NoMaas.org » reed johnson

Yankees did not optimize their bench options

SJK — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 04:54:02 +0000

Cashman said this on January 6th:

"I consider this position I’m playing in as a bench role," said Cashman. "Right-handed hitting outfielder that Joe can look on the bench and say, I’m not going to start one of my left-handers, I’m going to start a right-hander."

Source

And on Monday, they announced the signing of Marcus Thames to a minor-league deal.

"He hits left-handed pitching well and we know him as a person so we will see where it takes us," Brian Cashman said of the career .256 hitter with a .516 slugging percentage and 40 homers and 105 RBIs in 620 at-bats against lefties.

Source

Well, that's all fine and dandy, but...

Thames versus LHP: .256/.329/.516 in 691 PAs
Reed Johnson versus LHP: .313/.378/.463 in 1027 PAs

Thames career UZR/150 in LF: -12.2
R. Johnson career UZR/150 in LF: +23.3

Johnson signed for $800k. Thames gets $900k if he makes the team. Johnson was a better option than Thames and came cheaper (if Thames makes the team).

While it seems to be sacrilege to critique the Yankees front office nowadays (is the Kool-Aid coming south?), we're not afraid to say that Cashman & Co could have used their remaining funds better.

Eric Hinske + Reed Johnson > Randy Winn + Marcus Thames

E-FO, Yankees’ brass messes up on this one

Vizzini — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 20:36:07 +0000

Both Randy Winn and Reed Johnson project as slightly below average hitters. And, looking at their UZRs, both would do fine work with the glove as LF replacements. But, the skill most needed in a Yankees fourth outfielder is the ability to hit left handed pitchers. Two of the Yankees three OFs have had serious issues hitting lefties. Leveraging a LOOGY against Granderson or Gardner in a late game situation is such an obvious strategy, even Mike Scioscia will be able to figure it out. This is why we at NoMaas advocated for Reed Johnson and his career .841 OPS vs LHPs.

Now comes word that the Dodgers have signed RJ on a one year deal worth a measly $800k, yet Brian Cashman spent 250% more than that on a signing that does not address the Yankees' most glaring bench need. It's been a great offseason overall for Ca$hMoney... but he botched this one.

Full speed ahead on Reed Johnson?

Admiral Piett — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 00:05:51 +0000

Jerry Hairston signed with the Padres for a reported $2.12 million. $2 mil+, really?

Anyway, that takes another right-handed OF out of the running for the Yanks...not that you should be looking for offense from Jerry Hairston. But with one less option, could the Yanks be moving closer to inking Reed Johnson, ye of left handed pitching mashing?

Bench endorsement: Reed Johnson

Vizzini — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 12:58:56 +0000

As the Yankees look to put the finishing touches on their roster for 2010, the most obvious need is a righty bat for the OF. Since both Gardner and Granderson have a sub-.630 OPS against LHPs for their MLB careers, it would be nice to give Girardi a decent platoon/pinch-hit option. The man for the job is Reed Johnson.

RJ has a career OPS vs lefties of .841 (a number which he's bested each of the last four seasons). In addition to being a fine LHP-specialist, he also may something of a left field specialist. While UZR says he eats corn the long way in center and right field, he's got the left corner on lockdown: 23.3 UZR/150 over 2666 innings.

The Yankees have a small square hole to fill, and Reed Johnson's goatee is just the right peg.