A Smart Adjustment
Forgot to mention something new that Joe Girardi is doing. In close games he no longer replaces Swisher for defense, but instead he replaces Damon. He did it in Game 3 of the ALDS and he did it again last night. I wish they broke defensive numbers down by month because it would help confirm what my eyes are telling me- Damon is becoming an awful outfielder.
Let's face it, Damon was only a good outfielder because he had the speed to get to balls, his arm has always been a joke. And maybe that's where we should look to see what Damon is up to. He only stole 12 bases this year, despite a .365 OBP. Now granted, he wasn't the leadoff hitter, but it is an interesting number, the lowest in his career over a full season. Furthermore, eight of his twelve steals came before the All-Star Break. I don't know if it is merely a coincidence, but throw in the fact that you can see Damon taking bad routes on balls and you have to wonder about it.
For now the Yankees should just keep replacing him in close games. But, it will be something they really need to think about when they put together the 2010 Yankees.
