Early Returns on Some Former Yankees

This was a fairly popular series last season, generating a great deal of discussion and a few e-mails along the way. Here's hoping that this year's incarnation will be even more successful. As always, leave a comment if you would like to see any particular players added.

Position Players
Lance Berkman - .398/.456/.753, 8 HR, 220 wRC+ (101 PA)

Wow. I was a fan of the Cardinals picking up Berkman, if only because I felt he deserved a shot (and there are certainly less capable corner outfielders out there) ... but I don't think anyone saw this sort of brilliance coming, even in a month's worth of at-bats.

Austin Jackson - .194/.269/.269, 1 HR, 50 wRC+ (122 PA)

The BABIP Gods have struck back with a vengeance this year - though striking out in nearly 35% of one's plate appearances isn't likely to strike fear into a pitcher, especially when your power is average at the very best.

Austin Kearns - .139/.244/.194, 0 HR, 29 wRC+ (41 PA)

Eh. He's done nothing of note thus far, but he's a fourth outfielder.

Juan Miranda - .214/.340/.357, 1 HR, 92 wRC+ (51 PA)

He's shown a bit of power and some nice plate discipline for the Diamondbacks. I often wondered how he'd perform with more of an opportunity, particularly in lefty-friendly Yankee Stadium ... but I can't blame Cashman for swapping him out for super-sleeper prospect Scottie Allen.

Jose Tabata - .242/.333/.384, 3 HR, 110 wRC+ (115 PA)

What could have been. He's also stolen nine bases in ten attempts, and has performed quite well in the outfield thus far.

Marcus Thames - .194/.242/.452, 2 HR, 86 wRC+ (33 PA)

The power's still there, that's for sure.

Pitchers
Alfredo Aceves - 8.0 IP, 5 H, 2 BB, 5 K, 2.25 ERA, 5.73 FIP

We all knew that Aceves could do quite well if healthy - it's a shame to see him doing so for the Red Sox, but I'm glad to see him back on the mound.

Michael Dunn - 9.2 IP, 3 H, 7 BB, 14 K, 0.00 ERA, 2.25 FIP

The forgotten man in the Javier Vazquez deal, Dunn is another prospect that I wish had received some semblance of a shot. His control can be nonexistent at times ... but he's light's out against lefties, and his stuff is top-notch.

Sergio Mitre - 10.0 IP, 7 H, 3 BB, 4 K, 2.70 ERA, 4.38 FIP

Some regression is due, but Mitre was unfairly maligned during his time with the Yankees. He'll never be more than a league-average arm that can pick up some low to medium leverage innings, but there's some value in that.

Dustin Moseley - 38.2 IP, 31 H, 9 BB, 16 K, 1.63 ERA, 3.52 FIP

The wonders of Petco never cease to amaze - though, the Mitre comment could appear here, as well.

Javier Vazquez - 25.1 IP, 27 H, 19 BB, 14 K, 6.39 ERA, 6.18 FIP

It looks like Javy is toast ... and I'm sure many Yankees fans take a great deal of pleasure in that. Thanks for the sandwich round pick, buddy!

Kerry Wood - 9.1 IP, 7 H, 4 BB, 9 K, 1.93 ERA, 4.05 FIP

I do wish the Yankees had retained Wood, and I feel like he would have been much more valuable than Soriano - and I base that on how I feel both will perform, relative to their contracts (and no, I'm not basing it on Soriano's early struggles). I can't fault him for wanting to return to Chicago, though.