Any suggestions for the batting order?

[Mattingly]

With Johnny Damon signed for the next 4 years, can anyone tell me what they think the regular batting order should be? Should Damon leadoff? Should Jeter leadoff? Any preference, such as GIDPs, why you'd put them there?

So far, I'm thinking it's:

Leadoff: Damon (L)
#2--Jeter (R)
#3--Rodriguez (R)
Cleanup: Sheffield (R)
#5--Matsui (L)
#6--Giambi (L)
#7--Posada (S)
#8--Cano (L)
#9--Bernie as DH (S)

Any thoughts on this?

[yankees-chick]

i would actually put cano as #9 - - he can be a second leadoff man.

[Evangelion]

Damon (L)
Jeter (R)
Rodriguez (R)
Giambi (L)
Sheffield (R)
Matsui (L)
Posada (S)
Designated Hitter
Cano (L)

I say Designated Hitter, because I expect Williams and other bench players will platoon the DH spot in the line-up. I would have either Giambi or Matsui at 4th spot, but more incline to have Giambi due to his return power make him an excellent power threat like the Sheffield. Why did I move Sheffield? Give you the right, then left, then right again match-up.

[godzilla]

1st-johnny
2nd-derek
3rd-godzilla
4th-A-Rod
5th-Sheff
6th-Giambi
7th-cano
8th-jorge
9th-bernie DH or sign a talent

[KingJ]

3rd-godzilla

Who's godzilla?

The Yankees should've offered Travis Lee or Tony Graffanino contracts to be 1B/DH along with Giambi when they were still on the market.

[Pinstripe Pride]

1. Damon
2. Jeter
3. A-Rod
4. Sheff
5. Matsui
6. Giambi
7. Posada
8. Cano
9. Williams (DH)

[[email protected]]

1 Damon (L)
2 Jeter (R)
3 Sheffield (R)
4 Rodriguez (R)
5 Giambi(L)
6 Matsui (L)
7 Cano (L)
8 Posada (S)
9 Bernie (S)

[Mattingly]

Who's godzilla?

The Yankees should've offered Travis Lee or Tony Graffanino contracts to be 1B/DH along with Giambi when they were still on the market.

Godzilla = Hideki Matsui, since fans said his face resembles the monster played by rubber-suited Japanese actors.

For some reason, the Yanks wanted to keep Andy Phillips as the regular 1Bman, since they let Tino Martinez walk. He had a few good weeks, but then returned back to normal and couldn't get the offense going again.

[Yankeebiscuitfan]

I would think of this, just to make it the opposing pitcher as difficult as possible.

Leadoff: Damon (L)
#2--Jeter (R)
#3--Matsui (L)
Cleanup: A-Rod(R)
#5--Sheffield (R)
#6--Giambi (L)
#7--Posada (S)
#8--Cano (L)
#9--Bernie as DH (S)

If necessary adapt the lineup with the switch hitters so the lineup will be Lefty, righty, lefty, righty etc.

[sandlot]

Can't see Bernie in #9, no matter how much I like him, as he ought to have retired and leaving him there risks killing rallies. Agree with DH in #8 spot. Cano at #9 so he'll see more decent pitches with Damon behind him and the possibility of both on base will make opponents think. DH is where Giambi would be if there was a solid firstbaseman. A-rod in cleanup because he hits for average and power, and who'd pitch around Sheff to face A-rod? Matsui can be shifted, as Torre has unfortunately done, but it's better to leave him in one spot.

1) Damon (L)
2) Jeter (R)
3) Sheffield (R)
4) A-rod (R)
5) Matsui (L)
6) Giambi (L)
7) Posada (S)
8) DH (S)
9) Cano (L)

[monkey333]

1 Damon L
2 Jeter R
3 Giambi L
4 Rodriguez R
5 Sheffield R
6 Matsui L
7 Posada S
8 Williams/ Phillips/ Crosby/ Cairo/ whatever
9 Cano L

[Coal Cracker]

1. Damon
2. Jeter
3. Giambi
4. Rodriguez
5. Sheffield
6. Matsui
7. Posada
8. Cano
9. Williams

Not one easy out in that entire line up. Considering that Bernie will only be playing the field very rarely, perhaps his hitting will improve slightly.

[pacewon]

1. Damon
2. Jeter
3. Giambi
4. Rodriguez
5. Sheffield
6. Matsui
7. Posada
8. Cano
9. Williams

That's my lineup as well. I like Giambi third, because he has an insane OBP, meaning runners frequently on base for A-Rod and Sheff.

[Coal Cracker]

That's my lineup as well. I like Giambi third, because he has an insane OBP, meaning runners frequently on base for A-Rod and Sheff.

Precisely my reasoning for placing him there. Giambi is one of the few players on the Yanks who can draw a walk when neccesary. Matsui and A-Rod are obviously tremendous hitters but both strike out frequently. Giambi can draw the walk to get a man on base for the big boppers or drive in Damon and Jeter.

[Blackout]

1-Bernie
2-Posada
3-Cano
4-Giambi
5-Matsui
6-Sheffield
7-Arod
8-Jeter
9-Damon