Hey Melky - "That Just Happened"

Joe Girardi named Brett Gardner his starting CF. Thank God. I don't know what is more shocking - Melky Cabrera's shock when it was announced or my shock that Melky was shocked. I know he needs an interpreter for his interviews, but are you telling me there are no blogs or sports internet in Spanish? To quote Ricky Bobby in Talledega Nights, "That just happened." Brett Gardner came into spring training with a mission and was believed to be the odds on favorite to win the job.

I believe we have seen the full potential of Melky. Average speed, average power, average hitter, plus fielder. What this equals is a spot on the bench as a fourth/fifth OF. Sadly, it seems like he has regressed in his short career. He seemed like a much more patient hitter as a rookie. Even if he wasn't taking walks, he would work the count to his advantage. Last year, he looked lost. And he has no clue batting right handed. And obviously, no clue if he thought he had a chance to win the CF job.

Gardner, on the other hand, is not the second coming of Joe DiMaggio, The Mick, or even Bobby Murcer. But he gives the Yankees a much needed element they have lacked for years, speed. He has shown in his minor league career that he'll take a walk or lay down a bunt for a hit. He will not hit 10 Hrs. Hell, he may not hit 5. He will, however, steal 35 - 50 bases, assuming he sticks with the team the whole season and doesn't ride the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre shuttle. Girardi should give him the green light for the season. And if he's batting last, he'll need to steal bases to keep Jeter from being near the league leaders in double plays again.

I hope Girardi actually gives Gardner a chance, too. I don't want to see Gardner banished if he starts the first 2 weeks of the season hitting .150. What really disturbs me about the majors, in particular, the Yankees under the Joe Torre regime, is when teams stay with the veteran, even though he's hitting .237 and providing minimum production. If you're going to have someone routinely give you 3-4 outs a night, why not bring up a kid from the minors? Maybe you'll get lucky and the kid outperforms the veteran. I'm sure he can produce the same .237 average, but at least he's gaining some valuable major league experience. My guess is it all comes down to money. The veteran is making millions and teams are trying to minimize the young player's arbitration years.