Don't Be A Playa Hater
The news that Jason Giambi is close to returning has been met by groans from Yankees' fans who don't want to see Melky get sent to the bench. That is very understandable, Melky has been fun to watch and since a terrible April, has been hitting bullets.
But, Giambi is a clearly better offensive player and he hit .322/.404/.517 in April before he injured his foot in the first place. He can't run, he can't field, but the guy is built to be a DH in the American League and the lineup will be more explosive with him.
However, the Yankees could get creative when Giambi gets back and that would be the best scenario. Instead of putting Damon right back into center, how about trying him again at first? Yes, Andy Phillips deserves to keep playing, but Phillips is not going to put up numbers like Giambi. I would guess that his current line of .305/.350/.427 is about as good as he is going to be, and that is why I would like to see the Yankees keep Melky in center.
We just don't know enough about Melky right now. In 792 AB's in the bigs he has hit .278/.348/.381, but he has shown much better numbers since April hittting .304/.365/.442 which is almost in line with the average AL right fielder who is hitting .283/.356/.453. Why do I say RF instead of CF? Because that is where the Yankees have a big choice to make.
When the season ends the Yankees can choose to bring back Bobby Abreu for $16 million in 2008 by exercising his option. Or they could exercise it and trade him like they did with Sheffield, or they could let him go. If Mekly Cabrera has proved to Cashman and the other talent evaluators that he is ready to play full time, the choice is simple, exercise it and trade Abreu for prospects. Damon looks like he is going to be ok and Matsui is entrenched in left for the next couple of years. By trying Damon at first now, the Yankees could solve both problems becuase Melky's bat is much better in center (average AL CF is .275/.344/.423) and they could keep Abreu one more year and then start the great purge in 2009 when Abreu and Giambi become FA's.
Giambi's return will make a deep lineup only deeper, the question is how will they blend everything together? Stay tuned.
Comments
Always fun to think outside the box, so I will.
Giambi and some (or lots) of cash for Texeira. Yeah, I know about the no-trade clause, but I can ignore that for the purposes of thinking outside the box.
Posted by: Mitchell | July 26, 2007 10:43 AM |
why would Texas do that?
Just curious.
Posted by: blmeanie | July 26, 2007 03:02 PM |
Mitchell- I love the thought, but I have to agree with BL, what's the upside for Texas?
Now, if you included a pitching prospect, things coud get interesting
Posted by: Peter![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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July 26, 2007 03:56 PM
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Reason: "some (or lots) of cash" plus a very big DH.
- Mitchell
Posted by: Mitchell | July 26, 2007 06:30 PM |
Mitchell- What about Sosa?
Posted by: Peter![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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July 26, 2007 06:44 PM
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Texas would be more stupid than historically to do it for Giambi and cash.
Damaged goods that is declining and money does not move a 28 year old in his prime.
I say Texeira goes to the Braves (unfortunately) for a deal that includes Saltalamachia. Salty is a huge prospect that if the Yankees were serious about getting ready for the days after Posada, Salty would be the man.
Posted by: blmeanie | July 26, 2007 07:47 PM |
Sosa? I honestly don't know how to fit Sammy into my "outside the box" musings. So I'll respond to the question about pitching prospects.
A while ago, it seemed that everything Cash was doing was jettisoning aging problems (Big Unit and Gary the Mouth) for young arms. Cash acquired young arms by the car load.
Assuming that only Joba and Chamberlain are untouchable, maybe there's someone else who might suit Texas' needs or dreams. I know they let Kennard (P) go to get Molina (C). Do we really think that Karstens, Rasner, Clippard, are Yankee material? Maybe Texas would love Farnsworth? If Cash thinks outside the box, "hey, it could happen"
Posted by: Mitchell![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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July 26, 2007 09:08 PM
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Hearing what they are being offered for Texeira by LAA & Atl makes me think we'd need to do a heck of a lot better than what we're talking about here. If you are that confident in Damon, why not trade Melky for Texiera? I wouldn't but if you think Damon should be in CF over Melky....
I don't think Melky is the guy headed to the bench when Giambi returns, its Damon. Yes, I agree, Damon at 1B HAS to be tried. Maybe platooning him with Phillips & getting him the odd game in LF/CF, he can get his his ABs.
The best Yankee OF in 2008, defensively & offensively, without giving up prospects is Matsui, Melky & Abreu. For 16m, I think its well worth it, given that it keeps the roster very flexible. Plus the draft picks when he goes.
Finding out if Damon can finish his contract at 1B will be very interesting & very good for the Yanks. He's fast becoming Chuck Knoblauch but he still sees more pitches than anyone in baseball.
Posted by: tim | July 26, 2007 10:58 PM |
Word.
Posted by: Andy | July 26, 2007 11:01 PM |