From Steve Goldman:
Melky putters on. His season will culminate in something of a draw. He’s not the abject failure that he was last year, when he had to be sent back to the Minor Leagues, but he still hasn’t established himself as more than a placeholder starter. He’s hitting .273/.335/.415 right now. The average centerfielder is hitting .267/.335/.415. Cabrera isn’t hurting the Yankees, but he’s not a major asset. Now that he is 25, it seems clear that any growth he might experience is going to be incremental rather than exponential, if it happens at all. Cabrera’s swing generates too many ground balls for him to add much in the way of real power outside of Yankee Stadium II, where he has hit eight of his 12 home runs…..
They can’t make Austin Jackson into more than what he is, which is a guy who, whatever his other qualities, hit only four home runs this season. They also can’t make Gardner more than what he is, which is probably better than Cabrera but only fractionally. Perhaps the one thing they can do is prioritize center field in the offseason.
I like Melky, but it is becoming clear to me that Gardner is probably the more valuable player to the Yankees and should get the bulk of the playing time. That being said, the two have combined to produce above average results this year, and I see no reason that the Yankees could not continue to use them in a similar fashion in 2010. There is no reason to go out and make a deal (Goldman suggests Cody Ross) or sign a player when you are getting average-to above average results from your number 9 hitter. As devil_fingers of Driveline Mechanics notes:
But why should the Yankees trade talent for a guy who, if he’s better, is himself “fractionally” better than the alternatives (at best), older, and, yes, getting more expensive?
[snip]
Finally, given that they have a massive holes opening up in left field and at DH with the free agency of the declining Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui (not to mention their relatively shaky pitching), it seems to me that the Yankees considerable organizational resources would be better spent elsewhere, say, on Matt Holliday (easily the best free agent outfielder this season — far superior to Jason Bay, but that’s another post) for LF. If they must trade, make it for Adam Dunn as DH (although I’d suggest trying to sign Jim Thome or especially Russell Branyan for that position — Branyan in particular can actually play the field a bit and will be cheaper).These are much bigger issues than being “stuck ” with a player who is “only” average or above-average at center field, a problem that wouldn’t be solved by trading for an older player who isn’t any better.
The Yankees need to stick with what they have in CF. It is alright to have a position manned by non-All Stars, especially when the players filling that slot are providing above average production. There is absolutely no reason to bring in a new center fielder in 2010.
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18 Responses to Melky and Gardner in 2010
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TIQ IQ
Melky is a 3 million plus tax player next season and Gardner under a half million plus tax. I would rather spend that money elsewhere. Melky is an inconsistent ballplayer and will always be one here in NY. Maybe he can grow into his potential somewhere else but imo it’s doubtful.
Melky has been worth 6.5 million this year according to Fangraphs, Gardner 9.7 million. They are above average and cost effective. It makes no sense to upgrade.
I’m with MO you don’t get rid of a good player because they aren’t a star Or ship one out just because you don’t happen to like the guy (Melky)… Since when does every position need to be maned by an all star anyway, don’t a bunch of people already complain the Yankees are becoming an all star team on this site?
Also why get rid of Melky when Gardner could be injured and we not have anyone to play CF for a while especially if Jackson isn’t ready yet…
Moshe I am not getting rid of Gardner. I am ridding the team of Melky who does not bring much value off bench imo. I would rather have Hairston!
Mo said “Melky has been worth 6.5 million this year according to Fangraphs” So no matter what you think he has been very valuable to the team, Melky won’t be coming off the bench so much as splitting starts and also starting in LF and RF at times. I would also say that his arm and ability to hit the ball for HRs at times makes him more apt to stay on the team over Hairston, Pena is basically Hairston so we have that role filled next year and Melky is the other CFer like Brett has been this year.
More delusional BS from you! Melky is not a regular imo and your profound statement isn’t changing my mind!
There is nothing to discuss when it comes to who should start in CF! It is GARDNER hands down! Remember what Mo said lol!
I never said Melky was a regular did I? No in fact I said Gardner should and will start and Melky will share starts and back up CF… Try reading… or not being 12…
I imagine next year will be a lot like this year except reversed, and by that I mean Melky got a bulk of the playing time this year and next year I think it will be split more 60/40 with Gardner getting the majority of the time. Gardner is more valuable defensively and when he can hit and get on base he has a lot of value there too, unlike some people though I do find Melky useful and he has contributed to this team in many ways and his bat is only going to get better at this point. I really see no reason to trade for a CFer and I would only trade Melky as a part of a much bigger deal and anyway at some point next year Austin Jackson is going to come up and he is going to get some playing time and then at that point the Yankees can be in a position to pick and choose if and when they trade one of the 3 and make sure it’s the right move and not just trading one to trade one.
I really doubt Steve Goldman’s impartiality because he obviously doesn’t like Melky or Austin Jackson… He only hit 4 HRs this year but what is he trying to say “you can’t make him more than what he is”…? You have no idea what he is because he hasn’t played at the major league level and he is developing his hitting skills still and he has shown developing power in his bat, and it’s not like players don’t develop power last of everything… or has he never heard of Curtis Granderson?
Melky’s swing generates a lot of ground balls because he tends to pull off on everything and he tries to generate lift on the ball with his swing and he ends up topping off balls and hitting them on the ground, I think a simple adjustment in his swinging mechanics will fix this and if Kevin Long works in the Dominican again with Robby like last year I heard Melky was going to go along and work with them on his swing which could really pay off next year.
“I think a simple adjustment in his swinging mechanics will fix this and if Kevin Long works in the Dominican again with Robby like last year I heard Melky was going to go along and work with them on his swing which could really pay off next year.”
Lmao genus at work again! Melky is what he is and that is not consistent!
OK do you even watch baseball? He pulls up trying to create lift and hit more HRs, it’s not as simple as “he is inconsistent” I actually know what I am talking about and I’m not 16 like you. Watch his mechanics, when he goes through slumps he is pulling up on the ball trying to force into the air so he tops off on the low pitch and grounds out a lot. This is as simple to fix as any swinging flaw you just have to get it in his head he needs to try for singles, when he does that you see his swing flatten out more and it comes through the zone a lot more evenly and he gets the lift he was trying to get by pulling up. Don’t believe me I don’t care you are too young for me to worry about but it is mechanical and you can fix it.
Basically if your too thick to figure out what that means he is inconsistent because of his mechanical flaw when he stays even through the zone he doesn’t slump, when he pulls up trying to create lift he does. AKA inconsistent because… He just didn’t decide to be inconsistent it’s not that simple, slumps come from mechanical or mental flaws 9/10.
LMFAO!!! Holy Crap Batman!
“Basically if your too thick to figure out what that means he is inconsistent because of his mechanical flaw when he stays even through the zone he doesn’t slump, when he pulls up trying to create lift he does. AKA inconsistent because”
Dude Melky has 2123 professional plate appearances an only you can see a mechanical flaw? GET OVER YOUSELF!!!
I don’t argue with 12 year olds I gave my reasoning and my logic and you can do what you want with it but you are as childish as my cousin… grow up…
Again if you would read it’s not something that has anything to do with how many career at bats you have, Alex Rodriguez messes up his mechanics when he feels pressure and is trying to hard for HRs and he pulls everything, same thing happens to Cano from time to time when he is trying to pull everything out of the yard.
It’s not an every time mechanical flaw dude it’s a hitch he get when he is trying to hard for HRs and every player goes through something like that at some point in the season and if you don’t know that you should watch baseball a little more. Difference is they fix there swings easier because they have better swings to begin with.
And by saying “GET OVER YOUSELF” you really show you age… Just watch when he tops off balls and you will see him pulling up trying to create lift for a HR, when he is getting hits and having a good hot streak watch how his bat is a lot smoother through the zone and doesn’t have as much of an abrupt pull upwards to it. Or don’t I really don’t care either you want to be enlightened or not, anyone here can watch his swing and tell you the same thing.
Is he serious that he wants to trade for Russell Branyan??? The guy has never met a pitch he wouldn’t swing at… Does this guy even know who the Yankees are? Branyan doesn’t fit in with the Yankees at all, first he is older, hits for HRs but that’s it and strikes out a lot with out walking enough to make up for it! He actually wants the team to sign Thome? a pure DH who is “allergic to leather” and takes away the DH spot from guys like Alex, Jeter, Posada and Damon/Matsui since I am almost positive that one will be back.
So we are going to lose to the Angels for sure if Burnett struggles at all! Hairston is starting at 3rd, Shelley is in RF and Jose is at C so we have 3 bench players starting against Kazmir, Girardi must be making sure he doesn’t have to rest anyone during the Boston series… shows how important he think the Sox series still is!
I agree. 9 hole hitters do not need to be all stars. BG plays a great CF so I think he adds a lot to the team.
Spend the money on pitching.