[1998 Yankees]

Good questions.

Originally Posted by CommishJoe

Giambi should definately be a DH. I know it's not really the time to ask this, but I'll ask it anyway. What do the Yankees do for next year? My guess is that they don't sign Abreu, put Damon back in CF with Melky moving to RF (best arm of the bunch) and put Matsui back in LF with Giambi their full time DH. That's definately not their best defensive alignment (especially with Hunter being available), but that's the best they can probably field with the bunch they have.

We have to wait, of course. There are too many variables. First, everybody says they don't sign Abreu. Well, back in May or June that was a no-brainer, but he's closing in on 100 RBI's. Maybe the Yanks do re-sign him? Also, you mentioned Hunter; a FA may throw a monkey wrench in things. One thing for sure: I want Cabrera in either CF or RF.

One more relevant question is what do they use for the post-season? Damon-Melky-Abreu is their best defensive OF, but then who do they DH? That would probably require Giambi at 1b with Matsui at DH. I suppose it'll depend on how good Matsui is feeling at the time and how well Mienky does at 1b over the next couple of weeks. I'd much rather see Doug at 1b than Giambi, that's for sure. It's almost painful watching Giambi play the field now.

If either Damon or Giambi were right-handed, it would be a platoon at DH, no doubt. Go with the hotter guy, I guess, but keep Giambi off 1B. Start Mienkiewicz there. He's been contributing, as we saw last night. Matsui is too good to keep out of the lineup, and he is most logical at LF, not DH, IMO.