New York Yankees: Is Brett Gardner Hurting the Yankees?
September 9, 2011 · Michael Moraitis · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
It seemed not too long ago that Brett Gardner was hitting above .280 and it looked like he was on his way to .300. Since then, Gardner has been on a downward spiral of sorts, currently sporting an average of .264.
Is Brett Gardner hurting the Yankees, and is it time to take him out of the lineup?
With Gardner’s struggles at the plate, it’s been nearly impossible to keep him at the top of the order without hindering the Yankees’ run production. Now, Derek Jeter will see more at-bats at leadoff, a spot in the order that is not naturally fitting for the Yankees shortstop.
He is a prototype No. 2 hitter. Now, all of that speed the Yanks had at the top of the lineup is gone.
So where does that leave Gardner?
At the bottom of the order, of course, where he will remain once again until he gets his bat straightened out. Gardner should and will be given more time to get his act together. Besides leaving the Yankees with less speed at the top, Gardner is not hurting the Yankees all that much.
If it were the case that the Yankees would be depending on his bat this season, the Yankees would be in a whole heap of trouble. But that isn’t the case. Gardner is the last guy the Yankees need to depend on with his bat now that he is at the bottom of the lineup.
Had Joe Girardi kept him at leadoff, it would have been a different story.
It’s easy, as a Yankees fan, to expect everyone in the lineup to be a great hitter. We’re spoiled in that aspect every year, but as is the case for most MLB teams, not everyone in the lineup can hit.
Gardner has proven to be shaky during the season at the plate. His average has fluctuated during the 2011 campaign, making him pretty unpredictable with the bat.
So if Gardner cannot be a consistent leadoff hitter for the Bombers, where does he stand?
The Yankees had hoped Gardner would be the everyday leadoff man with his great speed and ability to steal bases. But when he struggles like this, it’s hard to imagine the Yankees will go with him past this year. It’s too late this season to find a new leadoff man, but if Gardner can’t get the job done moving forward, I would doubt he’ll continue to be the Yankees’ leadoff hitter.
At best, he may just be a utility outfielder come 2012.
Read more New York Yankees news on BleacherReport.com
Yankee Tickets
Shop Yankee
