This team needs to get back to what worked 1996-2001.
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They better get to work on the pitching staff then. Maybe shore up the defense a bit too.

We might have to consult Google on this one, but Steve may not have been the first to call for Gardner to be on the big-league team… two days ago. Um, just a guess.

Ellsbury as of now has an OPS+ of 94. The HoF must wait.

Gardner has improved his OBP as he has risen through the minors. He struggles early on in a new league, so it will not surprise if he struggles early on in ML ball.

This team needs to get back to what worked 1996-2001. Gardner might be part of that. Just play him, give him Melky time, that is as much a shot as Melky.

Only two days ago? I’ve been thinking it for about a month now, mostly because of the boxscores posted at RAB.

“Didn’t the Twins want Melky as a part of any deal for Santana?”

that was moreso primarily because with Huinter gone, they needed someone in return who could play the position than they viewed him that highly (but i could be wrong).

from what was reported, seemed like the Twins either wanted Phil Hughes, or who have taken Wang and IPK… all the other moving parts to potential trades were secondary.

~~does Melky get moved in the offseason?~~

Dunno. He adds a lot of value as a 4th OF – plus, he’s cheap.

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The thing is that some teams value cheapness to the point that he’s a starter, and valued accordingly. Didn’t the Twins want Melky as a part of any deal for Santana?

yeah, i think people need to relax with the Gardner/Ellsbury comparisons.

just let him go out and play games, and play within his own game. he’s done a pretty good job of it so far.

~~does Melky get moved in the offseason?~~

Dunno. He adds a lot of value as a 4th OF – plus, he’s cheap.

“Especially if Girardi bats him lead-off just because he’s speedy.”

i dont think he’ll bat abywhere but the 9 hole, myself. he’s perfect for the role, because he can either get himself on base and in scoring position for the bats at the top, or bunt/move runners into scoring position for Damon, Jeter, Abre, and company.

For the record, what I was saying about Gardner and Ellsbury – last November:

http://tinyurl.com/5b5l8a