I hear you, but again, it all comes back to my belief that a DH should hit for power. Johnson doesn't. It's a prejudice, I realize that, but it's one I hold and don't see giving up any time soon. I've changed my stance on Gardner though, so who knows? We'll see.
Okay, that's fine. But leaving the validity of your prejudice aside, let's look at what Johnson has done. He hasn't accumulated a lot of HRs, but is that because he doesn't hit for power? Or is it because he was often injured? Johnson averages 19 HR per 162 games. So it's not like he's a slap hitter. And that was playing mostly in Washington. Let's see what Yankee Stadium can do for him, and if being a full-time DH will help him stay healthy. Remember, Damon - who you said you'd prefer at DH - averaged 14 HR/162 games before becoming a Yankee, and 22/162 after, and has a lower career SLG than Johnson.
I would prefer Damon for more than just home runs though. Damon is faster than Johnson even with his old legs, is capable of playing the field, and I'd worry less that Damon will get injured. There is more to the package with Damon than simply his ability to hit more homers than Johnson. Anyway, if given the choice, I wanted Damon back in left and Matsui back as DH. I would have taken Damon at DH over Johnson, but that wasn't my ideal situation.
I know, but my point with the Damon comparison was just to show - since you pointed out that you want a DH to hit HRs - that you are obviously willing to overlook a fewer HRs from a DH, given the right situation. And overlook injury history, too, if you wanted Matsui back at DH. (Matsui, incidentally, only averaged 20 HR per year with the Yanks and 25 HR/162 games. Playing a full year at Yankee Stadium, I believe you could see simliar numbers from Johnson.) And I think you have to define "capable" very loosely if you're applying it to Damon in the field. :smile:
Fuck 'em all. If they keep the pitching up, hitting won't mean shit. Hell this lineup should produce 2 runs with the middle 4 out of the lineup.
