Depressed Fan
Depressed Fan
Subscribe to RSS Feed E-mail us Advertise with us
Blogs by fans: Sports blogs the way they were meant to be.

Does Anyone Want This Job?

When Brett Gardner was called up on June 30th, it was pretty clear that he had a chance to win the starting job in center. No one came out and said it, but Melky's offensive struggles left the door wide open. When Damon went on the DL, I figured this was it. Both guys would start and we'd see the competition for the job take place during the games.

Well, two weeks later, here are the stats:

Gardner
  • 36 at bats
  • 6 runs
  • 6 hits
  • 0 extra-base hits
  • 6 RBI
  • 4 walks
  • 11 strikeouts
  • 5 stolen bases
  • 0 caught stealing
  • .167 average
  • .262 on-base percentage
  • .167 slugging percentage
  • .429 OPS
Melky
  • 43 at bats
  • 3 runs
  • 9 hits
  • 1 double
  • 1 home run
  • 2 RBI
  • 0 walks
  • 1 HBP
  • 8 strikeouts
  • 1 stolen base
  • 0 caught stealing
  • .209 average
  • .227 on-base percentage
  • .302 slugging percentage
  • .529 OPS
Pitiful numbers across the board. So how do you make this decision, if you're the Yankees? They've been equally bad, so I guess the first solution would be a platoon, with Gardner playing against righties and Melky against lefties. The only problem with that is Melky's horrible performance from the right side.

For me, the decision probably comes down to a couple of factors. Number one, Gardner has looked like a below-average outfielder. He doesn't seem to get a good jump on the ball, he doesn't have a strong arm, and his angles have been poor. Melky is a superior defender. At the plate, Gardner will get on base more than Melky, and he's a legit stolen base threat every time he does get on base. Melky has more pop in his bat, but that really isn't saying much.

If I had to make the decision today, I'd probably go with Gardner. He's a downgrade on defense, but this team's biggest problem right now is scoring runs. Gardner gives you a catalyst at the bottom of the lineup. It's not a clear cut decision, though, because outside of the one win in Toronto, he's really looked over matched so far.

Damon isn't expected back immediately after the break, so maybe one of them will get hot and make the decision easier. At this point, we're either going to have a solid defensive center fielder with a good arm and no bat in the starting lineup and a burner off the bench. Or, we'll have a burner who hits the occasional single, draws a few walks, steals bases and plays a below-average center field in the starting lineup and a defensive replacement on the bench with little value as a pinch hitter.

Then again, last July Melky hit .368 with a .939 OPS, so maybe they should just stick with him and hope he heats up. There are no simple answers.



7 Comments | Leave a comment

You have a typo for Gardner's OBP, I think you meant OPS.

Good catch, it's fixed.

With July about half over in baseball terms, for Melky to reach his 2007 July numbers, he'd have to hit about .500 the rest of the way. I'm thinking that's not going to happen.

Yep, I keep waiting for him to heat up, but he just looks lost. Like I said above, with the way the team is playing, and hitting, Gardner should be the choice if it was being made today. I'd just like to see him start hitting a little bit.

Turns out that Damon is going to be out longer than expected. Extended tryouts?

PS Josh Hamilton is unreal.

It seems like every time Melky doesn't play it costs us a run. There is not enough offense from Gardner to make a difference.Maybe if Garner could bunt?

Melky is a bench player. Gardner will be just fine....


Leave a comment



Latest Posts
• The Truth About Sam • Dei Is Out, Donyell In • 10 Games at a Time • Sixers Preseason Stats • Depressed Fan Field Trip • Sixers Hosed By N.J. • Does This Sound Familiar? • Putting A Bow on the Preseason • Rough Day For Christmas • Anyone In New York? • Sixers Pick Up Three Options • And Then There Were 13
Search

Blogs in The Network
Members
Partners
Depressed FanMLB Trade Rumors
Lefty MaloRiver Ave. Blues
In Mo We TrustAaron Gleeman
Don't Boo The BirdsFantasy Baseball
Loge 13Midwest Sports Fans
Tremendous Upside PotentialThe College Baseball Blog
Green Pinstripes
C-70 At The Bat
The Halo Is Lit
Arin It Out
Cobra Brigade
Stop Mike Lupica
Who Made You Mirabelli?
Fightin' Phils Fans
After the Lightning
Feeling Dodger Blue


Sixers Blogs
Passion and Pride Sixers 4 Guidos Liberty Ballers Recliner GM PhillyArena Heard In The Cheap Seats

Silver Dollar Slots