Sex In The City

By no means was Richie Sexson qualified to rake in that $50 million paycheck over four years that the Mariners threw his way. While perennrially, you can trust him to drive in 100 RBI, he’s never had more than 165 hits or batted above .296 in a season. His career homerun total of 305 over 11 seasons is substantially embarassing for a guy with his hieght and strength. And with over 1,3000 strikeouts and a .344 career OBP to his name, it’s become clear that he is not the MVP caliber player he once was. HOWEVA, his arrival in pinstripes is just what the Yankees need.

Sexson’s abilities both at the plate and on the diamond will prove to me monumental as the Spanks look to make a second half playoff push against the Sawx and the Gays. His presence in the lineup will fill the hole left by Hideki Matsui who is all but certain to have surgery on his left knee, effectively ending his ’08 campaign. Why then, after I just went into an entire introduction featuring all of his flaws, would I want someone like Sexson protecting the likes of Jason Giambi, Robsinson Cano, and Jorge Posada in the lineup?

Well, as the numbers show (and in baseball that’s all we can look at), Sexson is year in and year out a substantially better second-half player. Far and away at that! With almost 700 less career ABs in second half play, Sexson has managed to increase both his average and OBP by 40 points each by going from .244 at the plate to .284 and from .327 to .366 on base. In those 700 fewer at bats, he has just 87 less hits and five more doubles following the Mid Summer Classic.

But Sexson’s presence won’t just be felt in the batters box. By adding another first baseman, Joe Girardi now has the ability to alternate the DH spot between Giambi and Posada when Jorge is not behind the plate. Sexon’s career .994 fielding percentage is a full 2 points better than Giambi’s .992. And while he appears flatfooted, he actually has much quicker feet than Giambi when it comes to getting balls in the hole. Above all else, adding Sexson gives the Yankees options. Something that they lacked without Matsui and Johnny Damon to fall back on. If Girardi opts for a more defensive lineup he’ll put Sexson at first, Jose Molina behind the plate, and DH Giambi. But if power is the goal, Giambi goes to the 3, Jorge catches and Sexson DH’s. This acquisition could not have come at a better time for New York, who’s upcoming games in the remainder of July and into August will determine their position in the division come September.