After going 0-5 on Tuesday versus Toronto, Derek Jeter now has a .303 OBP (.254/.303/.316). Unless you are completely braindead, there is no way anyone can justify having a leadoff hitter with an OBP this low.
Not only should Derek be removed from the leadoff spot, but he should also be buried in the bottom of the order until he proves he can hit again. Gone are the days when we could say, “well, he still hits better than most shortstops,” because that isn’t true anymore either. Entering Tuesday’s game, his wOBA of .286 ranked 9th among 12 AL shortstops with at least 140 PAs.
It’s time the front office and coaches grow a pair.
47 Comments
jeter's tangible grounders May 25, 2011 08:22
What about the hits, the flip, the dive, mr november, mariah, the 90′s fade? Love derek jeter. None of that makes the Yankees better now. Let him get his 3000 and then move him down in the lineup. Sick of being considered an ungrateful bastard because I don’t care to watch hero’s of the past cost the cuttent team wins. I pay for my tickets so I can watch a winning team. Was nice to see the popo do something last night though.
Jim Leyritz's Cellmate May 25, 2011 08:24
But we all know they won’t and this is the status quo at least until 3,000…
DW May 25, 2011 08:26
Jeter stinks!
Charlie Manuel May 25, 2011 08:28
Jimmy Rollins is an gold gloving shorstop, much like Derek Jeter, who makes a great player to bat in front of a player who knows how to handle the bat, make contact, swipe the occasional bag, and also make lots of outs, productively.
A-Bomb May 25, 2011 08:48
Jeter is no arod , arod should be moved to ss cause arod is far better ss and can hit better and yankees win
Slot May 25, 2011 10:13
I think A-rod is so freaking good he should play 3rd base AND ss at the same time!11!!1
Bernie Williams May 25, 2011 08:55
His future wedding keeps him with a “cold bat”!
The Truth May 25, 2011 09:14
I honestly think once he gets to 3,000 he will be moved, if Gardner keeps improving there can be no reason for him to continue to bat leadoff. Granderson could also be a consideration. Also when does Cano become the #3 hitter? It’s time period.
Steve May 25, 2011 10:12
I was with you up until the Cano bit…Don’t really see the rationale to move him up until he starts taking some pitches. Teixeira’s OBP says he is fine where he is.
With you on Gardner and Granderson though.
The Truth May 25, 2011 10:53
OBP aside, Yes I know how dare I ignore stats and use my eyes, the fact that Granderson was at third last night and it took Cano to drive him in after Tex & Alex failed speaks volumes. I keep waiting for the three-five week stretch where they carry the team but it has yet to happen. Warm weather appears to be coming soon so who knows. When they hit the West if the two of them continue to stink Girardi will have to at least consider it. But since he refuses to move Jeter who knows.
[Censored] May 25, 2011 12:27
Lol, you are insane. Please continue to post for the sheer entertainment value of your insane views.
Ben Käbak May 25, 2011 14:34
Did I mention I was jewish?
The Knicks are back. May 25, 2011 21:25
Yes, that one instance in that one game speaks volumes.
Small Sample Size May 26, 2011 19:03
Sup!
person impersonating the truth May 25, 2011 21:59
i get my insight from bobby valentine on baseball tonight. he knows about how to play the game the right way, get the clutch hits, and when to become an RBI guy
person impersonating the truth May 25, 2011 22:02
I also regard no value of considering sample size, so I consider Cody Ross a hero because I saw him carry the Giants to a world series, and similarly I know Mariano Rivera is a choke and a horrible closer because I saw him in game 7 2001 WS. Shock, I used my eyes to see this (gasp).
fathertime May 25, 2011 09:27
I agree with this…. but don’t tell my wife and the other girls who love derek because they will beat me for dissin derek like this.
Mac May 25, 2011 09:39
It’s actually sad seeing him up there. He has zero power, rolls everything over. I’m hoping he retires rather than play out that full contract. He’ll embarrass himself.
Rich Mahogany May 25, 2011 11:00
He won’t retire, but it will be very interesting to see whether he picks up his fourth year option. Barring a miraculous resurgence, there will be some very loud calls from fans, media and the FO for him to decline it.
Boom Goes The Dynamite May 25, 2011 09:42
He is painful to watch.
Paul May 25, 2011 10:03
So what would NoMaas’s new lineup look like?
Mac May 25, 2011 10:15
New lineup? I’m sure it would just switch Gardner and Jeter. No rocket science.
eat 'da poo poo June 6, 2011 13:13
1. Granderson
2. Martin
3. Teixeira
4. Rodriguez
5. Cano
6. Jeter
7. Posada
8. Swisher
9. Gardner
Rich Mahogany May 25, 2011 10:58
Let’s say the 2011 Yankees did not have Jeter anymore (he ascended to heaven as a demigod after his contract expired) and made Nunez the starting shorstop. If Nunez batted .254/.303/.316 with 2 HR, 3 SB and 2 CS through 45 games, exactly what Jeter is doing now, he would be batting ninth.
Instead Jeter remains on this earth and is batting leadoff, purely because of his legacy. This should bother Yankee fans who actually care about whether the teams wins more than whether Jeter (supposedly a selfless, team-first player) is sufficiently honored by his lineup spot.
Chocolate Drop May 25, 2011 11:16
Perfectly stated, Rich.
DormantUlcer May 25, 2011 13:49
Word.
bf May 25, 2011 11:00
Update the GIDP list. He grounded into a 5-3 last night.
jdp May 25, 2011 11:41
Your March to History GIDP list is a clever idea, but while you mock him with it take note of the quality of the other hitters who are named there.
But yes, he should not be batting first.
Jim Leyland May 25, 2011 13:28
What’s the big deal? I love having a leadoff man with a sub-.300 OBP.
DormantUlcer May 25, 2011 13:48
I heard that Jeter is actually ranked high in getting on base from the leadoff spot in the first inning among AL leadoff guys. He could go 1-5 in a game, but if the 1 is in the first, he did his ‘job’ as the leadoff man. The other 4 should not be overlooked though.
Of course, I heard this stat from Michael Kay, who has a bit of a hard-on for Jeet, so it may be completely made up.
Either way, Gardner started the season leading off against righties anyway, so can’t he at least do that again?
Jay Destro's Weenie May 25, 2011 14:36
Moron. Try to make sense. A leadoff guys gets up MORE times than anyone. See what we deal with here? Dummies
DormantUlcer May 25, 2011 15:07
Way to miss my point completely. Maybe when you’re done specifically looking for my posts (which is cute and flattering, by the way, but unfortunately I’m in a committed relationship and we have a beautiful baby girl), you can contribute someday.
Vince May 25, 2011 16:20
Your daughter, is she hot?
DormantUlcer May 26, 2011 06:12
She’s the hottest 9 month old in the county.
Jay Destro's Weenie May 26, 2011 14:14
I’d like to F that daughter in the A.
DormantUlcer May 26, 2011 22:15
Wow. And here I thought you had even a shred of class. Guess I lost a buck to myself. Fucking die in a fire.
Jay Destro's Weenie May 27, 2011 09:55
She wants my seed, Dad.
Sentstive RAB Guy May 25, 2011 20:57
you have a baby-mama?
DormantUlcer May 26, 2011 06:12
I do. It’s awesome. Despite the drama.
Jay Destro's Weenie May 26, 2011 14:15
He must really be a nice dude. You did well.
Trying Too Hard May 26, 2011 19:09
High five!
DormantUlcer May 25, 2011 15:18
So on your team, the leadoff guy ins’t the one you want getting your offense started early, but the guy you want up more. Okay.
So on your team, does A-Rod or Cano lead off?
Rich Mahogany May 25, 2011 15:09
This actually could be true. Jeter has terrific numbers this season when he actually leads off. See the “Leading Off Inning” section here:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?id=jeterde01&year=2011&t=b
I still wouldn’t bat Jeter leadoff. His single in the first will be outweighed by the outs he makes in every other inning.
DormantUlcer May 25, 2011 15:24
Hey look at that. So then the solution is obvious:
Let Jeter lead off the game, get on base, then immediately pull him for Nunez.
I’m a genius.
Derek Jeter May 25, 2011 18:50
If Minka would let me put it in her ass I’d hit better.
Jorge Posada May 25, 2011 23:29
I tried that with Laura the other day. Look how that turned out!
Juan Acevedo May 25, 2011 21:25
Perhaps he needs to bring the fade back. It’s like seeing unit without a mullet