Often forgotten in the center field discussion for the Yankees is the coming emergence of top organizational prospect Austin Jackson. Ranked the 27th best prospect overall on MLB.com Jackson has garnered numerous awards at the minor league level. After a rough season in 2006 that caused some to lose faith in the heralded prospect, Austin has rebounded strongly, putting up good numbers in his first season at AAA in 09, batting .300 with a .354 OBP with 24 steals, 23 doubles and 9 triples.
The 22-year-old fits the Yankee profile with good plate discipline and line drive hitting ability. His speed and defensive skill are equal to that of Gardner and Cabrera and if his development continues on its current track, he could be a valuable offensive asset that could hit at the top of lineup, filling a role similar to that of Johnny Damon in 2009 and eventually moving to the leadoff spot as Jeter slows down with age (he's been compared to Torii Hunter and Mike Cameron).
While on the surface the Yankees' outfield configuration for 2010 looks unstable that view is an illusion caused by uncertainty. Even if both Damon and Matsui do not return, the Yankees still have Swisher, Cabrera, Gardner, Nady (again pending his re-signing), and Jackson, all of whom can play anywhere in the outfield and have the potential to contribute offensively. While none of the aforementioned will be dynamic at the plate from a power standpoint, the Yankees have their loaded infield and DH positions to provide the majority of their slugging.
Curtis Granderson is a very good player and will excel where ever he ends up (especially if that happens to be in the National League). But the Yankees do not need to spend money nor farm system talent just to gain a minor upgrade over the immediate situation that he may provide. From a long term perspective, with Alex Rodriguez locked in at third and Mark Teixeira likewise situated at 1st for the long term, the likely move for Jeter — once his range is too dimished to continue at short — would be Robin Yount-like move to the outfield. Granderson would simply be another expensive (and yet far less statistically justifiable) player inevitably stunting the evolutionary progress of the team and clogging the outfield for an eventual move by Jeter.
Article comments
1 - Matthew T. Sussman
Of course they shouldn't trade Granderson!
His career left-right splits:
vs. righties: .292/.367/.528
vs. lefties: .210/.270/.344
And look who Grandy's numbers compare to through age 28. Yikes on a stick.
2 - Tony
Some of those guys were solid ball players. I think if he hooks up with a really good pitching coach in the right ballpark he will get himself straight. But he needs to learn plate discipline, he needs to strike out less, and he needs to stop trying to hit balls out of the park.
He might be able to overcome this on the Yankees but I think its doubtful. Many left handed hitters have ruined themselves getting pull happy, trying to catch that porch.
I could see him fitting perfectly with the Chicago Cubs. He has the potential to be a Milton Bradley type player without the ass hole factor if he can learn how to not strike out Rob Deer style.
3 - balistes
yes, swisher could play all three positions but none of them well.
4 - Tony
I actually think he played rightfield well and left is easier. He's a switch hitter and a good on base guy. But it doesn't look like he is coming back.
5 - Mike
wow does this look really really dumb now
6 - tony
I obviously underestimated the ineptitude of the Tigers' coaching staff, namely their hitting coach. If you had the foresight to see that Kevin Long would completely turn Granderson around someone should give you a job in a major league front office as a GM.