The LoHud Yankees Blog

34 Responses to “Bern, baby, Bern”

1. pat February 19th, 2009 at 9:49 am

   Thank you. That made me smile.

2. Andrew February 19th, 2009 at 9:50 am

   You should add Bernie to the “Who do you want playing center field this season?” poll. I put the over/under on Bernie’s votes at 700.

3. JoeyA February 19th, 2009 at 9:59 am

   Brett, talk to Bernie. PLEASE

4. Harold February 19th, 2009 at 10:02 am

   Bernie is playing a concert at the Nokia Theater in Times Square on April 18th:

   http://www.nokiatheatrenyc.com.....p?id=20926

   Definitely a tremendous first day to bring a girl on

5. m February 19th, 2009 at 10:02 am

   So there’s been a thaw? Good to see Bernie come around (figuratively and literally).

   Speaking of Bern’s, saw a feature on tv. Not a wine person, but that wine collection was quite impressive. I wouldn’t travel thousands of miles for the mac nut ice cream, but would consider if for the steak.

   Gardner vs. Melky? Ugh. Someone explain what the options thing has to do with it? Because I’m leaning towards Gardner, but can see the value of keeping both around. Think about it. We lose Matsui, Nady, and Damon (?). We need warm bodies out there.

   I would go Damon, Melky (ugh), and Nady. Find at-bats for Swisher and base-running opportunities for Gardner (lots of switching for defensive purposes). If things are humming along at the trade deadline and we know for a fact we’re not keeping Nady, trade him.

   Next season’s outfield could project (without signings and callups) at Melky, Gardner, and Swisher, from left to right. Snap, crackle, POP!

6. bdog375 February 19th, 2009 at 10:07 am

   Bearnie, Bearnie, Bearnie!

7. bdog375 February 19th, 2009 at 10:08 am

   Please remember everyone that Melky is younger than Gardner, has big league experience, and is an above average centerfielder. One bad year should not taint his as much as some people have let it.

8. pat February 19th, 2009 at 10:09 am

   m

   I think Melky would have to clear waivers in order to get sent back to AAA.

9. rodg12 February 19th, 2009 at 10:11 am

   come on bdog, at least spell it right….

10. S.A.-The 2009 MLB season is almost here February 19th, 2009 at 10:11 am

    Bernie Baby

11. TJyankee21 February 19th, 2009 at 10:11 am

    I would love to see Gardner get to play everyday but I think Melky will get the job out of spring training. This is not a terrible thing though in my opinion. Gardner can come off the bench and pinch run to show off his true asset to the team. He can also come in as a defensive replacement in the outfield. He will not get a ton of at bats coming off the bench but its been a while since they have had a speed guy off the bench. No matter what happens Gardner will help the team this year as long as he stays in the majors.

12. Michael Kei (Igawa) February 19th, 2009 at 10:12 am

    Man you guys change threads like models…

    regarding picture day photos and how to find ‘em…

    Daylife.com will have some, I have a few from last year. The A-Rod Sports Illustrated cover uses a picture day photo of Alex… they’ll even have blooper photos.
    Daylife.com, and search Yankees

    Mr. Rodriguez Laying down a bunt…

    http://www.daylife.com/photo/0bG5f8X0647TJ/yankees

13. rodg12 February 19th, 2009 at 10:14 am

    Yeah, Melky is out of options, meaning we can’t send him back to the minors without him clearing waivers. I don’t see him doing that as someone would pick him up to at least be their 4th OF. I think he makes the team as at least our 4th OF unless Posada’s injury requires us to carry 3 C out of spring training.

14. murphydog February 19th, 2009 at 10:14 am

    Bernie in the house? Anything that helps clear the air in that clubhouse is a good thing and Bernie will be a refreshing presence.

15. m February 19th, 2009 at 10:15 am

    No one’s tossing Melky on the side. Our team has usually gone as Melky’s gone.

    However, Melky’s like that basketball player on the bubble. When the job is his, no problem. But if there’s any competition or he goes second string he seems to struggle.

    Now that Gardner was pushing him for playing time, Melky would try to make things happen. Especially on the basepaths. Even when he got demoted he tried to turn himself into a stealing machine. He needs to play to his strengths and not attempt to be a power hitting, base-stealing machine.

    Age differential really has nothing to do with it, unless you’re talking 10 years.

    Develop them both because a salary cap may be coming to a ballpark near you!

16. m February 19th, 2009 at 10:17 am

    pat & rodg,

    Thanks.

    rodg,

    Did you see the new kid’s block against the Hawks the other night?

17. Bronx Jeers February 19th, 2009 at 10:19 am

    Wow Gardner’s smoking the poll!

    Which of course means Damon will be the CF.

    To paraphrase Pete, I like me some Brett Gardner!

    Sounds sort of Deliverance-esque.

18. Billy February 19th, 2009 at 10:19 am

    Bernie for CF!

19. Phil February 19th, 2009 at 10:20 am

    Hopefully, Melky will get his career back on track starting this Spring.

20. bru February 19th, 2009 at 10:22 am

    gardner had nice minor league numbers.i did not know they were that good.

    great obp,batted about 300 at every stop with a ton of sb.

    only time will tell.he might be a sleeper.

21. Rob NY -- In the Library February 19th, 2009 at 10:23 am

    Damon — Melky — Swish

    Nady is a backup.

22. pat February 19th, 2009 at 10:23 am

    Pete on ESPN2 discussing unnatural things.

23. m February 19th, 2009 at 10:25 am

    History would tell us that Gardner struggles for a bit at each new level.

    I think we’d all like to see Gardner hit for average. We already know he’s got a great eye. That’s another thing he has over Melky.

24. Erik from a crackberry February 19th, 2009 at 10:26 am

    Pete on first take!

    Thought we weren’t talking about you know what today? Jk!

    Better ban Dave just for today… He won’t be able to help himself!

25. m February 19th, 2009 at 10:27 am

    RobNY,

    You think Nady gets the nod over Swish? What other positions can Swisher play? I’d think he’s more of a bench player than Nady. Is Swisher much of a baserunner?

26. Rob NY -- In the Library February 19th, 2009 at 10:29 am

    Yeah the only reason I voted for Melky on the side there is because he has some history of doing well in the bigs. I would LOVE to see Gardner stealing bases like a machine but I’m not sold enough for him to get the everyday job yet. Maybe let them platoon. Another tick for Gardner is that Melky really doesn’t hit for power at all either.

27. Rob NY -- In the Library February 19th, 2009 at 10:33 am

    M — I think I’m hoping more than anything but I think Swisher is the better player. Nady on the Yankees was a 105 OPS+. That was okay but I think Swisher is more in line for his ’06 – ’07 numbers which puts him in the mid 120s. He hits for the same power and has a much better OBP. I just look at Nady and see his long swing and his just about league average play.

28. pat February 19th, 2009 at 10:39 am

    Swisher has actually been more of a full time player than Nady has the last 3-4 years.

29. Jenna February 19th, 2009 at 11:15 am

    Great to hear Bernie is at the clubhouse (miss that guy), but I thought he was injured earlier and could not play in the WBC? I guess I missed something.

30. duh February 19th, 2009 at 11:32 am

    “History would tell us that Gardner struggles for a bit at each new level.”

    unfortunately, history also tells us that players who strike out as much as Gardner and have zero power rarely amount to starting major leaguers.

31. John in Ohio February 19th, 2009 at 12:11 pm

    I’d like to see Swisher there, at least on occasion.

    I think you hand the job to Gardner and see if he can hold it for awhile. This has already been done with Melky. Gardner’s defense is outrageously good, and his speed on the basepaths makes things happen. Him on base in front of Damon, Jeter, Tex, A-Rod…yikes.

    The litmus test, of course, is whether he can reach base consistently. If he can, he’s a keeper (at least until A-Jax comes on the scene).

32. stephsamps February 19th, 2009 at 12:30 pm

    Anyone know how long Bernie is practicing with the team for? So glad to hear that he’s there!

33. saucY February 19th, 2009 at 1:14 pm

    hip hip… bernay!

    

34. saucY February 19th, 2009 at 1:14 pm

    and that smiley was for my poor joke…. not bernie!