Written by Greg Fertel
|
05 June 2007
Chad Jennings over at
SWB Yankees Blog is reporting that Chris Basak and Sean Henn will replace Matt DeSalvo and Kevin Thompson. Bad news.
Sean Henn for Matt DeSalvo - ok, whatever. The Yankees have an exhausted bullpen and called up an insurance policy in case Clippard does not go the distance. Ok, I'm not sure how necessary it is, but I understand the logic.
Chris Basak for Kevin Thompson - My only explanation is that Jeter must be hurt. Chris Basak is essentially the same player as Miguel Cairo. He's hitting a meager .265/.321/.423 at AAA right now, while playing short, 2nd, 3rd and the outfield corners. Why not call up Angel Chavez, who is hitting .336/.365/.471? I don't see any rationale behind it, except that Basak could pull Cairo duty in left field if we need him to.
Why not call up Andy Phillips or Shelley Duncan? Both would be better hitters, and both are capable of playing a bunch of positions. If Cairo is going to play short for a few days for Jeter (which I am assuming with the Basak move), why can't Arod play a few innings at short in a game while Andy Phillips plays third? My only answer is that the Yankees plan on cutting Basak from the 40 man and exposing him to waivers in a few days - and they don't want to risk losing Phillips or Duncan.
