Red Sox vs the AL East: designated hitters
Sep 20, 2013; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees designated hitter Alex Rodriguez (13) watches his grand slam home run against the San Francisco Giants during the seventh inning of a game at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
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5. Alex Rodriguez, Yankees
Once the poster child of Major League Baseball, A-Rod’s 10 year/$275M contract is shaping up to be arguably the worst contract in baseball history. Though the first four years of the decade-long investment were productive for Rodriguez and the Yankees, injuries and steroid allegations (which resulted in a year-long suspension last season) have completely wrecked the second half of the deal. Now 39 years old, it’s nearly impossible to know what to expect from Rodriguez going forward. He last played in the major leagues in 2013, when he hit .244/.348/.423 in 44 games, and I think the Yankees would consider 2015 a success if he is able to repeat those numbers. However, after a year off at his age, predicting such success would be a bold move and it’s more likely that A-Rod flops in 2015.
Sep 9, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays catcher Dioner Navarro (30) hits an RBI single against Chicago Cubs in the eighth inning at Rogers Centre. Blue Jays won 9-2). Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports
4. Dioner Navarro, Blue Jays
An excellent 89-game stint with the Cubs in 2013 paved the way for Navarro, a career backup catcher, to sign a 2 year/$8M contract with the Blue Jays to serve as the team’s starting catcher. He didn’t have a spectacular season in that role, slashing .274/.317/.395, but considering his solid defense, his performance was certainly above-average. One year later, the Blue Jays have upgraded at the catcher position, signing Russell Martin to a 5 year/$82M contract, and with no other viable alternatives, will likely use Navarro as their designated hitter. A defined DH role could help him focus on his offense and we could be looking at a solid 2015 season from the 31-year old.
August 19, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics designated hitter John Jaso (5) bats during the third inning against the New York Mets at O.co Coliseum. The Athletics defeated the Mets 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
3. John Jaso, Rays
A member of the Rays from 2008-2011, Jaso will return to Tampa Bay via a trade with the Athletics this winter. Like Navarro, Jaso is a former catcher who will transition to a designated hitter role in the upcoming season. Unlike Navarro, however, Jaso brings a track record of strong offensive performance to the table, and he most recently slashed .264/.337/.430 in 99 games in Oakland. Jaso’s success in the pitcher-friendly environments of Seattle and Oakland should transfer well into the more offense-friendly environment of the AL East, and we could even see Jaso’s numbers improve a bit in the coming season. He’s really only a platoon bat, as he has not had much success against southpaws in his career, but he has excelled in that role in the past and should continue that trend in 2015.
Sep 16, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles first baseman Steve Pearce (28) hits a three-run home run in the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports
2. Steve Pearce, Orioles
Pearce came out of nowhere to have a phenomenal showing with the Orioles last season. He played all over the diamond and hit an astounding .293/.373/.556 with 21 home runs in 102 games, posting a ridiculous 4.9 WAR in that short timeframe. However, as a 31-year old journeyman who has never before even approached that level of success, there should be some skepticism around his 2015 projections. Also, some of Pearce’s value last season came from his utility and ability to play corner outfield and corner infield positions, and that versatility could be somewhat limited in a more defined role. And who knows? Maybe Pearce really has turned a corner in his career and will begin a chapter of elite offense despite his age indicating he’s past his prime. More likely, though, Pearce regresses to the mean and while he should still be a solid– perhaps even excellent– offensive player for the Orioles, he likely won’t repeat last season’s success.
Sep 4, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (34) gestures after his home run during the first inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
1. David Ortiz, Red Sox
As much as it kills me to say it, Ortiz barely edged Pearce in these rankings as the top DH in the AL East could be contested for the first time in over a decade. Ortiz took the first steps of his decline last season, with his 2014 numbers checking in well below 2013’s. However, he still turned in an excellent season as he slashed .263/.355/.517 with 35 home runs and 104 RBIs (both his highest total since 2007). At 39 years old, Ortiz’s decline will likely continue in the coming year, though it’s possible that his batting average could get some help from his BABIP (.256 last season, .301 in his career) regressing to the mean. Still, he’s a key part of Boston’s lineup and last season indicated that even if he is declining, he is still the man for the Red Sox. As long as his decline doesn’t accelerate too much, he should still be the top DH in the AL East this year, though it may be closer than in years past.