CHRIS DICKERSON IS THE SOLUTION TO AN ABSENT BRETT GARDNER

(In Photo: Chris Dickerson)
Over the past week or so I’ve come to question some of the tactics of the Yankees when it comes to patching holes that have opened up due to injury.  In particular, the void left by the extended absence of Brett Gardner.  It seems to me that the actions of the club contradict what the organization is claiming to be striving for.

When asked about filling the void left by injuries to pitchers Andy Pettitte and CC Sabathia,  GM Brian Cashman said he wanted to work from within the organization.  To that end, he has followed his word by extracting fine performances by Freddy Garcia and David Phelps.  Combined, the two pitchers threw for a 2.79 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP in their replacement starts against the Rays.  You can’t ask for much more than that from any pitcher, and the team didn’t have to give up a player or draft pick to get those performances.  The tactic of reaching from within can work.

In Photo: Darnell McDonald, left with Curtis Granderson)

That is why I now question the recent acquisition of Darnell McDonald – former Boston Red Sox.  He is a 33 year-old outfielder who, over two and a half seasons with the Bosox hit .252 with a 24% strikeout rate and a 9% walk rate.  He’s not a great base runner (12 steals over those 2+ seasons) and in the field has a .986 fielding percentage.

 

(In Photo: Chris Dickerson)

Having followed some of our players in the minor leagues, I know that we have an outfielder by the name of Chris Dickerson at Scranton-Wilkes Barre who is having a fine season.  The 30 year-old is currently hitting .304, including .350 over his last 10 games.  I had the pleasure of watching Dickerson play against the Syracuse Chiefs in May and saw first-hand the talent he possesses.  He has a maturity at the plate and a gun for an arm (I watched him throw a ball on a line from the outfield wall to 2^nd base ).  In addition, he has some experience with the big league club as last season he hit .260 in 60 games for the Bombers.

If we really are trying to work from within, why has Dickerson not yet been called upon to attempt to fill the void left by the injury to Brett Gardner?  This isn’t a criticism of Dewayne Wise, Jayson Nix, Andruw Jones or Raul Ibanez, rather it is a question as to what the purpose of obtaining McDonald is when clearly we have potential fill-ins available.  Why take up another roster spot and add salary for someone who isn’t any better than what we already have?

As a Yankee fan I have to believe in what Brian Cashman is doing.  Obviously he has insights and information that someone outside the club wouldn’t have.  All I can go on is what I have already seen and heard.  Unfortunately, those things only tell me that Chris Dickerson isn’t in the New York Yankees long term plans, and that would be a shame.
  


--Steve Skinner, BYB Guest Writer

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