Comments on: Time To Bench Melky?

By: Brett Gardner Called-Up? : WasWatching.com

Brett Gardner Called-Up? : WasWatching.com — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 14:31:08 +0000

[...] Abraham is reporting that Gardner has been called up to the big team. I recommended this move two days [...]

By: Don

Don — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 06:59:25 +0000

Gardner has improved his OBP as he has climbed the minor league ladder. He is a player on the rise, who could be much better than most want to admit. He won’t hit a lot of HR’s, but he could be something special with his great speed and hard work.

By: jmeisner

jmeisner — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 23:29:08 +0000

Agreed, Steve. I’m kind of done with Melky as our starting center fielder. This is his third year in the league and he’s done nothing but decline, which is probably a sign that pitchers are adjusting to him and that he has no ability to adjust back to them. His .250/.320/.360 line this season is a joke. Gardner has proven that he can soundly beat minor league pitching — give him a shot at the majors.

By: Steve Lombardi

Steve Lombardi — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 21:00:55 +0000

Funny yankees76 and AndrewYF.

But, one decent prospect does not mean the farm system is robust with players who are going to carry the team in the near future.

By: AndrewYF

AndrewYF — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 20:44:06 +0000

One thing is clear, Cashman made a grave error by not signing Gary Matthews Jr or Torii Hunter.

By: yankees76

yankees76 — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 20:31:34 +0000

I think the idea, Andrew, is to call up Gardner and bench or demote Melky. Then showcase Gardner for a few games before trading him for Kenny Lofton.

By: AndrewYF

AndrewYF — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 20:16:15 +0000

B-b-b-ut Gardner is a – a – a PROSPECT! How can he succeed? You are confusing me, Steve. You think the Yankees should call up a…prospect to take over for an underperforming major league veteran? But I thought relying on your farm system was futile?

By: baileywalk

baileywalk — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 19:23:24 +0000

By the way, Gardner has been playing left in AAA, so I think the move is coming soon.

By: baileywalk

baileywalk — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 19:11:06 +0000

With Matsui DL’d, the Yankees have no excuses left not to call up Brett Gardner. He’s earned the promotion. You also don’t need to bench Melky in this scenario because Gardner has more range than Damon at this point and with Damon likely the fall apart anyway, he’s a perfect DH at the moment.

By: yankees76

yankees76 — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 19:06:16 +0000

I think the Yankees called up Christian because he’s older than Gardner, and they want to see what they’ve got, because there’s a sense that once Gardner is called up, in whatever capacity (backup or starter), he’s probably going to stick. If Melky’s going to hit .280 with 20 HRs, that’s terrific. If he’s going to hit .300 with 10 HRs, that’s terrific.

If he’s going to hit .250 with 10 HRs, that’s not going to keep him around, not at a premium position.