Melky Could Get A Shot In Spring Training

[yankswn23]

http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/NASAp...=.jsp&c_id=nyy

[#9]

After watching him last summer, I would have to say that we are better with Bubba. Of course if we let him go somewhere else, we will wind up over paying for him in say, 2009.

[Ghost of Dan Pasqua]

Ahhh...when you can control the media message (a story on their own site), you can help leverage negotiations. Teams holding up Cashman for trades or Damon still being too inflexible because everyone doesn't believe that the Yankees will seriously go with Bubba? Here comes the Melky story, right on time, as an option, with the sure fire reference to Cano to show that it might have some plausibility. Can it happen? Sure it can, but I think it's all part of the game that Cashman is playing right now.

[Nome]

Glad to see that. I am happy they are going to bring him to ST. It is only time, in my opinion, that it will take for him to be with the big club.
Sure he didn't do well last year. But even Mickey Mantle had his rough spots in his early years. There is nothing out there on the free agent market for a CF and there is no one available at an affordable price so perhaps Bubba or/and Cabrera can do the job. Time will tell.

That's what's so great with ST. Everyone starts from ground zero.
I am one who is pulling for Cabrera to make it as a fourth OF with us this year.
DON'T sign Bernie. He has no place.

Andy

[yankswn23]

Melky had one bad game, yes it was against the Red Sox, he dives and misses a ball, if he catches it hes prob in CF for more time, Bubba made a mistake that prob cost the Yankees a trip to the Division Series, so I think they both had some bad moments in center. Melky is still young and learning.

[nhyankeefan]

Melky had one bad game, yes it was against the Red Sox, he dives and misses a ball, if he catches it hes prob in CF for more time, Bubba made a mistake that prob cost the Yankees a trip to the Division Series, so I think they both had some bad moments in center. Melky is still young and learning.

Melky had more than one bad game in CF, the game against Boston was the straw that broke that camel's back. As for Bubba, that's his ball to catch it's more Sheff's mistake then his.

[Evil Empire]

Good. But he should play in LF or RF.

[JeffWeaverFan]

If we do go into ST with our CF sitaution unchanged, then it should not be Bubba's job. During ST Melky, Kevin Reese, and Bubba should each get an equal shot to win the job.

[Kulish29]

Good. He should get a shot. He probably wont win it, but it cant do any harm to see what he can do.

On another note, DePaula is doing decent in the DWL also.

[South Facing Epitaph]

Melky is extremely young, I don't think it's fair to judge a 20 year old based on a few games in a hostile Fenway Park, especially after being hurried into the role. I'd like to see him develop more in the minors. If he's ready by spring training, that would be a huge plus.

[Evil Empire]

Is Melky a CF in the Minors and DWL btw?

[noneckwilliams]

Ahhh...when you can control the media message (a story on their own site), you can help leverage negotiations. Teams holding up Cashman for trades or Damon still being too inflexible because everyone doesn't believe that the Yankees will seriously go with Bubba? Here comes the Melky story, right on time, as an option, with the sure fire reference to Cano to show that it might have some plausibility. Can it happen? Sure it can, but I think it's all part of the game that Cashman is playing right now.

All spin, all the time, from everybody (players, GMs, agents).

[Tifoso]

Ahhh...when you can control the media message (a story on their own site), you can help leverage negotiations. Teams holding up Cashman for trades or Damon still being too inflexible because everyone doesn't believe that the Yankees will seriously go with Bubba? Here comes the Melky story, right on time, as an option, with the sure fire reference to Cano to show that it might have some plausibility. Can it happen? Sure it can, but I think it's all part of the game that Cashman is playing right now.

Bingo.

[Wade_Taylor]

Also liked the reference to Kevin Thompson, as a way to throw another in house name in the mix. Kind of so Cashman can say "we really have three in-house options"

[mbn007]

Glad to see that. I am happy they are going to bring him to ST. It is only time, in my opinion, that it will take for him to be with the big club.
Sure he didn't do well last year. But even Mickey Mantle had his rough spots in his early years. There is nothing out there on the free agent market for a CF and there is no one available at an affordable price so perhaps Bubba or/and Cabrera can do the job. Time will tell.

That's what's so great with ST. Everyone starts from ground zero.
I am one who is pulling for Cabrera to make it as a fourth OF with us this year.
DON'T sign Bernie. He has no place.

Andy

Melky will be a stud in the Majors. He was 20, rushed from AA, and in awe of his surroundings.

I have seen enough of him from SI and Trenton to see that he will be an solid Big Leaguer. Needs more seasoning, and at AAA in 2006, let him get 500 ABs, and he will be ready to grab a starting job in the Bronx in ST 2007, at the age of 22.

[njdhockey]

I think Melky is going to be a good OFer for us one day and I am happy to see him get the invite, but he is still young and not ready. Let him go back and develop in AA and AAA where he was doing great until the call up killed his confidence. I still can't believe some people hate him for doing bad in his stint with the Yankees. It was not his fault he was called up before he was ready.

[mbn007]

Melky had more than one bad game in CF, the game against Boston was the straw that broke that camel's back. As for Bubba, that's his ball to catch it's more Sheff's mistake then his.

The only reason Sheff went all out for that ball was because all year, no Yankee CF ever got that close to a ball in RCF.

[NewEraYanks2527]

I too think Melky could be a very good outfielder for the Yankees one day. He was rushed up last year and the Yankees took a chance of lightning striking again with a kid out of the minors (having great success with Wang and Cano) however I think Melky needs another full year in the minors probably at AAA before he can really be called up to play CF for the Yankees. Like other posters have said this is probably an attempt at a leverage move by Cashman and company and I have no problem with that.

[nhyankeefan]

The only reason Sheff went all out for that ball was because all year, no Yankee CF ever got that close to a ball in RCF.

I know that's the worst thing about it - it would most likely have been an out w/ Bernie in CF.

[Dr. Gonzo]

I think they should give him a chance, it can't hurt to look into it.

I am glad cashman isn't as silly as many people here who demand big names and instant gratification.

He had a rough week, after being thrown into a fire.

Maybe if he takes his time and gets comfortbale in ST he can be fine.

[I Love Wang]

After watching him last summer, I would have to say that we are better with Bubba. Of course if we let him go somewhere else, we will wind up over paying for him in say, 2009.

Yeah, watching him for 6 games probably gave your scout's eye a fantastic sample to evaluate a 20 year old who had played only a handful of games above AA.

[I Love Wang]

That's what's so great with ST. Everyone starts from ground zero.
I am one who is pulling for Cabrera to make it as a fourth OF with us this year.
DON'T sign Bernie. He has no place.

Andy

Why on earth would we give a 20 year old prospect a bench job? If he doesn't make the starting lineup for the ML team, he should be starting for Columbus.

[38Special]

haha HES A BAD OUTFIELDER BASED ON 8 GAMES FORGET ABOUT WHAT WAS SAID BEFORE

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

[Dooley Womack]

Oh please no.

[Jasbro]

Ahhh...when you can control the media message (a story on their own site), you can help leverage negotiations. Teams holding up Cashman for trades or Damon still being too inflexible because everyone doesn't believe that the Yankees will seriously go with Bubba? Here comes the Melky story, right on time, as an option, with the sure fire reference to Cano to show that it might have some plausibility. Can it happen? Sure it can, but I think it's all part of the game that Cashman is playing right now.

100% on target.