Throughout the day, I looked at the battles for the final spots on the Yankees roster: the last reliever, the battle for CF, and the utility infielder fight. I started with the 7th reliever, continued by looking at the utility infielder role, and will now wrap up the series by discussing the battle for center field.
Unlike the last two roster spots that I discussed, it seems that this fight is not for a spot on the team:
The competition between centerfielders Brett Gardner and Melky Cabrera is likely to end with both players making the Yankees.
“That’s probably my expectation right now,” manager Joe Girardi said Friday.
Girardi was not ready to reveal which player he wants as the starting centerfielder, though he did say he has one in mind. He and other Yankees decision-makers, most notably general manager Brian Cashman, plan to sit down and discuss that and other roster decisions in the next couple of days….
“The thing is we have two capable centerfielders,” Girardi said. “It’s not our plan to be changing them around every day … I’d like to go with a pretty set lineup every day.”
However, it seems clear from that last quote that one player will be declared the winner and will get the bulk of the playing time. For most of the spring, it seemed that Brett Gardner had the starting job sewn up, as he came flying out of the gate while Melky struggled to get going. However, a recent surge from Cabrera has clouded the issue a bit. Let’s look at the numbers:
1. Brett Gardner: 49 AB’s, .367/.436/.673, 7K/6BB, 9R, 18H, 2 2B, 2 3B, 3HR, 6RBI, 5SB/1CS
2. Melky Cabrera: 52 AB’s, .346/.424/.500, 2K/6BB, 10R, 18H, 3 2B, 1 3B, 1HR, 9RBI, 2SB/1CS
Gardner has clearly had the more prolific spring, and most Yankees fans are aware of the limitations of Melky Cabrera. However, the Yankees have to be impressed by Cabrera’s K/BB ratio, as they have made it clear to him that he needs to improve his batting eye, and he seems to be working on it. Conversely, Gardner needs to work on his strikeouts, as 7 in 49 at bats is quite high for a player who needs to be making contact and using his legs. However, considering Gardner’s overall performance this spring, coupled with his superior defense when compared to Melky, he deserves the starting job. Being that the Yankees will be carrying both players, they can always make a change later should Gardner falter. For now, his speed and defense should add a welcome new element to the Yankees starting lineup.
What do you think?
Update: According to Pete Abraham, Brett Gardner has won the center field job. As I mentioned above, this is the right move. Let’s see if he can hit enough to make his speed a real weapon.
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Your comment that Gardner “clearly” had the more prolific Spring is a little over the top. I agree that Gardner has slightly better stats but it is hardly overwhelming. Indeed, as you point out, in recent games (the games that are more indicative of MLB competition) Melky has edged Gardner. I agree with your recommendation but by a hair.
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Moshe Mandel Reply:
March 29th, 2009 at 4:18 pm
I think a look at the numbers suggests that it is clear. Gardner’s also been consistently good, and has gotten plenty of hits off MLB caliber pitchers.
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jd Reply:
March 29th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
Really? What are the numbers in the last 10 games?
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Chris H. Reply:
March 29th, 2009 at 6:36 pm
i think he had 8 hits in his last 10 games.
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According to Pete Abraham, Brett Gardner has won the starting CF job. Its a great day, now if Ramiro Pena makes the team.
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jd Reply:
March 29th, 2009 at 6:17 pm
This is a good move for all the reasons that Moshe stated above. I firmly believe that Melky will be a good player in this league. Not sure about Gardner but he deserves the shot.
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Chris H. Reply:
March 29th, 2009 at 6:33 pm
I agree. Gardner deserves his shot and if it doesn’t pan out, Melky is waiting in the winds…
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Putting Pena on the 40 man roster now would be a waste, since the Yankees would likely lose him when Arod comes back. Or they can keep Pena on in May and cut Melky loose. But I’m not sure Cashman wants to do that. Should be interesting.
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You are still going by incredibly small sample sizes. I’m glad Gardner is getting a shot, but I don’t think we’ve seen enough of him to say he’s going to be better than Melky. I hope they both get playing time this year.
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Chris H. Reply:
March 29th, 2009 at 6:41 pm
I agree. I think Melky’s late run made the battle very close and, in most instances, you go with experience — the guy who has been there before. However, I think Joe Girardi really wanted some more speed in his lineup.
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Moshe Mandel Reply:
March 29th, 2009 at 6:48 pm
You dont go with bad experience. Melky was awful last year, and he lost the job, so they came into spring on equal footing, and Gardner showed a skillset unique to the club while Melky was just good all around.
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JD Reply:
March 29th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
Moshe,
What you are hearing is that we agree with your view but that you are wanting Gardner to be the right choice more than the small sample size of data or the recent games would justify. Cabrera and Gardner have been competing for years now, not just this Spring. They are about the same age and Melky has had the better of him for a while, including atleast one good Major leauge season. He regressed last year. We shall see if this is the year where Gardner takes over. At this point, neither is clearly above the other. Let’s just hope that one of them has a breakout year and this doesn’t turn into a situation where both let us down, like the young SPs did last year.
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Moshe Mandel Reply:
March 29th, 2009 at 8:29 pm
I think you hearing something that is not there. All I am saying is that because of Melky’s awful MLB season, he entered the spring even with Gardner, with both players having an equal shot. If that is the case, it is hard to argue that Brett did not win the job, even if it was a small sample.
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Brett has the better of it, even if they had hit the same. He has speed, defence and has shown the ability to take the extra base…once he starts getting the calls other players get, his BB will go up. He is known for having a good eye but, hasn’t gotten the calls…as of yet.
As we all know, speed disrupts the defence more then anything else, he has the speed to be very disruptive. Edge…Brett.
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