The Return Of Miggy Cairo

From Newsday:

The Yankees expect to sign utility infielder Miguel Cairo to a one-year deal this week, according to a person familiar with the negotiations. Cairo, who was the Yankees’ starting second baseman in 2004, probably could receive more playing time with another team, but he prefers to return to the Yankees after a year with the Mets.

In his career, Cairo has played every position except catcher and centerfield. And, if push came to shove, I bet he could play those two slots as well at some point in a game, if needed.

Plus, he’s not a bad baserunner. Over the last two years combined, he’s a 80% stealer. Of all guys with at least 20 swipes over the last two years, only 26 in all of baseball had a better rate. (For what it’s worth, Ichiro, Figgins, and Podsednik were all under 80% over this time.)

Granted, Cairo does not come with a great stick. But, if he bats more than 150 times in 2006, then the Yankees will have a bigger problem than Miggy’s weak bat.

If the only other option is Felix Escalona, then I’m OK with bringing Cairo back for another tour in the Bronx.

December 27, 2005 | Filed Under Trap Door Items

Comments

4 Responses to “The Return Of Miggy Cairo”

DownFromNJ on December 28th, 2005 1:19 am

Cairo’s bat shouldn’t be a problem unless he is called upon to start more than a few games. I did some analysis over at Athletics Nation a few weeks back about how on a 5 man bench you can afford to have a Cairo-like superutility player who can run and play defense but can’t hit, because if used right he’ll almost never see an at bat unless he starts.
DaveD on December 28th, 2005 9:15 am

I know Cairo is not a good fit from a sabr point of view but sometimes you just have to have guys you can root for and this is the perfect example, he is not a starter and thus shouldn’t technically have too big of an impact.
Carla Levy on December 28th, 2005 10:44 am

This is good. I like Cairo and was bummed when the Yankees let him go in the first place.
hopbitters on December 28th, 2005 12:57 pm

I can jump on that bandwagon.