Yankee Fans Unite

Is the competition continuing?

The way Melky is playing (and Gardy in clutch situations) strikes me that they both think they have to keep proving themselves and that the competition is continuing.

Love it.

I love it too...it's nice having an apparent wealth of talent at a position for once. I'm all for keeping this up until one of them clearly wins it.

I will say that the way Melky is playing, he's demonstrating that he does have the talent to be the everyday center-fielder, and I think a better one than Gardy. I still think Gardy would better serve the Yankees on the bench, to be used as a defensive replacement or a pinch-runner for some of our slow guys. But the competition sure is good.

Melky has obvious advantage in experience. He also has the edge on power, switch hitting and, currently, BA.

Gardner has advantage on speed and fielding range.

Maybe no one will be the starter CF, but both of them. Girardi could choose who to play according to the pitcher, the opposite team, etc.

I think we're better with the two of them than with an expensive veteran like Mike Cameron

If you haven't already, go read Peter Abraham's take on the CF situation, please do. I can't say it any better.

On the Melkman and The Little G

I disagree with Pete's comments. I think Melky's ceiling is significantly higher than Gardner, and I think the fact that Gardner didn't make the bigs until he was 24, while Melky made it when he was 20 demonstrates it. I do agree that Girardi needs to put the lineup out day to day that will win that day. Sometimes that might mean Gardner in center and Melky in right. Given that Melky hit 2 HRs yesterday, one from each side of the plate... that Melky does bring a strong defense (strong enough that he was being brought in as a defensive replacement for Nady before Nady got hurt), and that having Gardner on the bench gives us a real speed threat for a pinch-runner (don't have to worry about OBP for a pinch-runner), I continue to believe that the Yankees are better served by Melky getting more starts than Gardner.

Gardner:
Career: BA .232 OBP .283 HR 0 SB 17 CS 1
2009: BA .240 OBP .283 HR 0 SB 4 CS 1

Cabrera:
Career: BA .268 OBP .330 HR 27 SB 34 CS 13
2009: BA .304 OBP .385 HR 7 SB 0 CS 1

I am note sure about either player, though. Melky can have streaks, but I don't trust him in big situations. He seems to be hitting the ball really well right now, but I keep thinking the wheels will fall off.

Still feel that way, OG? Melky seems to be proving to be a clutch player if there ever was one... 3 walk-off hits already...

Add a game tying single in the bottom of the ninth today! 11 of his 20 RBIs have come in the 7th inning or later.

Maybe the Melkman has matured.... and Gardy? He seems to be getting it together a bit. What a good problem to have.

Melky continues to demonstrate that he is potentially an all-star.

He has certainly ramped-up in pressure situations....

"Clutch" Cabrera...

The battle is over. By default. Gardner is on the DL with a broken thumb.

Bummer about Gardner. Amazing he played so well even after he was injured. Everything for a reason, though. Now we wait and see who gets brought up.