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March 01, 2008
Cashman On Gardner & Yankees "Old Farts"
Via Peter Abraham:
"Melky has to fight for what he has,'' Cashman said. "I can't stand here and tell you he's going to be our center fielder moving forward. That's up to him.''
It wouldn't be wise to get comfortable. In 24-year-old Brett Gardner and 21-year-old Austin Jackson, the Yankees have one player on the verge of being ready for the majors and another who is moving quickly in that direction.
Gardner is an unusual Yankees outfield prospect in that he's small of stature (5-foot-10, 180 pounds) and short on power (six home runs in 1,115 minor league at-bats). But that's the point, Cashman said.
"Brett Gardner is not your typical Yankee-profile type of player,'' he said.
"We're trying to break that profile to some degree because there's more to this game than hitting for power.
"We think he could be a Juan Pierre who takes a walk. Here's a guy who can steal bases; he can get on base; he plays the short game. We need athleticism like that, especially when you have a bunch of these old farts filling the roster out. Those young burst-of-energy, athletic guys really stand out on a team like ours.''
We need athleticism like that, especially when you have a bunch of these old farts filling the roster out. Those young burst-of-energy, athletic guys really stand out on a team like ours.
Great plan by Cash, truly - no kidding. However, as I wrote on February 22, 2008:
To me, then, in order to keep the youth pipeline pumping, the Yankees must keep spots clear for guys like Austin Jackson, Jose Tabata, and Brett Gardner in the outfield and for guys like Juan Miranda, Jesus Montero, and Bradley Suttle at first base.
This means you let Giambi, Damon, Abreu and Matsui go when their contracts are up. And, you pass on potential free agents like Mark Teixeira. I feel good about the Yankees doing the former - but I'm not sure they would do the latter.
It will be interesting to see how this plan worked, or not, this time next year.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at March 1, 2008 08:03 AM
Comments
I think the young talent and departure of the old farts argue to sign Tex. Having an outfield that potentially consists of Tabata, Jackson, Melky, Duncan and Gardner means you would want experience in other places in the line up. There is still hope that Monterro could be a catcher and Miranda/Duncan are not glove men by any stretch. Singing a gold glove 1B, experienced hitter would round out the team.
Especially if Monterro can stay at catcher.
Giambi, Damon, Abreu, and Matsui account for about 65 Million in payrol. Another $30 is freed mil as Pettite, Mussina and Farnsworth come off the books. You can't expect the Yanks not to spend any of that money.
Posted by: dave ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.waswatching.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at March 1, 2008 09:48 AM
"We think he could be a Juan Pierre who takes a walk."
__
I'm glad Cash made that distinction because the difference between Pierre and Gardner's ISO D is stark:
Pierre: .047
Gardner: .093
Granted, Gardner's stats were compiled exclusively in the minor leagues, but Pierre's minor league ISO was very similar to his ML stats.
Posted by: Rich at March 1, 2008 11:20 AM
Isn't Damon simply Juan Pierre, except he can take a walk and has power? Abreu as well. They may be old, but are still excellent baserunners (I think Damon was the third-best baserunner in the AL last year, if you read RLYW), which is all I can really see in Gardner's value over these so-called 'old farts'. I don't see Gardner as a major league starting player. He has zero power, and that significantly decreases his value. Just think what's better, a lineup of Juan Pierre's with on-base skills (lots of speed, little power) or a lineup of Mark Teixiera's (no speed, lots of power)? I hope Cashman doesn't fall for the 'gritty, gutsy' type of player. If Tex is available in 2009, Cashman should ask his agent 'how much'?
Posted by: Andrew at March 1, 2008 11:49 AM
I agree that Gardner is NOT MLB material. Juan Pierre might be the worst offensive OF is baseball, so a comparison is not flattering. I highly doubt he Gardner can start for the Yankees.
Hopefully, AJax and Tabata can.
Miranda HAS to hit a ton, because he is very one dimensional. I hear his D is terrible. I don't know how he runs, but he may be trade bait. I'm tired of All-offense/No-defense players.
Posted by: singledd at March 1, 2008 12:40 PM
I'm not big on Brett Gardner, but like a good jury, I'm out on him.
Simply put, with absolutely no power what so ever, and a serious inability to compile any extra base hits, he will need to have a very very high OBP.
If all your going to do is hit singles, then you had better be hitting a bunch of them all the time.
The only way Gardner is a everyday player, is if he hits and gets on base like Wade Boggs (a hall of famer) or Ichiro (a probable future hall of famer).
If you think Gardner can be the next Boggs or Ichiro, fine, then he will be a everyday guy, if he can't be them, he's no more then a 4th outfielder.
P.S. Juan Pierre sucks.
Posted by: Sonny M at March 1, 2008 01:05 PM
I see Gardner as depth or trade bait.
I think his speed can be a late inning weapon off the bench in the playoffs.
Posted by: Rich at March 1, 2008 06:39 PM