What the Yanks signing of Angel Berroa really means.

by rglass44 on Jan 7, 2009 2:39 PM EST

The Yanks recent signing of Berroa isn't really big news. The SS and 2B position for the Pinstriped Ones are not in jeopardy. The role as utility IF, though, is shaping up to be an interesting battle. After bringing in Berroa, it looks like the utility job will be held by some combonation of Berroa, Cody Ransom, or Wilson Betemit. This job is of course, the who gets to back up Cano and Jeter battle.

This is where it gets fun. Jeter's defensive struggles at SS are well documented despite the hardware he has collected. In fact, Chone's defensive projections have Jeter pegged as -13 run defender at SS. So, the Yanks signing of Berroa should represent an increase in fielding savvy. It does, to the tune of 4 runs. That's right, Angel Berroa projects as a -9 defender at SS.

It doesn't end there, however, as the Yanks other two options at SS are even worse. Ransom checks in at a pedestrian -12 runs at SS compared to Betemit's impressive -15. So, in summation the Yanks have 4 options to man the SS position (although we know there is really only one), and of the 121 SS that are projected they rank 91st (Berroa), 103rd (Ransom), 107th (Captain), and 113th (Betemit). If you are keeping track, they have 4 of the 25 worst defensive SS in baseball.

I guess the Tex signing didn't illustrate a newfound belief in defense.

EDIT: Betemit is no longer a Yankee, but it's still funny.

This post was written by a member of the DRaysBay community and does not necessarily express the views or opinions of DRaysBay staff.

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Comments

This isn't too important

until Jeter can’t play. The Yankees might think of acquiring a young shortstop (which they probably won’t) or acquire a free agent shortstop( which they probably will). But that is a road 4-5 years from now.

The Rays Party

by therayspartyleader on Jan 7, 2009 5:31 PM EST reply actions

if i were them

I’d let Jeter walk after 2010 and throw the farm (plus a large personal bribe to Jeffrey Loria) for Hanley Ramirez

by RollingWave on Jan 8, 2009 6:22 AM EST up reply actions

Actually

I believe the Chone projection for Hanley Ramirez is -11, so if you want to win baseball games it would be best to not have him playing SS. Ramirez is a phenomenal talent, but he needs to follow in B.J.’s footsteps and make the move to CF. At the very least he should slide over to 2B.

by acelion on Jan 8, 2009 9:01 AM EST up reply actions