Kuzul

The New York Yankees are expecting starting center fielder Curtis Granderson   back for Friday’s game against the visiting Cleveland Indians. It will be a welcome sight to have Granderson back, and the Yankees could use his potential power bat back in the lineup. 

With Granderson out, Brett Gardner moved from left field to center, with a myriad of talent alternating in Gardner-land. Marcus Thames, Randy Winn and Kevin Russo have manned left field during the 24 games in which Granderson has missed.

You know my thoughts on Thames, and Randy Winn appears done as a major leaguer. Winn had a nice career, though, with over 1700 hits and a .285 average in 13 seasons.

In Granderson’s absence, those two left fielders have hit a combined 16 for 64 (.250) with a home run, nine RBI and 15 strike outs.

Thames had to face a lot of right handed pitchers (not his strong smoot), and Winn just can not catch up with a decent major league fastball anymore. He literally swings through 90 MPH fastballs over the middle of the plate.

However, neither one has played much left field recently as rookie Kevin Russo has manned the position five straight games, starting four of them.

Russo has also hit .250 with a pair of doubles and four RBI. He has come through twice in big spots, being in the middle of two Yankee rallies against the New York Mets, plus another in Minnesota. 

Big George must have loved those Mets moments, and if was the same blustery King, Russo would be the choice now to remain.

But no matter who is making the decision (Hal, Hank, Brian Cashman or General Joe), Russo still should be kept on the roster over Winn.

While Russo can hit for average (career .315 BA at Triple A), he will not hit for much power, cranking only six home runs in just under 500 Triple A at bats.

But Winn does not hit for average or power, either.

Russo also has a great approach at the plate and adjusts very well. For instance, his first time up Wednesday night against Francisco Liriano of the Twins, Russo struck out swinging on two straight sliders.

Next time up, Russo deposited another Liriano slider into the left field corner for a run scoring double, which tied the game up at 1-1 in the fourth inning. By the way, great hustle by Francisco Cervelli on a potential inning-ending double play allowed Russo to get that at bat.

In game adjustments are huge in helping teams win games.

Plus, despite being a middle infielder most of his minor league career, Russo has taken well to playing left field. He has made several catches at or near the fence, including a long drive off the bat of JJ Hardy in the ninth inning of the first game in Minnesota.  

Does Winn catch that ball?

He also made a nice running catch off the bat of Joe Mauer in the second Twins game.

Also, Russo primary quality is that he gives the Yankees versatility due to his ability to play infield (short, second and third base) plus probably all the outfield positions. In case another injury occurs, that is very important to a managers in-game decisions.

Winn offers nothing more than does Russo and does not deserve to be a Yankee past the Minnesota series. His reason for even being a Yankee was in playing all three outfield positions and providing a veteran presence.  

This is nullified with Russo’s versatility and ability to hit.

As for reasons to keep Winn, I have read where the Yankees are paying Winn over a million bucks this season. In addition, Russo can be sent back to Triple A for “regular playing time,” and keep his major league service time down.

When does money matter to the Yankees, and where is that playing against Triple A players helps you be a better player?

Russo has shown he can play in the majors by already collecting a few big hits and playing good defense. After two seasons in Scranton, he does not get better with four at bats per game during the next few months at Triple A.

Also, his service time should never be an issue, because Russo does not appear to be an everyday player in the majors. His power production will not be there to warrant a full time career. Going forward, the Yankees have regular starting players at each position for about three seasons, and don’t need Russo for anything more than how he is used now.

If by chance several years down the line to where he needs to go to arbitration, then the Yankees will probably have another versatile, utility-type player ready to take Russo’s place. He is an expendable piece if he gets too expensive.

The easy move would be to send Russo back down to the minors, but the gutsy (and correct) move should be to keep him in the majors.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

TWIN FALLS, IDAHO — 84-year-old Rusty Gate, has announced that it plans to sue Yankees utility outfielder, Randy Winn, for defamation of character, sources tell the Associated Press.

According to a statement released by its attorney, Rusty Gate is seeking damages related to widespread use of the phrase, “swings like a Rusty Gate,” with regard to Mr. Winn’s recent performance with the Yankees.

Rusty Gate would not make a comment on the record but did remark that he could at least be in position to catch routine fly balls.

“My client has a long and proud history of swinging smoothly, and completely level,” said Gate’s attorney Sam Goldman. “After years of repeated use, and exposure to the elements, Rusty Gate wants only to retire to a life of leisure, and not be continually associated with such shoddy performance.

“He did his job much better than only 18.2 percent of the time,” Goldman added.

Although, it remains to be seen how the matter will be tried in a court of law, legal experts are in agreement that the way the two parties swing is nearly identical.

“It’s amazing,” said one lawyer. “Each time I see Winn at the plate, it’s like I’m watching a Rusty Gate in the batter’s box.”

“I never saw such a reaction so early into the season when I was in San Francisco,” said Winn, while admitting that the nicer weather there would result both in far less rust and interest in baseball.

“Soy el mejor jugador en el equipo ahora,” commented teammate Francisco Cervelli. “Soy un novato y todavía hago swing mejor.”

“Still,” he added with a smile, “you’ve got to feel for the guy.”

Other teammates of Winn’s were also sought for comment, but most were on the disabled list at the time.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

Last night’s loss to the Boston Red Sox has to leave a bad taste in the Yankees mouths. With a 5-0 lead after seven innings and Joba Chamberlain and Mariano Rivera lurking in the bullpen, the Yankees likely thought this game was over and they would sweep the short two game series.

Think again. For the second straight night, the Yankees bullpen blew a fairly comfortable lead against the Red Sox. It was not just on the pitchers however. There is plenty of blame that can be tossed around after this game.

Joba Chamberlain

Joba entered the game to start the eighth inning after starter CC Sabathia battled through seven scoreless innings of work. With a 5-0 lead, Chamberlain promptly gave up four runs on four hits to allow the Red Sox to get back in the game. Three of the four runs were earned. He did not strike out a single batter in his inning of work. Five run lead or not, Joba needs to pitch better than this. He needs to learn to treat each game like its a one run game.

Marcus Thames

Yes he had the game winning hit the night before, but last night Thames was one of the big reasons the Yankees lost. Playing right field because the team is short on outfielders right now and Nick Swisher remains day-to-day with an injury. With Mariano Rivera on the mound in the ninth inning, Thames and second baseman Robinson Cano converged on a short fly ball. Thames called off Cano, but while doing so he took his eye off the ball. When he looked back up, the ball was in his lap. The error cost the Yankees and allowed the inning to continue.

Continue this story and see who else can be blamed, visit Double G Sports.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

Let’s face it, despite the team’s recent success, the New York Yankee outfield isn’t looking too promising right now.

At the start of the season, the Yankee outfield was seeing great production out of both Curtis Granderson and Nick Swisher. Unfortunatley, both of these players have been cut down with injuries.

According to a recent update from NBC news, Granderson is able to jog and hit without pain, but, “still isn’t running at top speed or changing directions, which will tax his injured groin more than light jogging in one direction.”

Granderson is still expected to be out another two weeks with his injury.

Granderson’s injury may be one that takes away from his speed and range in the outfield and his ability to steal bases.

Swisher, according to mlb.com, is having a difficult time batting lefty, and isn’t proving to be much of a factor against right handed hitters.

The bright spot for Yankee fans is out in center field, where everyday starter Brett Gardner is looking great to start the season, batting .317 with 2 homers and 12 RBI. He has also stolen 17 bases and has been a sure thing in the field.

The players who have come in to replace Swisher and Granderson are Randy Winn and Marcus Thames who most Yankee fans do not put much faith into.

All it takes is a quick Twitter search of the words Marcus Thames and you will get great quotes likening Thames to a lawn chair in left field.

His batting stats aren’t all to pretty, despite his batting average of .354.

While Thames will mostly be used in place of the injured designated hitter, Nick Johnson, Yankee fans will get a heavy dose of Randy Winn.

Winn is hitting just .209, with one homer and six runs batted in. 

The combined mediocrity of these two players brings the idea of looking on the free agent market for another outfielder, just in case Granderson or Swisher’s injuries last longer than projected.

The Tampa Bay Rays don’t look like they are slowing down anytime soon, and the Yankees may need to address this outfield situation before its too late.

The outfield free agent market yields player like Willy Mo Pena and Jermaine Dye.

Dye, being the more notable player of the two, with great career accolades.A career .274 hitter, Dye has 325 home runs and was a two time all star selection in 2000 and 2006. He also won the 2006 silver slugger award, and was a part of the 2005 World Champion Chicago White Sox.

Dye had a good 2008 season, batting .292 and hitting 34 home runs.

Pena’s statistics are a bit less flashy, a career .253 hitter, but much younger than Dye at 28 (compared to 36) and may have a bit more potential.

This problem may be able to fix itself when both Granderson and Swisher are inserted back into the lineup.

With Nick Johnson potentially gone until June and previously batting under .200, a need for a hitting outfielder might be critical late in the season.

Someone who can play the DH spot as well as play the outfield may be just what the Yankees need to complete their 2010 run.

After a few more abysmal performances from Thames ands Winn, I would not rule out the acquisition of another solid outfielder within the next few months for the Yankees.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

With Curtis Granderson on the 15-day disabled list, Yankees outfielder Randy Winn will receive significant playing time in the outfield.

On Monday night, he provided the power stroke with a three-run home run to help lead New York past Baltimore, 4-1, at Yankee Stadium.

CC Sabathia (4-1) pitched eight innings of one-run ball to earn the win, while Jeremy Guthrie (0-4) suffered the loss.

Joba Chamberlain pitched the ninth for his first save of the season. Mariano Rivera was unavailable due to stiffness in his left side.

In addition, Jorge Posada left the game in the sixth inning, and an MRI revealed a mild strain. He is listed as day-to-day.

Baltimore catcher Matt Wieters gave the Orioles an early lead with a leadoff home run in the top of the second. In the bottom of the fourth, Nick Swisher’s line-drive single off the right field wall scored Alex Rodriguez to tie the game.

After Brett Gardner singled, Winn delivered his first Yankee home run over the right center field wall to provide the winning margin. It was Winn’s first home run since April 25, 2009 for San Francisco.

Sabathia continued his mastery over Baltimore by limiting the Orioles to one run on six hits while striking out two and walking two. He improved to 11-1 in 16 career starts against Baltimore.

Despite allowing all four Yankee runs in the fourth inning, Guthrie pitched effectively. He allowed four runs on six hits over seven innings. He is winless in his last 11 starts dating back to last season.

Baltimore and New York will resume their three-game series Tuesday night. Brian Matusz (2-1, 4.40) will start for the Orioles, while the Yankees will counter with A.J. Burnett (3-0, 2.43). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. ET.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

New York Yankees starting centerfielder, Curtis Granderson, strained his right groin and will be placed on the 15-day disabled list. The injury occurred in the sixth inning of Saturday’s 7-6 loss to the Chicago White Sox.

Similar injuries have kept players out up to four-six weeks.

How will this affect the Yankees?

Pretty badly. 

In fact, it cost them Saturday’s game.

When Granderson went out, the Yankees were forced to move Brett Gardner from leftfield to centerfield. Randy Winn went to left.

The 36-year old Winn was acquired for defense and the versatility of playing every outfield position. 

Winn is showing signs of old age. He doesn’t hit much, he’s rarely not an automatic out, and has lost a step on the basepaths.

A.J. Pierzynski’s two-run double in the top of the seventh, a key to yesterday’s loss, Granderson’s absence was immediately felt.

Due to Gardner having to shift to centerfield, Winn’s old legs couldn’t get to Pierzynski’s game-winner. Gardner would have tracked it down for an out.  

I was listening to the White Sox TV broadcast afterwards and when the ball was hit, the announcer was yelling, “…stretch, get over their heads..” to the ball, meaning that he thought the ball had a chance to be caught.

I did too.

Gardner was playing a shade or two to left center when lefty Damaso Marte was pitching to the left-handed Pierzynski. Gardner probably would have been more straight away or even right center if a right-handed pitcher was on the mound.

Gardner almost beat Winn to the ball from centerfield, and would have caught it if he was playing leftfield at the time.

I know the bullpen is a little thin, but the Yankees are making a mistake by bringing up Mark Melancon to replace Granderson on the roster.

While I am a huge fan of Melancon’s, and want him in the majors, the Yankees need to replace C-Grand with another speedy outfielder.

Melancon should have come up to replace Boone Logan. And they could use their phantom DL placement for the struggling Marte.

Joe Girardi said he will go with Gardner in centerfield, and platoon Winn and Marcus Thames in leftfield.

That is a huge mistake.

I have written that Thames is a right handed designated/pinch hitter and should never see the field again.

Thames will now get lots of playing time out there, possibly costing the Yankees runs on defense.

The best thing the Yankees could have done to replace Granderson is bring up a speedy centerfielder.

Instead of Melancon replacing Granderson, the Yankees should have promoted Greg Golson from Triple A Scranton. 

Golson was obtained in the offseason from the Texas Rangers for High A minor league infielder Mitch Hilligoss.

Golson was a 2004 first round pick of the Philadelphia Phillies, and is serviceable if used the correctly.

Defensively, put him in centerfield. He also adds speed on the bases.

He has hit .260 in Scranton with a couple homers, nine runs scored and a few stolen bases.

With the Yankees lineup as is, Golson does not need to provide offense, but any offense from him is gravy. I would rather give Golson playing time for his defense over a platoon in leftfield of Thames and Winn.

Thames is a hitter only and Winn is essentially done as a player.

With his defense and speed, Golson would help the Yankees win more games.  

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com