Despite Common Opinion Melky Still Has a Shot

Bronx Baseball Daily

Mar 20, 2009

Brett Gardner and Melky Cabrera came to camp this spring battling for the center field job that has been Melky’s for the past couple of years.

A hot start for Gardner and a slow start for Cabrera got everyone thinking that the newer, speedier center fielder grabbed the job with two fists. But unfortunately for him, Yankee manager Joe Girardi didn’t write Melky off so quickly and he likes what he’s seen from the Dominican born player lately.

“It’s good to see both guys playing well, because it somewhat backs up your beliefs,” Girardi said. “The season is different than Spring Training, but they both look very comfortable playing and they’re both playing very hard. I’m happy with that. It’s always nice to have your beliefs backed up.”

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“Melky’s playing at a very high level, as well,” Girardi said. “I’m happy with the way Melky is playing. He’s really started swinging the bat, and you see him doing little things — bringing the defense in with drag attempts and shooting balls by them.

“It’s interesting. Gardy started a little quicker, but, to me, it’s been a fun competition to watch.”

Melky has had the right attitude this spring and hasn’t given up even though so many had written him off.

“I feel pretty good with the opportunities that Joe is giving to me right now,” Cabrera said through an interpreter. “He’s the one that’s going to make the last call. I don’t worry about other people. I just worry about the things that I can do.”

Most players would have had a bad reaction to his demotion to Triple-A last season after a nearly year long clip of disappointment.

“This offseason, I worked really hard, so when the opportunity came, I’d be ready to play,” Cabrera said. “I worked on defense and hitting and was working out every day. It’s helping a lot. I’m ready to go.”

These cheery quotes have to be a little disheartening to the pro-Gardner camp, but it does sound like this is going to come down to who Girardi thinks can play the best defense.

“We want those guys taking control of the outfield, running down as many balls as they possibly can,” Girardi said. “Especially with the belief we have with our pitching. We feel that we’re going to be able to win some games 2-1 or 3-2. We’re not going to have to slug because of our pitching, so that defense becomes important.”