Mets-Yankees: The Positional Breakdown
June 26, 2009 · Michael Ganci · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
When looking at the two teams currently representing New York, it seems they are currently polar opposites.
The New York Yankees are fielding surefire Hall of Famers like Derek Jeter, A-Rod, Mariano Rivera, and maybe more down the line, while the New York Mets’ big names are mostly relaxing on the disabled list. With the lineup that the Yankees throw out there every day, you would think that they were 20 games over .500, and the Mets would be about 15 games under .500.
But that’s not the case.
The Yankees are currently eight games over .500 but stand four games behind their rivals, the Boston Red Sox. The Mets, on the other hand, are just a half-game out of first place, thanks to the Philadelphia Phillies’ struggles and the Mets taking three of four from Albert Pujols’ St. Louis Cardinals.
Does that mean the Mets are the better team? Absolutely not.
On paper, the Yankees should eat the Mets for lunch. However, the same could’ve been said when the Yanks faced the Washington Nationals a little over a week ago, but baseball’s worst team took two of three games against the Evil Empire.
I know this is going to do nothing positive for Mets fans, but I felt determined to make a positional breakdown of the Mets-Yankees to see how much better the Yankees really are. Let me correct that—it will show how much better they should be.
Catcher: Jorge Posada and Francisco Cervelli vs. Omir Santos and Brian Schneider—Advantage Yankees
Posada will most likely be a Hall of Famer when all is said and done, silencing the critics with his play. One area that seems to be a source for concern is his relationship with the Yankees’ pitching staff.
There seems to be a lot of dissension there. The fact that they don’t mesh certainly makes a difference when discussing potential outcomes.
For the Mets, Schneider is often hurt, but he’s provided a bit of an offensive spark when he’s in the lineup. Santos, who was a career minor leaguer, has pleasantly surprised us all, but he’s not as good as Posada.
First Base: Mark Teixeira vs. Daniel Murphy/Nick Evans—Advantage Yankees
This was the signing that I was positive would guarantee a championship for the Yankees. Teixeira is arguably the most complete first baseman in baseball. He hits for power and average and plays sensational defense at first base.
Murphy is still learning the position, while Evans isn’t even seriously considered here (seeing as he has been in the majors for all of three days since he was recalled). This one is a landslide.
Second Base: Robinson Cano vs. Luis Castillo—Advantage Yankees
This one is closer than most people think.
First of all, if I was a Yankees fan, I think I would despise Cano the most out of any other player on the team. We all know the talent is there, but he has such a lazy approach. Yankees fans call him their Jose Reyes, but I don’t think that is fair to Reyes.
Cano put his own teammate at risk on a routine double play grounder, and Jeter seemed to tweak his ankle because of it. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Yankees used him as trade bait in the offseason.
Castillo, aside from the dropped popup in the series at Yankee Stadium, has really been a breath of fresh air. Going into the season, all eyes were on him, and he has done well.
His OBP, average, and defense have been excellent, but we all know Cano is younger and more talented. If Cano wasn’t a headache, this wouldn’t be as close.
Shortstop: Derek Jeter vs. Alex Cora—Advantage Yankees
Cora has definitely brought some toughness to the team since Jose Reyes went down, but Jeter is as clutch as they get. As much as I hate his antics at the plate, he always seems to get the job done.
Jeter seems to be the master of the bloop single, but they all count the same in the box score. Yankees fans are often concerned about the number of double plays he hits into, but that is just something you get with Jeter.
Also, his range has declined at shortstop, but he is clearly better than Cora. I like Cora’s patience, but he isn’t the threat that Jeter is. This one was a pretty easy call to make.
Third Base: Alex Rodriguez vs. David Wright—Advantage Mets
I am sure that I am going to be backing off of this statement in the near future, but right now, there really is no argument. Wright leads the National League in hitting and is on pace to set career highs in doubles, stolen bases, average, and OBP.
A-Rod is in a terrible slump right now, although last night’s game seems like a sign that he could be breaking out of it soon. Let’s face it, when A-Rod is on, he is one of the best in the business, but right now, Wright is the better pick.
Outfield: Johnny Damon, Nick Swisher, Brett Gardner, and Melky Cabrera vs. Gary Sheffield, F-Mart, Ryan Church, and Fernando Tatis—Advantage Yankees
Damon is the difference maker here and may be the one who has benefited most from the new bandbox in the Bronx. The Mets have gotten surprising production from Sheffield, while Church has been playing well too.
Tatis has been awful though. The same can be said for Fernando Martinez, who can’t hit his way out of a paper bag right now.
The bottom line is simple. On paper, the Yankees are much better, but they don’t mesh as well as they should.
They aren’t a team, but are more of a collection of talent. Until they mesh, they will be beat, and this Mets team that has nothing to lose can be a very dangerous opponent. Guys are currently playing for their careers right now, and this could be their last shot to prove that they belong at this level.
I predict the Mets taking two of three in this series, and remember, YOU GOTTA BELIEVE!
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