Brett Gardner starting In Yanks CF?

[raysfan4life]

I posted this is another forum - I need help. I'm looking for SB's and R's on the free agent wire, and Gardner is sitting there. I know he can barely hit the ball out of the infield, but he's had a monster spring so far (.417 / .462 / .875), not counting his 3 for 3 effort against Team USA. Melky Cabrera isn't doing anything in the spring. Can I trust Gardner to be in the starting line-up for the Yanks on opening day? How many AB's does he get this year? Is 30-40 SB's and 85-100 R's a possibility?

Who else would you recommend over Gardner for SB's and R's off the waiver wire?

[AussieDodger]

Can I trust Gardner to be in the starting line-up for the Yanks on opening day?

No, unless there is an injury Gardner vs Melky will go down to the wire.

Is 30-40 SB's and 85-100 R's a possibility?

If he starts all year it absolutely is. He is dang fast.

Who else would you recommend over Gardner for SB's and R's off the waiver wire?

Carlos Gomez is also crazy-fast and could possibly be on waivers.
As well as Josh Anderson (who is also battling for a starting spot) and Michael Bourn (who is pretty cruddy).

[BronXBombers51]

Gardner still has options and Melky doesn't, so it is not a forgone conclusion that Gardner is starting in CF.

[stumpak]

Bourn will kill your BA in roto. There are better R/SB options who may be available on the WW. I would rank them in this order:

Winn
Anderson (as mentioned above)
Span
Gomez (he can't hit or get on base - there is high risk that he will not hold his job)
Dickerson (will likely be platooning)
Morgan (not sure if he has a job locked up)

[Ender]

Bourn hit .284 in the minors and never hit under .268 at any level. In 2007 he hit .277 in the majors. He had months of .256, .277 and .274 last year and the months he hit under .256 were all low BABIP.

I don't think I'd just assume he is going to kill your average just yet, especially if you are in a daily league and can sit him vs lefties.

[MasterX1918]

Gardner still has options and Melky doesn't, so it is not a forgone conclusion that Gardner is starting in CF.

Melky will be on the team no matter what though, whether as a backup or a starter.

[Another Blown Save]

Cameron Maybin?

[CadensDad]

Cameron Maybin?

I like Maybin as well,

[Inukchuk]

Morgan (not sure if he has a job locked up)

Big fan here. He's much less regarded than many of the "late round speed guys" everyone's always clamoring for. His average is good (290's) and he's slated right now to lead off. You could do much worse, imo...