On October 31st the Yankees and Brett Gardner agreed to a one-year contract for 2019, and many Yankees fans lost their minds. And while they did so in many ways, the one way that sticks with me is those fans saying Gardner would be the starting left fielder next season. Particularly the starter instead of Bryce Harper.
Now, I know some Yankees fans (and sports fans in general) can have short-term memory loss, but all the evidence you need in order to understand that the whole "Gardner starting in left field in 2019) is bullocks can be seen late last season. Not years ago, but on September 1st of this past year.
September 1st marked the first game Andrew McCutchen would start for the Yankees. That also happened to be his first of 25 games started out of the Yankees remaining 26 in the regular season. Oh, and McCutchen started four of the six games the Yankees played on the postseason.
Why did I tell you all of that about Cutch? Because Bryce Harper is a hell of a lot better than Andrew McCutchen!
It's simple logic. If Andrew McCutchen started over Brett Gardner during a postseason race and run last season, then Brett Gardner is not going to be picked to start over Bryce Harper next season.
That isn't to say I believe the Yankees will sign Bryce. I think they should, but I pretty much have that thought covered. It's just to say that the Yankees surely have other plans for their regular starter in left field.
As Daniel pointed out this morning I did mention Clint Frazier as a starting candidate in left, but due to his concussion issues I'd bet that he'd begin the year in AAA to make sure he's good to go.
And while Harper is not off the table (I won't count him out until he signs somewhere else), my prediction is that the Yankees bring in someone to start regularly in left field for Opening Day and beyond. Sort of like how they have to figure something out to cover for Didi Gregorius possibly being out the entire 2019 season.
I mean no disrespect to Gardy. I really like the guy, and appreciate everything he's done for the Yankees. But we have to face the fact that he's an overall average player, and that isn't going to cut it in New York.
Absolutely agree.
ReplyDeleteI like Gardner also but... Judge, Stanton, Hicks, and Harper would/should be the starting outfield & DH in almost every game.
None of the extra players Cashman keeps talking about in the 'crowded' outfield should stop them from getting Harper.
Did I mention he is left handed? Lol.
Agree. Something I have said a million times. The fact that Bryce is left-handed makes signing him a no-brainer.
DeleteBoy, if only yoy and I could make decisions for the Yankees. I totally agree. Gardner in his prime was average at best. Too bad we didn't go after Yellich, he would have been best option for us not Stanton. Now, Harper is best option on the planet.
ReplyDeleteStanton plays LF this year. Andujar is 3B, Machado is SS and Torres is 2B. Gardner fills in as defensive replacement in late innings and will play CF when Hicks gets hurt(happens every year). Yankees will rotate players at DH this year, think Bird, Voit and Stanton as well as Judge on road in large ballparks.... (KC is one example). Frazier will stay in AAA until June/July and be called up. There will be no rush to get Didi up until mid Aug and he'll be ready for playoffs. Walker will resigned at reasonable contract. Bench will be Gardner, Walker and eventually Frazier. Nice roster for 19.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of Stanton playing a lot more LF, but I don't think that should stop the Yankees from signing Bryce as well. Will it get hard to make the tough decisions when Gregorius is back, Machado is signed, Andujar is still here, Bryce is in left and Stanton is still on the team? Of course, but that's the best problem to have in my opinion.
DeleteI would love Harper in NY because he would balance out the lineup and make Yanks much better but it just feels like Machado signs and Hal won't spend the money on both. If Harper signs then you could make a huge case for Stanton being relocated to LA. I don't see Cashman trading Andujar ... they can always DH him later in the year. If Harper is somehow signed then I can see Bird being traded. I guess the problems Yankees have are good ones for now. Yankees can't sign everybody!
DeleteWhat about Frazier if Harper does not sign with the Yankees?
ReplyDeleteFrazier will start the season in AAA no matter what, in my opinion.
Deletestanton to Dodgers
ReplyDeleteStanton trade to the Dodgers, Machado , Harper and Britton sign with Yankees. We still need a front of the line pitcher, (Kluber, Keuchel, the Mad ???).
I would love to see this happen as you described but somehow I can't see Hal going that deep into his wallet. :)
DeleteI'm confused as to why people are still clamoring "OMG WE NEED PITCHING" when the rotation is improved and full... 6-man and 7-man rotations aren't happening in 2019.
DeleteDaniel its most likely a reaction to Cashman and NY writers constantly talking about improving SP pitching. CC with his latest medical situation complicates things, you have to wonder how effective he will be this year. I believe he will be on limited innings. If someone gets hurt then SP becomes a problem.
DeleteIt may complicate things, but the doctors say he will be ready, so all I can do is trust and believe that. The way "journalism" is now, if that wasn't the case I am sure every writer would have made a huge deal about it by now.
DeleteDomingo German can start and so can Loaisiga. Not ideal options, but not many teams have 6 aces either like a lot of fans want the Yankees to have. Jordan Montgomery will be back in some capacity this season. Chance Adams is still here, etc. etc. etc.
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