I think Gardner was a symptom of a collective hysteria. He never really existed and now the media is trying to break it to us gently.

I don’t know if Gardner and the Yankees are trying conservative measures instead of surgery, but at some point they have to cut their losses and get him fixed.

See if the Yankees can get Jed Lowrie from the ‘Stros and put Jeter in LF. 

Two birds, one stone.

And, wow, Houston is baaaaad.

Didn’t Gardner have a ton of set backs on a wrist injury a few years ago too?

[2]

Heh.  Jed Lowrie as a fill-in for an injured player.  I find that amusing, since Lowrie was always getting hurt when he was with Boston.  But sure, I’d like to have him. 

Jeter in the OF, though, I’ve never understood.  Why?  He does not have the bat for it, and I see no reason to believe that he’s going to learn to play good OF defense in his late 30s.  It makes no sense at all.

Only 13 sellers to start with according to SG’s cutoff, and I agree. So then you have to assume the A’s, O’s, and Jays definitely won’t be selling, since they’re all in decent shape for that 2nd wild card, unless they fall off a cliff in the next week. Milwaukee and Miami are probably sellers, but I guess a hot week could put them back in it, plus Miami won’t want to cut and run after all the PR that went into this season.

To me there are only 8 true sellers: Houston, San Diego, Chicago NL, Minnesota, Seattle, Kansas City (boo!), Colorado, and Philadelphia. No wonder Cash is hesitant to make a move, the demand far outstrips the supply. Even someone like Victorino who’s having a down year might be too expensive. There’s always the chance that you make a deal with a contender for one of their spare pieces, a la Youkilis (now OPS’ing .939 on the South Side!), but I guess for the stretch run you want as close to a “sure thing” as possible.

TL;DR version: The market sucks. In Cash We Trust.

Jeter in the OF, though, I’ve never understood.  Why?  He does not have the bat for it, and I see no reason to believe that he’s going to learn to play good OF defense in his late 30s.  It makes no sense at all.

Well it certainly made more sense 5 years ago.  But the thinking is still somewhat sound actually.

The question is, can Jeter be more valuable as a corner OF than a SS?  Basically, if he’s -20 defensively at SS, he’d need to be about -5 in the OF to break even.  If so, he’d be equally valuable.  Since he’s going to play regularly as long as he’s a Yankee, which can they find more easily then, a quality SS or a quality OF?  Normally you’d say OF, but that isn’t *always* the case.  At the same time, if it’s easier to find an OF, and they can find a SS who would fill the position for next 5+ years (until one of Culver or Aune is ready), get the SS.

I’m comfortable with the Ibanez/Jones platoon in LF given a 9-game lead with 73 to play.  If the Yankees fail to win the division, I suspect we’ll have many other factors to blame for that come October besides the absence of Brett Gardner.

“Jones has a .339 wOBA vs. RHP this year and Ibanez has a .338 wOBA vs. LHP.  The average AL LF has a wOBA of .331,”

Maybe I missed this, but what sort of wOBA would we expect from Gardner if he were playing/healthy?

[8] Who is this Gardner you speak of?

but I guess for the stretch run you want as close to a “sure thing” as possible.

Well, you just want to upgrade, and pay an appropriate price.  Good example could be Scutaro.  His OPS+ is down 33 from last year.  But he’s (probably) an upgrade over Nix.  So if he’s cheap, roll the dice that he’ll rebound and be someone you can play regularly at SS and 2B down the stretch which will really help the team.  But even if he doesn’t, he’s still probably helping the team.

Maybe I missed this, but what sort of wOBA would we expect from Gardner if he were playing/healthy?

Probably in the .340 area.  The difference comes in defense and base running though.  At this stage over 73 games the gap is probably not much more than a win though.  While I’d like to see Gardner back this year because he’s fun to watch, I’d rather they get him completely healthy even if it means he’s shut down for the rest of 2012.

The question is, can Jeter be more valuable as a corner OF than a SS?  Basically, if he’s -20 defensively at SS, he’d need to be about -5 in the OF to break even.

While true in the abstract, that’s contingent on who the Yankees would replace him with at shortstop.  If that player isn’t replacement level, then it could be a net loss.  Not sure if Nun-E’s defense drags him below that or not.  I miss that fella though.

Didn’t Gardner have a ton of set backs on a wrist injury a few years ago too?

He had offseason surgery on his wrist after being bothered by it during the 2010 season:

http://www.nj.com/yankees/index.ssf/2010/12/yankees_outfielder_brett_gardn_2.html

Gardner’s good, but he doesn’t seem like he’s going to set any durability records.

David DeJesus would be a good fit.

At the same time, if it’s easier to find an OF, and they can find a SS who would fill the position for next 5+ years (until one of Culver or Aune is ready), get the SS.

Culver? I think that’s realy counting your chickens, man. Culver hasn’t shown the ability to do anything well since they drafted him. Granted he’s very young, but there’s isn’t much ‘there’ there, yet.

Culver looks like a big mistake. Can’t hit at low A doesn’t spell success higher up, let alone majors.
As to need for outfield upgrade. As long as Swisher and Grandy stay healthy, I think Wise complements Iguana and Jones fairly well. Wise gives you defense and great speed and a biat of power. Not sure its worth giving up much in prospects unless we can get somebody that’s more than a rental.  I’m also of the opinion that Gardner even if healthy would be a long ways rounding into batting form, so for me most of what you would get is speed and defense, which Wise can presently do. Yankees do need to figure out what the future holds for Adams and Joseph who are blocked at 2b anyway by Cano. One or the other could be shipped as long as it garners something worthwhile.

All of which is moot because Jeter ain’t going anywhere until they have to take him out back behind the stadium and Ol’ Yeller him.

So back to LFers. 

I don’t know. The Yankees farm is a jigsaw of potential, but years away.  They don’t have anyone worth trading for a real stud (Upton).  It’s unfortunate that the Jays probably wouldn’t deal Travis Snider to the Yankees.

So back to LFers

Jones and Ibanez give back what Gardner gives on defense, but that doesn’t necessarily make it a sore spot. I think continuing with what they have now is a perfectly acceptable solution.

[15] Culver has great plate discipline. He just can’t hit, but he does do one thing well.

At this point, Gardner may do the unthinkable and break Damaso Marte’s record for setbacks in a season.

Is Carl Pavano is ineligible for this record for some reason?

[20] You have to actively try to come back in order to be eligible.

I think Gardner was a symptom of a collective hysteria. He never really existed and now the media is trying to break it to us gently.

This makes sense to me.

Basically, if he’s -20 defensively at SS, he’d need to be about -5 in the OF to break even

Ok, I see that.  But I rather doubt he could be a -5 LFer just like that (mid-season), even if he was willing (which I rather doubt).

[12] Yes, that’s why it is a big deal about which is obtainable.  I guess my point is if they can get a SS who is above average for next year (or next two), Jeter may be perfectly acceptable as the RF for 2013/2014 until some of the players in A ball are ready.  And that may be a better use of resources than finding an OF.  Also, it would be easier to find a corner OF for a short term replacment in 2013/2014 if Jeter tanks, than a SS, I believe.  In 2014 that replacement may be ready to come from within.

[23] No not mid-season.  It would have to be in the off-season.  I think someone above suggested mid-season but no I agree they couldn’t do that.

[15] Well, they’ve only got 2 SS prospects in the system.  Maybe 3 depending on what you think of Jose Pirela.  So that’s why I mentioned Culver.  Also as Snuggles says Culver is good on plate discipline.  And he seems to be decent on the basepaths.  *Most* reports are that he is a whiz defensively, though that isn’t universal.  So yes, he definitely isn’t someone you can project yet like Williams or Sanchez.  Maybe his upside is something like Brendan Ryan; defensive whiz who gets on base at a decent clip and can still a base, but adds nothing with the bat.  That could be useful while cheap, especially if 189 is in play.

Edit: And right after I talk about Pirela I see this...I’ve seen that he’s played both SS and 2B, but I didn’t read too much into it.  Maybe he isn’t a SS…

15 runs saved on defense is worth 19 runs on offense to the Yankees as an 0.600 team.

Per RAB, another perfect inning of relief for Joba today. He struck out 2 and hit 98. Next rehab start will be for the Tampa Yankees.

A perfect excuse to link to this: http://mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=3195354&c_id=mlb

nevar forget!

[28] That slider was so, so filthy.

[29] Yeah, almost looks like it had some changeup action, the way it just dips away from the bat at the last second.

Right this second, I am not discontent with Andruw.