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January 03, 2008

If Abreu Pulls Another Rock In '08, Can The Yanks Survive?

This was Bobby Abreu, last season, in terms of PA/BA/OBA/SLG:

Home: 348/.326/.408/.497
Road: 351/.241/.330/.394

Those road numbers are ugly - and strange, as Abreu has usually been a good hitter on the road.

I decided to see if this was something that was an issue for Abreu all season last year. This is what I found, again, in terms of road BA/OBA/SLG:

Until June 30th: .217/.314/.335
From July 1st on: .267/.349/.459

Clearly, last season's road woes for Abreu were an early season thing and not something that went on for the entire year. Bascially, it was the month of May that killed Abreu on the road last year (where he went .179/.233/.250). And, in fact, the month of May, in general, was terrible for Abreu in 2007.

I'm not sure if the Yankees can afford to have Abreu have a month this bad in 2008. It certainly had a factor in them not finishing in first this season. It was not the only reason - but, it was one of the bigger reasons.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at January 3, 2008 11:53 AM

Comments

When he got hot, the Yankees got hot. It's important that he stays consistent all year, because A-Rod loved hitting behind him when he was going well.

Posted by: Andrew [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 3, 2008 12:47 PM

You have to wonder how much of his early season struggles were due to his strained oblique muscle in spring training. From what I understand thats not an injury you recover quickly from.

Posted by: Rich M [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 3, 2008 03:25 PM

~~You have to wonder how much of his early season struggles were due to his strained oblique muscle in spring training. From what I understand thats not an injury you recover quickly from.~~

Girardi, back in the day, on TV, suggested this too. But, I have to wonder if coming into camp a tad heavy led to the strain in the first place.

Posted by: Steve Lombardi [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 3, 2008 03:38 PM

I'm not sure, i think he'll remain effective overall but i highly doubt we'll see the Philly days Bobby again.

I would think it's time to start moving Cano up the lineup.

Posted by: Yu Hsing Chen [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 5, 2008 09:24 AM