The Yanks' roster is certainly shaping up quite nicely, but their one question mark seems to be first base. Like
last year, the Cash Man appears to be content with the concept of
utilizing a "platoon" of sorts to fill the position rather than the usual "here you go sir, you, one man, will be responsible for playing this particular position during the vast majority of the forthcoming season."
While as a general rule I'd think that the one man, one job (well, plus a backup bench/utility dude or two, of course) would be the way to go, with the Giambi contract (he ain't going anywhere), Matsui injury, and the uncertainty as to how Duncan and Ensberg will do, the platoon is admittedly the best way to go. As far as we can tell right now, the platoon will mainly consist of Shelley "Spirit Coordinator" Duncan, newbie Morgan Ensberg, and a little Giambino.
Giambi, as we are WELL aware, is simply
not a good candidate for everyday play on the field - in fact, he should be used there
only in the case of a dire emergency, like if Pavano someone manages to involve another player in one of his freak incidents - and therefore will likely spend most of his days at DH. I would imagine that Ensberg's poor offensive performance would preclude the team from wanting him to play a gazillion games, but I suppose he could surprise us all. As for the Shell-ster, who knows how he will do? He could end up being a champ both at the plate and in the field, but we really don't know just yet with his relative inexperience.
The other obvious problem with the platoon is that it forces the team to rotate between a bunch of guys when it comes to DH. Giambi is considered "the" DH; however, he will have to share
that role with
Matsui, because the surgery he had on his knee last year prevents him from being truly effective out in left field, and what's more, when Matsy DOES play in the field that will put Damon on the bench and I'm sure into that DH spot at least occasionally! Not to mention
Posada - even though he's not THAT old and crippled... yet - he will surely be spending a few games as DH.
In other words, the team has about 239808239871243098 DH's, which is all fine and good, and approximately 1/3 of a first baseman.
In my estimate, all that shuffling could go either way: it's possible that the rest and days off (at least partial days without having to play in the field) those DHs will receive, combined with the talents of a few first basemen will be just what the team needs to keep everybody fresh. On the other hand, it could be that none of those first basemen really work out and the lack of consistency shakes up the team in a bad way and not ever allow things to congeal properly.
Can't we just get Nick Johnson back? The Nat's have no use for him now that they've got Dmitri Young, and I sure do like him. Thoughts?
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YC - I have only recently found your blog and enjoy it for its wit, sarcasm and humour (and it also allows a boy from Australia to catch up on all things Yankees). But you have outdone yourself this time. Your line re Pavano involving others in his incidents has to rank with the best lines of all time.
Well done.