Written by Greg Fertel
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24 March 2008
Apologies for my absence. It's been a long two weeks.
In an effort to find things to write about while we're waiting on the season to start, I'd like to take a look at each position in the Yankee system and assess our depth situation. I'm going to experiment with the format of this series, so let me know what you think of the way it is organized.
MLB Shortstop: Derek Jeter, Age 33, Under Contract until 2010. Jeter is going to have to move away from short some time soon. Any statistical measure pegs him as a terrible shortstop, with the team losing somewhere between 10 and 20 runs per year versus an average shortstop under Jeter's glove, and the more traditional folk are starting to come around. The Yankees will obviously resign Jeter after 2010, but I think that the new contract may be a sufficient symbolic change to move him to left field or some place else. Pete Rose did it, so Derek Jeter can too.
Immediately Available: Wilson Betemit, 26 and Alberto Gonzalez, 25 (5.5 B). Gonzalez (who, despite being 25, has had a relatively short professional baseball career) may well prove himself a strong enough hitter to man the spot. Even slightly below average hitting would make him an asset at the position, as he'd be among the best in the majors at the position. One thing to worry about: Gonzalez hasn't fielded as well under pressure (when major league eyes are watching him) as he did in the minors. Betemit would be useful for no more than a few games at the position.
Other Immediate Options: Cody Ransom (4.5 C). Morgan Ensberg, Chris Woodword (3.0 B).
Available 2009: Reegie Corona (7.0 C), 21. Corona will likely be sent back to Double-A, as he didn't hit very well. At the earliest Corona could replace an injured Derek Jeter in 2009. He's not nearly as safe a pick as one would want for the Yankee's immediate replacement, because there are questions surrounding his ability to play the position, but Corona could function as a post-Jeter replacement in the Bronx.
Also Available: Ramiro Pena (4.5 D)
Available 2010: Justin Snyder (7.0 C), 21. Snyder is an intriguing prospect. He's an intelligent, small, compact guy who could take 70+ walks per year, but not hit for much power. Short season numbers are dangerous, but bad players don't hit .335/.459/.477 in the New York-Penn League.
Also Available: Eduardo Nunez (7.0 D-)
Available 2011: Carmen Angelini (8.0 D). We're not really sure what his ability level is, but all indications are that Carmen Angelini will definitely be able to remain at the position. 2011 might be a little generous for his ETA, but the year is meant to be "the earliest at best". The Yankees probably shouldn't wait that long to find their replacement for Derek Jeter.
Overall Depth Assessment: The Yankees are fairly weak at this position. If Derek Jeter is in fact going to stubbornly stay at short, then this is no problem. They won't need anyone to play short until Carmen Angelini comes around, or possibly even later. However, a couple of bad injuries could produce a hairy situation for the team, where someone like Cody Ransom is handling the position as a starter. Derek Jeter has proven himself to be fairly healthy, so this is not much of a concern. The real jist of the situation is that no one besides Angelini will likely be a strong enough prospect to knock the captain away from his position.
