Now Leading Off, the Centerfielder, Johnny Damon

by jscape2000 on Jul 11, 2008 9:04 AM EDT in Analysis Comment 8 comments

After a red hot start, Melky Cabrera has collapsed.

He's hitting .244/.305/.353.

For the good of the Yankees, for the good of the country, for the good humanity, it's time to put Johnny Damon back in centerfield.

Matsui isn't coming back anytime soon, and Giambi has shown he can play firstbase regularly. This opens up the DH spot for a power bat, and allows us the flexibility to start Gardner or to go after a rental left fielder.

There are several potent left fielders available for trade, and potentcy is a quality this team sincerely lacks (four starters slugging under .400, four).

If this team is going anywhere, it needs to score some runs. They've averaged just under three runs a game for a week now. Maybe they'll shake out of it on their own; maybe Cano is getting going, maybe Jeter is one good stretch from looking like his old self, maybe Giambi and Arod will play homerun derby with AL pitching in the second half.

But I think it's time to shake this team up.

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Comments

Changing players is always a risk

Matsui’s injury gives us a chance to see if either Gardner or Christian is an option (probably not this year). Players like Damon and Matsui, while less than perfect and with specific weaknesses, are quite hard to replace, much less upgrade. Teams are not anxious to part with great players. If they are available at all they are expensive.

While I understand your impatience (I feel it myself) I do not think a player move is going to be the key to this team. The key to this team is better performance from the people we counted on to perform.

Jeter and Arod need to get hot. Robbie Cano needs to keep progressing. Jorge, while hurt and needing surgery needs to do what he can for the team. Melky, come on Melky, you can do it. (I hope)

I do not think Molina is going to hit. He’s a great catcher, as good as anyone playing now. Defensively he’s in the class with Howard and Berra. Not the best I’ve ever seen, but very good.

I am deeply troubled by Jorge’s attitude, followed by a very bad failure to catch a double play throw. He needs to work on first, and learn to DH. Jeez Jorge, you’re hurt, do what you can!

I am deeply troubled by what I see as a hang dog look on Joe G’s face during games.

I’ve been saying it for a month or more.

Shake up the team- Change the manager! Otherwise, we have our team. Any changes we make are going to be minor. No miracle is coming. We have our team, we do or die with them.

The team needs a spark. The team needs focus. The team needs to pull together and fight. We cannot get O’Neil, Williams, And Tino back, but we need their gritty, grind it out, never say die, heart. (i know you hate this idea, but I believe it)

Dig deep boys, we need you all.

Go Yankees.

A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)

by Cbeck3 on Jul 11, 2008 10:48 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm all for benching Melky

But I’m not sure the organization feels that way. Girardi seems to have some weird attachment with Melky and is going to stick with him no matter what. And I also don’t think Girardi has any intention of having Damon play CF everyday.

Melky has had two years to show us something and he hasn’t done it. I know people harp on his youth (23), but kids this young are supposed to improve their game with more playing time and Melky’s numbers have been in a steady decline.

Melky doesn’t deserve a lifetime pass simply because he played well in 2006 when the club needed a boost.

by anaconda on Jul 11, 2008 4:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Here's an idea

I always feel pressure. What I don't have is fear. -- El Duque

by LateInningRelief on Jul 12, 2008 4:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Seriously, here's the idea

Package Melky with Hughes in a trade for a bona fide ace.

Oh wait…

I always feel pressure. What I don't have is fear. -- El Duque

by LateInningRelief on Jul 12, 2008 4:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I still wouldn't make that deal

I’ve never liked Melky, but I wasn’t as enamored with Santana as some Yankee fans.

I still think Hughes is going to be fine and Santana isn’t exactly pitching like a $140M pitcher in an inferior league.

by anaconda on Jul 12, 2008 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not gonna beat a dead horse

But Santana’s got a 2.84 ERA in a transition year. He’s going to remain a top of the rotation guy for another 5 years. Hughes, well, we’ll see.

I always feel pressure. What I don't have is fear. -- El Duque

by LateInningRelief on Jul 12, 2008 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

But it's also well-documented that Santana's lost a few miles on his velocity

If he’s lost that kind of velocity now, how much is he going to lose over the next 5 years?

I just don’t think he’s going to be the dominant starter over the duration of his deal that you do. I guess we’ll see.

by anaconda on Jul 14, 2008 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

melky

I like Damon’s bat but having his noodle arm in center is not a good thing. Melky can bat lower in the line up and play center while Damon is the DH. Otherwise the Yanks need to trade bad. Rasner and Giese suck, what happend to kennedy and Hughes. ITS TIME FOR A TRADE, CASHMAN!!!!!

by colts9318rock on Jul 13, 2008 2:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs