Ryan's range and ability on defense is unbelievable. For that reason alone, I want him back and in a short sample, his bat has been adequate as a Yankee. Hope Kevin Long is right about him.
I agree with you guys but a sensible move like that would go over Cashmans head. I'm really concerned about what is going to happen after the season ends.
Long said that he feels that Ryan can be "fixed" rather easily. He feels that he has to just simplify his swing. He felt that in a search to create the offense Ryan would need to be successful, that he has added so many layers. In the small sample we have seen as a Yankee, he's hitting the ball.
Coming from an M's fan that has watched with horror the last 3 years --- I hope he does get better, but I don't see it happening. He'll be 32 next year, and since the last month of 2011 he hasn't hit over .200. And it's not like it's a steady .196, either...he'll have a "hot" series or two (and probably hit his dinger for the year) or so and then be utterly craptastic for the next 3 months. Like .125 craptastic. Now he's a magician with the glove. But if you stick with him (like the M's did for 2+ seasons after he stopped hitting even .240) then you have to understand the bat's never coming around, he's going to be your #9 and probably hit worse than your pitcher would, and live with it.
