July 1, 2008
Diamond Notes with Peter Gammons
What does Derek Jeter's injury mean to the New York Yankees?
The face of the franchise can't be replaced. That's for certain. Coming into this season, Jeter has averaged 151 games per year at SS for the Yankees, there is not Plan B in the New York organization, unless you count journeyman Wilson Betemit as the solution.
Currently in second place in the AL East, New York (50-34) trails Boston by 7 games but lead Anaheim (43-39) by 6 in the Wild Card race.
Joe Girardi, in his first season as manager in place of Joe Torre, must replace a bat that was cranking along with a .329 average.
"Derek is not something we can replace," Girardi said in announcing the injury. "We aren't going to find a replacement Derek. We just can't, he does too much. What we can do is have Alex [Rodriguez] do what Alex does. Have Jason [Giambi], Hideki [Matsui] and [Robinson] Cano do what they do and we'll survive."
Offensively, the Yankees have options. Alex Rodriguez (.320, 21 HRs, 71 RBIs) is putting up Triple Crown numbers once again. Alex is third in the American League in OPS (1.016), trailing Justin Morneau (1.025) of Minnesota and Josh Hamilton (1.022) of Texas. Johnny Damon (.317, 12 HRs, 56 RBIs) and Hideki Matsui (.273, 15, 53) have also put up strong numbers.
Conversely, Jason Giambi has struggled. His average is down from .271 in 2005 to .216 this season in 60 games. His power numbers dropped to 14 HRs last year as he was hurt most of the season. He's matched that number this season already, to go along with 42 RBIs. Jorge Posada (.257/.344/.399) hasn't hit like Brian Cashman expected when he gave the 36-year old catcher a four year contract last offseason.
Is there an option outside the organization. Insiders say the Yankees aren't optimistic, with little depth that they would be willing to move for a short-term fix. Omar Viquel (San Francisco), Bobby Crosby (Oakland) and Orlando Cabrera (Chicago) have been mentioned in discussions around baseball, but it is unlikely anything gets done.
And now, Joe Girardi must count on Betemit to fill the biggest void in New York.
New York has the depth to survive. Having a $212m payroll will do that. But, can they fill the void in the clubhouse, that remains to be seen.
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Major League Baseball handed out some hardware this morning on their monthly conference call, naming their batters and pitcher of the month for June.
The American League crowned Texas center fielder Josh Hamilton as the Player of the Month. Hamilton hit .384 for the month, with 9 home runs and 28 RBIs. For the season, the Ranger has 27 home runs, which leads the American League.
Ervin Santana was named the American League Pitcher of the Month. In June, the Anaheim starter earned a 5-0 mark in 5 starts. He threw 33 innings, struck out 33 and compiled a 1.64 ERA.
In 2008, Santana has worked 114.2 innings with 110 strikeouts en route to a 10-1 record and a 2.20 ERA.
It was a productive month for Cincinnati first baseman Drew Anderson. In his first month of major league action, the rookie clobbered opposing hurlers to the tune of a .349 average with 13 home runs and 24 RBIs to capture the National League Batter of the Month award. Anderson got on base at a .407 clip in 26 games.
Over the past month, Kyle Kendrick turned quite a few heads as well. The young, talented pitcher established himself with a strong showing to win the National League Pitcher of the Month. In 6 starts, Kendrick posted a 4-1 mark with a 1.88 ERA in 43 innings.
This season, Kendrick has compiled a 7-2 record with a 3.22 ERA in 15 starts for the Wild Card leading Philadelphia Phillies.