Where did anybody say Cano was 5? They are going to make a play at either Matsui or Damon, my guess being they sign Matsui and let Damon go and prob sign one of the big 3 OFs- Holliday, Dye, Bay. Therefore lineup will most likely end up as follows-

1. Jeter
2. Cano
3. Tiex
4. Arod
5. Matsui
6. Dye, Bay, Holliday
7. Posada
8. Swish
9. Melk

3 switch hitters at the end of the lineup, i think that lineup looks damn good to me.

He’s a real weird player in that there’s always something there that doesn’t tell you in the stats how good he really is.

I wouldn’t mind trading him only if they get someone really good, like say….Felix Hernandez. That’s the only way I trade Cano.

But I think if they don’t sign anyone, and let Damon and Matsui walk (I can’t see this…) that if needed he could bat 5th.

He could also bat 2nd.

He’s just a contact hitter than with a little more luck this season he could have really posted some monster numbers.

unless he learns to hit w/RISP. If he hits like he did this year w/ runners on base, then A-Rod will never see any pitches to hit.

Cano 2nd? I’m OK with that. He could be a table setter, which probably plays into his stengths more. And he’ll see all fastballs w/ Tex hitting behind him. Although I’m guessing that Damon is coming back, so if he does, put Damon 2nd and leave Cano around where he was this year.

As far as one of the big OF, I’d rather the Yankees avoided them. Do we really want another long term contract? They already have long term contracts of a ton of money on Jeter, A-Rod, Tex, CC, and A.J.. Does this team really want another one? It will just make the payroll go even higher, which is something that we know Cashman wants to avoid. I’d rather see AJAX developed and put in the OF next year. If he’s not ready? Then put Damon in LF and give AJAX another year. But I’d rather they avoided those long contracts.

I don’t think the yanks are worried about the 2 hole, and i agree with most that cano is not the man for that spot. He is capable of driving in 100 rbi’s so why place him 2nd. I personally believe cano will someday hit 5th in the lineup on a day to day basis. But lets not forget posada, who hits for avg and power. He also would be a quality 5 guy, providing more protection for arod than matsui can. Of course, this is assuming yanks let him go. I would rather sign damon, i think he’s more consistent and shown he can come through in the must needed clutch AB’s, but yet matsui earned mvp honors. I also think if the yanks let matsui go then, we’re looking at new face in the 5th slot. I dont think it would hurt us, for u can then se the DH spot more loosely with guys like arod and posada. So yea, personally i wuld go with damon as numbed 2, and look for a quality 5th bat in jason bay. What do u guys think? Me, bay over matt.