It's been the same story all year. Johnny Damon, Derek Jeter, and Bobby Abreu get on base, only to be stranded there by Alex Rodriguez and Jason Giambi.
It happened again Tuesday night, in a must-win game against the Boston Red Sox. The top three hitters in the Yankees' order got on base eight times and scored just twice, both of which came on solo homers by Damon.
A-Rod went 0-for-5, striking out twice and leaving an astounding seven runners on base. Giambi, meanwhile, had a pretty good game by his standards: He only went 0-for-4 and left two men on.
The two highest-paid players in baseball are hitting .250 and .205 with runners in scoring position, respectively. In those situations, with two outs, A-Rod hits .245 and the Giamzero clubs a paltry .211.
With the bases loaded, they are a combined 3-for-28. I'll say it again, for it deserves repeating: 3-for-28.
And yet they continue to bat in the heart of the lineup, serial killing rallies one at a time.
With all the different lineups Joe Girardi has thrown out there this season, two things have remained a relative constant: Rodriguez fourth and Giambi fifth.
- B/R Ticket Guide
With six guys in the lineup hitting .294 or better, you'd think the Yankees would be higher than seventh in the league in runs scored.
But they're not, largely because the black hole of A-Rod and Giambi separates the consistent hitters at the top of the order (Damon, Jeter and Abreu) from those at the bottom (Xavier Nady and Hideki Matsui).
Why not try moving Nady, who's hitting .379 with runners in scoring position since joining the Yankees, up to the cleanup spot for a few games? It can't hurt, right? It would be impossible to make this offense any worse.
And while, we're at it, move Matsui, who's a .333 hitter with runners in scoring position, up to the five spot in the order, and drop A-Rod and Giambi to six and seven. Giambi is hitting .323 in the seven hole this year, by the way, as opposed to his .207 when he bats fifth.
In fact, why not just sit Giambi in favor of Cody Ransom. Even if Ransom's current 4.000 slugging percentage doesn't continue, I'm sure he won't ignore runners heading home while he's holding the ball at first base.
Now, I'm not one of those psychopaths that think the Yankees would be better off without Rodriguez. At least he gets hits in non-pressure situations, which is more than I can say for Giambi. And A-Rod was super clutch last year, hitting .357 in close and late situations.
Giambi, on the other hand, has been pretty much useless since signing the worst contract in franchise history—a seven-year, $120 million deal— that began in 2002 and will mercifully come to end after this season.
Maybe then the Yankees will start winning championships again.
Jordan Schwartz is Bleacher Report's New York Yankees Community Leader. His book "Memoirs of the Unaccomplished Man" is available at amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com and authorhouse.com. Jordan can be reached at jordanschwartz2003@yahoo.com
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2 months ago
Another brilliant piece, Jordan. I seriously can't believe how bad this team was tonight. I had flashbacks of the 2006 season when the boos rained down on A-Rod after the GIDP with the bases chucked. I couldn't agree more, they really ought to move Giambi, b/c he is just not hitting with RISP. They better dump Giambi after this year, if they keep him it will be the worst possible move they could EVER make. .:sigh:. I just hope Ponson can go out tomorrow and give them a chance to win against Byrd.
from 2 months ago
Thanks, A.J. After Giambi went on that little hot streak in the middle of the season, I was beginning to worry they might bring him back next year, but luckily he's returned to his terrible self and we shouldn't have to suffer through his selfishness for another season.
2 months ago
I was at the game tonight, and I couldn't believe how poorly A-Rod performed. By the end of the game, I almost wanted him to fail, as I got joy out of booing him.
2 months ago
A-Rod is obv. choking, but I have to think that with the hole left by Matsui and Jorge being out, he had no one to protect him from getting borderline pitches, and then he started trying to force things because he felt the onus was on him. Giambi has not protected him, and he has been substituted for with Sexson and others a lot this year, so I can understand Rodriguez's travails to some extent.
from 2 months ago
I totally think A-Rod is negatively affected by having the worthless Giambi batting behind him. He probably feels compelled to swing at bad pitches because he knows that if he walks, Giambi will just end the inning. But Rodriguez has to take some of the blame for hitting just .250 with runners in scoring position.
2 months ago
Actually Jordan this is not a brillant piece. This is the first year A-Rod has had a terrible year hitting with runners in scoring position. Because he is the best player in baseball and will go down as the best player to play the game you expect perfection. Did you write an article about how he carried the Yankees a year ago? What do you think it is like to be the best and play in N.Y.? This guy is under so much pressure and still out performs Jeter on his own team every year. Stop talking about pressure situations when every AB is pressure in N.Y. A-Rod is a career .337 hitter with the bases loaded. If you want to blame anyone for the Yanks loss yesterday blame Andy Pettitte he was the one that gave up ass all day. I will agree that A-Rod is pressing but he always has to press because of people like you.
from 2 months ago
First of all, A-Rod is not the best player in baseball. Albert Pujols is. And it's laughable to suggest Rodriguez "will go down as the best player to play the game." Even if he breaks the home run record, he won't even come close to the greatness of Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, Ty Cobb, Willie Mays and Lou Gehrig.
I didn't say A-Rod has been terrible with runners in scoring position before this year. In fact, I pointed out that he was very clutch last year and the Yankees probably would not have made the playoffs without him. But this isn't last year, this is this year. I don't expect perfection from A-Rod. What I do expect is a better than .250 average with runners in scoring position and a better than .100 average with the bases loaded.
Every player on the Yankees is under a tremendous amount of pressure and yet guys like Damon, Jeter, Abreu, Matsui and Nady get the job done, so don't give me that excuse. And it's ridiculous to say he out performs Jeter, who is hitting 70 points higher with runners in scoring position and two outs this season.
Andy Pettitte was certainly also to blame for yesterday's loss, but he has been a whole lot more clutch than A-Rod and Giambi this year.
I like A-Rod and I think it's ridiculous to boo a guy who won an MVP for you last year, but I also think it's ridiculous to make all these excuses for a guy making $28 million who hits just .250 with runners in scoring position.
from 2 months ago
Every player on the Yankees is under a tremendous amount of pressure and yet guys like Damon, Jeter, Abreu, Matsui and Nady get the job done, so don't give me that excuse.
Now this comment is Hilarious. Johnny Damon is being talked about in a positive way. So I guess we only talk about guys season to season now.
Abreu is having a terrible year, Matsui has played what maybe 7 games this year. Jeter will always have the love of baseball fans and I will never be able to figure it out. Michael Young is just as good as Jeter but that is another topic.
I agree that other guys have pressure on the Yanks but not like A-Rod. Jeter has no pressure and has never had any pressure. Jeter fails many times especially the last 2 seasons and he always gets a pass. You are also mistaken A-Rod will go down as the best ever and as for Pujols being the best let his ass play one season in N.Y. and we will see what he is made of.
from 2 months ago
Abreu's having a terrible year? Really? I didn't know .298/15/82 was terrible. I guess you're referring to his .388 average with runners in scoring position and two outs or his nine outfield assists, which is second best among AL right fielders.
Pressure comes from not performing. The reason you perceive that Jeter is under less pressure is because he has consistently come through in the clutch over the past 13 seasons and therefore has earned leniency from the fans. When A-Rod wins four World Series, he will receive the same leniency. Until then, he better start coming through more in the clutch.
from 2 months ago
This is funny that you bring up Abreu's numbers because A-Rod the guy that sucks is hitting .308 28 78 .398. So how bad is that year?
from 2 months ago
Baseball isn't about TEAM anymore. It is about revenue, and A-Rod fills the seats. F*** Jeter and his good 13 yrs. Major League players today voted him the most overrated player in the game. He has had a great career but you know there are many players comparable to Jeter. There are no other players in the game like A-Rod. Name one thing that Jeter does better then A-Rod. People say A-Rod doesn't perform in the Playoffs but he is a .279 career hitter in the post season. It isn't his fault he has only played in 39 postseason games. Jeter grew up in the playoffs and by the way he hasn't always played well. Look at A-Rods story: When he got drafted he had the pressure of having to change a franchise and he still performed just like Griffey. Jeter came to the Yanks batted 9th went to the playoffs every year and got to grow into himself. When he failed he never got the blame and now we call him great. If he played for anyone other then the Yanks we wouldn't care about him just like Michael Young.
from 2 months ago
One thing Jeter does better than A-Rod? How about five things.
1. Career batting average with runners on. Jeter .319, A-Rod .310
2. Career batting average with runners in scoring position. Jeter .312, A-Rod .303
3. Career batting average with runners in scoring position and two outs. Jeter .317, A-Rod .273.
4. Career batting average with the bases loaded. Jeter .374, A-Rod .359.
5. Career batting average with man on third and less than two outs. Jeter .374, A-Rod .359.
Oh, yeah, and Jeter is a whole lot better at winning World Championships.
from 2 months ago
Now Jordan those stats are funny. Who gets pitched to more? Did you play baseball? If you did then you know A-Rod with a 2-0 count gets a breaking ball or a change-up something different. Jeter gets a fastball. I give Jeter props for being good but to me and I know I keep saying it he is Michael Young in a big market. But he is still overrated. Real question is who would you rather have? Please be honest.
from 2 months ago
Haha, are you A-Rod's spokesman or just a wide-eyed fan boy? You have an excuse for everything. It's impossible to have a meaningful debate with you because in your mind, A-Rod can do no wrong.
In the 700 or so games I have watched A-Rod during his time as a Yankee, I have witnessed an absolutely incredible talent, who unfortunately is very inconsistent when it comes down to the most important parts of the game.
I would rather have Jeter because in the 1500 or so games that I have watched him play, he consistently comes through in the clutch and always does the exact thing the Yankees need in the situation, whether it be bunting, getting the runner home from third with less than two outs, stealing a base, or making a big over the shoulder catch in shallow left center.
And if you think Jeter would be replaceable by Michael Young, then you haven't been paying attention for the past 13 seasons.
from 2 months ago
You are the one that tries to find stats on why A-Rod is not that good. You say he is not better because of numbers with runners on. How about numbers that matter the most to me. Career HR's, RBI's, Hits, SB, RUNS, Avg, Slug, Walks, Extra base hits. It is not even close and you know it. You must be from N.Y. and if so you are the one that is jaded because the "Golden Boy"Jeter can do no wrong.
from 2 months ago
AJ, you're missing the point. I am not trying to find stats on why A-Rod is not good. The stats simply prove that he's not as clutch as Jeter, which any Yankee fan will tell you is absolutely true. A-Rod is an amazing player and an important part of the Yankees, but he's not as important as Jeter and he needs to move down in the lineup until he gets his stroke back because he's killing rallies night after night.
from 2 months ago
OK A-Rod is not as clutch as Jeter. But Jeter doesn't mean more to a team then A-Rod does that is proven by all the other stats. Jeter is clutch A-Rod is the better ball player.
2 months ago
You can't move A-Rod down in the order. Remember how bad his feelings were hurt when Torre did that in the playoffs? And we can't have A-Rod's feelings hurt.
from 2 months ago
A-Rod is a great player but he's also a mental case, so the sooner the Yankees admit that and get someone to talk to him and help him out, the sooner the team will be able to score more runs.
2 months ago
The yankees are worse off with alex rodriguez on the team. he is just a prime example of the yankees shift to overpriced babies who dont know how to work as team. the yankees had the formula for sucsess in the 90's with good defense, good pitching, and bunting. they werent the biggest stars but they knew how to play the game the right way. they accepted thier roles and didnt cry. then we decided to sign the big stars after 2001 who have to be babied. sure alex rodriguez isnt the only problem but he is a huge part of it. he is nothing but a distraction on the team with his on and off the field problems. the yankees sold thier soul so they could make more revenue as a rod breaks the homerun record, but they wont win a world series as long as he s on the roster. In the biggest games he just doesnt come through and when you get paid 30 million and hit in the clean up spot you have to. Not hitting home runs in 11-0 games. for 30 million a year we could have had two stud starting pitchers. i'm sorry but the yankees would be better of with that and a sevicable third baseman then a rod. I as a yankee fan cannot wait in 10 years when his contract is up so we can play team baseball again. hopefully management shifts it's strategy back to building a team.
from 2 months ago
Every team would be better if they had stud pitchers over A-Rod that doesn't mean A-Rod is to blame for the Yankees sucking. Take A-Rod off the team and replace him with another third baseman and the Yankees are even worse. Pull Jeter and they do just as good. Get over the homeruns that aren't in clutch situations he hits many in big time situstions. You don't have 546 HR's and none of them matter.
from 2 months ago
"Pull Jeter and they do just as good." Seriously, AJ? Have you been paying attention the past 13 seasons? Willy is mistaken to think that the Yankees would be better without a three-time MVP on the team, but you're even more crazy if you think the Yankees would be better without Jeter.
I don't understand why everyone feels the need to go to extremes. The Yankees need A-Rod on the team, but they don't need him killing rallies in the middle of the order right now. All I'm saying is move him down in the lineup until he gets his stroke back.
2 months ago
well my point is spending 30 million on arod is foolish if your trying to win champoinships. so yes if we spent the money elsewhere like pitching we would be better off. all he brings is bad chemistry and tabloid headlines. So he is part of the problem I guess most of me beef is with the gm.
2 months ago
aj how many champoinships have the yankees won with arod? How many with jeter? the problem doesn't lie with jeter it lies with the guys brought in after 2001. ie arod.
2 months ago
jordan if our gm spent the 30 million they spent on a rod elsewhere they would be a better "TEAM". I dont get why people say we need a rod. We did it without "the best player ever" before. and we can do it with out his me attitude.
from 2 months ago
The Yankees don't exactly have a cap on how much money they can spend, so I don't buy you're "spend the $30 million elsewhere" theory. I definitely agree that pitching is more important than hitting and Cashman dropped the ball on not getting Santana this past offseason or Washburn or Byrd at the trade deadline this year, but you can't convince me the Yankees would be better without a three-time MVP and a future Hall of Famer in their lineup. I just think they need to move him out of the limelight for a little while.
Giambi, on the other hand, is a complete waste and needs to be off the team immediately. There's a guy with a "me" attitude. Anyone who hits into a three-person shift on the right side of the infield, rather than going the other way or laying down a bunt just to get on base to help your team, is nothing more than a selfish player.
from 2 months ago
your right about giambi. the yankees have made horrible signing for years now and it will take a while to rebuild this team. they need to focus on bringing in the right people and not just spend money blindly on people past thier prime. make sure it s someone who understands the fundamentals of the game, works hard, and isn't a me first guy and preferably under the age of 30. they should look for a team guy not just stats. But i dont think you ll ever convince me that the yankees need a rod to win. His negatives are just to great. He's not a leader, he a walking tabloid machine, the team needs to be able to concentrate on winning more then answering questions about who he screwing that night, he doesnt play the game the right way, and he's not clutch. Stats dont make you a winner.
from 2 months ago
I certainly agree that the Yankees need to go after younger talent as opposed to washed up guys and I think they made a step in the right direction this year by getting Nady. But I disagree with the notion that they'd be a better team without A-Rod.
He certainly hasn't been clutch this year, but he's still hitting .308 with 28 homers and 78 RBI. He's ninth in the league in hitting, sixth in runs scored, fifth in homers, 13th in RBIs, 16th in steals, fifth in on base percentage, and second in slugging and OPS. That kind of production does make an impact, even if it doesn't happen in clutch situations.
And he does play the game the right way. He goes the opposite way, he's generally a good base runner and he's a solid third baseman. He was very clutch last year and he seems to do better in odd years (winning MVPs in '03, '05 and '07) so it will be interesting to see how he does in '09 without Giambi hanging on his back. But for now, I think the Yankees would be served better by moving him down a spot or two in the order so that he doesn't continue to kill rallies while he's going through this slump.
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