Let's Hit Cano Leadoff

Let's throw around an idea: How about Robinson Cano as the Yankees leadoff hitter? Despite finally getting a hit with RISP last night, Cano is awful in that situation (.196/.229/.314) and he's really bad with men on (.247/.280/.409). And forget having a runner on 3rd: with less than two outs he has a .176/.200/.294 line and with two outs he has a horrible .185/.214/.185 line. With bases loaded, it's even worse .167/.200/.167 (and that includes his hit last night). Some of this is a statistical anomaly that will probably correct itself somewhat, especially with the fact that Cano is a much better second half player over his career (.751 1st half OPS vs. .884 2nd half OPS) and that's counting this year when he's had a relatively good first half. But the truth remains, Cano is not good with runners on base.

It's a different story without runners on in 2009. There he shines with a .352/.383/.559 line. His OPS with no one on is higher than Derek Jeter. He would not be a typical leadoff man in the Derek Jeter or Johnny Damon mentality. He doesn't walk and he doesn't have great speed. But he would be a leadoff man more in the Ichiro mentality: high average and low strikeout numbers (Cano's numbers without guys on base are actually better than Ichiro's). Now this isn't the goal (the goal is to get on base), but the fact remains, Cano is a good hitter and you need to bring out the best in him.

Think of it as opportunity cost. It's a concept most used in introductory economics classes, but I think it can be duly applied here. Robinson Cano is not the best leadoff man on the team, but to bring out the opportunity cost of not hitting him leadoff is that he has more situations where he will come up with runners on and especially with runners in scoring position. Now the difference may only be the one plate appearance a game--with the Yankees high OBP lineup, it's just as likely he'll get men on in his second AB as he would hitting 7th or 8th in his 1st AB--but why not put him in his best position possible to succeed.

I don't think this situation will ever happen. I'm not even sure if it's a good idea. But it's definitely something to keep in mind as Cano continues to struggle. The guy is still one of the best second basemen in the game (stats via Play Index). He just needs to be able to wrap his head around hitting with guys on base. At least he's not hitting 5th anymore. But maybe he should be hitting leadoff. Just maybe.