So now we have word that Hideki Matsui is going to miss -- at minimum -- three months, and he could be out for the year. Expect the Yankees to make a move. They're not going to stay silent, not with the condition their outfield is in.
Remember, Gary Sheffield is on the disabled list with a bruised left wrist, and he's currently shut down from all baseball activities, presumably until he undergoes that follow-up MRI late next week. And Johnny Damon's shoulder problems aren't going away. He admitted he hurt his shoulder and foot again when he crashed into the wall to rob Doug Mirabelli of an extra-base hit, the perfect kick-em-when-they-are-down moment for the Yankees. By then, it was almost as if what else could happen?
So here's where they stand going forward. Kevin Reese got the call-up over Kevin Thompson because he mostly will sit the bench. The Yankees would prefer to have Thompson continue to play every day at Triple-A Columbus. So until Sheffield comes back -- I'm guessing sometime next month -- you're looking at an outfield of Damon in center (as long as he stays healthy), with a rotation of Melky Cabrera, Bernie Williams and Bubba Crosby in rightfield and leftfield. Crazy development, indeed.
Comments (1)
Reese should play and sit Bernie Williams. I have never seen an outfielder going toward the foul line, over-run a fly ball so badly that he doesn't even lay a glove on it. It reminded me of Willie Mays in the "73" World Series. Willie didn't, and Bernie doesn't, know when it's time to go. Replacing Matsui with Soriano will be too expensive, as the Yanks will want to save as much tradeable minor league talent as possible for the July 31 trade deadline. I would go after Craig Wilson, Reggie Sanders, or Ryan Freel (if available.)