
Originally Posted by
x McLovin x
Martin definitely isn't perfect but I just prefer him to all the other realistic possibilities. I want to make that very clear from the get go. I especially prefer signing him over Ichiro if the rumored offer we have out for Ichiro is true.
Taken from my post earlier today in the MLB forum:
I prefer not to throw out 2 seasons of sample size prior to Ichiro joining the Yankees.
Ichiro 2011: wOBA = .281; wRC+ = 79; WAR = 0.4
Ichiro 2012: wOBA = .300; wRC+ = 90; WAR = 2.6
Age: 39!!!!
Martin 2011: wOBA = .324; wRC+ = 100; WAR = 3.0
Martin 2012: wOBA = .316; wRC+ = 95; WAR = 2.2
Age: 29
Martin is the better hitter and player and I think that is quite obvious. Add the fact that Ichiro is way more likely to decline offensively next season than Martin purely based on their respective skillsets and current ages. PLUS Ichiro is an outfielder and Martin is a catcher and that is the big part of the argument. AND this lineup is already lefty heavy. We already have a light hitting left handed outfielder in Gardner and we're now adding a second light hitting left handed outfielder to that mix. Where will we be making up the offense lost from Swisher, Martin and Ibanez? Who is available that will help us make up for that lost offense? Unless we sign Hamiltion, which is incredibly unlikely, I don't see many viable alternatives to help stave off the drop-off in offense. Not to mention it is reasonably likely to assume that AROD, Jeter, and Teixeira are going to decline the next 2 seasons as well. Throw in the uncertainty surrounding Cano and, to a lesser extent, Granderson's contract situations (they expire at the end of 2013) and this offense has massive question marks for 2014 with no easy way to solve them.
I love Ichiro and I realize he was a huge spark plug for us down the stretch and the Yankees may as well have been sitting at home in October if not for him but that doesn't mean I think it's good to pay someone for their former glory and I don't think it's smart to give someone with his particular skillset and age that type of contract with the $189 million mandate in 2014. I think the opportunity cost of signing him must be taken into consideration when considering the lack of flexibility the team has the next two years.
I don't really have a problem with AJ Pierzynski although I can do without his bad attitude and the Yankees have placed a much higher value on character and makeup the last few years. But hey, the Yankees signed Youkilis so you never know these days. The Yankees don't want to commit to him because they don't like his defense and I don't think he'll take a one year deal after having a career year anyway. At his age I think he'll try to turn his big year into a more secure, lucrative contract so I'm not going to just automatically pencil him into our roster. And what exactly is the alternative to Pierzynski if we don't sign him? Practically nothing. A barren desert. A replacement for Ichiro, however, can be acquired rather easily.
I'm absolutely fine with the Ichiro signing as long as:
A) He's not our starting right fielder
AND
B) His 2013 and, more importantly, his 2014 salary does not preclude us from making additional moves to make the team stronger for 2013 and beyond
If both of these conditions are not satisfied I think it's a poor decision to sign him.