2012 Raul Ibanez Performance Thread

[Cheeselover]

I just want to make the simple point that you cannot compare Ibanez with Branyan or Cust without also comparing their defensive positions, especially with Gardner still out.

With Freddie starting for Andy, the Yankees clearly need the 12 pitchers, which means defensive roles have to be considered for the other 13.

How about Wise and Jones? Both play better defense and both have hit better than Ibanez.

[rajah]

That depends on the size of your sample. Players get hot and cold. Jones of course has had most of his at-bats against lefties. He was signed to platoon with Ibanez. Given what Ibanez did earlier in the season, the management is going to give him a little rope.

Wise, who is a much, much better defensive option, has been around a long time without ever being a consistent offensive force, by the way.

[JL25and3]

That depends on the size of your sample. Players get hot and cold. Jones of course has had most of his at-bats against lefties. He was signed to platoon with Ibanez. Given what Ibanez did earlier in the season, the management is going to give him a little rope.

Wise, who is a much, much better defensive option, has been around a long time without ever being a consistent offensive force, by the way.

Yeah, a good couple of weeks doesn't change the fact that he's just DeWayne Wise.

[apalradio]

Pretty amusing clip, but dude's on pace for about 30 HRs and 100 RBI. That certainly wouldn't kill us.

[Cheeselover]

That depends on the size of your sample. Players get hot and cold. Jones of course has had most of his at-bats against lefties. He was signed to platoon with Ibanez. Given what Ibanez did earlier in the season, the management is going to give him a little rope.

Andruw Jones has played a decent amount of games (25) against righties and has actually hit righties better than lefties this season.

Wise, who is a much, much better defensive option, has been around a long time without ever being a consistent offensive force, by the way.

Agreed. However, when adding in baserunning and defense, I don't find the gap large enough to not make an upgrade to a Jim Thome type.

[Cheeselover]

Yet another reason to call up Branyan/Cust is to give Tex a 'rest' against righties.

[sweet_lou_14]

Yet another reason to call up Branyan/Cust is to give Tex a 'rest' against righties.

Please explain what Branyan or Cust brings that Eric Chavez does not already bring. If Girardi wanted to sit Tex against righties (total pipe dream), Chavez would allow him to do that.

[Cheeselover]

Please explain what Branyan or Cust brings that Eric Chavez does not already bring. If Girardi wanted to sit Tex against righties (total pipe dream), Chavez would allow him to do that.

Offensively vs righties (3 year split):

Cust: .820 OPS
Branyan: .853 OPS
Chavez: .649 OPS

Not to mention, I'd argue Branyan is a better 1st baseman (UZR +4.1 in his career).

[d32123]

Yet another reason to call up Branyan/Cust is to give Tex a 'rest' against righties.

The fact that Ibanez continues to get regular starts while Branyan and Cust continue to rot away while mashing in AAA is a serious issue.

[Yankeesfan924]

I wouldn't mind if they gave Cust or Branyan a shot, but if you're expecting them to be so much better than Ibanez, I think you're mistaken.

[False1]

I wouldn't mind if they gave Cust or Branyan a shot, but if you're expecting them to be so much better than Ibanez, I think you're mistaken.

I'd be willing to roll those dice, particularly on Branyan. Dude has made a career off feasting on RHP, and is doing so in SWB right now. He's also hit well (SSS aside) in YS. I could see him being similar to what Strawberry was for the team against RHP if used properly.

[Blazer]

I'd be willing to roll those dice, particularly on Branyan. Dude has made a career off feasting on RHP, and is doing so in SWB right now. He's also hit well (SSS aside) in YS. I could see him being similar to what Strawberry was for the team against RHP if used properly.

Couldn't agree more. Russell B. would feast on the short porch.

[Yankeesfan924]

I'd be willing to roll those dice, particularly on Branyan. Dude has made a career off feasting on RHP, and is doing so in SWB right now. He's also hit well (SSS aside) in YS. I could see him being similar to what Strawberry was for the team against RHP if used properly.

I would personally prefer Branyan to Cust, for sure.

[mexicanyank]

Let's give Raúl some love... Uuuge hit today!

[NYYankeesFan92]

When the count went to 3-1 i was expecting him to lay off, hopefully drawing a bases-loaded walk to force in a run but the moment he hit that ball i could tell that it was gone.

[Battingly]

The Ibanez/Jones LF platoon has been ridiculously productive.

22 HR's and 62 RBI's

If one guy did that he would have been an all-star.

PS. The Grand-Slam tonight was epic

[ajra21]

The Ibanez/Jones LF platoon has been ridiculously productive.

22 HR's and 58 RBI's

If one guy did that he would have been an all-star.

PS. The Grand-Slam tonight was epic

very good point. sadly neither is one full player anymore. that said, what they've given us has been briliant. if we'd had garnder, then it would be interesting to see what they'd have given us. i'd also have no problem in seeing branyan given a chance.

[snapple]

Wow, our bench is deeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep

[False1]

The Ibanez/Jones LF platoon has been ridiculously productive.

22 HR's and 58 RBI's

If one guy did that he would have been an all-star.

PS. The Grand-Slam tonight was epic

The interesting bit is that nearly all of that production has come while those two guys have been in the lineup as DH's. They've hit poorly when playing in the OF, as evidenced by their splits and by the overall 91 sOPS+ from Yankee LFers. Jones has been ok in LF based solely on a ridiculous .333 isop.

[rajah]

Right. The Yankees would be a better team as constructed with Brett Gardner in left for most games and those guys DHing. This is why if he is not coming back, Cashman would like to get an OFer who hits better than Wise and fields better than Ibanez.

This would mean fewer at-bats for Chavez of course.

[35Knucklecurve]

The Ibanez/Jones LF platoon has been ridiculously productive.

22 HR's and 58 RBI's

If one guy did that he would have been an all-star.

PS. The Grand-Slam tonight was epic

Sure didn't expect this combo to be that effective. At this point in their respective careers, both seem to feel comfortable with their roles.

If you'd just seen the flight of the ball and where it landed, you'd have thought it was hit by almost anybody but Ibanez. Destroyed it.

[effdamets]

When the count went to 3-1 i was expecting him to lay off, hopefully drawing a bases-loaded walk to force in a run but the moment he hit that ball i could tell that it was gone.

Ibanez, walk?
I think you or I would have a better chance of drawing a walk there....

[NYYankeesFan92]

Ibanez, walk?
I think you or I would have a better chance of drawing a walk there....

[nnysiny]

just call him Big Hit McGee

[ajra21]

He's done well. Not sure we can call him and Jones a straight LF platoon because they've played a lot more than that.