This from Pete Abe, here.
BREAKING NEWS UPDATE, 12:55 p.m.: Nothing official yet, but the word is that Xavier Nady will need surgery and miss the season.
UPDATE, 1:47 p.m.: We just spoke to Nady. He didn’t want to say too much until he sees the team doctor in NYC tomorrow. But he indicated that the MRI showed a tear and surgery will be needed.
Ugh… what do you guys think this means for the Yankees outfield? What are the ramifications? Doesn’t Cashman look like a genius for not trading Swisher?
Here are the big options I can think of. Pick the one you like best, or come up with one of your own:
- Yankees stay the course: Move Swisher into right, and plunk Melky into the 4th outfielder role, DH Matsui on most days (Posada on the others) and bring up a random depth bat (Miranda, Shelley, Berroa or a 3rd catcher) or even an extra pitcher (long man: Aceves or Tomko, short: Melancon or Robertson). They should be fine this way. Yes, Melky obviously doesn’t hit like Nady, but he’s a perfect 4th OF who can legitimately play all 3 spots. The only big question is if Matsui can still hit and if he and Damon can stay healthy playing every day.
- Pick up a free agent bat: There are several of these still out there, surprisingly enough. See Moshe’s article, here, for the list. Mike Lamb, Wily Mo Pena, Geoff Jenkins, and Jim Edmonds are all guys who could potentially come close to replicating Nady’s production.
- Bring up Ajax, who is currently destroying AAA pitching: Yes, he’s going .480, .548, .560 so far, but it’s very early, and I want this kid playing every day. Eventually, he’ll run into a snag at AAA and have to make those important adjustments. I’d love to see him get a full, comfortable year in AAA, even if he’s mashing. It’s good for his confidence and his development.
Update, 3pm: RAB reports that both Russo and Ajax have been yanked from their AAA game, though Ajax was hit by a pitch earlier in the game.
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8 Responses to Breaking News: Nady Out for Season?
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TIQ IQ
We can only hope Swish has a bounce back year and keeps up his high level of play and that Melky gets his act together and serves as a decent 4th outfielder. They will prob bring up Duncan who can play first and the outfield but I hope he has learned to hit a breaking ball in the last two weeks.
Yeah, Pedro Cerrano, I mean Shelly Duncan, makes sense, though it would be cool to see an extra reliever. Joe was great last year during the roster expansion when he had all those extra arms to choose from.
Yama, Yama, Yama,…he better be praying to Jabu. A long relief guy could help especially now that we lose Swish out of the pen as well. Coke is not a long relief guy he is good for two innings tops and then he gets hit, thats what I am seeing so far but it is early. We need a mop up guy we saw that the other night.
I think we need to bring up someone who can play first. If Swisher is the regular RFer, and Tex’s injury at all serious, then we are on thin ice here.
I’m thinking Juan Miranda, really. It just seems to make the most sense. Swisher’s versatility is limited now that he HAS to be the starting RF, so Miranda as a backup 1B makes sense. at his age, he really has no development left to be had.
AJax, on the other hand, I’d keep in the minors. stay the course with the kid….
Miranda is murdering AAA so far: .655 slugging, 2hr/11rbi (all while wearing that ridiculous fruit hat – amazing)
I’m in the minority-I like bringing up young hitters and giving them ABs. I think they should bring up Jax and give him some ABs at all 3 OF spots.
Rotate the rest of the guys in and out of the line-up and at 1B.
I feel like it’s too much to ask of him to have to figure out big league pitching for the first time AND have to concentrate on playing 3 different positions. I’d rather bring him up in a stable situation where he can get consistent ABs at one spot in the field.