So we’re just a little excited about the debut of Brett Gardner. While no reasonable person thinks he’ll be the savior to the season, it’s always nice when a prospect, who is performing well, gets a promotion. And at the same time, he’s out there auditioning. We’re well aware of Melky’s poor May (.234/.270/.319) and poorer June (.212/.297/.263). Now he knows that his job is not guaranteed.
To make room for Gardner in the leadoff spot, Justin Christian was option to AAA, and Johnny Damon gets the night off. No word as I type this on the 40-man roster move, but one has to figure it’s either Wang or Hughes being moved to the 60-day DL. Update: Steward was designated. To jump off on a tangent:
Eventually, a number of players are going to have to be removed from the 60-day DL. Humberto Sanchez has started rehabbing in games, meaning he’s on a clock. Brian Bruney starts throwing in games this week or next, meaning he’ll have a limited time to be moved back to the active roster. With J.B. Cox a likely addition to the team later on this year, and with Scott Strickland pushing a promotion, they’ll have to find yet another 40-man spot. While Chad Moeller and Chris Stewart are likely casualties, the Yanks will need a few more spots. My short list:
LaTroy Hawkins
Shelley Duncan
Chase Wright
Kei Igawa
Sidney Ponson
Billy Traber
With Moeller and Stewart, that’s eight guys the Yanks could cut and I wouldn’t lose any sleep over it. Anyone else you guys would consider? I thought about adding Jeff Marquez, but I’d clearly rather keep him, and with eight guys on the list figured it was enough.
Back to Gardner, here are some interesting numbers, courtesy of our own Mike A.:
- He’s been on base 26 times in his last 10 games — 11 hits and 15 walks — with 9 stolen bases.
- His .412 OBP is second in the International League, trailing only a 35-year-old Andy Tracy by .001.
- In the 80 games he’s appeared for the SWB Yanks — including games where he entered late with a pinch hitting appearance — he has failed to reach base in five games. One of those was an 0 for 1 game as a pinch hitter. Is that freakin’ insane or what?
So, clearly, if he doesn’t go 4 for 4 with three stolen bases and an inside the park job, his debut will be a complete failure.
Your lineup:
1. Brett Gardner, LF — felt sooooo awesome to type that
2. Derek Jeter, SS
3. Bobby Abreu, RF
4. Alex Rodriguez, 3B
5. Jason Giambi, 1B
6. Jorge Posada, DH
7. Robinson Cano, 2B
8. Melky Cabrera, CF
9. Jose Molina, C
And on the mount, number thirty-five, Mike Mussina.
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