Fixing the New York Yankees

This is going to be Robinson Cano. I have heard the rumors about Cano being traded for either Jake Peavy or another top-flight starter, but I don't believe it. I expect the Yankees to stick with Cano. 

They're sending the hitting coach Long down to the D.R. to work with Cano on his swing. They tried to revamp his swing in September with some success. So, because of Cano's contract, I think he'll stay in Pinstripes. 

Shortstop

Derek Jeter...nothing else to say.

Third Base

Alex Rodriguez...ditto.

Outfield

Abreu wants to come back, but the Yankees are reluctant to give him an extended contract. The Yankees are trying to get younger and better defensively. Abreu lets too many flyballs in between himself and the fence, so I don't think he'll be back in pinstripes, despite his consistency. 

Xavier Nady will be moving to right field to replace him. He is under contract and played well enough to stay in the lineup. As for left field, the Yankees are stuck with Johnny Damon. 

Damon does not cover enough ground to play center field and does not have the arm to play right field. This leaves Damon, the Yankees' best average hitter last season, in left field. 

Hideki Matsui could play some time in left, switching off with Damon, but he will spend most of his season playing DH and providing the Yankees with the same kind of strong bench they had at during their run through the late '90s.

Here's a...Manny Ramirez in Pinstripes? Well, he grew up within sight of Yankee Stadium, he hates the Red Sox with a passion, and he loves attention. Image a three-four spot in the lineup with two future Hall of Famers in Manny and A-Rod. It would be deadly. Manny is a proven postseason hitter that came through in the clutch. 

The Yankees could really use someone besides Derek Jeter that can hit in the postseason. However, Manny Ramirez will be looking for a four-year deal, and I don't think Cashman will be falling for that trap.

Eventually Manny will find some reason to complain about his situation in New York. And he isn't the definition of getting younger and better defensively.

The big question the Yankees have is center field. Melky Cabrera was supposed to be the future, but he didn't pan out and probably won't this season. Damon can't play there because the Yankees want to get younger and better defensively. 

The Yankees' top outfield prospect, Austin Jackson, is not ready to be called up, but he should be an option in the future. Brett Gardner is a youngster Yankees fans saw a lot towards the end of the season. I think he's the Yankees' best option for 2009. He is outstanding defensively. 

He has a cannon for an arm and covers a lot of ground. He is younger and the fastest player in the entire Yankee organization. He stole 13 bases and was only caught once in limited action. 

However, he hit a poor .228/0/16 in 127 at-bats. He will be spending the entire winter working on his swing a trying to improve on that average. If he can get his average up to over .260 and continue to play superb defense, I think he'll be a decent short-term center-field solution. 

Starting Rotation

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?