Interesting article by Joel Sherman/ NY POST. http://nypost.com/2014/12/05/gregorius-not-the-dream-add-but-hes-better-than-2014-jeter/
From another article- Joel Sherman/ NY POST http://nypost.com/2014/12/05/what-the-miller-signing-means-for-makeup-of-yankees-bullpen/ includes.... For now, the Yankees believe they have multiple power-arm weapons to attack the late innings. If not needed for the rotation, Adam Warren showed his relief value last season. Shawn Kelley and Wilson provide righty-lefty strikeout options in the sixth-seventh innings, and Betances-Miller righty-lefty powerhouses after that. And the Yankees think their second-round pick from June, lefty Jacob Lindgren, is a fast riser. The Yankees have seen firsthand the value of a well-deployed deep pen overcoming other deficiencies as they went a major league-best 100-67 the past two seasons in games decided by one or two runs.
...IMO, if Gregorius is going to be the "every day SS"...I think he should play pretty much every day, even vs LHed pitching. ...I mean how is the kid ever going to learn to hit lefties if he doesn't get his hacks against them?
Right? Please don't tell me we gave up Shane Greene for a part time player. If they don't bat this kid against lefties, he'll miss 1/3 of home games.
...there are people who call Gregorius "Jeter's replacement" are being unfair. But if those same people would look at it as DiDi replacing the 2014 version of Jeter it is much more realistic, because in that instance, Gregorius more than measures up. ...Gregorius will likely bat 9th which is fair, but it also means that whoever takes Jeter's #2 spot in the order, it will be a noticeable upgrade over last year's production from the #2 spot.
Bottom line is that whomever pitches for the Yankees knows that Di, Di will catch the ball, big sigh of relief, now fix 3rd base.
_____________________ Ellsbury bats leadoff. He's a leadoff hitter. Good enough for a championship team (Boston)...and even if not that, he has a good career OBP, steals alot of bases, not a big HR/power guy......he's a "leadoff hitter". lol
________________________ I know he is "athletic" and has a strong arm, and - I've seen a few highlights - but it's puzzling why It's not reflected in the def-range stats compared to league averages. Jeez, is it possible there just hasn't been enough chances for his very good range to show itself? Anyway, if he's just "slightly" above average- it should be good enough combined with baserunning speed and some offense he can give us.
There's always a little pressure when you're replacing an icon, I just hope he doesn't feel like he's got to be the next Derek Jeter, & can just be himself.
