February 23, 2007
Prima Don'tas
Neither Kevin Mench nor Geoff Jenkins wants to platoon. Brew Crew Ball likes Ned Yost's reaction:
Ned's cleaning up the streets, boys, and there's nowhere scum like you can hide! Or something like that.
Don't these players that by Yost putting them in situations where they can succeed, they become more valuable players? When Paul O'Neil came over to the Yankees in 1993, New York was using him mostly vs. right-handed pitchers. He played the fewest games of his Yankees career (strike adjusted) in 1993 because of that. But he excelled so much in that situation, he turned into a full time player.
Jenkins and Mench should look at this as an opportunity to put up good numbers. Otherwise, the Brewers can find other players who can just hit from one side of the plate, or even dip into their farm system for a cheap replacement for both.
For every O'Neill who takes a turn into platooning and comes out a more complete hitter, there's probably a couple dozen who get into platooning and never come out. Some deserve it and should be happy in a platoon role, but some get unfairly typecast. I can understand the reluctance of Mench and Jenkins; they've both had a taste of full-time duty, they've been around long enough to consider themselves established big-leaguers, and they know that the financial difference between a full-time outfielder and an effective part-timer amounts to many millions a season.
Having said that, Yost has to do what's best for the team. And David's right; once the decision is made, Mench and Jenkins have to channel their frustration into performance. It's their only hope of getting back into an everyday role.
Well, I can see Mench's beef - being the right-handed part, he'll see a lot less duty. I suspect that makes it harder to get locked in as well, when you may go 3 or 4 games without more than 1 at-bat.
But yeah, it's the arrogance of the player who's seen full-time duty and is now being told that your role is diminished.
Even in a platoon situation in 1993, O'Neill still played in 141 and had 547 plate appearances. That's hardly much of a platoon.
Jenkins in particular should be relieved. By platooning, he halves his chance for a season-ending injury! Or at least ensures it will happen twice as far into the season...
