Baseball Musings
Baseball Musings
November 16, 2005
Bubba Transition

I've seen some comments about the Yankees going with Bubba Crosby in centerfield next season, most recently in this post about the Matsui contract. Bubba is one of two cheap solutions to the Yankees centerfield problem, the other being Cabrera. Crosby is not a good hitter. He had some decent OBAs in his minor league history, but his overall minor league numbers are nothing to write home about. He'll be 29 in 2006, so he's not likely to improve at this point. As we saw in the playoffs, especially in the crash with Sheffield, Bubba can cover a lot of ground.

Cabrera probably needs more time at AAA. I could see Crosby as a one-year stop gap. Just accept his offense, bat him 8th or 9th, and as long as he catches everything hit between Matsui and Sheffield be happy those balls aren't going for doubles. Then, if Cabrera is ready in 2007, go with him, or maybe with someone else who becomes available. The free agent choices this year are poor.


Posted by David Pinto at 10:23 AM | Team Evaluation | TrackBack (0)
Comments

They keep saying they mainly want someone who can
chase the ball down & throw it, so why not give this guy
a chance? His other advantage is he's a known commod-
ity. Plus, I think he can bunt.

Posted by: susan mullen at November 16, 2005 11:31 AM

I completely agree with this. Remember that before Matsui came onto the scene, left field for the Yankees was a yearly parade of less than stellar names: Shane Spencer, Chad Curtis, a mediocre Rondell White, Juan Rivera (before he solidified into a solid major league player), a little bit of Ricky Ledee, and so on. Having guys like this in the lineup never stopped them from winning everything in sight in the late 90s. Yes, talent up the middle is a bit more important, but unless someone discovers a way to clone Paul Blair, the Crosby/Cabrera solution won't keep you from winning, and you haven't wasted anything.

I'm more concerned about who's going to fill the backup roles at catcher and first base.

Posted by: xbhoff at November 16, 2005 11:36 AM

Exactly. With Matsui, Sheffield, A-Rod, Giambi, Jeter, Cano & Posada to an extent, plus a DH, all the CF needs to do is catch the damn ball and have a decent arm. Oh, and hit a little better than Womack. Bubba can do that.

Posted by: rbj at November 16, 2005 11:51 AM

I know some t-ball league players who hit better than Tony Womack.

Posted by: Benjamin Kabak at November 16, 2005 11:55 AM

Well, that sounds pretty good, although you have to wonder why they didn't give him at least 300 ABs in 2005 in CF and see if he would work out, when they really needed a solid CF. At this point, they should already know whether he can take it on, seeing as there are *some* FA's available.

Posted by: bhm at November 16, 2005 02:38 PM

What about the Giles rumors?
If they DO sign him, I can see him playing CF this year, and then moving to right if the Yanks decide against re-upping with Sheff. That would open up center for Melky in 2007.

Posted by: Brian Riley at November 16, 2005 03:11 PM

I actually seeing Korey Patterson being a good fit for what the Yankees say they are looking for. Good glove, good arm, great speed, can lay down a bunt, etc.

Granted...i don't think he could handle the NY pressure or boos, but his terrible offesnive performance would be acceptable in a lineup that had so many superstars in it.

Posted by: dave at November 16, 2005 05:48 PM

Bubba plays hard, and has never complained about irregular playing time, or being bounced up and down from AAA to the big time. So, right there, he's a more valuable stopgap than Lofton, Womack, or even guys like Rondell White and John Vander Wal.
David explained the other Crosby benefits/negatives very well.

Posted by: James d. at November 17, 2005 12:20 AM
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