Feb
18
What’s one more outfielder between friends?
ByAs the 2009 season dawns, the Yanks have more outfielders than they need. Some combination of Hideki Matsui — who will mostly just DH — Johnny Damon, Melky Cabrera, Brett Gardner, Xavier Nady and Nick Swisher has to find its way into the lineup every day. This glut, however, hasn’t stopped Brian Giles. The Padres’ outfielder could be mid-season trade bait this year, and while Giles quashed a trade to the Red Sox last year, he told The Union-Tribune’s Tom Krasovic that he would be open to a deal to the Yanks (as well as the Red Sox and Angels) this year. The right fielder is currently facing legal troubles and is owed an additional $2 million if traded. I wouldn’t expect him on the Yanks this year. (Hat tip to MLBTR.)
Hah of course he wouldnt mind being traded to the Sox, Yanks or Angels. Three teams with deep pockets that have good chances of winning it all this season. I imagine Giles is thinking “hmmmm maybe if I can come over in a mid-season trade and help a bit to get a ring, it’ll help my HOF chances.” I don’t think we have a need for 37-38 year old outfielders….
Whizzo is open to a deal to the Yankees as well.
Just what the Yanks dont need.
A wife beater and someone who has no gumption to play on the East Coast.
You’re going to see many a player say they LOVE NY-Bos etc because they want to get paid.
He’s probably one of the 103.
well played
Well with JD already hurting going to the Sox would be the most likely choice
Yet another player who has a change of heart about playing in NY as his career winds down and his options grow more limited.
Dude, if something happens during the season, and the Yanks need an injection of OBP in a corner spot, they could do a LOT worse than bringing in Giles for half a year and a couple mil.
I’d consider it at the right price, but I’m hoping that A-Jack plays at a level that makes him the first option if a problem develops.
Giles is coming to the end of his career and he wants a chance to win which makes sense; but, it will not happen with the Yankees. As far as the much talked about Yankee outfielder “glut”, I see it as depth. There are plenty of at bats to go around for Damon, Gardner, Cabrera, Nady, Swisher and Matsui. Why is it that for other teams it is depth, flexibility and being prepared but for the Yankees it is a “glut” and a problem? If you think the Yankees have a glut, what about just a few other teams outfield situation:
Bosox: Bay, Ellsbury, Drew, Baldelli, Wilkerson, Kotsay
Rays: Gross, Joyce, Upton, Crawford, Kapler, Burrell
DetroitL Granderson, Ordonez, Guillen, Thames, Sheffield, Perez
Angels: Hunter, Guerrero, Matthews Jr., Abreu, Rivera, Willits
Nationals: Dukes, Milledge, Kearns, Dunn, Willingham, Pena, Harris, Patterson
Reds: Bruce, Dickerson, Gomes, Jones, Taveras, Ward, Hopper, Hairston
When you consider that Matsui will be primarily a DH and Swisher can play 1B and all three OF positions as well as DH, there really is no glut.
Having a glut of outfielders is not, in my opinion, a problem.
I seem to have misinterpreted you Ben. I realize RAB has stated that the Yankees don’t need to trade Nady or Swisher, it’s just that word “glut” gets my goat. It is just that to me a glut implies an excess. The Yankees don’t have an excess with three starting outfielders (Damon, Nady, and Gardner or Cabrera); a fourth outfielder (Gardner or Cabrera); and a super utility-type in Swisher. The point was that most teams strive to get depth and flexibility the team now has.
You nailed it.
With Johnny legs always seeming to get banged up every year (lately), insurance is always needed.
How will Brett and Melky play this year? Was 2008 an aberration, for Nady? The same can be said of Swishers’ year. Lastly, what about Matsui…how are his knees going to hold up (fine, I think)? We will have much better defence, that is good news.
Giles in CF? lol