Would Yankees fans ‘YOUK’?

Alex Rodriguez’s impending hip surgery leaves a hole for the Yankees at third base and aging captain Derek Jeter, who is rehabbing from ankle surgery these days, increases the need for defense on the left side of the infield to even more dire levels.

The Yankees must switch their search from a big bat or young arm to an adept glove, and that was reportedly Yankees GM Brian Cashman’s mission* before the A-Rod surgery announcement on Monday.

*Disclosure: This linked news article is from the New York Daily News, my current employer. But this blog entry represents my opinion, not necessarily that of my employer.

But one factor Cashman must be conscious of as he pursues a talented infielder that is often overlooked is team chemistry. 

David Ortiz, Red Sox proving clubhouse chemistry is important

David Ortiz thinks it's embarrassing to make $14.575 million in one season. He even went as far as saying to USA Today that it's humiliating.

Now, he's right to feel humiliated – but only for these comments.

He's the team's best player, sure, but he's only a designated hitter. And he's 36 years old. The Red Sox' deal was more than fair. Put a cork in it, Papi.

All of this ranting about the media and his contract reminds me of Gary Sheffield, who memorably complained about his three-year, $39 million deal, among other things, with the Yankees.

Discussion: Team chemistry and “clutch”

I hate to deviate away from the Yankees when they’re winning like this, but sometimes I like to analyze general baseball issues too. Give this article from The Faster Times a read: Can Team Chemistry and Clutch Hitting Be Analyzed Better?

It discusses two controversial subjects that I always love to discuss. I’ve touched on team chemistry on this blog before, and I still stand by my opinions, but not so much on the idea of “clutch” players.

The Faster Times article links you to an article from the Wall Street Journal yesterday about Francisco Cervelli’s clutch hitting. You can look deep into the numbers, and I mean, really deep, but in some situations I think observational analysis is more valuable than statistical analysis.

“[Cervelli’s] at-bats throughout the season with runners in scoring position have been real good,” Yankees hitting coach Kevin Long said. “Some people really bear down and they seize the moment, so to speak, a little bit more than others, and he seems to be one of those guys.”

I think Long describes clutch hitting perfectly here. Broadcasters will toss around that term loosely, but isn’t being “clutch” really just seizing the moment?

I believe team chemistry can generate wins, not just vice versa, and I believe some players are better at seizing the moment than others. I’m also willing to bet that, although they may seem like unrelated ideas, these  two concepts go hand in hand.

I’d love to hear your take on both these concepts in the comments.

Touching on team chemistry, again

I’ve spoke on team chemistry before, and after yesterday’s Yankee Olympics, I felt now was a good time to bring it up again.

This was the second year in a row Joe Girardi brought his team out like this. Last year it was pool (Mariano Rivera owned). This year it was Indy Car racing video games, Skee ball, and Pop-a-shot. Check out the article I linked to for the winners (you’d be surprised!).

When I brought up team chemistry last year, a lot of people told me that it really doesn’t make that much of an impact on a team. Well, I don’t think Girardi believes that.

Last year, the Yankees ended nearly a decade-long drought without a World Series win. Some say it was a loaded team that had no excuse to lose the World Series. But others, including me, say that last year’s team was special, which is a vital ingredient for champions.

So was last year’s team special because of that pool event? Or was it Nick Swisher and Johnny Damon screwing around in the clubhouse all season? I think a combination of both.

I say, yesterday’s field trip did a lot more good than bad for this team. It’s the perfect icebreaker. Plus, Mark Teixeira agrees with me. And he’s Mr. Perfect.

My thoughts on team chemistry (audio)

I blurted out my thoughts on the importance of team chemistry on my friend Andrew Vazzano’s radio show. Listen in over at his blog. I come in around 55 seconds.

What are your thoughts on the matter?