MLB - Sports Rumors

Tue Mar 24, 2009 6:55 am EDT

Girardi names Nady starting right fielder for Yanks

By Joe Zedalis

The final roster cuts won't come until the end of the week, but the New York Yankees made one decision Monday. Manager Joe Girardi said that Xavier Nady would start in right field, according to the New York Daily News.

If we were to break today, Nady would be my right fielder," Girardi said. "Nady did a lot of good things last year, so he had the upper hand going in."

With Nady as the starter, the Daily News reported Nick Swisher, acquired from the White Sox over the winter, will be a super-utility player, backing up left and right field, first base and designated hitter to open the season. Girardi broke the news to Swisher before the team left Steinbrenner Field for its game against the Phillies. The report indicated Swisher was clearly irritated with the decision.

Source: New York Daily NewsNew Window

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57 Comments

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  1. Moose
    1. Posted by Moose Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:27 pm EDT

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    Congrats X-man. From out lousey Pirates to the Yankees. So, how does it feel to win games?
  2. The truth
    2. Posted by The truth Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:26 pm EDT

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    Las t year was a fluke....this year no Arod, lets see his talent now.
  3. Robert M
    3. Posted by Robert M Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:45 pm EDT

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    irritated at what? making all that money to sit on the bench and play as required by the team needs
    how much more can the average fan take of these namby-pamby spoiled brats
    be happy you are on a roster and drawing a very good check compared to a lot of us people in the job markt today
  4. FiveSidedFistagon
    4. Posted by FiveSidedFistagon Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:57 pm EDT

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    Trade Swish to the Nats! He'd start every game here.
  5. Joba
    5. Posted by Joba Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:45 pm EDT

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    Another 3rd place finish.
  6. MJ
    6. Posted by MJ Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:45 pm EDT

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    of course he is, who else would it be that is any near as talented as the X factor or the UNtier
  7. Randy C
    7. Posted by Randy C Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:29 pm EDT

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    Nady Sucks who cares if he had half a good season with the yankees letts see if he can last a whole season. Last year all he had to do was play half a year because after the first week of the season the pirates we already out of it
  8. Bryan
    8. Posted by Bryan Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:43 pm EDT

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    I think they are pretty close at this point, Nady will give you the better avg. though. Also I'm sure if they needed to get rid of one the yanks would prefer trading Nady so why not showcase him.
  9. Jo Bangles
    9. Posted by Jo Bangles Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:49 pm EDT

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    Okay, so now it's time to name a 3rd baseman. None of this Cody Ransom garbage - a real 3rd baseman.
  10. Artist formerly known as Evil Empire!
    10. Posted by Artist formerly known as Evil Empire! Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:13 pm EDT

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    They both weren't impressive this Spring so you have to go by last years stats and since Nady was here he'll get the nod. Hopefully he'll come out ready to go and start getting more agressive at the plate.
  11. Jay
    11. Posted by Jay Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:44 pm EDT

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    Cody Ransom has batted .294 this spring. Why doesn't that earn him a shot at 3rd base? Because it's only spring training? That's what spring training is for, to prepare your players for daily baseball and to decide who earns positions.
  12. The Real Deal
    12. Posted by The Real Deal Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:08 pm EDT

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    Nady has been a productive hitter everywhere he has played.
  13. Mr C.
    13. Posted by Mr C. Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:32 pm EDT

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    Jay great point but these guys sometimes see things that we as fans don't see.
    Real Deal,
    Good point. You guys found your own 'hidden' treasure from the Pirates in Bay.
  14. UnKle Rukus
    14. Posted by UnKle Rukus Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:09 pm EDT

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    Nady should never even have had to be 'named' the RF. The guy is gonna be a rock. He isn't Bobby, but he isn't that type of player. Maybe he will be that aggressive type hitter the Yankees need (which of course is the anti-bobby Abreu)
  15. the head of ted williams
    15. Posted by the head of ted williams Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:40 pm EDT

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    Historically the Yanks make moves and then make more moves. The Yanks will be a contender again this year. The team will look different in July and again in October.
  16. davfied
    16. Posted by davfied Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:37 pm EDT

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    Everyone is missing the point. " If camp were to break today nady would be the starter. " emphasis on the word if.
    He Chris, Comrade Real,
    Chris- Hold off until I get back to you.
    Real,
    Nady did slump very badly in September.
  17. Rob F
    17. Posted by Rob F Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:45 pm EDT

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    I like Nady in rf. Swish is much more versatile and will get his playing time anyway. With Matsui and Posada showing signs of being able to bring their clutch bats back to the lineup, they can carry Ransom until Alex comes back.
  18. The Real Deal
    18. Posted by The Real Deal Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:08 pm EDT

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    Christian,
    Good to see you back on the rumors. Must be getting close to opening day.
  19. Josh
    19. Posted by Josh Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:11 pm EDT

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    Hey, we still need a CF who isn't Damon. Swisher plays a serviceable CF, so don't counnt him out of there yet. Plus, a lefty power hitter? Yeah, we don't have enough of those. Why do we need a 3B? Last I checked, A-Rod should be back in April. And as for the comment about Nady not having A-Rod to protect him in the lineup, what about Texeira? I guess his All-Star status doesn't mean anything? Later haters.
  20. yankeefan4ever
    20. Posted by yankeefan4ever Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:46 pm EDT

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    Yes I think Nady is a throwback to the old type Yankee players that made them great. He would be willing, I think, to run into a wall- sorry Bobby. He will hit better as he gets more used to American League pitching. As much or more power than Bobby, as good a hitter (maybe not as patient), better defensively- a good player. I also think they should play Ransom at third. He deserves the shot from how he has played so far. When A-Rod comes back the bench will be stronger because of the experience Ransom will get with the playing time.
  21. joarby2
    21. Posted by joarby2 Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:37 pm EDT

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    A very good pick by Joe...from Spring itself, Nady looks strong and Swisher is looking rather sluggish.
  22. Mr Mo
    22. Posted by Mr Mo Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:28 pm EDT

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    I love to say, "I told ya so."
    I told ya so!!!!! Swish can do more off the bench than he can as a starter, and Nady's a better right fielder with more consistent offensive production.
  23. philsphanwest
    23. Posted by philsphanwest Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:45 pm EDT

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    Mr. C. #12:
    Bay and Nady were hidden from no one except myopic fans of certain AL teams who foolishly refer to the NL as the JV league. :-)
  24. Rob F
    24. Posted by Rob F Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:45 pm EDT

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    PPW, :-)
    I don't know how old you are, but I remember when it was the other way around...
  25. Ryder
    25. Posted by Ryder Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:51 pm EDT

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    Good for the bench, switch-hitting power.

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