From Jayson Stark (ESPN):
The most-heard observation about the Yankees this spring: That team could have serious, and potentially fatal, defensive issues. They’re range-challenged in left, in right and at shortstop. They have reliability issues at second. Alex Rodriguez is now a major question on every level. And nobody knows what kind of defensive catcher Jorge Posada is capable of being over the long haul. There are rumblings the Yankees are poking around again on Mike Cameron’s availability.
Is the team really that worried (and should they be, if they are)? They actually improved defensively by losing Bobby Abreu and adding Mark Teixeira. Xavier Nady and Nick Swisher are both decent defensive players, and as long as Johnny Damon is in LF he’ll be an above average defender. Plus, a focused Cano could be a defensive whiz (at least that’s what I think based on his 2007). Sure, Posada may not be great behind the plate but he has never been known for his defense and he’ll be throwing to three big strikeout guys who don’t have to lean on the defense as much as Wang and Pettitte will (Jose Molina can catch on those days, though, right?).
I think Stark may be reaching a bit in terms of the team’s defensive worries. However, his “rumblings” could mean something, especially if Melky continues his mediocre play this spring. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them move him for Cameron since he’s out of options (and Cameron’s power could help the team while A-Rod is out), although I’d like to see Gardner get a shot since his speed and defense could be similar (defensively, at this point in Cameron’s career, Gardner may even be better — I’m not sure).
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15 Responses to Yankees still interested in Cameron?
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TIQ IQ
Stark’s usually decent, but the way he words this doesn’t make much sense. He clearly (though wrongly, imo) spells out the Yankee defensive shortcomings by position, then uses that information to support his idea that the Yanks are after Cameron… who plays one of the positions NOT mentioned by Stark, himself, as a defensive problem. It’s kind of like saying, “The Jets are in dire need of a pass rusher, that’s why they’re looking to persuade Brett Favre to come out of retirement…” huh?
This whole article is such bullshit. Damon has range problems? Please do at least a little bit of research Mr. Stark. Johnny had a 5.7 UZR in left last year which out of all 215 players who spent any amount of time there was good for 12th, with only Crawford, Holliday and some dude Fred Lewis as the only regulars rated better than him. AS for right field Nick Swisher is capable of playing CF in a pinch which would mean he can easily handle RF in yankee stadium one of the easiest positions in all of MLB to play (probably right befind LF in Fenway). Nady isn’t as agile as swish but he’s definitely no stonefooted bobby abreu. Basically we have two guys who could play centerfield for a spell, manning our corner OF positions, yet we have range problems.
Oh and now we’re gonna go after Mike Cameron to bolster our CF defense THE ONE POSITION WE ACTUALLY HAVE A TRUE PLUS DEFENDER AT?? I mean come on thats just ridiculous. I love how these national guys from ESPN think they actually know sh*t about the yankees. So ridiculous.
/end rant
Agreed. This is the second time this week Stark has posted something that is seemingly inaccurate (the other day he said Melky Cabrera was hitting .375 this spring when he was actually hitting .259).
Boy, what does Gardner need to do to get some respect?
Since his first ill fated look, Gardner has done nothing but hit.
Fistfight with Dustin Pedroia (and win).
OK, just kidding, but still — I agree. Gardner is earning himself a job. I think it sends the wrong message to others in the minor leagues if the team chases Cameron now.
What do you guys think we should do with Melky? He’s out of options and is having a rather quiet spring. If Gardner “wins” the CF job, then doesn’t that mean we’ve seen the last of the Melk-Man?
I think you have to try to deal him. I can’t see having him, Swisher, AND Matsui all as bench outfielders
Yeah unfortunately all he really brings to the table is that he can be a late inning defensive replacement. He can’t hit, can’t bunt, cant play any IF positions and, cant steal a base. You hate to trade a guy who’s that young and could still turn it around, but unless he can magically get his ish together I think we ship him out.
It’s true — Melky offers nothing as a bench player outside of his arm (and that he’s alive, which is always a plus). The only reason to keep Melky on the team is his potential — do the Yankees think he can be an Alex Rios type someday (without the speed)? I don’t think he’ll ever be that (I once had hope), but I’m sure that there are those in the organization that still believe in him, for whatever reason.
There is going to be another outfielder on the bench besides Swisher no? Matsui doesn’t count – he can’t/won’t be counted to play the field.
I don’t get this: “Alex Rodriguez is now a major question on every level.” His health is a question, but every other ‘level’ he’s been pretty good at. (Assuming by ‘level’ he’s talking about playing baseball.)
lol
I think because of the questionable hip everything is in question. Will he have full mobility in the field, can he hit, can he run, can he stay healthy?
Even if he does return and he isn’t 100% (a problem which hasn’t been discussed much), I still think he’d offer the team a lot more than Cody Ransom. 80% A-Rod is still better than most. Also, I don’t think the Yankees would have allowed him to have the surgery if there was a possibility that he wouldn’t be 100% in 2009.
Counting Milkey, we would have five OF’ers. What are the chances we will have one (or more) OF go down for a few days/weeks? If things go as normal, we will have Johnny go down for a week or two maybe longer, the others need time off as well. Having a good replacement around can’t hurt!
The thing is, Melkey may have trade value by mid summer, if so…why not hold on to him for a while. We could aways trade him for a AA/AAA bat, which would be a very good use of him.
As for Camron, I agree with a few of you above, NO tradefor him at all.