NYY Position Battles

It seems that Joe Girardi has selected Xavier Nady as the starting rightfielder to start the season instead of Nick Swisher. Much to our chagrin as the stats just show that Swisher is the more prudent choice as documented in this previous article.

Joe Girardi has not yet announced his choice for starting centerfielder but Brett Gardner has to be in the lead if you take in his performance this spring compared to Melky Cabrera’s. Whoever ends up starting will only be keeping the position warm for Austin Jackson, as the youngster looks primed for a shot at the bigs this year or next.

All things being equal, Brett Tomko looks like the frontrunner in the race to fill the long man role out of the bullpen. Tomko has out performed Dan Geise and Alfredo Aceves his spring and as a result deserves the shot.

Cody Ransom has won the dubious honor of holding third base for Alex Rodriguez until the slugger returns from injury. Ransom didn’t really have to compete for the spot as the Yankees didn’t have many other options. As a result of Ransom being forced into a starting role Angel Berroa looks have won the utility role of the bench.

-Favad Ali

Royals Sign Former Yank Ponson

Are the Kansas City Royals attempting to build a bigger fan base in the Netherlands or are they just trying to give up more runs this season? Well good news KC fans your team should accomplish both by bringing in pitcher Sidney Ponson to camp on a minor league contract.

This made me wonder why do teams continue to bring in pitchers who are virtually assured not to be productive on the field. Here’s a list of 5 veterans who are in big league camps this year who fit the bill.

With these kinds of numbers and that many innings thrown I don’t want to hear about "potential", "catching lightning in a bottle", or "veteran experience." What good are those things when you can’t get anyone out? I understand the need to fill roster spots on the big club and in all the minor league levels but I’m sure there’s a number of pitchers out there who are 10 years younger that can give teams a high 4 ERA. I just don’t see the benefit to teams giving the Sidney Ponsons’ of the world a shot year after year but there has to be a reason. What am I missing?

-Robb Lennahan