Yankees Center Fielder

When OF Melky Cabrera was traded to the Atlanta Braves and OF Johnny Damon signed with the Detroit Tigers it appeared that the Yankees were an outfielder short.  But then they made a deal with the Tigers and have continued to upgrade at the position for the 2011 season.

1.  Curtis Granderson:  Granderson was acquired from the Tigers last season to provide power (and some speed) to the middle of the Yankees lineup.  Last season he hit 24 home runs and notched 67 runs batted in.  Granderson was a lead off hitter in Detroit but those plans have been abandoned in New York, and for good reasons.  Last season he batted .247 with a .324 on-base percentage, 76 runs scored and only 12 stolen bases.  There was also concern over Granderson's defense, especially when compared to LF Brett Gardner, who many considered to be a superior outfielder.  But he proved himself in center last season and will stay there in 2011.

2.  Andruw Jones:  Jones was signed as a free agent months ago but only passed his physical recently.  Last season with the Chicago White Sox Jones hit 19 homers and drove in 48 runs in 278 at-bats.  He essentially will replace DH/LF Marcus Thames as the right handed outfielder off the bench.  Last season Thames wound up being New York's everyday DH after DH Nick Johnson was lost to injury.  There were always concerns over Thames' defense and he only played left field on a regular basis.  When he filled in for Granderson Thames played left and Gardner moved over to center field.  Jones has won ten career Gold Glove Awards and is generally considered to be one of the greatest defensive outfielders of all time.  He can play all three outfield positions and will likely get ample opportunity given the struggles of Granderson, Gardner, and RF Nick Swisher against left handed pitchers.  Jones may also spell DH Jorge Posada at times.

3.  Greg Golson:  Golson came over from the Minors from the Texas Rangers last season.  He spent most of the season at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre but was called up near the end of the season and was included on New York's postseason roster.  He was used primarily as a defensive replacement but did manage to bat .261 in 23 at-bats.  He could stick with the team as a fourth outfielder depending on whether or not the team uses Jones more for offense or defense.  If not, he'll be in AAA again.

4.  Justin Maxwell:  Maxwell was acquired in a trade with the Washington Nationals this off season for a Minor League pitcher.  He spent last season between Washington and Class AAA Syracuse.  In his 104 at-bats in the Majors Maxwell only batted .144.  He's a good defensive outfielder and will compete for a job on the Yankees bench but will probably be depth at AAA.

5.  Melky Mesa:  Mesa is a Minor Leaguer who the Yankees added to the 40-man roster to protect from the Rule V Draft.  Last season at Tampa he batted .260 with 31 stolen bases and played impeccable defense in the outfield.  Mesa is nowhere near ready for the Majors and probably needs a full year at AA in 2011.  He'll get a look in Spring Training but don't expect to see him in the Majors anytime soon.

6.  Austin Krum:  Krum is a Minor Leaguer who is a defensive standout.  Last season at AA he batted .229 in 459 at-bats.  The Yankees are intrigued by his defense and have extended him a non-roster invite to Spring Training.  He needs another year in the Minors but he may be called up in September as another option for manager Joe Girardi to shore up his defense.

The Yankees should be okay in center.  Granderson might never develop into the player many thought he could be but he's still a dependable source of left handed power.  Jones will provide good balance against left handed pitchers and will be money as a defensive replacement.  Golson and Maxwell should provide good depth at AAA.  Mesa and Krum are two players to watch coming up through the ranks.

Here's how the Red Sox, Mets, and Yankees rank at center field:

1.  Yankees:  Granderson's a sure bet to hit 20 to 25 homers.
2.  Mets:  Beltran was injured for half of last season and was only average when he was healthy.
3.  Red Sox:  Ellsbury missed almost all of last season and didn't do much besides steal useless bases when he was healthy.