As far as fielding…this year I have witnessed the worst outfielding throughout the major leagues. Elsbury may not be great, but he’s better than most.

Let’s hope they can get past these problems and win it all. Other teams have problems too.

JMO

This is a very good team that WILL NOT win it all.

They will be exposed by the following:

1. Robinson Cano – Someone (Girardi? Jeter?) needs to put a foot up his ass. His lack of hustle will cost the Yankees in a playoff game. He tries so hard to look cool, but it just looks lazy. His inability to hit with men on is glaring. I’d rather have a .275 hitter who runs and hustles.

2. Jorge Posada – When Cashman signed him to a four year deal, I nearly fell off the chair. NO PITCHER wants him as their catcher. You can go way back to Randy Johnson. He’s a terrible game caller, a sub-par defensive catcher, he has a crappy attitude…and his bat has slowed down considerably. He may the the worst base-runner in the game…and that includes pitchers. He will cost the Yankees one to two games in the playoffs.

3. The Outfielders – I LOVE Johnny Damon. But let’s face it. When balls are hit out there, it’s an adventure. Swisher gets to everything…he just doesn’t know what to do with the ball once he does. And Melky needs to decide whether he actually wants to be the centerfielder…or just Cano’s caddy. I know Gardner can’t hit, but he won’t hurt the Yankees in the field. I’d rather have him in center…with instructions to catch ANYTHING he can…including stealing balls right out of Johnny’s and Nick’s glove. The Yankees are in DIRE need of an outfield coach.

Like I said, this is a very good team. But they will lose in the playoffs if they play the Angels. If by some miracle they make it to the World Series, they will lose to the Phillies or the Cardinals. The Angels, Cards and Phillies know how to play ALL the facets of the game.

The thing that still irks me is Pete Abe and Tyler Kepner – two guys who I actually thought were brighter than most of the guys covering MLB – both thought Gardy would be a big loss to the Yanks – a team with Jeter, Damon, Tex, A-rod at the top of the lineup and a better overall hitter in Melky who plays CF about as well.

Gardy is\was the Yanks 5th ofer – if Hairston could play average CF (which I don’t think he can) he’s a far superior hitter than GGBG – the Yanks did pay a “ton” for him though – Chase Weems .

Pet peeve of mine since Pete Abe compared Gardy’s struggles to Dustin Pedroia (rather than making a better comparison – Jason Tyner – who in his first 4 minor league seasons had a better ba but didn’t walk as much and hit for a bit less “power” than GGBG).

Rant over, thanks for the free therapy.

Gardner is a lesser player than Ells – that’s why I really dislike him.

Thats not saying Gardy doesn’t have a role as a spot stater and late inning pinch runner – which is when I believe speed is truly important.

Melk definitely needs a break and some competition (probably) – Yanks have gotten alot out of platooning them – and with a dearth of cfers available not named Mike Cameron, it was a good move by Cashman keeping both guys and by Girardi in using them.