After having watched Matsui try to run yesterday, my guess is the Yanks are currently trying to play with only three outfielders. One of them, Melky Cabrera, has a .303 OBP and a .333 SLG in 78 AB against LHP this year. That production has hurt and will hurt if it continues. Since in 2007 Melky had a .317 OBP and a .324 SLG in 148 AB against LHP, which is equally bad, I think it is fair to worry whether Melky is going to hit at all against lefties. So, given the thin depth in the Yankee OF, it isn’t unreasonable to try to figure out ways to move Melky out of the lineup against left handed pitching. The complicating factor is Posada’s health and the “need” to carry Moeller as a third catcher, which is given plausibility due to Moeller having by far the best year he has had since 2002 (if Chad were hitting like he hit from 2003-2007, I suspect nobody would be talking about the need for a third catcher). The magic answer, of course, is to get rid of Betemit and replace him with a decent right handed hitting CF/first baseman, but that particular skill set doesn’t seem to be available in the market right now. (f we can get one, I’m for it.)

I personally think that the Yanks need a fourth outfielder who can provide some flexibility. I don’t think Brett Gardner is going to be all that great if he’s called up, and would love to have someone better. However, until that someone better comes along (if you think Jayson Lane could do it, I’ll listen but am doubtful), it’s hard to dismiss out of hand Gardner’s .424 OBP and a .557 SLG in 79 ABs against lefties this year. Granted that’s in AAA, but that still translates to decent major league numbers (those who argue minor league statistics don’t count at all aren’t up on the latest sabermetrics). I admit Gardner has shown a tendency to struggle whenever he’s moved up a level, and that might happen in this case, but until we can find a better answer calling him up doesn’t seem unreasonable.

Calling Gardner up would mean DFA’ing a reliever (Traber, anyone?) or Moeller (OK by me, but I know that is fighting words to some), but neither option seems insane to me.

Sometimes, the Yanks just seem too conservative for my taste. It wouldn’t be much fun to post if you always argue that father knows best.

In MLB, as well as life my friend, EVERYTHING is subjective except for Death and Taxes!

That is all subjective and other teams might not view this the same.

2005 A- ball = .284
2006 A+ ball = .325

2006 AA ball = .272
2007 AA ball = .300

2007 AAA ball = .260
2008 AAA ball = .291

All hovering around 200 AB so these are no small sample sizes. If you want to make assumptions then you can assume Gardner might have a tough first year in MLB then settle down once he figures it out. Let this year be the year for Gardner to adjust. Not the start of next season.

Of the 6 Teams that are supposedly the top suitors ( Yankees, Phillies, Cubs, Red Sox, Rays, and Angels), Boston and Tampa Bay can offer better prospect packages than the Yankees, despite Cashman’s lofty claims about his MiLB System.

That’s why I feel that Sabathia in Free Agency is the Yankee’s best shot..their Money can “contend” with anyone.

As we have seen time and time again, the Yankees rarely bring up players unless it is out of necessity. Melky and Cano came in because they were NEEDED. Don’t use that logic as some sort of proof that the Yankees don’t see Gardner as a piece to help the team.