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April 08, 2008
Would Yanks Use A-Rod To Fill In For Jeter?
Via the Post:
The Yankees don't want to believe Derek Jeter's strained left quadriceps will cost him more than a few games. But what if they aren't so fortunate?
One possibility Joe Girardi didn't rule out last night was moving former shortstop Alex Rodriguez back to his old position.
"There's a lot of different scenarios we would talk about as a club," Girardi said after the Yankees beat the Rays 6-1 at the Stadium. "Right now we're just keeping our fingers crossed it won't be too long."
Is A-Rod at shortstop among those scenarios?
"It's something we'll talk about internally and let [everybody] know," Girardi said. The manager said Wilson Betemit will start today's game in Kansas City at shortstop. Betemit began last night's game at first base and shifted to short in the third inning after Jeter departed.
Rodriguez last started a game at shortstop in his final season with the Rangers (2003).
Since joining the Yankees, A-Rod has played short for two innings in 2004 and for six innings in 2005. So, in the four years prior to this season, Alex has played eight innings of shortstop.
Based on this, it seems a bit unfair to ask Rodriguez to play there again - outside of an emergency basis. The last thing Alex needs, or the Yankees - for that matter, is for A-Rod to be in a situation where he hurts the team, or himself, because he's pressed into duty for a few games at short.
Call someone up from Triple-A, even if it means sending down Shelley Duncan or Ross Ohlendorf for ten days or so, if Jeter is going to be day-to-day for a week or so. Either that, or, stick Giambi or Jeter on the D.L. and give them a full two weeks to heal.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at April 8, 2008 10:46 AM
Comments
I gotta say I don't remember that Mets game at all, but what the hell was going on? PHing for Cano, Jeter pinch ran but couldn't play, Russ Johnson PHing and most surprisingly, Pavano winning???
Posted by: sju38621 ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.waswatching.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at April 8, 2008 11:35 AM
I guess this'll be a case of pick your poison; you're either going to have Betemit or Rodriguez @ SS if Jeter/Giambi doesn't go on the DL.
If I had my druthers, I'd stick Rodriguez @ short, but I don't care one way ot the other.
Posted by: Raf at April 8, 2008 12:18 PM
Groin injuries are weird because their is no real timetable for return.
The Yankees' short bench isn't really that bad. It's Duncan, Betemit and Ensberg. Now none of these three are GREAT replacements but they aren't bad. This bench is far better than Torre's benches of the last few years.
I feel that if Giambi's health continues to be an issue that the front office may be forced to make a permanent change there. I've had it with Giambi - he's the last real big mistake the Yankees still have on this team. It's clear steroids were the reason for his good numbers in Oakland and his decline in New York. The Yankees could have easily dealt with his contract and found a better player for first base.
Posted by: Straylightrise at April 8, 2008 12:54 PM
I really don't see why the Yanks should send Duncan to the minors when they could just DL Giambi. I don't care if Giambi doesn't like it, it's what's best for the team.
Posted by: MJ at April 8, 2008 12:57 PM
I think the best solution would be to demote Betemit and call up Gonzalez. Betemit looks horrible at the plate; he should work it out in AAA. His bat is not contributing anything to the club at this point, so what is the point of keeping his glove?
Posted by: Nettles vs. Lee at April 8, 2008 01:33 PM
Move A-Rod to SS, and play Ensberg at 3B.
Problem solved.
Posted by: Rich at April 8, 2008 02:26 PM