Lineup Run Scoring Projections

Using this system, I punched in a few different lineup possibilities for the Yankees to see how many runs they could average per game.

To get the appropriate OBP and SLG numbers, I used the Marcels projections for each player, which can be found on fangraphs.com.

First, let's see how the Yankees would fare if they went to bat with the team they currently have, which would probably mean a lineup of:
1. Damon LF
2. Jeter SS
3. Swisher 1B
4. Rodriguez 3B
5. Posada C
6. Matsui DH
7. Nady RF
8. Cano 2B
9. Gardner CF

That lineup would score an average of 5.455 runs per game. That would be a big improvement over last year's mark of 4.870 runs per game; the total runs scored would be about 884.

But of course, these are the New York Yankees. There's very little chance that no moves will be made and the Yankees will take the field with this lineup in April. My current Free Agent Crush is Adam Dunn, so let's see how a lineup of the following would do:

1. Damon CF
2. Jeter SS
3. Dunn LF
4. Rodriguez 3B
5. Posada C
6. Swisher 1B
7. Matsui DH
8. Nady RF
9. Cano 2B

That team gets an even bigger boost of runs, scoring 5.638 per, which would mean about 913 runs on the season. That's a lot of runs. That total would a) probably out score whatever defensive problems the Yankees may have with that lineup and b) be bolstered by a very good pitching staff.

There have been rumblings of a trade for Mike Cameron in the last few days. What would a lineup with Cameron, and no other acquisitions, look like? Probably this:

1. Damon LF
2. Jeter SS
3. Swisher 1B
4. Rodriguez 3B
5. Posada C
6. Matsui DH
7. Nady RF
8. Cano 2B
9. Cameron CF

The above lineup would score 5.511 runs per game, 892 over the course of the season, which isn't as much as a Dunn inclusive lineup, but is better than a Gardner inclusive lineup.

In the words of Michael Keaton's version of Bruce Wayne in the first "Batman" film: "You wanna get nuts?! Let's get nuts!" and say that the Yankees sign Mark Teixeira.

1. Damon CF
2. Jeter SS
3. Teixeira 1B
4. Rodriguez 3B
5. Posada C
6. Swisher RF
7. Matsui DH
8. Nady LF
9. Cano 2B

This configuration would score 5.689 runs per game, a total of 921. Again, that could out do any defensive problems with Damon in center and would compliment what could be a dominant pitching staff.

"Let's start the insanity," as Jerry Seinfeld might say, and assume the Yankees sign Manny Ramirez. This would likely mean trading Xavier Nady or Hideki Matsui. While moving Nady might be easier, I think the front office would do everything it could to move Matsui instead, as he is older and more expensive. In fact, he could end up platooning with Nady, but either way, we're taking him out of this lineup because the program doesn't allow for platoons.

1. Damon LF
2. Jeter SS
3. Ramirez DH
4. Rodriguez 3B
5. Posada C
6. Swisher 1B
7. Nady RF
8. Cano 2B
9. Gardner CF

This would score 5.658 runs per game or 916 runs. However, this lineup could be tweaked. It is definitely possible to fit Nady AND Matsui into the lineup, while forcing Gardner out to a bench role. Let's see how that would play out. This would mean Damon in CF and Manny in left.

1. Damon CF
2. Jeter SS
3. Ramirez LF
4. Rodriguez 3B
5. Posada C
6. Swisher 1B
7. Matsui DH
8. Nady RF
9. Cano 2B

This permutation would average 5.713 runs per game, which would mean 925 runs in 162 games, which is the best result of any I've calculated so far. 925 runs is a lot. A whole lot.

So it would seem that from an offensive standpoint, signing Ramirez and benching Gardner while keeping Matsui and Nady in would yield the most runs for the Bronx Bombers in 2009. Of course, we'll just have to sit back and watch what Cash and his crew do in the next month or so.