At River Ave Blues, one of the guys points to this Maury Brown article: http://sportsbusinessjournal.com/article/61475.

Bud Selig is making more than $18 million. He would fit right in with the Yankees top guns.

Don’t be so quick to doubt Melky Cabrera. Brett Gardner has yet to prove himself in the majors. Below are some stats that show Melky just might have the edge on Gardner.

In late and close games (plate appearances in the 7th inning or later with the batting team tied, ahead by one, or the tying run at least on deck) Cabrera has put up in his short career, a .296 avg in the clutch. For all those people who have said the Yankees should give up on him maybe they should rethink that considering his avg in late & close games is 28 points higher than his career avg, you can throw in his obp of .375 too which is 46 points higher than his career obp. I’ve always liked Melky, so I hope the coaches, management and the fans don’t give up on him. These stats show that he comes through when the game is on the line. Unfortunately Gardner doesn’t have enough games played to compare his stats to Cabrera’s. In addition these numbers by Melky trump those of any Red Sox player except MVP Dustin Pedroia (source).

well its not like we had anyone to be the 4th OF anyway

Two schools of thought on this…

1. This means Melky, if not traded, is a lock to make the O.D. roster – because someone would grab him at that time, most likely.

2. But, if he stinks this season, and it’s May or June, you might be able to sneak him thru and send him down – because no one is going to want him at $1.4 mill if he stinks.

I presume that he will have every opportunity to win the CF job, lest he get lost to waivers.
———-
They could also re-examine the trade market for him during spring training. Some other team may suddenly have a need for a CF.
—-

They can also re-examine if they have enough people walking around the new stadium selling hot dogs. Melky can throw them up to where other vendors can’t, and he won’t ground into nearly as many double plays or kill nearly as many rallies as he normally does.

I presume that he will have every opportunity to win the CF job, lest he get lost to waivers.
———-
They could also re-examine the trade market for him during spring training. Some other team may suddenly have a need for a CF.

A hat tip to BB;

It appears that Melky is out of options. I presume that he will have every opportunity to win the CF job, lest he get lost to waivers.