The Yankees have a hole in center field, and according to reports they’re still interested in filling it with Milwaukee Brewers’ center fielder, Mike Cameron.
After having the trade fall through on numerous occasions because of salary issues, the reluctance on the Brewers part to take Japanese flop Kei Igawa, and overall spite from the Brewers toward the Yankees,(they did steal CC Sabathia from them) the Bombers are once again trying to get a deal done offering Nick Swisher.
Quite Frankly, I don’t want Mike Cameron anywhere near the New Yankee Stadium. Yes, he hit 25 home runs, and plays good defense, but he also hit a meager .243, and struck out more than a 140 times.
It would be a mistake to add Mike Cameron to this line-up.
The Yankees have better options to fill the position internally. Brett Gardner is one of the most impressive defensive outfielders in recent Yankee history. The man can literally fly. His willingness to sacrifice his body on top of being one of the fastest men in baseball equates to daily highlight reel catches. Yes, Cameron is a former gold-glove winner, but at these stages of their careers, Gardner has proven to be the superior outfielder.
Gardner is also superior on offense. Yes, Cameron hit 25 homeruns, but Gardner’s game is built on what the Yankees need in their line-up. His average is expected to be around the .250-260 mark, but could possibly break out this year after being up-and-down the Yankees system last year. He has shown the ability in the minor leagues, but a .250 average from him at this point in his career is expectable considering all the intangibles he brings to the team.
He’s a dynamo on the base paths, and creates better opportunities for players hitting behind him. With his explosive speed, and base-stealing instincts, it is very possible he could put together 50 stolen bases in a complete season. Being the everyday centerfielder also speeds up his development to be a possible replacement for the aging Johnny Damon.
He’s an average hitter, but since when do you need .300 hitters on every position to win? The Yankee Dynasty of the late 90s didn’t have great hitters at every position, but they had great situational hitters. Scott Brosius, one of the most clutch hitters on those Yankee teams was only a .257 hitter for his career.
In his short career, Gardner has shown that same propensity, having picked up big-hits for the Yankees in his limited time last year. He has shown the ability to play in New York, bringing high effort, intensity, and a desire to win.
Some critics bring up the fact that centerfield for the Yankees has always been a premium position, and needs a bigger name than the humble Brett Gardner. Yes, Yankee teams in the past have had great offensive centerfielders, but how many of those teams had a 3rd basemen that hit 50 homeruns. It’s not about what position is producing what. It’s about that production coming together as a whole to create a potent line-up.
Brett Gardner is the dynamic presence the Yankees have desperately needed in their line-up for years. They tried on numerous times to acquire a player with his skill-set bringing in aging veterans Johnny Damon, and Kenny Lofton. Not to mention they were defeated in similar fashion in the 2004 ALCS. We all remember how Dave Roberts gave the Red Sox the edge they needed to make that historical comeback.
He is exactly what New York needs. Yankee fans and management have first-hand experience. How well have the last 8 years gone for them despite having great, all-star caliber players at every position. Sometimes we dwell to deeply in stats, Alex-Rodriguez being a prime example.
It’s not stats, but situational hitting, intangibles, and heart that wins games.
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