For the past two seasons, Derek Jeter has been leading off for the New York Yankees after spending many years in the two-hole.
At the beginning of 2009, Joe Girardi explained that Jeter was a “more pure” lead-off man than Johnny Damon. Speculation has it that it was also because Jeter frequently hits into double-plays.
The move certainly didn’t do any harm to the order as the Yankees posted back to back years of high offensive productivity.
In 2010, however, Jeter was not the reason.
The captain suffered one of the most grueling seasons of his career with a .270 average and a myriad of failures in the clutch.
Although even I feel that it was just an off-year for Jeter, would dropping him back a little in the order be a good idea?
After all, many have entertained the idea of giving Brett Gardner a shot at the lead-off role.
Why not?
Lead-off men are often judged by two things—speed, and the ability to get on base—Both of which Gardy possesses.
Gardner posted a whopping .383 on-base percentage with 79 walks.
As for his speed, anyone who has seen him play knows that it won’t be an issue.
Gardner’s hitting ability is criticized by many to be very sub-par, but Gardy’s .277 average lies.
Well on pace to hit over .300 before being hit on the wrist by a pitch from the Dodger’s Clayton Kershaw in July, Gardner hit .232 in the second half compared to .309 in the first.
It is, of course, impossible to say how much of an impact that the wrist had on Gardner’s performance, but it definitely played a role.
Whatever the case, Gardner is the perfect leadoff man.
Just think—How many times could this happen with him batting first?
Gardner walks, steals second and gets driven in by meat of order—Cano, whom I think should bat No. 2 next year, Teixeira, and Rodriguez—who all had over 100 RBI in 2010.
Imagine how many times we could jump on a team quick like that!
So think about it. How does this lineup sound?
1) Gardner
2) Cano
3) Teixeira
4) Rodriguez
5) Nick Swisher
6) Jorge Posada—DH
7) Jeter
8) Curtis Granderson
9) Newly acquired Russel Martin
(Jeter and Granderson are interchangeable)
So, again, think about it.
PS—
Merry Christmas and Go Yanks!
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