Trying To Sort Out the Left Field Situation for the Yankees in 2010

We are over two months into the winter offseason of baseball.

Next month, pitchers and catchers will start to report for teams.

And there are still quite a few free agents on the market.

For the Yankees, they still have an open position on their roster that needs to be filled in left field.

Last year, the left fielder was Johnny Damon. The Yankees and Damon tried once to negotiate, but were far apart in negotiations and a reunion doesn't seem likely right now unless the two sides come to some sort of an agreement.

But let's say Brian Cashman decides to pass on Damon, a move that could be seen as very unpopular since Damon is very well-liked in the Bronx.

What's Cashman's backup plan for the position?

Now, some have felt that Brett Gardner could be moved into the position. Let's get this straight, Gardner is not a starting corner outfielder. If he was going to start, it could have been in center field, but the Yankees have Curtis Granderson for center field, and they aren't moving him to left.

Gardner doesn't hit enough to play a corner spot. His role as the fourth outfielder who usually comes in for speed, defense, and stealing bases is a great one and versatile one. And he belongs right there. If you start Gardner now, you'll expose his weakness in hitting. Not a good move.

There have been other names thrown around for the spot, most of them low-key.

One of them was a Yankee last season, Jerry Hairston, Jr., who was used as a super utility player in 2009, playing in the infield and outfield. If Hairston is brought back, most feel  he would be the backup infielder to give Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez days off instead of being an outfielder.

Another former Yankee, Xavier Nady, has also been mentioned as a possible hire. In 2008, Nady was the starting left fielder and played very well with the Yankees. In 2009, Nady was moved to be the right fielder, but had his season end quickly due to an elbow injury, which required surgery. Nady, if healthy, could be a great option and probably wouldn't cost as much.

But his health is the key, especially the elbow. If Nady can't throw from the outfield, then bringing him back isn't the best option.

There are three other names being thrown around and discussed for the outfield spot.

The first one started out in the Yankees' farm system and played his rookie year with the Yankees before being traded away and has spent most of his career with the Tigers—Marcus Thames.

Thames made his mark in his first career at bat with a home run off Randy Johnson in the old Yankee Stadium and has some power in his bat. In 2009, Thames hit 13 home runs and 36 RBI in 87 games with Detroit last year and played left field, first base, and DH. Thames will be 33, and at times, needs to play DH to get into a lineup, a spot that's currently occupied by Nick Johnson.

Another name being thrown around is no stranger to the A.L. East, considering he played for the Rays and the Red Sox, Rocco Baldelli. Baldelli had a bright future with the Rays and was seen as part of their future, but he could never stay healthy. He only played in 62 games last season with Boston and didn't figure into their long-term plans.

Baldelli could be a reasonable option, but trying to rely on him being healthy enough to play even over 100 games is asking a lot, considering he was diagnosed with a disease that makes him tired and susceptible to injury and fatigue. Baldelli would be a tremendous risk and I'm not sure the Yankees will explore it.

The last name might not be familiar to Yankee fans, Reed Johnson. Johnson started out as a regular outfielder for the Blue Jays but eventually fell out of favor and signed on with the Cubs in 2008, playing most of the season in their outfield. In 2009, Johnson was more of a fourth outfielder, playing in just 65 games.

Johnson isn't a great power hitter and probably not even the best average hitter, but he is a decent fielder, which is why he's in consideration for the job, plus he's relatively cheap.

So those are the options right now, well, aside from Damon and Gardner.

Personally, most of you know I am all in favor of bringing Damon back and he makes the most sense, but Cashman hasn't been very willing to re-negotiate and work out a deal, so if the Yankees are done with Damon, of the players listed, I'd like to see what Nady can do if healthy.

I'd like Hairston back as well, but more for the super-utility role because he's more valuable there.

Baldelli is a major risk and gamble, and at this point, he may just be a backup outfielder, as with Thames and Johnson.

Let the search for the left fielder of 2010 continue.