Yankees Left Fielders

The Yankees are attempting to repeat as AL East Champions in 2012.  As such, they have retained many of their players from last season.  One area with a returning player present is left field.

1.  Brett Gardner:  Gardner is still under contract with the Yankees and is returning as the team's starter in left.  He had a pretty good season last year, batting .259 with 49 stolen bases and providing good defense in left and in center on occasion.  The Yankees are expecting another decent season from Gardner this year, with fair production at the plate, speed on the base paths, and good defense in the outfield.

2.  Andruw Jones:  The Yankees have brought Jones back to serve as the team's starting DH and a backup in the corner outfield positions.  Jones had a somewhat inconsistent season last year, batting only .247 in 190 at-bats but hitting 13 homers in that same amount of at-bats.  The Yankees are hoping that Jones can provide good defense in the corners when called upon and can provide somewhere near 30 homers at the plate.

3.  Chris Dickerson:  Dickerson is still under the control of the Yankees and appears to be the front runner to win a role as the team's fourth outfielder.  He had a decent season last year, batting .260 in 50 at-bats and providing sound defense at all three outfield positions.  The Yankees are hoping that Dickerson can have another good season at the plate while filling in at all three outfield spots next season.

4.  Justin Maxwell:  Maxwell has spent parts of three seasons in the Majors and is on the 40-man roster of the Yankees.  A former top prospect with Washington, Maxwell had a decent season last year at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, batting .260 with 16 homers in 177 at-bats.  The right-handed Maxwell probably doesn't have much of a chance of winning a job out of Spring Training and is likely headed back to Scranton, although he'll compete with Dickerson for the fourth outfielder's role.

5.  Zoilo Almonte:  Almonte is a player coming up through the Yankees system who was added to the 40-man roster to protect from the Rule V Draft.  He batted .276 in 434 at-bats in the Minors last season and is not known for his defense.  Almonte is probably going back to Trenton to start the season, and will not likely see the Majors until late in the 2013 season.

6.  Cole Garner:  Garner is a career Minor Leaguer whom the Yankees have signed to a Minor League contract and invited to Spring Training.  He batted .222 in nine at-bats for Colorado and .330 in 185 at-bats at Colorado Springs last season and is not known for his defense.  The right-handed Garner probably doesn't have much of a chance to make the team, although he'll provide some depth at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

The Yankees look decent in left.  Gardner should provide some stability and speed at the top of the order and he's an easy choice to lead off, although he may get bumped to second to accommodate the aging SS Derek Jeter.  Jones will provide good power from the DH hole and strong defense in left when he plays there.  Dickerson is a sound fourth outfielder.  Maxwell is still a promising young player who could see some time from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.  Almonte is a player that the Yankees believe in and have invested in.  Garner should provide good depth from AAA.