Gardner Wins

Joe Girardi just announced that Brett Gardner will be the Yankee Centerfielder to start the season. Brett Gardner needed to have a great Spring to beat out Melky Cabrera and he did. Of course, the contact concern bears watching. But, if he can take his walks, beat out his bunts, maintain an OBP of .360 or better, and take away hits in the OF, he'll be a great fit. If he can't Melky (if he's still around) will get another shot. If they end up trading Melky, then Damon and Swisher become the emergency back-ups and Austin Jackson and Colin Curtis become the organizational depth. There should be more roster announcements later and in the coming days. Go Yanks!

UPDATE: Ivan Nova, who the Yanks lost in the Rule V draft has been returned. He'll probably start in AA where he will hopefully develope a K pitch.