Right now the Yankees have five guys who can play the outfield; Johnny Damon, Nick Swisher, Brett Gardner, Eric Hinske, and Cody Ransom. But only one of those players is good enough defensive to play center regularly and that's Melky Cabrera. Now, I'm not so sure I want to see Melky in center every day, but as of right now he's going to have to because those other guys are just not good enough to play center, even if it's only one or two days a week.
To me this makes the idea of calling up Austin Jackson much more reasonable than it was when the Yanks had both Gardner and Melky on the roster. I see little problems with calling him up for three weeks, playing him everyday, and then sending him back down. As Chad Jennings pointed out today, the Yanks could still send Jackson back back to Triple-A and recall him on September 1 without burning an option.
In 92 games for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre AJax is hitting .311/.375/.429 with 4 HR, 19 doubles, 5 triples, 38 RBI, and 17 stolen bases in 19 chances. But lately he's been in one of his worst slumps of the season, going .167/.244/.194 over the past two weeks. Then again, Francisco Cervelli was hitting .190 in Double-A before coming to the Bronx out of necessity, and things worked out pretty well for him.
A few months ago when people first brought up the idea of calling up Jackson, I wanted nothing to do with the idea. Giving Jackson an early call-up at that point didn't seem like the smartest move. He was new to Triple-A, and the Yanks didn't necessarily need another center fielder. I wanted them to leave him in Triple-A all year and then call him up in September and then was hoping he'd make the team out of spring training next year. But situations have come up that have change my feelings. As long as he plays almost everyday, I don't see how three weeks of AJax in the pros now would be a bad thing. If he struggles you send him back down, if he does a decent job you keep him until Garnder comes back, and if he plays great, well, that's a problem I'm sure the Yankees would love to have.
There are other options, though. Shelley Duncan and John Rodriguez are having very good years down in Scranton, but do the Yanks really need another corner outfielder? If I was running the show I'd want someone who could play center and play it well.
Ramiro Pena has been playing some games in center field since being sent down, and though I think it's pretty unlikely, he could be another option. I asked Chad Jennings how Pena has looked in the outfield so far and here was his response:
I believe I've seen him play center twice and he looks good. He's terrific side to side and looked good the one time I remember him charging a ball. Not sure about going back on flyballs. Don't remember him having to do it. His throws have been ok. Clearly still figuring out that part of it. He can certainly play the position. He's looked better than I expected.So far so good for Pena in the outfield, but I just don't think he's had enough experience yet.
Besides that, they could always make a trade, but right now I have no idea what the market looks like for centerfielders. And do the Yankees really want to trade for someone they might only need for three weeks? I don't think so.
Who do you think should replace Gardner?
15 Comments:
Austin Jackson. Simply because he has been compared to Joe D. and apparently is the future. Maybe the future is now.
Rodriguez is on the DL so it's gonna have to be Duncan or Jackson.
I like Jackson better.
Ahhh, good call Liam.
Thanks captain.
I wounder who would be DFA'd?
Wasn't Albaladejo called up after Gardner got hurt? I'm assuming if they decide to call AJax or someone else up they'll just send Johnathan back down.
Yes, Albaladejo would go back down. If not him I'm guessing it would be Robertson.
I would like to say Pena but he probably does not have enough time in the outfield under his belt. He might have had they actually played him out there every day.
As for Jackson, his slump worries me a little as does his high strikeout ratio (1 in every 3.85 at bats)
But the biggest things is that there is no way he would play every day. He still needs to refine his skills and sitting on the bench now won't help. He can come up in September and get some time.
Plus if they bring him up, his service time would begin. I don't think they will bring him up for that reason alone.
I say bring up Duncan. Melky can play most days at center and on the other days, Damon can.
Duncan brings a little added thump to the lineup.
CF, I see what you're saying, and you have a point, my only major disagreement is Damon in center. The guy can't even play left anymore, he'd be a disaster in center. Right now, the Yankees second best centerfielder is probably Swisher. And yes, I know that's pretty sad.
If Pena were even close to ready, I'd bring him up. He can hit ML pitching, can play a utility role in the IF as well, and has good speed. I am surprised he has only played a couple times. I would have thought by now he would have 10-15 games at CF under his belt.
Since Pena probably isn't ready yet, Jackson should get the call. It shows the kid his good year is being seen and appreciated, and it gives him a taste of what could possibly be his. Who knows? He may play so well the fans will clamor to keep him up when Gardner returns from injury. And then Girardi will really have a head-scratcher...
I agree with you about Damn Greg. Damon's fielding is frightening sometimes not. But Melky is young and short of an injury, should be able to play center every day. Damon would only be used as an emergency option.
If Melky were to go down, then another move would have to be made anyway.
I may be wrong but I just don't see them bringing up Jackson now and starting his time when they don't have to.
I just noticed that I called Damon "Damn". Although sometimes when the ball is hit to him, I start yelling that.
they said on YES that Duncan is not on the 40 man roster so some one would have to go to the 60 day DL (Wang maybe if they get bad nes) and Duncan then moved to the 40 man before he could come up
They shouldnt call up AJAX untill Friday, so they make sure that they are not gona trade him, because you dont want him to play well and his trade value to go down!! but if they keep him, then bring him up!!
Jackson, I think.
Mike
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