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Perusing the lineup tonight I see that Justin Christian is playing center in place of Melky.  I am sure that Joe Girardi is just doing this as a reward for Christian's base running yesterday, but he should give a long thought to making some change in center.  Simply put, Melky isn't cutting it. 

In 387 AB's, Melky has put up a line of .243/.297/.341.  Yes, very nice defense in center, but that doesn't make up for that production offensively.  You never want to write off a young kid, but Melky has gotten worse every year in the majors numbers-wise and it seems fair to say after almost 1500 AB's that he looks like a spare outfielder and not a starter. 

The Yankees don't really have many options here.  Damon seems too banged up to play center and his arm is not an asset when he does.  If Matsui returns, you put Damon in center and grit your teeth, but for now that isn't the way to go.  Gardner showed he wasn't ready in his tryout in July so the options are limited.  One thing the Yankees could do is make center into a platoon.  Cabrera has never hit lefty pitching and Christian is a righty, so why not let them split the spot?  Or, if Christian gets hot just ride him until he cools off. 

The good news is that the future in center looks bright.  It is one of the few positions where we can identify a prospect in the upper levels who is on track to fill it.  Austin Jackson had a slow start in April, but he is hitting in Trenton now and he is quickly becoming the Yankees' #1 prospect.  He still has to get through AAA, but he will probably be in the mix for a spot in 2010.  

Until then, the Yankees have to hope Gardner comes on.  He has shown a pattern of getting to a level, struggling and then doing well.  He will probably never hit for power, but a guy who can put up a .400 OBP in the majors isn't a bad thing.  Problem is, he won't help until 2009.  Christian can now, the Yankees should let him take a shot at some semi-regular playing time.

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Interesting decision with the Yankees going with Dan Giese starting Friday.  Not sure why they didn't turn to Kennedy, but it might be to protect him.  As many have noted in the comments, Kennedy doesn't lack confidence, but the Angels are a tough team to beat.  The Yankees can try Giese for a turn and then see what happens.  Hughes is on his way to Scranton, where he will make his next start, so the Yankees will have some choices to make in the near future.