Oh No You Didn’t
July 1, 2008, 3:24 pmPeter Abraham just did the unthinkable. He questioned Melky Cabrera’s status as a starting center fielder. Melky Cabrera is a fan favorite, but our stubborn Yankee loyalties have to be called into question on this one. Now, I’m a huge Melky fan and love seeing him play everyday, however, we need to face the facts about our favorite Melk Man. Here are some key points made by PA:
He is at .223/.284/.290 since May 1 with two homers, 20 RBI and 12 runs scored over 213 plate appearances. 12 runs scored in 53 games? That is tough to do.
June (.206/.289/.255) was even worse and for the season he’s hitting .222 with runners in scoring position.
Yet Cabrera has played in 81 games and is a lineup constant, even against left-handers despite his atrocious performance (.198/.289/.255) as a right-handed hitter.
The solution? I think the Yankees HAVE to try and play Gardner. His OBP alone gives him more value and his ability to run is also something the Yankees can use at the bottom of the order, especially with Johnny Damon’s current output (he can nab a few more RBI’s). The only reason I can see the Yankees playing Melky even after his terrible performance could be that they’re hoping he gets hot so that they can trade him (Gardner will likely stick around). However, Melky’s value has been declining ever since his torrid start, so, using him in a trade for an ace (no Sabathia) is likely out of the question (Seattle is pretty bad though, maybe they could use him).
Ken Rosenthal does offer up a trade scenario with Melky going to the Arizona Diamondbacks (they need a left-handed hitter in the OF), although he doesn’t speculate as to who the Yankees would acquire in return (probably not Micah Owings). We have to figure that Melky is nearing the finish line, whether it’s with the Yankees or in the majors (demotion?). Sometimes, these things just don’t work out and right now, no matter how much we all like the guy, that’s how it looks for Melky Cabrera.
At this point I think it is still a toss up on how Melky will be in the long run, but since we have Gardner who is playing amazingly, we have to give him the shot to compete.
I think Melky is a fan favorite, for one reason. He can actually THROW the ball. (Why can’t outfielders throw anymore?!?!?)
I just watched Garder try to throw a guy out at second, from the left corner, and he bounced it 6 or 7 times. With Abreu and Damon, we need one decent arm in the outfield and Gardner isn’t it. If Melky isn’t out there then we will see teams taking extra bases like they did with Damon in center. His speed and offense will not stop teams from running on his weak arm.
Melky is a problem, but not THE problem.(as I write this he just killed the ninth inning..with a double play..) Cano has been horrid, Abreu and Damon up and down and Matsui is out.
^the yankees did well with bernie williams all those years, despite his poor arm though. i mean, having a strong arm isn’t the reason to keep someone around if they can’t hit regularly. abreu can throw (somewhat) and damon can’t, but gardner’s arm should be good enough and his bat should probably make up for the loss of melky’s arm.
I think Cashman wants him to play every day to try and showcase some sort of life out of him. If he goes on a 2 week tear then he can build up trade value…if he’s benched or demoted then there is no trade value whatsoever.
Also, it may be a good time to send him to the minors….he’s 23 he may need a refresher course down there. Duncan just got hurt so they have a spot for him on the AAA line up.
if gardner goes on a 2-week tear, would the yankees want to keep him around? melky hasn’t hit anything lately, so a 2-week tear would work for the yankees.