Yankees Need to Say Goodbye to Miguel Cairo

Unless the Yankees decide to rely on sentimentality and "veteranism" over talent and production, Toronto is probably the last stop for Miguel Cairo in a Yankee uniform.

Jason Giambi is coming back. Andy Phillips can play first, second, and third. Wilson Betemit can play all four infield positions (second base in a pinch). Shelley Duncan is a DH/first baseman/emergency outfielder who is crushing the ball whenever he's given an opportunity. Miguel Cairo is, well, Miguel Cairo.

One of those people have to go, as there is no reason to have eight infielders on the roster (not counting the catchers, that's Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Robinson Cano, Andy Phillips, Duncan, Jason Giambi, Wilson Betemit, and Miguel Cairo).

Cairo's versatility made him an asset to a weak bench early in the season. Now, he's redundant and should be made so. I know he's a Joe Torre favorite, but Brian Cashman needs to do what's best for the team and let Cairo go.

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InsanMajor Leaguer

845 days ago

Score 1

duncan is outfield. if you're looking at cairo to make the team better, you haven't been watching the yanks. how about the bullpen and rotation? thats where the problems lie, not cairo (who makes less than a mil a year)

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MrfadedgloryLittle Leaguer

845 days ago

Score 1

You may be confusing Shelley with his brother Chris.. Shelley played mostly 1B in the minors for the Yankees. Cairo isn't going to make the team better, but a roster with Cairo on it when Giambi comes back would not only restrict the ability to add an extra arm to the bullpen, but also might mean a better bench player would be demoted. Cashman retooled the bench, but Torre's loyalty to Cairo could undermine that.

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InsanMajor Leaguer

845 days ago

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Shelley plays DH and outfield, look at the Yankees' active roster. Cairo isn't making the team better or worse. He has good defense and is a good bench guy that can play all four infield positions. I don't understand why you're picking on a guy that makes 750 grand. Plus the Yanks already took care of the roster space problem when they put Myers on assignment.

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ChachiOSUDraft Pick

845 days ago

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Shelley is listed as a DH and 1B or DH and OF depending on the site you are looking at. For the record he has started 6 games as the DH and moved to 1B 4 times and RF twice. With Damon healthy I would say he is mostly a reserve first baseman more so than a reserve outfielder.

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KelsdadAll-Star

845 days ago

Score 2

I'd dump Phillips. He's just slightly less useful than Cabrera. And Insan is right, a short term move could involve a utility player, but anything long term, meaning the postseason, has to involve a pitcher.

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Ea34Div-I Stud

845 days ago

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I agree. There is little harm in keeping Cairo. He's not a huge asset, but he's good team guy and plays solid defense.

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DRotch19JV Squad

845 days ago

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I think that would be a terrible move. To dump Phillips would be a classic Yankee move, but would not be as beneficial as dumping Cairo. Phillips is a better hitter, as he has shown recently, and plays damn good first base. Also, he is younger, and would definitely be better trade bait than Cairo, if that is a move they are considering. I realize he isn't that young anymore (30), but still 3 years younger than Miguel Cairo, and shows potential as a 1st basemen, probably manning a 7,8, or 9 spot like he does for the Yankees. Personally, my choice would be Phillips over Cairo, even though it would be hard to let go Cairo, he has been "solid" as a Yankee over the past few years.

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InsanMajor Leaguer

845 days ago

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I have one better, get rid Giambi, done, all the Yankees' problems are solved.

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Tyrone BriggsHall of Famer

845 days ago

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Oh so now it is all Jason Giambi's fault. Nice to see Torre get a break from the bashing now and then.

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Ea34Div-I Stud

845 days ago

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The Yanks should look to deal Giambi to anyone that's willing to pay 10-20% of his salary.

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MrfadedgloryLittle Leaguer

845 days ago

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The Yankees should let Giambi go for $2M dollars? Have you looked at his OPS the last couple of years?

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WoodsmeisterVarsity Captain

845 days ago

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Don't you Yankees fans have anything better to do than to worry about whether or not to keep a utility infielder?

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MrfadedgloryLittle Leaguer

845 days ago

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For all of you guys who want to keep Cairo because he's "cheap and harmless" who then do you let go when Giambi returns? Also Insan, I don't know/care what roster list you're looking at, but Duncan played first for Scranton and was working out there today with Mattingly and Betemit. http://yanke...gers-centre/

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Tyrone BriggsHall of Famer

845 days ago

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I really like the title of this article. Seriously, I do. In fact, it could be a long running sequel of articles here at the 'Chair.

The Yankees Need to Say Goodbye to [insert player].

Who's NOT Now in Pinstripes? [Hey, that could be a new ESPN show...]

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