What about centerfield?
by Travis G on Oct 21, 2008 5:40 AM EDT
in Miscellaneous
Email
PrintAre you confident with the centerfield situation? We have three in-house options: Melky, Gardner and Damon. Each has strengths and weaknesses. Melky probably has the highest overall upside (since Damon is well past his prime) while providing solid defense, but he was lost after April. We can only hope he rebounds. Gardner is going to steal bases and play (perhaps) even better D, but will he get on base enough to fully realize that speed? Damon will likely have the best offensive season of the three, but watching his fem-arm is painful and he may not hold up for the season.
There are also free agent/trade options like Randy Winn, Mike Cameron, Rocco Baldelli, Jim Edmonds, Matt Kemp, Nate McClouth, Cody Ross, etc. Of course, they would require prospects or a lot of money (compared to Melky/Gardner) in return.
The X-factor is Austin Jackson, who will start the year at Triple-A Scranton. If he has a great start, and the centerfielder in the Bronx isn't producing, he could get an early call-up.
UPDATE: Aaron Rowand is another possible option.
23 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Baldelli is my pick
He’s had some health issues that I’ve heard are behind him, and he’s got alot of upside provided he can stay healthy. Because of his injurious past, and the Rays crowded outfield situation, I think he’d come the cheapest of the young guys you’ve mentioned.
He’s not going to blast 30 homers, but he is capable of 20-100 .290 and 25-30sbs. I’d make a pitch at him, but I wouldn’t throw the sink at him. If you buy the hype of Austin Jackson, we might have a Carl Crawford-like jewel on the way…. I’m not so sure. The Yankees love to over hype their youngsters, and I’m no longer buying.
"Baseball is the background music of my life." -George Will
Centerfield
I find a couple you mentioned, probably very good improvement’s over what we have now, I think McClouth, Ross, as improvement’s, but I worry about players like Winn,Cameron Edmonds Kemp, Baldelli, they have to many injury problems and age is a problem here, just what we have in Damon, and Abreu? Alex Rios is another possibility, but just look at other teams minor leagues and find a can’t miss talent, there’s alot of them out their and some have been brought up at end of season Rangers are loaded with some great looking outfielders, plus their ML roster is already loaded. Need strong arm, speed , power and good high average hitter!
The list
There’s no doubt that Baldelli is talented, but he’s played 155 total games over the past 3 seasons. His “injury” is a mitochondrial disorder, which is far more complicated than a pulled hamstrick or broken bone, both of which can heal. Even signing him to a one year, incentive laden deal is still a risk, because there’s a very real chance that we’ll have to go with our Plan B once he gets hurt.
Baldelli is sort of a great unknown to, because his first two seasons weren’t really that great (.320 OBP stinks), and during his third season, it looked like he had turned a corner, but then he got hurt.
I’d stay out of the trade market too. Most of the guys availabe are decent, and would require some talent in return. While we have a pretty good farm, I think we need to keep the depth.
The reality is, there are no sure things in the free agent market. I think the most logical option is to either sign a veteran to a low-risk, one year deal, look for a guy who’s been non-tendered, or try to make due with Melky/Gardner for the season. Austin Jackson projects to be comparable to, if not better than, all the guys you listed, so there’s no reason NOT to give him a chance.
I think what they do in CF
depends a lot on what the organization really feels about Ajax. If they think he will be ML ready by 2010, then I can see them either sticking with Damon/ Gardner or going out and landing a veteran on the short term.
The Jayfiss Report ...one fan's rants
Jim Edmonds
Call me crazy, and I know he’s only slightly mercurial (and somewhat of a dick) – but I think Edmonds (while old-jesus I’m breaking the record for qualifiers here) would be a great CF in Yankee Stadium and, if anything else, I get the feeling he would give the Yanks some great at-bats (think Paullie or Tino type at-bats)…
I like Jim Edmonds for 2 years
Until the young Ajax is ready. Besides, Jim E could play like 90-110 games (hopefully) while the Yanks showcase Melky or Gardner in year 1. Year 2 he could split duties with Ajax until the youngster is everyday game ready for 2011.
While Melky and Gardner are trying to (hopefully) show their best stuff, maybe some other GMs are watching willing to trade a pitcher or two for these talented youngters.
What do you think of Ankiel?
He is under contract next year until Jackson is ready. He has good power and could thrive with the short porch in left (or is the new park not going to have that, My understanding was the new stadium is the same but fewer seats/more suites not as much foul territory) and he plays great defense with a great arm.
Package him with Bryan Anderson Our Top Cather prospect because Posada isn’t getting any younger.
Could we get a package of Ian Kennedy and Robbie Cano or something like that for that price.
No
Rick Ankiel is probably my favorite non-Yankee position player, but it will take more than that to get Kennedy and Cano. Not a lot more, but some more stuff than just that, a better chip instead of Bryan Anderson.
by Omar Little on Oct 22, 2008 12:30 AM EDT up reply actions
try out the young kids
the world series is between two teams who decided to “try out the young kids”
QUICK QUESTION...
Sorry to go off topic, but I have a question for you all
What are your sports teams?
Obviously you are mainly Yankees fans…
But what team do you root for in football?
Basketball?
Hockey?
I am curious about the combinations of sports alliegances.
When I was in NYC I remember guys who were buddies during Yankees season would get on each others nerves during football season because one would be a Giants fan and the other a Jets fan.
I knew some people who were big Knicks fans, but then one would be a Rangers fan and the other an Islanders fan
So I am curious of what everyone’s combination
Thanks…. Sully
yanks-giants-islanders
Also, i say stick with what we have now, or sign a very low risk FA. We can last with Melk man, Garder,Damon and Christian untill AJax is ready. and who knows? that could be sooner rather than later.
"Hey Derek do you actually drive the Edge?","I don't drive that piece of crap!"
IT WILL BE GARDNER
Maybe I am wrong, but Gardner looked like he was getting better offensively with every at bat this season. And he also got more patient. You dont come by someone with that much speed and defense every day, especially at his cost with his youth.
Expect to see Melky traded, Gardner in center, and perhaps Austin Jackson up for a dry run sometime mid-late season.
Munson15
stick Damon in CF
it’s his walk year, hope it works out, then after that figure out if A-Jax is ready.
CF is a issue, but it’s not exactly high up on the priority list, you have 3 guys that could play, with various quesiton marks surrending them.
Priority for the Yankees this year
1B > SP > OF in general
R O W A N D
That guy is an animal. He would be a MAJOR addition to the Yanks. He takes incredible at-bats and he would run through walls for the team. Not only that, but he would raise everyone’s level of play. His intensity is un-matched; think vintage Paul O’Neill. This guy is an old-school player who loves getting uniform dirty. Did I mention that he would run through walls for the team?
Rowand is the type of guy that has just been waiting for the big stage to play on. He would completely excel in Yankee Stadium and would instantly become a fan-favorite. He’s got a really quirky batting stance and he gets all over the field.
Plus he’s still young. I’m telling you; if the NYY get a chance to pick up Rowand….they gotta do it.
ugh
Rowand is one catch away from crashing into the wall and missing the rest of the season.
He isn’t that good of a hitter. Decent, certainly, but not really that good. They call him gritty and gutsy because they can’t call him a solid hitter.
He’ll be 32 in 2009 and is signed for 3 season after that for about $13 million per.
PASS.
here's my take
i dont want to count on Ajax for 2009. it would be nice to finally let one prospect fully adjust to AAA before throwing him into the fire. i wouldn’t count on him until 2010 – maybe with a late-season call up.
let gardner and melky duke it out for the starting CFer in ST. (both have a chance to be plus CFers.) the other becomes the 4th OF/LIDR/PR. if neither are hacking it, move Damon to CF and hope Matsui can play a passable LF. if that doesn’t work, maybe a trade/signing can be made for a decent OFer (i.e. Mark Kotsay, Eric Hinske, Gabe Gross, Juan Rivera, Jose Guillen, etc.)
I'm not comfortable with our current options
I don’t think Damon can play out there any more except as an occasional fill-in and Gardner and Melky won’t hit enough. I’d go for a stop gap like Cameron/Edmonds/Baldelli until Jackson is ready.
Yankees/Knicks, that’s it.
No reason to panic on CF
I believe we can get a moderate output from Melky / Gardner if they play superb defense. Damon cannot play CF anymore, so we need someone like Melky / Gardner to cover a lot of ground. As long as they hit around .265 it should be fine. NYY was not that far from being a contender in 2008 without full time services of Wang, Posada and Matsui. If they can have them back healthy and add CC and Tex, NYY should content against TB and Bosox. NYY doesn’t need Cameron or Rowand as they are not an upgrade over Melky / Gardner anyway. Unless NYY can get someone like BJ Upton, it should stay put and address other pressing needs.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Community Guidelines
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Big League Stew - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
- Five tips for Showtime’s second season of ‘The Franchise,’ featuring the Miami Marlins
- The 10 best things about being a Detroit Tigers fan
- Surprise! A’s finally end the Yoenis Cespedes derby with $36 million deal for Cuban star
- The time Whitney Houston sang to Jim Bowden
- Pitchers and catchers! Mariners get early start in Arizona
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
