Melky Cabrera

[cmaff05]

if Giambi could play 1B then why not force Matsui to DH. Purely from a defensive standpoint why put Melky at DH instead?

Nobody here think he;'s better than Matsui, Damon or Abreu in the short term (if they do they`re nuts) but Melky is young and promising and could be a pretty good MLB player.in 2008 he could also save us about 15million by replacing Abreu pretty well.

The problem is that Giambi can't play 1B anymore. He's going to break down if he plays 1B anymore than he should. He can play there in a pinch... but he should not play more than 50 games at that position.

[BrewCrew1]

What are your thoughts on keeping or trading Melky next season?

[brewcrew4]

I think that Melky is a really solid player. He is still young BUT he gained wisdom in the playoffs last year. I think he wilil become a good ballplayer.

[Waitinfor27]

Keep him. He's the rightfielder for the future (after Abreu).

[ChrisLDuncan]

Is it just me or would the OF be better if he was the CF and Damon played LF?

[clipper]

I think that Melky is a really solid player. He is still young BUT he gained wisdom in the playoffs last year. I think he wilil become a good ballplayer.

I agree. Big Melky fan. Solid, young, and will get better this year. Last year was a great year for him. This is why other team want him. I am tired of the Yankees trading our young talent. I want Melky to be in our lineup and would consider 2 options. (1) Try Matsui at 1B and Giambi as DH (2) Move Matsui to CF (Johnny has a weak arm and I feel he hurts it when he forces the throw), Giambi at 1b and Damon as DH.

I heard Melky got 3 hits yesterday in Winter league. We need more players like him.

Clipper

[clipper]

Is it just me or would the OF be better if he was the CF and Damon played LF?

Chris, I feel Johnny and Melky both have speed, Melky has a better arm, and Johnny is better fielder. I don't know if Melky is experience enough for CF and prefer him in LF. But you are correct. I do feel Melky will end up in CF if we don't trade him. Didn't Matsui play CF? I can't remember?

Clipper

[Mattingly]

Chris, I feel Johnny and Melky both have speed, Melky has a better arm, and Johnny is better fielder. I don't know if Melky is experience enough for CF and prefer him in LF. But you are correct. I do feel Melky will end up in CF if we don't trade him. Didn't Matsui play CF? I can't remember?

Clipper
I'm guessing that Torre wanted Melky to stay in LF to keep him used to one position. He was pretty bad in CF in 2005, both offensively and defensively. I figure that's why Melky never played RF in 2006.

If Melky does play CF, I wouldn't mind. We need a big arm out there. I think that Damon's fielding would help him a lot in LF to shore up our weaker OF defense from recent years.

Matsui had played CF in Japan. There was a reference to this his press conference upon his original signing as to respecting those who'd been there previously. I'm thinking that was to being respectful, not complaining that the beloved Bernie was already in CF, so he'd moved to LF.

Matsui played some CF in 2005 for a few weeks when Bernie was on the DL.

Right now, unless either Jason Giambi is traded (fat chance) or Hideki Matsui learns to play 1B, we've got one too many guys on staff. Ideally, Giambi would play 1B and Matsui would DH. With Giambi's defensive liabilities, as well as not hitting as well when he doesn't play 1B, it's like a problem that isn't going away anytime soon.

As to the Melkman, I say don't trade him. His enthusiasm for the game makes the Yanks a fun team to watch. I'm tired of seeing overpriced stars making the money for us. I want youth, enthusiasm and very nice catches which cause people to laugh along with Melky. I don't see him being an awesome hitter, but if he can go above his .751 OPS and hit .300 instead of .280, I can see good things from him.

[Evangelion]

Melky going to ride the bench until, Abreu, Matsui or Damon leave? That doesn't quite fair to him. Abreu likely here another two seasons, all expectation would be New York picking up his option, Damon here for another three and Matsui here for a long time, not quite sure what his current contract would be. Melky simply doesn't have a spot to start.

Not sure why everyone assume Matsui would be cool being a full time DH. Logically, Matsui should DH, but if we look at realistically, we know that likely not going to happen if he's healthy since he's played the field his entire career, whether it's bad or good, like Giambi.

[DoubleX]

Is it just me or would the OF be better if he was the CF and Damon played LF?

I think ultimately that would be a good idea and that right now, Melky looks like the CF of the future. Damon, while he does cover good ground, his arm is a liability in CF, IMO.

[Evangelion]

I think ultimately that would be a good idea and that right now, Melky looks like the CF of the future. Damon, while he does cover good ground, his arm is a liability in CF, IMO.
While that's the smart move, Matsui holding Damon move to LF or Melky starting LF. While the DH open, look at like the DH didn't exist. I'm under the impression there's no plans to make Matsui a DH ever, even with his defense. DH'ing New York Japanese connection. While Matsui play hard, I just don't think he be keen on the idea of being moved into DH since he's still, in the end of the day, a superstar.

Damon LF, Melky CF and Matsui DH would be the best setup logically. Giambi can man 1B, but you rather have him at 1B than Matsui at LF, a random 1B, Giambi DH and Melky being bench. At the moment, Melky going to ride the bench, unless circumstance change in his favor.

[Yankee Legend]

Cano, Cabrera and Wang are off limits. Or at least they should be.

[EvanAparra]

Cano, Cabrera and Wang are off limits. Or at least they should be.

What about Jeter and Rivera?

[JordanDL3891]

lol, you just read my favorite yankees! lol, well not exactly in that order, more like

Cano
Jeter
Posada
Melky
Mariano
Matsui
(bernie tied with posada if you count him)
Abreu
A-rod

[Evangelion]

Lol, Cabrera not off limits with Damon, Abreu and Matsui on the team for at least the next two seasons.

Cano and Wang are untouchable, or as close as you'll be to being untouchable.

[cmaff05]

Cano, Cabrera and Wang are off limits. Or at least they should be.

You serious? People seriously overrate Cabrera. Yes, he could be a good major leaguer. But he could also be a replacement-level major leaguer. His minor leaguer career and his tools are average at best and bad at worst.

I'd like to have Melky as insurance next year as a 4th outfielder, but if the right deal comes along for pitching you've got to make it.

Cano and Wang are untouchable. Along with Hughes.

[tripledup22]

Keep him. He's the rightfielder for the future (after Abreu).
hes the whole future him cano and wang and others

[BrewCrew1]

how does this lineup sound?
Catcher-Posada
First-Giambi
Second-Cano
Third- A-Rod
Short- Jeter
Right-Abreau
Center- Damon
Left-Melky
DH-Matsui

[ChrisLDuncan]

That seems to be the one that everyone wants, however I'd like to trade Giambi for a good defensive first basemen who can hit a bit (a Sean Casey type) and another starter.

[cmaff05]

Giambi is not getting traded, and he is not playing 1B either.

Melky is just going to have to be the 4th outfielder.

[Mariano_Rivera]

Abreu has a really pricy option for 2008. If we can cut the payroll down to 175-180 million for 2007 (which my plan does :D) than when Abreu and Johnson leave in 2008 that should bring us down underneath the loose cap. The luxury tax will just be a funny memory :D

If we do trade Melky or he doesn`t pan out (both are unlikely IMO) then we are forced to pick up Abreu's option for something like 15 million. THe Yankees are still well above the cap in 2008 then. In 2009 of course with Giambi leaving and probably Abreu depending on the market the Yankees will be below it. Not to mention that Abreu is on the wrong side of 30, not by much but he is.

The deal involving Melky being thrown around right now is Melky+Proctor+Sanchez to the Marlins for Dontrelle Willis. Personally I think this is a bad deal. I do have a way to give Melky, Giambi, Damon, Matsui and Abreu all 6 days a week of playing time. I don`t think anyone will be complaining over that. We can figure out if Melky had a fluke year or not as well

CONCLUSION- Trading Melky is a bad idea

[ChrisLDuncan]

Chris, I feel Johnny and Melky both have speed, Melky has a better arm, and Johnny is better fielder. I don't know if Melky is experience enough for CF and prefer him in LF. But you are correct. I do feel Melky will end up in CF if we don't trade him. Didn't Matsui play CF? I can't remember?

Clipper

Yeah Matsui played CF, but he can't play everyday...also that's why the Marlins want Melky and are dangling Dontrelle they have enough pitching but no CF.

[cmaff05]

Yeah Matsui played CF, but he can't play everyday...also that's why the Marlins want Melky and are dangling Dontrelle they have enough pitching but no CF.

Who says the Marlins want Melky? It's just a rumor that George King made up. George King.. the tabloid reporter of the NY Post.

I have doubts about Melky playing a good centerfield. I don't think he has the range or the speed to play it well.

[Evangelion]

You're going to pick up Abreu's option. It was likely one of the agreements the Yankees made with Abreu to bring him to New York.

cmaff, you're like the only person not vastly over-rating Melky's talent. We all like Melky, but we're not going to act like he's better than your current 3 OF that will warrent him playing and forcing them to DH, mainly Matsui. If the Yankees were that high on him, then he be starting. The current plan would be he's going to ride the bench for at least two seasons. Abreu here for two years since the Yankees will likely pick up his option as part of the agreement. I doubt he would have come here otherwise.

[Mariano_Rivera]

You're going to pick up Abreu's option. It was likely one of the agreements the Yankees made with Abreu to bring him to New York.

cmaff, you're like the only person not vastly over-rating Melky's talent. We all like Melky, but we're not going to act like he's better than your current 3 OF that will warrent him playing and forcing them to DH, mainly Matsui. If the Yankees were that high on him, then he be starting. The current plan would be he's going to ride the bench for at least two seasons. Abreu here for two years since the Yankees will likely pick up his option as part of the agreement. I doubt he would have come here otherwise.

if Giambi could play 1B then why not force Matsui to DH. Purely from a defensive standpoint why put Melky at DH instead?

Nobody here think he;'s better than Matsui, Damon or Abreu in the short term (if they do they`re nuts) but Melky is young and promising and could be a pretty good MLB player.in 2008 he could also save us about 15million by replacing Abreu pretty well.

[Evangelion]

Logically, Matsui should DH since he's a terrible fielder, but DH'ing Japanese superstar just doesn't seem realistic, unless due to injuries like last season. It's like when A-Rod came to New York. A-Rod was clearly the superior SS, but he moved to 3B. Think Jeter would be moved back then or even today? I just don't see it happening. Same applies with the situation. I just don't see Matsui no longer playing the field.

He's not replacing Abreu in 2008. I'll be shocked if Abreu's option not picked up, even he's had a subpar 2007 season. I'll be shocked, because I doubt Abreu would have agreed to a trade if New York didn't guarantee his option was going to be picked up, but we're going to have to see.

[ChrisLDuncan]

Matsui isn't a terrible fielder he's okay...better than Manny, I know that isn't saying much but regardless, but we do need to start Melky

[cmaff05]

Matsui isn't a terrible fielder he's okay...better than Manny, I know that isn't saying much but regardless, but we do need to start Melky

No, we really don't. There is no place for him to play.. and I don't want to hear about Matsui playing 1B. That's a complete pipe dream.

[ChrisLDuncan]

No, we really don't. There is no place for him to play.. and I don't want to hear about Matsui playing 1B. That's a complete pipe dream.

I'm saying that we need to make room for this kid. It's a problem that we have a talented young player and no place to put him.

[cmaff05]

I'm saying that we need to make room for this kid. It's a problem that we have a talented young player and no place to put him.

So let's let Matsui sit on the bench so we can play a guy with a .750 OPS?

[ChrisLDuncan]

So let's let Matsui sit on the bench so we can play a guy with a .750 OPS?

No I'm saying we try to move some players around, maybe let Giambi play 1st or try to move him or someone else. I think you're falling into the same problem that the Yankees did in the early 2000s

[Evangelion]

Giambi a terrible 1B. I don't quite understand removing one terrible defender and putting another one out there as productive. I understand people love with young players, but you don't try to fit in lineup unless they showed a lot of promise, like Cano. People just got really attached to Melky, not saying he'll up like Shane Spencer, but he's not as great to push a Japanese superstar to the DH role and push a terrible 1B in Giambi back out there for another terrible season on the field.

New York clearly not looking to start Melky next season since they're shopping for a 1B.

[BrewCrew1]

I'm saying that we need to make room for this kid. It's a problem that we have a talented young player and no place to put him.

agree totally

[Mariano_Rivera]

I`m hoping they can do something to get him 3-4 days a week of playing time. Sitting one of our OF one day a week and playing Giambi at first 2 days a week while sitting Giambi against lefties sounds reasonable.

[BrewCrew1]

we have to keep this kid

[Mariano_Rivera]

I think a trade for a pitcher is unlikely now with the signing of Andy.

[Evangelion]

Melky likely to stay. I don't expect New York to deal him for bullpen help since their current bullpen in good shape. The rotation all, but set with Pettitte signing with the Yankees. The only real need they have would be a 1B and I doubt they'll trade for one since if they fail to get a 1B, they have a option inside with Andy Phillips.

So yeah, I don't expect Melky to be dealt any longer with Pettitte signing.