Homestand Comes to a Close, Looking Forward

The Yankees ended their 10 game home stand at 9-1. They took themselves from 3 games out of the division lead to 2.5 games ahead in the division. During a stretch where Boston lost the ability to score runs and win games, the Yankees were showing the rest of baseball that this year they are for real. The Yankees can almost never be counted out of a game. They have an uncanny ability to score runs on the opposing team's bullpen. The Yankees should have emerged 10-0 during this stretch, but lost on Saturday to Oakland when the bullpen collapsed in relief of Andy Pettitte. More specifically, Alfredo Aceves, who had been pitching great, came into a tie game with bases loaded and 1 out. He got Mark Ellis to pop out but then surrendered 4 straight hits and the lead ballooned to 6-1. Since it's the Yankees we are talking about, they scored some runs late off a pair of Home Runs, but still lost 6-4. Had that inning been nuetralized a little bit sooner, the defecit would have been more manageable. Despite that blunder the bullpen has overall done a great job. Mariano clearly the ace of the staff, but Phil Hughes is coming into his own as well as a dominant 7th and 8th inning guy. If Bruney can get straight, along with Coke and Aceves and the Yankees add Demaso Marte soon, that bullpen looks more like a strength than the weakness it was at the start of the season.

Despite playing some outrageous baseball, concerns are beginning to airse in Yankee world. They now have to head to Tampa for a series against the Rays. A much more legitimate team than Baltimore or Oakland, and a team that always plays the Yankees tough, especially in their building. This series and the next few will also be played without Brett Gardner. The little speedster broke his thumb on Saturday sliding into second, and will miss the next month. Although he is not part of the elite core of the team, his value to the team has shown and he matters greatly. He adds another dimension the Yankees game that they haven't really ever relied on, speed. Gardner plays great defense and can literally manufacture runs, something crucial to do against good ball clubs. His injury leaves more playing time for Melky Cabrera, Nick Swisher, and Eric Hinske, which should be able to pick up the slack, but the question is whether or not the Yankees ought to do something about this as the trade deadline approaches. There are a few options for the Yankees.

Option 1- Do nothing
This option is the do nothing approach. This option is, we have good replacement guys and a deep bench so we should not lose much. Just keep plugging away and hang in there and this team is too good to fall apart without one little dude. It's ballsy, but the Yankees do still have enough to continue to win most of their games. Although they play Boston at home following the next 3 road series. It would be nice to take at least 2/4 games in that series and losing Gardner does hurt.

Option 2- Get someone
The option here is to go out and get someone you know will impact your ball club. The Yankees have 4 days until the trade deadline, they could go out and get a bat or even get a pitcher. I know you lose Gardner so why get a pitcher, but anything to help the team to stay on division winning target. I doubt the Yankees get Halladay, but Cliff Lee and Jarrod Washburn are names being thrown around, someone might be interested in selling and the Yankees might just get someone, even if it's a small signing like a Hinske, it could be beneficial.

Option 3- Ajax or Action Jackson
This happens to be my favorite option, and that is to bring up young talented OF, Austin Jackson. Jackson is doing well in the minors, batting over 300 with lots of steals and brings great defense. He is a young future star and the number one player in the farm system. Bringing him up now has its risks, it could stunt his growth not playing everyday, and he could lose confidence if he doesn't play well. Also if he struggles it will hurt his value as a player to possibly be traded. However if he plays well, he could help this team greatly and could cemente his legacy as a Yankee future star and increase his value. Clearly there is risk and there is worry, when isn't there, but if he is as good as they say, he shouldn't struggle more than natural beginning woes. I expect some jitters and some bad strikeouts, but I also expect some good hits and steals and some good defensive plays. The Yankees made this move with Jeter and Cano in the past and we all know how that worked out, time to make the move Cashman. Get this real deal young gun into the lineup and let's win now.