I agree that a spot could open in ‘09, as Matsui could move to DH and Abreu will be a FA. But I also don’t see the Yanks handing both these guys jobs to start ‘09 in a brand new Stadium. They should both make appearances if they progress without hiccups - but that’s why they call them prospects. We’re starting to sound a little like Rays fans here - all our prospects are sure things, everything is beautiful.

Don’t forget Eric Duncan - who isn’t finished but hasn’t straight lined to the bigs either. How nice would it be to have a young, lefty hitting 1B power prospect right now, rather than a guy in his 3rd crack at AAA. His performance was never at Tabata’s level, but Jackson was a bit disappointing until this year. Duncan was (or nearly was) MVP of the AFL 2 years ago - Jackson was very good in HWB this year, but that’s a lower level. Pushing prospects beyond their performance is a lesson Duncan’s taught the org well. I hope they soar, but they won’t be rushed.

The move from AA to the majors is enormous. Even moreso for kids as young as both players.

If they both have great years in AA, they are still starting next season in AAA.

The Yankees don’t rush prospects. Kennedy and Chamberlain are exceptions, not the rule.

If Bobby Abreu has a typical Bobby Abreu season, the Yankees will re-sign him.

They are not turning over 2 of their 3 OF positions to kids next year.

I included Duncan with the OFs

Both JD and Mats are signed through 2009. They might not be great, but AJax and Tabata would have to be better in order to rate a call up. I think it’s very unlikely. Plus, if Bobby has a good year, he may well be signed up for another year or 2. 2010? Yes. 2009? Doubtful, or maybe when rosters expand at the end of the season.

Eh…If all turns out for the best, yes. But two of these guys are still fairly far away, and EVERYTHING has to fall right for Gardner to be an MLB starter. If Jackson and Gardner were flip-flopped in terms of where they are developmentally, I’d feel REALLY good. It’d mean that we’d have one guy who’s reasonably a year away from hitting the majors and can be expected to produce at a solidly above average level, and another guy who’s two years or so away from probably being a complementary role-player type — as opposed to the opposite, which is what we’ve got right now.