Brett Gardner March 20, 2008
Posted by Pablo Zevallos in 2008 Spring Training, Brett Gardner.trackback
Brett Gardner’s been tearing it up in Spring Training, spraying doubles and triples everywhere, stealing bases, legging out bunts, and doing everything the Yankees have asked of him. He is a dynamic player the Yankees haven’t had in a while (I can’t remember how long, in fact!). He has shown good defense in centerfield was well, and, overall, has impressed this spring.
All of the top prospects from the lower to mid levels (Jesus Montero, Austin Jackson, Jose Tabata, Alan Horne, Juan Miranda, etc.) have been sent to minor league camp. Now, Brett Gardner isn’t a top prospect (no matter what BA thinks of him), but, in retrospect, he isn’t quite the #25 guy on the top 30 as I put him in November. Also, he hasn’t been moved or optioned, either. It seems as if the Yankees are giving this kid a shot to make this team, though I just don’t see where that would be.
I would love to move Johnny Damon. All the stuff he does for the troops is nice, but he’s in the same shape to start Spring Training as he was last year. He’s batting .242/.286/.394, subpar numbers. Gardner has been given as many at-bats as A-Rod, and more than Hideki Matsui and Jason Giambi. He’s hitting .393/.469/.536, which is highly impressive. While he won’t do that in the regular season, he can certainly do better than Damon’s line, which is how I project him to start the year (again). His contract was mentioned in trade discussions in passing this winter with Atlanta and San Francisco, but nothing materialized. He’s 33 and won’t be getting younger or better. He’s taking away a spot from a younger and superior player than Damon is at this point. As GM Brian Cashman said, Gardner is Juan Pierre who can take a walk. He would give us a true leadoff man, and an entertainment on the basepaths and in the field. This man should make the team, but needs to play every day, and that can only happen in AAA. Anyone want Damon?
I love Brett Gardner, is just the type of player we need. But Johnny been hitting very well this year, so we can expect a good year from Johnny Damon. I never understood why we got Abreu back. I mean we already had Matsui, Cabrera and Damon, and then there was Gardner and Ajax on the way, so I didn’t liked that signing.
We should use him as a fourth outfielder in the late innings, when we need defense, Abreu is being so bad at RF lately. He can come as a Pinch Runner or Pinch Hitter and stay playing defense. He’s a player that can come from the bench to take a walk and steal a base. Is just they type of player the Yankees need right now.