Comments on: Gardner drawing Spring Training attention

By: nyyfaninlaaland

nyyfaninlaaland — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 04:34:02 +0000

Gardner still has something to prove. His swing refinements started in AAA helped him to 2 extra base hits in over 100 AB’s in the AFL. A SLG. % of .380 - over a BA of .343! Still something to prove there.

That he has to be added to the 40 man - meaning moving someone else - for likely very limited use doesn’t make sense at present. Maybe later, but not necessary now. There are other players that might require that spot too - another backup IF, perhaps Lane, Horne, etc. Better to keep roster options open for now, make a need based, not want based decision. A Sept. callup at worst is a good possibility - and Gardner has a window in late ‘08 to show the Yanks he could fill CF if Melky could handle RF offensively in ‘09. Unfortunately for Brett a dubious proposition. And I think the speed question was handled above.

By: pete

pete — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 22:45:15 +0000

i think gardner could be a tremendously helpful bench player - kind of a better version of Bubba Crosby, but he isn’t the center fielder of the future. I absolutely think that they should give him a roster spot because developing him more would be a waste of time - at best you’d end up with an overall mediocre player or a very good 4th outfielder/pinch runner type, which he ALREADY IS. Bring him up now because his contributions to the 2008 club, which is old and lacks speed in a lot of places, could be huge. I would love to have a bench of Molina, Betemit, Duncan, and Gardner for the next 5 or more years because each player would offer a dynamic and unique skill set that, while not enough of an overall package for a starting job, could be extremely valuable in situational use.

By: dan

dan — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 18:29:01 +0000

Look at how Gardner struggled his first time through AA, and then he came back in ‘07 in AA and performed very well. He’ll do the same in AAA this season.

By: pete

pete — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 17:41:12 +0000

i agree that gardner is a good 4th OFer who has good defense, a decent arm (better than damon or matsui), good speed, etc. He’s a great guy to pinch run for giambi or matsui in late innings, or take over for Abreu in right. But, gardner is not the CF of the future, that job is Jackson’s to take. I think Melky in left, Jackson in center, and Tabata in right for about 8 years w/ gardner playing the role of prolific bench player/pinch runner, is much more like a championship caliber team.

By: Chofo

Chofo — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 17:31:24 +0000

I like Gardner as a PR-deffensive replacement. He brings another skill to the bench where Duncan-Ensberg are equal.

But the path should be:
a) send him to AAA to take at bats and develope his new swing
b) start the season with both Duncan and Ensberg on the team and see who sticks
c) Bring Gardner if someone is injured and definattly late in the season. In Postseason his speed will be vital (ala Dave Robertson).

By: Bo

Bo — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 15:28:51 +0000

Gardner is a good 4th outfielder. Hes not a starting Cf’er on a championship team.

By: steve (different one)

steve (different one) — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 14:48:25 +0000

agreed, but i am not YET convinced that Shelley Duncan is a good player. i am not sure the Yankees are convinced yet either.

Ensberg has a much greater chance of outperforming Duncan than vice versa.
he had to be added to the roster or he could have signed with the Dodgers or Rays, so they added him.

if Duncan succeeds in the majors for an extended stretch, great. trade Ensberg.

but i wouldn’t have wanted the Yankees to release Ensberg and just go with Duncan because he had a hot spring.

By: E-ROC

E-ROC — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 14:42:38 +0000

I didn’t even know Gardner was working his swing. At least he’s trying to up his slugging percentage. He’ll start in AAA and hopefully, he’ll get off to a strong start or at least improve on his numbers from last year.

By: Rob

Rob — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 14:38:20 +0000

That’s the thing though. How many games will both Duncan and Ensberg play in? They’re almost exact replicas of what they offer the team, except Duncan can play the corner OF spots. So why carry both?

By: steve (different one)

steve (different one) — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 14:37:38 +0000

the Yankees should think about optioning Shelley and trying to sign Reed Johnson.

that would give them an amazing bench.