What if Jackson isn’t ready?
December 17, 2008, 7:09 pmIf a Mike Cameron trade were to occur, then it would be based upon the notion that OF prospect, Austin Jackson, will be ready for the 2010 season. However, I figured I’d ask the inevitable question: what if Jackson isn’t ready? It’s a realistic question, really, since Jackson spent the entire ‘08 season in AA ball and has only been in 1 AAA game (in 2007). His AA numbers were solid but not spectacular (.285/.354/.419). He’s 21, will be 22 next year, and he could take time to develop beyond AA. There’s no need to rush a 21-year old, just yet, and you don’t want to put pressure on him.
Now, Mike Cameron would be on the team for one season and then he’d be gone. If A-Jax isn’t ready to roam CF by then and if you traded Melky for Cameron, you’re basically left with Brett Gardner as your everyday CF. On top of that, and assuming the Yankees recognize Gardner as a 4th OF and not an everyday player, then the team would actually have NO regular outfielders (Damon, Matsui and Nady will likely leave) and will have to rebuild through the free agent market. Right now, there just doesn’t seem like there’s a long-term plan for rebuilding the OF and the plan that is currently in place puts a ton of pressure on a kid who may not even be ready by 2010.
I think the plan, as of right now, is that for 2010, Gardner and AJax will battle in ST for the starting job in CF and the loser is the 4th OFer. If AJax isn’t ready, they will cross that bridge when they get there, but they don’t want to fill CF in the meantime.
Sounds like the Cameron deal is dead anyways. And it might instead be sign Manny time, and reduce Gardner’s PT this year.
[...] idea about your 2010 OF (Swisher moves to R or LF). At least this way, instead of having ZERO guaranteed OF’s in 2010, you’ll have 1 who is affordable (Swisher) and you won’t be giving a $100 [...]