Yesterday, Joe Girardi suggested that Brett Gardner has not yet won the center field job, and went out of his way to praise the work that Melky Cabrera has done thus far in camp. Mark Feinsand had the following to say:
“I’m happy with the way Melky is playing; he’s really started to swing the bat,” Girardi said. “They’ve both played at a very high level. Gardy started a little quicker, but to me, they’re both playing at a very high level right now. It’s been a fun competition to watch.”
Gardner’s numbers (.382, three homers, six RBI, .447 on-base percentage) give him an edge over Cabrera, who is batting .242 with three extra-base hits, five RBI and a .342 on-base average. But Cabrera – who is out of minor-league options – appears to have done enough to make him the Yankees’ fourth outfielder, sharing backup duties with Nick Swisher.
Firstly, I do not know where Feinsand got the idea that Swisher has already been relegated to the bench, being that I have not seen anything from Yankee management to suggest that the competition in right field was over. Furthermore, there is no circumstance under which Melky Cabrera will be good enough to share anything with Nick Swisher. More to the point, Feinsand seems to believe that Melky’s solid spring, combined with the fact that he is out of options, makes him a good bet to make the team. The obvious question is, does Melky have a role on this team?
A fifth outfielder needs to be either exceptional at one thing or solid at everything, and Melky satisfies neither of those things. He is a solid fielder, but he is not that fast and adds nothing at the plate. Basically, he is not a legitimate pinch hitter or pinch runner, and I foresee no circumstance under which he would replace Gardner for defensive purposes. His sole role on the team would be to play center field when Gardner is pinch hit for by either Nady or Swisher.
While the Yankees do not have any obviously better options on the current roster, there is one free agent who can be had cheaply and who would be a great fit. I think the Yankees should sign Jim Edmonds to fill that final roster spot. He would be excellent in a part time role, as he is still a very good hitter and is adequate at all outfield positions. He certainly brings a lot more to the table than Melky Cabrera.
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I’d take Edmonds over Melky, definitely (Edmonds’ age and health issues last year are worrisome, but he was playing a lot more than he would with us). Melky doesn’t do anything exceptionally well. He’s not a good bench player.
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Aside from spots on the 40 man. If Gardner and Nady win their respective position battles I’d rather see someone like Shelly Duncan on the roster. To Moshe’s point I’d rather see somebody with some plus plus skill in the bench to be used for situational purposes. Ideally that would be a lefty power hitter. But in lieu of that Shelly Duncan would at least give them power options to use late in the in the game. Miranda’s bat might be a better fit early on to sub for Ransom, Berroa, Gardner in RBI situations but his complete lack of defensive value makes him hard to carry on a roster with no fewer than 5 guys that can play 1B.
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Moshe Mandel Reply:
March 20th, 2009 at 1:56 pm
The roster spot thing is not an issue, if only because sending Melky down would likely mean him being claimed by someone else, thereby freeing up a spot.
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scott l Reply:
March 20th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
Do you really believe a team will claim Melky and trade for him at his salary? I don’t and if I am right the Yankees will have one shot at out righting him to AAA.
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Moshe Mandel Reply:
March 20th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
No trade is required, they could claim him outright. I am fairly certain someone would claim him.
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scott l Reply:
March 20th, 2009 at 8:58 pm
If you waive a player you get $20,000 but if you think he has more value you DFA him and then try to trade him before waiving him out right.
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If they carry 5 outfielders, then they need a utility infielder that can play 2nd, 3rd, and short, and come in knowing that he will only be around until Alex comes back. What options do we have?
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Not that I’m totally impressed, but this is a lot more than I expected for when I found a link on Delicious telling that the info is quite decent. Thanks.
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