Around the Yankee Universe: Replacing Brett Gardner
by Ed Valentine on Jul 27, 2009 7:15 AM EDT
in New York Yankees News
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PrintSo, speedy Brett Gardner is on the shelf for at least the next three weeks with a fractured thumb. How will the New York Yankees replace him?
For now, they have recalled reliever Jonathan Albaladejo. Soon, though, they will have to add a player to the bench.
That player should not be AAA phenom Austin Jackson, and it won't be.
"It’s not something that we’ve talked about at this point," Girardi said. "Obviously, the guy that comes up is not going to be an everyday player. To bring up a guy like Austin Jackson and sit him on the bench right now, I’m not sure how much sense that would make.
The other obvious choice is Shelley Duncan, who is tearing up the International League with 25 home runs and 75 RBI. That does not make any sense, though, because Duncan can't play center field. Unless you truly believe Johnny Damon or Nick Swisher could play center field -- and I don't -- whoever the Yankees add has to be able to play that spot. Meaning, of course, there is no real place for Duncan.
Ramiro Pena is a possibility, since he has played a little bit of outfield since being sent down a few weeks ago. I doubt he could be depended on to play much in the outfield, but maybe in a pinch.
More likely, though, if the Yankees think Gardner will be out for more than the three weeks, is that GM Brian Cashman will be looking to make a small trade for a solid defensive center fielder.
Now let's look at some of the other stories making news around the Yankee Universe.
From Pete Abe:
"When he got the second MRI on Tuesday, it revealed a possible rotator-cuff tear. The question is whether it’s a new injury or scar tissue from the operation he had back in 2000.
Because Dr. James Andrews did that surgery, he will examine Wang on Tuesday and figure it all out. If Wang does have a new tear, he’ll be out the rest of this season and part of 2010."
My take: Could the last year have been any worse for CMW, once the ace of the Yankee staff?
Trade Stuff
- BucsBits reports that the Yankees had a scout in Indianapolis Sunday to watch Ian Snell pitch. Snell, by the way, went five innings, surrendered nine hits and two runs, and lost, 2-1.
- MLB Daily Dish takes an in-depth look at the Yankees' needs, and how well positioned they are to meet them.
Other Stuff
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Pissed about Wanger
its a real shame. I guess that would explain the lack of command and velocity. It was probably because he was throwing all arm because of the Yanks brilliant training staff telling him not to work out his legs in the offseason.
His contract is up after this year too correct? It could mean the end of CM Wang with the Yanks. That sucks cuz now that the Yanks got a coupled of aces to go alongside him and allow him to be the extremely good #2 or 3 starter that he should be, and now his career could be in jeopardy.
I think the OF stays put. If anything, Shelley may get called up. If need be, I do think Damon could play CF for a game or 2. His arm we all know sucks, but the range is still pretty good. He can probably get to all balls that Melky could anyway.
As for Ian Snell, Id love to see the Yanks make a play for him. That Joba guy is gonna reach his innings limit and the Yanks need another starter. If they get a guy like Snell it would allow the Pen to not miss a beat if they had to send Hughes down to get some work in.
Aveces would be fine in the long run, but allowing him to go 65 pitches while he stretches out could take the pen, especially without Aceves in there to relieve himself ( hopefully he does that before he takes the mound)
Also that was a nice article
on Robbie vs. Pedroia.
On PSA we tend to bash the hell out of Robbie, and probably rightly so with his RISP struggles. But the difference between him and last year’s MVP Pip-squeak isn’t all that big.
If Robbie had a bit more patience at the plate like Pedrioa, with his pop hit could be a much better hitter than Pedey. Robbie has as much talent as any 2B including Utley. It just seems that his plate approach will always doom him into being the player that he is now (kinda like that Soriano guy the Yanks used to have patrol 2B)
Sad Sad situation for CMW
It can’t possibly get any tougher for the guy. If he is on all cylinders this year,who knows the poosibilities. Ed, I’m just not understanding the need for another OF(as I expressed in my Fanpost) I don’t think Pena is equipped for CF after only a couple weeks. Pointless indeed to call up Austin. You could make a case that if you take Shelley out of his minor league tear,it hurts him as well. But look,he’ll be 30 by end of September……why not be in the bigs?
by ReggieARodJeter on Jul 27, 2009 10:51 AM EDT reply actions
They just look good.
Amazing how good your team looks when the pitching staff is doing it’s job. A veteran, powerful offense not having to worry about being thrown into a 4-5 run ditch every night must be very comforting. Keep winning those 2out of 3’s and 3 out of 4’s guys.
Does anyone know if they’re gonna juggle the rotation for the RedSox series? Right now, if they stay on schedule ( no rain outs or injuries) Mitre would pitch the third game. Just wondering.
they probably will juggle the rotation
by then, provided its still the same….
Cuz if you know, Doc somehow manages way in Pin Stripes, I doubt that he doesn’t pitch in those games (vs. against Toronto).
Just sayin, crazier things have happened (Texiera….).
by FreeBradshaw on Jul 27, 2009 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions
After the failed Tyler "The Yankee Clippard" experiment
and the back-to-back-to-back-to-back bit, I’m not seeing the Yankees throwing just anybody out there. Man, was that a crappy thing to experience.
Not sure who or what we’ll pick up by then also.
Apparently the sox a putting together a package to get halliday.. like 5 of their top pitching prospects
by Yankz09 on Jul 27, 2009 1:39 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Yeah, I read on MLBTR
that it’s supposed to be Buchholz, Daniel Bard, Michael Bowden, plus a low level position player.
Once again, I find it highly unlikely Halladay will be traded within the division. If anywhere, it’ll be the Phillies or Angels.
by Leviticus6688 on Jul 27, 2009 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Let them
I have no problem with them doing it too. Cuz that trade while its gonna include Bucholz and Barden, its also gonna include Boston’s own Joba/Hughes (tho he’s not viewed as a starter) in Daniel Bard.
Bard is probably the only guy in their bullpen that if they play the Yankees that Id be scared to face (even tho he’s due…) Them getting rid of Bard could haunt them. So by all means let them do it.
by FreeBradshaw on Jul 27, 2009 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions
You know, Hank Steinbrenner sounded like a jerk complaining about NL rules after CMW was injured.
But I’m finding it easier and easier to agree with what he said about it last year.
Arroyo is not bad
again a pitcher that probably needs a change of scenery out of that division and that team. Arroyo has pitched for the Pissants before so that means he knows how to pitch in the AL East.
Having Johnny Damon on the team should help him cope with coming to the “enemy”, so I have no worries there.
I think he’ll be cheap in prospects cuz of his high salary that the Red probably want to unload like last nights Indian food.
by FreeBradshaw on Jul 27, 2009 6:13 PM EDT up reply actions
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