The Yanks optioned Melky to AAA this afternoon and released 1B/Washedupwasteofarosterspot Richie Sexson and called up CF Brett Gardner (for the 2nd time this season) and INF Cody Ransom, per Pete Abraham's blog (http://yankees.lhblogs.com/ - a must read for Yanks fans, IMO). I don't know much about Ransom, I can only repeat what PeteAbe says- ie that he's better defensively than Betemit- but I'm torn in regards to Melky. Since May, he's been awful at the plate, and had lost his hold on the CF job in the last few weeks. Hopefully, this is a wakeup call for Melky if he had been taking his roster spot for granted, but I feel that his ceiling's been reached. He's a solid defensive replacement at this point, and one that can't bunt at that. Gardner did not shine offensively in his limited action this summer, and this move should have been made 2 or 3 weeks ago so that any transition time could have already taken place, but he's known for his walks and his speed- not a bad combo. I'm hoping Girardi will give him the CF for the next 2 or 3 series instead of intermittently putting Damon in CF just so Gardner isn't constantly worried about losing his job. Some friends tell me that I'm too hard on Melk because he's only 23/24, but IMO he just hasn't played well enough in his time here to merit another season with him in CF. In the final analysis, this move should have been made earlier, but I think the potential benefits outweigh the potential risks. The Yankees would be foolish to trade Cabrera this offseason, since his value is so low, so maybe they can make him the 4th OF next year or let him get some stats at AAA before sending him off.

There are rumors that this is a wake up call for Robinson Cano- Melky's best friend on the team

Ironically, from the NY Daily News 0n Saturday's game:

Brett Gardner's grounder through the shortstop hole scored Robinson Cano from second base with two out in the 13th inning at the Stadium, sparking a pinstriped celebration near first base, to say nothing of a collective sigh of relief in Yankeeland.

Damn. that game was almost 5 hours long!

I don't know about you Yankee fans, but after watching that series against the Jays this week, all I can think of is that Damon is one of the worst defensive starting CF's in the league. So many balls dropping in around him, and in that first game he drops 2 seperate catches for hits

True, and it's become worst case scenario defensively for the Yankees. Damon is playing CF because their offense has been horrendous both as of late and for most of the year. Taking Gardner out and putting Matsui at DH leaves Damon at CF, giving the Yankees awful D but theoretically better offense. For all their injuries to pitching this year, you can put the most blame, IMO, on the Yankees abhorrent offense.

agreed. For years the Yanks have been struggling with runners on. I can't put my finger on what is the problem

It's hilarious that the Yanks REFUSED to trade future stars Ian Kennedy, Phil Hughes, and Melky Cabrera for Johan Santana....And all three have had extremely disappointing seasons and have been demoted to Scranton.

I agree with the above, though...Even with Santana (or with Sabathia next season) they need to get the bats going. It's incredible that THAT lineup can't score runs, but like Pete said, they've been disgusting with runners on base.

True, it looks like a bad non-deal for the Yankees now, but I have not given up on Hughes at all. Personally, I would have liked to have seen him start AAA in 2008, and there's no question they should have demoted Kennedy sooner. You can't be impatient with young pitchers. Kennedy might be finished though, ie met his ceiling. He was touted as a "developed" prospect when he was drafted after being great at USC, but he really has not had the control that was his trademark. If the Yankees can get anything worthwhile for him in the offseason, I think they should- if not, keep him at AAA until he earns his way to the majors, if he ever does that. Hughes on the other hand was a high schooler when he was drafted. He's still 22, and he still has filthy stuff. I think the Yankees rushed him up- however, he had some really great outings last year when he was called up, so I don't fault them for giving him a rotation spot. I still think he can be a top 2 guy in the next 3-5 years. Having Hughes, Wang, and Joba in the forseeable future is a very good thing. Another concern was the contract Santana would have demanded. It's yet to be seen how long he holds up- I'm not suggesting he won't stay healthy and productive, it's just that you never know. The nix was made because of Hughes, and I'm still in agreement with that. If in 5 years Santana has a Cy or 2 for the Mets and Hughes sucks, then obviously it was a bad nontrade, I just don't see that being as likely as Hughes being very good in the near future.

I agree...I can't say I've watched him a lot (or that I have a "scout's eye" even when I am watching) but everything I've heard is that Hughes is legit. Just needs to figure it out. His prime could be ages 24-32, which is a good reason to hold onto him.

FWIW, regards to Kennedy...Sounds like he's leveled off a bit, similar to Clay Buchholz of the Sox...I heard a stat the other day (can't remember exactly) but since Buchholz threw the no-hitter, he is something like 3-14 with a heavy ERA. He can't locate his fastball.

That's what I think in regards to Hughes- it's gonna take him a few years to hit his stride. He's had the hype for years now, though, so idiot Yanks fans and idiots like Michael Kay complain when he's not perfect. It may never happen, but it's more likely than not IMO that he'll be a good to great starter in due time.

As for Kennedy, he is supposed to be the 3rd best of Hughes Joba and Kennedy, and honestly he has not done much to inspire confidence in his ability to be a quality starter IMO. Now, that's not to say I've given up on him per se, I just don't see the potential to be a good starter in him (not that I'm a scout or anything, just my opinion as an avid Yankee fan). I don't know too much about other teams' prospects, but IIRC Buchholz is touted as being the best pitching prospect for the Red Sox. I would think he'd be more like Hughes then in that he got called up too soon or just plain needs more time to refine his stuff. That's a pretty incredible stat, especially coming off a no hitter. But, in 4 years, he could be the ace of the staff. Until a prospect is 26 or 27, he probably hasn't reached his full potential i.e. you don't quite know what he is. After that, he is what he is, no matter what he was touted to be (Eric Duncan anybody?). JMO.