New York Yankees: Derek Jeter and How the Yankee Lineup Should Be

Armed with the Steinbrenner family's seemingly limitless cheque book, the Yankees have always had the luxury of fielding tremendously talented lineups.

This year is no different, with several Hall of Fame-caliber players in the batting lineup for the Yanks.

However, despite all the talent, it seems as if the team as a whole is suffering an extended slump.

The starting pitching was meant to be the Achilles heel of the team, not the batting lineup. With power and speed in abundance, the Yankee offense was expected to crush opposing pitchers and carry the rotation.

So far this season, it has been the other way around.

In short, changes are needed—starting with the batting order. 

Leadoff: Brett Gardner

Al Bello/Getty Images

Despite a horrible start, Brett Gardner is still the Yankees' best option leading off. With Derek Jeter unable to hit a ball out of the infield, and Curtis Granderson more suited to a middle of the order role, Gardner is in fact the only viable option for the Yanks. 

While his hitting has definitely improved over the last few weeks, Gardner's ability to draw walks and steal bases is the main reason why he should lead off for the Yankees. 

Two Hole: Nick Swisher

Al Bello/Getty Images

A year after tying his career-high with 29 home runs, Nick Swisher has only cleared the fences once this year. Batting primarily sixth in the lineup, Swisher has seen a huge drop in form from last year.

A move to second in the lineup would do him well.

When batting sixth, Swisher's batting average stands at a ghastly .125. However, when batting second, his average is .345; more than .200 points better.

His inability to hit for power, coupled with his terrific walk rate, clearly illustrates that Swisher should be moved from sixth to second.

Three Hole: Robinson Cano

Al Bello/Getty Images

The three hole is generally where you start your best overall hitter, and that is exactly what Robinson Cano is for the Yankees.

While the All-Star second basemen has flourished in his move into the five hole, batting ahead of A-Rod is where he should be.

Despite his lack of plate discipline, Cano stills lead the Yankees in batting average, home runs, runs and hits. Moving Cano to third would mean the Yankees can protect him with A-Rod, allowing him to see better pitches.

Mark Teixeira has done nothing wrong to be moved out of his preferred spot but, as of right now, Cano is the better hitter and therefore should move into third in the order.

Clean Up: Alex Rodriguez

Al Bello/Getty Images

After a red hot spring training and first few weeks of the season, many fans, including myself, had A-Rod on track to win his fourth MVP award.

Oh, how things have changed.

Currently mired in a five for 40 slump, Rodriguez has seen his batting average slip from consistently around .400 to just above .250. An oblique injury may be the cause of the slump, but the $32 million man simply isn't performing to his extremely high standards.

Despite the slump, A-Rod is still the Yankees' most feared power hitter, and moving him out of the clean up spot would be unwise. Throw in the fact that the Yankees don't have a good enough replacement and I would say Rodriguez is pretty safe at fourth. 

Fifth: Mark Teixeira

Al Bello/Getty Images

Historically a slow starter, Mark Teixeira got off to an incredible start, hitting home runs in four of his first five games.

Perhaps the most productive of the Yankee hitters so far this year, Teixeira, like A-Rod, has certainly cooled off after his blazing start to the season. 

While many may disagree with the Cano-Teixeria switch, especially considering that Teixeira has a much higher on-base percentage, Tex's power bat would be better suited behind A-Rod.

Teixeira leads the Yankees in batting average with runners on and runners in scoring position, and batting fifth would give him more opportunities to pile up his RBI total.  

Sixth: Curtis Granderson

Al Bello/Getty Images

After enduring a horrific first season in pinstripes, Curtis Granderson has rebounded and shown why GM Brian Cashman traded prized prospect Austin Jackson for him. 

Since his much talked about hitting sessions and subsequent technique changes with Kevin Long, Granderson has slugged 22 homers—good for third in the majors during that timespan. 

While he has played well batting primarily second, Granderson's power is better suited in the middle of the order. With Rodriguez and Teixeira in front of him, Granderson will have more opportunities with runners in scoring position.

His power, coupled with a .308 batting average with runners in scoring position, makes him a perfect middle-order batter.  

Seventh: Eric Chavez (as DH)

Al Bello/Getty Images

The surprise choice here, replacing Jorge Posada with Eric Chavez at designated hitter.

Posada might be the person benefiting the most out of all the publicity that is on Derek Jeter and his slump, as Posada's atrocious season isn't garnering a lot of attention.

Despite a clutch homer against Baltimore, Posada has played every bit like a slumping 39-year-old slugger. Currently batting at .161, Posada should be used as a pinch hitter and nothing more.

Eric Chavez, on the other hand, has been a great value for the Yankees. Leading the Yankees in on-base percentage, Chavez is playing much like he did in Oakland several years ago.

Unlike Posada, Chavez is providing the Yankees with productive at-bats and should remain DH.  

Eighth: Russell Martin

Al Bello/Getty Images

One of the more pleasant surprises of the Yankees season has been in the form of Russell Martin. Signed to a one-year deal from the Dodgers, Martin was expected to be stopgap until Jesus Montero reached the majors. 

With Montero failing to perform, and Francisco Cervelli out injured, Martin has taken the role of catcher and made it his. A huge improvement defensively over Jorge Posada, Martin's contributions with the bat have been just as good.

Martin currently leads all major league catchers in home runs, on-base percentage and OPS. 

If he can stay healthy, Martin looks like he could very well be the starting catcher in the All-Star game. 

Ninth: Derek Jeter

Al Bello/Getty Images

And finally, the captain.

Perhaps the most covered story in all of baseball this year, Jeter's decline has certainly dominated all talk about the New York Yankees.

After the worst year in his career last year, Jeter has shown no signs of improvement and perhaps has fallen further off.

Batting .250 with no power or speed, Jeter's only spot in the lineup should be ninth. Luckily for Jeter, the Yankees have no other option at shortstop other than Eduardo Nunez, who has been error-prone in the field.

While Joe Girardi has said he hasn't thought of moving the captain down the order, if he wants to win another championship he may not have a choice.