Quote: Rob Kamphausen said: meh, i think this is where our baseball philosophies differ. you're a big fan of the stat line. i'm a big fan of the intangibles.
Yes, I suppose I am a "big fan of the stat line"(the object of baseball is to score runs and win games, which are, well, stats), but I mentioned intangibles, as well. I said, about Matsui and Sheffield, "two All-Star veterans with major playoff experience and clubhouse clout". Some mighty fine intangibles there, which Cabrera lacks in both cases.
Quote: i don't see how it could not be disruptive, replacing players that have basically played the entire season -- and done so a lot better than you give them credit for. hell, even living in a stat world, i find it impossible to spit on a 285 batting average.
Bernie was very good in August, as I said, but there's no denying that he's been a shell of himself the last four years. A .283 batting average is decent, but pretty close to meaningless when you examine the whole of his statistical production. He doesn't walk(of the eight Yankees to record 300 at bats so far this year, he's last in getting on base), he doesn't hit for much power, and he's lost nearly all his speed. If he was a dazzling defensive centerfielder, his offense would be passable, but he's neither dazzling nor a centerfielder anymore.
Bernie just isn't very good. I'm sorry, but it's true. Melky Cabrera might be good someday, but he's not very good, either(at the very least, he's not as good as Sheffield or Matsui).
If this were a situation where the Yankees were trading Bernie and Cabrera for two outfielders from another team, then I could perhaps see where you were coming from, but these are proven All-Stars and guys who have played with the Yankees for several years.
In the '04 ALCS, when New York lost to the Red Sox, while A-Rod was slapping people and Jeter was being very un-Jeterish, the two guys that carried the Yankee offense were Sheffield and Matsui. They had the most hits and the most RBIs.
What's going to be more disruptive, do you think: being down late in the game and having one of them on deck, or having a 22 year old rookie in Cabrera on deck? Which situation do you think Torre is going to be more comfortable with? Which situation would you rather be in?
Quote: you don't think there could be a negative team impact by splitting up the gutty core?
Cabrera and Bernie will still be a part of the team, and will still get at bats. Infact, considering what's gone on the last few years, I'm sure Bernie will still get plenty of at bats. He's too beloved not to. Nobody has the heart to tell him he can't play. It's somewhat similar to what went on with Jeff Bagwell in Houston up until recently. It's painful to watch your heroes and admit they just aren't starter material anymore.
To answer your question: anything could happen, but do I think it's likely? No, not really. The team knows what Matsui and Sheffield can do. They've earned the right to re-assume their roles now that they're(presumably) healthy. They're also smart enough to realize that makes them better, not only improving their starting lineup, but deepening their bench. The bench can play a vital role in the playoffs, especially in the World Series.
