10?! That was the going rate?
I’d worry less about ARod. I think his season was just pear-shaped at some point, and I was pretty sure it wouldn’t change until this season was over. He’ll probably get some form or other of treatment this off season, and I expect him to be back to his old self next season.
After all, the guy is EASILY the best athlete on the team, and I think he can put it back together.
Jeets, I feel different about, we gotta sign him, but 2/30 should have to do it really.
In unrelated new The LoHud blog quoted NoMaas today Marking the eternal end of the fat man’s legacy.
Sucks.
The left side of our infield is going to be dead soon.
Don’t tell my wife or girlfriends cuz they love Derek, but Jeter should NOT be leading off. Swings at the first pitch every time and he grounds out.
we need Jessica Alba and Kate Hudson back… this Cameron Diaz and Minka Kelly shit ain’t workin out for us… jus sayin
On the upside, at least A-Rod’s got a lot of RBI’s.
I don’t think playing a month longer than everyone else (almost every year) helps, either. That HAS to start catching up with people.
“- Lowest productivity versus a fastball (0.97 runs above average per 100 fastballs thrown) since origin of this stat (2002)”
really nomass, really? It’s garbage like this that make it harder and harder to come back to this page.
How is fastball defined? a cutter is a fastball, does that count? 2 seamer, 4 seamer. If a guy thrown a cutter that doesnt cut is that a fastball. Stats like this are pure garbage. What happens if he’s not gettign fastballs to hit this year, does that come into play? to many holes and just liek zone rating. “Since it’s origin in 2002″ LOLOLOLOLOLLLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLLOL
stop using fangraphs nomass, it’s a fantasy land.
“- Swinging at a career high of pitches outside the strike zone (28.5%)
- Swinging at a career low of pitches inside the strike zone (67.8%)”
more garbage….the strike zone is different every night. Does the one Granderson got rng up on the other day count as “not swinging at a ball in the strike-zone”? it was a strike right.
I mean fell off a cliff? gimme a break, more like had a bad year.
“Reason for real concern
Time will tell if 2010 is the beginning of a sustained decline for both Alex and Derek. Hopefully, they will bounce back next season. However, age and injury (A-Rod especially) are not on their side. There is reason for real concern, and both players have very unique contract situations.”
Real concern? about what? guys getting older? What exactly is the concern? do we have better guys to replace them? I’m not concerned at all.
whats unique about the contracts? Arod is signed and jeter will be soon.
“2010 is the beginning of a sustained decline for both Alex and Derek”
this
Basically, we got fleeced the moment A-rod opted out in 2007. To think this would have been the last year in his contract, the team would have had more options in regards to signing him and what we do with other players, instead we have 7 more guaranteed years for a guy who has Mike Lowell like hip dysplasia. I’m not saying he is all washed up but he clearly hasn’t been the same and isn’t worth his contract. We should have let him walk the moment he opted out. We made it even worse by signing Teixeira for so long at first base, not to say I don’t like him, he is a great player, after the all-star break that is. However, first base could have been a position to hide A-rod in his waning years. Which now well we can’t do until 2017 and I’d be surprised if A-rod wasn’t anything more than a DH then. This team is old and getting older when it comes to the infield and I really doubt we’ll see Derek Jeter in Left Field which is the only spot left for him to move which in reality it should have been Jeter at Third for his final years, you know like Cal Ripken. The only way to do that is to move A-rod and his hip to the outfield, he has the arm for RF or to DH him now… I see neither happening. The max deal Jeter should get is what we gave Mariano in 2008 (3/45) although 2/30 would be much much better. Last thing I want to see is a declined shell of a player at SS who can’t play anymore. Let him get 3000, retire his number and be done with it.
It just seems to me our front office was very short sighted when constructing this team or smoking crack because that is the only reason I can come up with for having Vazquez and Burnett in our rotation.
And can we DH Jorge already and bring up Jesus.
Nobody messes with the Jesus.
When players get older they dont play like they did when they were 25.
Just call my receptionist and setup an appointment.
“Last thing I want to see is a declined shell of a player at SS who can’t play anymore. Let him get 3000, retire his number and be done with it.”
Be done with what? the best SS this team has even seen? Shame you never saw things before ’96. Do you really thing Jeter is going to embarrass himself out there? Do you really think that? gimme a break. The man knows what he’s doing and knows what he’s capably of. I have more faith in Jeter doing what’s right for himself and the team then i do in any of your pointless whinny rants.
Be done with it LOLOLOLOLOL go watch the mets. Who do you want playing SS? Ramiro Pena
The team is in 1st with the best record in baseball. Sorry jeter is so unbearable for you to watch you fool
“And can we DH Jorge already and bring up Jesus.
Nobody messes with the Jesus.”
It’s comments like this that crack me up. Rip Arod and jeter then finish you verbal yack fest by wanting a kid to be the DH on a w.s. contender who you never even seen play before and hasnt even had a sniff of MLB. Yeah great idea.
I saw in ’63 i think it was that Yogi was a player coach for the yanks.
How bout if Girardi goes to the Cubs we make Jeter player/coach, that would be so cool. Cool things like this never happen anymore.
Jeter’s hits to how many times the ball bounces before it reaches the fielder percentage is at a career low!!! I’m really worried.
I mean this team would be in 1st with the best record in baseball if Jeter can get his foul balls caught for outs percentage down………….oh wait
It just seems to me our front office was very short sighted when constructing this team
No, short sighted would be passing on an elite player like Teixeira or a 32 year old A-Rod just so we have a position for 38 year old Jeter to ride off into the sunset. Or maybe not “short sighted”, but i wouldn’t call it smart. Do you guys not remember the World Series we won last year? Does that happen without Teixeira or A-Rod?
A-Rod can still play 3B and hit better than Jeter. I am in no way arguing that giving A-Rod 10 years wasn’t idiotic, but passing on A-Rod so Jeter could move to 3B and wind down his career with 3 years of 95 OPS+ (just like Ripken!!) is not really a compelling argument either.
All the Yankees can do is hope A-Rod bounces back next year. I think he can. Jeter is still going to decline, the Yankees just have to hope it is slow and graceful.
Pointless blabber says:
“And can we DH Jorge already and bring up Jesus.
Nobody messes with the Jesus.”
It’s comments like this that crack me up. Rip Arod and jeter then finish you verbal yack fest by wanting a kid to be the DH on a w.s. contender who you never even seen play before and hasnt even had a sniff of MLB. Yeah great idea.
—————-
That would be a kid to be the CATCHER and JORGE to be a DH
You should go to the “Center For Kids Who Can’t Read Good And Wanna Learn To Do Other Stuff”
“Jeter is still going to decline, the Yankees just have to hope it is slow and graceful.”
So Jeter is going to have an even worse year then this one next year? gimme a god damn break already. I cant wait until Jeter is hitting 290 next year and putting up good stats, i’ll be on here everyday reminding you people of your stupidity. Granted i can be wrong but i like my chances.
And what exactly is “still going to decline” Last year he had one of his best years ever. Dont you need another year to prove it’s a “decline”. You’re only assuming he’s declining because of his age and bad year. You know what they say about people that assume things. Maybe you should wait till next year for these garbage articles. Isnt the al east race more important then this garbage. Why dont you talk about the upcoming series or how BOs is Playing Tamba and how is affects us?
there’s tons to be talking about right now as the season is winding down. But this site just continues to go to it’s 9,000 saved Jeter & arod whine articles to fill space.
“That would be a kid to be the CATCHER and JORGE to be a DH
You should go to the “Center For Kids Who Can’t Read Good And Wanna Learn To Do Other Stuff””
ok whatever your point was mine is still the same. C, DH, it doesn’t matter and is a dumb idea. Yeah bring the kid up in sept to handle the pitching staff on a w.s. contender. Maybe you should have went with dh, that wasnt as dumb as C.
thanks for correcting me and pointing out you’re dumber then i marginally thought. Nice attempt at comedy though, someone will def crack a half smile with that gold.
marginally***
oh no!!!!! sorry professor i meant originally. Please don’t yell at me.
You’re only assuming he’s declining because of his age and bad year
Well that, plus the history of every single Shortstop in the history of baseball.
One season is a small sample size. YOU’RE ALL BANNED FOR LIFE!!11!!!!1!!!1
Why do people get so upset when anyone points out a flaw in Jeter’s game?
Average RAB Guy is definitely more annoying than me.
And everyone: remember to send RAB your questions & comments … we’ll be sure to post the worst ones on our personal blogs — and mock them before 1000s of people!
When do they meet the wheels on the bus?
Okay so here’s the situation. This offseason we’ve got a hot chick (Cliff Lee) and a grenade (Javy) on the market. You have to extract the hot chick away and let the grenade blow herself up in Pittsburgh or something. Couple that with bounce-back years from Jeter and A-Rod and bada-bing bada-boom, 2011 World Champs.
“Average RAB Guy is definitely more annoying than me.”
/completelyunnecessary’d
“2010 is the beginning of a sustained decline for all people. We’re all dying. ”
this
Why do people get so upset when anyone points out a flaw in Jeter’s game?
It’s not even a flaw. We are just pointing out that Jeter lives on the planet earth where people age as time progresses.
The fact that Jeter is still playing SS at even the level he is currently playing is fairly remarkable. Expecting 1999 Jeter at age 38 is just unreasonable.
People should live on my planet.
Can someone point me in the direction of all these RAB personal attacks? I stopped reading the comments, and just about anything except news, there a long time ago. But this shit they did sounds funny. Personal attacks? Count me in. Just point me in the right direction.
“And what exactly is “still going to decline” Last year he had one of his best years ever. Dont you need another year to prove it’s a “decline”. You’re only assuming he’s declining because of his age and bad year.”
Look at his numbers since 2006. Declining every year except for last. I’m willing to bet 2009 is an extreme outlier. But you’re welcome to disagree.
All my planet knows is that this photoshop is absolutely hilarious.
“Look at his numbers since 2006. Declining every year except for last. I’m willing to bet 2009 is an extreme outlier. But you’re welcome to disagree.”
2006 was a fantastic year for him where was he suppose to go but down? 2007 and 8 are right on par with his career avg and then he had another fantastic season in 2009. Beside last year where is this decline you are talking about?
“The fact that Jeter is still playing SS at even the level he is currently playing is fairly remarkable. Expecting 1999 Jeter at age 38 is just unreasonable.”
no one is expecting that and everyone understands you lose a step as you get older. The difference is you speak about the guy like he’s killing the team and is some sort of burden on us for years to come. Like ive said many times, when we have someone that clearly shows they are ready to take over and do a better job then Jeter at SS then it’s time for this discussion. Whats the point of it now? cause you think this team is better with Ramiro Pena playing SS, is that what you want?
“Beside last year where is this decline you are talking about?”
Derek Jeter, OPS:
2006: .900
2007: .840
2008: .771
2009: .871
2010: .727
That’s a pretty straight decline, save ’09.
Was this site around in 2007?
If so was it the same “worry”, “fear”, “panic”, “cause for concern” over Mariano Rivera?
If it was i can only imagine how unbearable it mush of been so see the articles here on a daily basis.
Curtis Granderson has been a better hitter than Jeter this year. ‘Nuff said.
Besides, I’m ordering shrimp.
to call 2006-2007 a decline is absolutely ridiculous. 2009 pretty much proved 2008 was no decline either.
Is 2010 a decline? quite possibly but the man deserves another season to prove it. Not slappy “meet the clifF” articles. If he has a career avg season next year then what? he’s lucky?
How bout take about the upcoming series? our pitching staff (a real “concern”) It’s crap like this that has had nomass on a steady decline, yeah DECLINE.
Soon I’ll be as much of a force at the plate as Jeter, despite not improving my approach at all. At least Joe won’t have to bat me leadoff or 2nd due to garbage sentimentality.
/craptastic infielder’d
would this be approved on the lo hud blog ?
Pretty soon, I’ll have a higher slugging percentage than Derek. And the gay guy who is defending Jeter will come up with some other excuse.
You can’t measure Derek’s leaderitude or captaininity.