Is the DH Overpaid- Wall Street Journal

[ctownboy]

I agree, Designated Hitters are overpaid.

My view is, a guy becomes a DH for one of two reasons; A) he is an older player who has lost his ability to play Defense or B) he is a younger player who couldn't play Defense to begin with. Either way, without the DH role, he would NOT have a job.

Since as early as 2005, people who watched the Cincinnati Reds said Ken Griffey Jr should NOT be playing Center Field. This was because of two reasons, A) he was no longer a quality Center Fielder (he was not getting to as many balls as before) and B) playing Defense in CF was contributing to his injuries (which put him on the DL many times).

With KGJ making such a large portion of total team payroll, it hurt the Reds for him to be playing bad Defense AND getting hurt and being on the DL. The only problem was, KGJ WHINED whenever the subject was brought up (moving to a corner Outfield spot).

Finally, the Reds got the cajones and forced KGJ to move to Right Field. His Defense didn't improve much but he DID stay healthy longer into the season and was able to produce on Offense.

This past year, KGJ went BACK to the Seattle Mariners (so as to get his EGO stroked) and was primarily a DH. Sure this helped sell some tickets (for those who grew up watching the "Kid" when they were young and he was in his prime) but it did NOT help the Mariners on the field.

Griffey struggled on Offense (even though he played VERY little Defense which means it took very little out of his legs) and the team paid for this. The Mariners had a better record than expected but needed more Offense, mainly from the DH position.

So, instead of signing KGJ (just to draw in some fans who might not have attended) the Mariners woulod have been BETTER off signing a BETTER player who would have helped them score more Runs.

More Runs scored would have meant more Wins. More Wins would have meant MORE fan interest for longer in the season and higher attendance.

This is where the Yankees are going to get into trouble in the next few years when guys like Posada and Jeter become highly paid DH's who fail to produce on the field up to what they are getting paid.

Sure the Yankees can AFFORD to pay these guys whatever they want BUT what would the FANS rather have; memories of Posada and Jeter failing and being shells of their former selves or Wins and World Championships?