Confused Yankee fan. Why the hell did the Yankees trade Austin Jackson?

I can see why the Yankees wanted a 30HR guy to fill a potential exist of either Matsui or Damon but to give up a talent like Austin Jackson scares the hell out of me. Ever since the Yankees brought him up they were singing the praises of this kid and rightfully so. Jackson has the talent to be a star in this league.

I agree with you. Granderson has terrible stats against left handed pitchers. I guess they are banking on the short porch in right field to add to his home run totals. I don't have a problem losing Kennedy but giving up Coke was a slight shock to me.

We can only hope that Granderson works out but I'd feel better if the Yankees locked in Matsui and Damon. Damon is still a much better hitter than Granderson even if he can't throw as well.

why? simple. he's projected to be a Curtis Granderson type player but with less power, as he has that kind of POTENTIAL. of course they'd trade a POTENTIAL Curtis Granderson for the REAL Curtis Granderson. he's an upgrade over anyone they could put in CF. they had to platoon Melky Cabrera and Brett Gardner in CF last year, because those two are serviceable at most. no matter who they move to LF, they'll be a defensive upgrade over Damon.

why are people so upset over losing Phil Coke? he was nothing special, and far from a "lefty-specialist". if you want a pitcher to come in an give up 8th inning batting practice, then Coke is your guy. he wasn't horrible but he was expendable, and that's why they traded him. he wasn't needed, and won't be missed. Kennedy isn't anything either, he won't be missed. getting rid of these two is addition by subtraction.

people, the Yankees come out of this as the winners. they traded a POTENTIAL star for a PROVEN star, and got rid of two expendable pitchers freeing up salary space (which went to help re-sign Pettite). Arizona fans have a right to complain as they got screwed. Yankees fans shouldn't be complaining. look at their lineup, it's an embarassment of riches.

11/4/09- again, this leaves Damon the odd-man out. if he re-signs, which now will be at the Yankees desired compensation, he will be the DH not the LF. he may play some LF, but mostly DH. Melky will move to LF or RF. he isn't going anywhere, you don't have to worry about that. the ONLY way they get rid of Melky is for a big name star such as Roy Halladay in a package trade. other than that Melky will be staying in NY.

Because he strikes out a lot and has no power, and the Yanks didn't think he'd develop it. He didn't in the 4 years he was in the system. So off he went. Granderson has his flaws (poor hitter vs. lefties & Ks a lot himself), but his upside is great. Terrific power (led all of MLB in HRs from the CF position and will hit even more in Yankee stadium), great speed, good arm, and usually a good fielder.

He's also young at only 28, and is a good clubhouse guy.

It's a good move for the Yanks, and an upgrade over Melky at center.

Besides, the best prospect in the Yankee organization is Posada's heir apparent, Jesus Montero. As long as they keep him and the young pitchers, I'm good.

I Are A Puppet, etc. - I think Marte performing so well in the postseason made Coke expendable. (Both being lefty specialists.) Also, I don't think the Yanks felt Ian Kennedy would develop into the pitcher they thought he'd be. They are much more focused on Hughes and Joba.

Curtis better put up a good year, he's a yankee now. But honestly, I totally agree, If Austin Jackson becomes a stud im going to be pissed. If the yankees were going to trade the guy, It should've been in a Roy Halladay deal. You always know what you're going to get with Halladay, but Curtis is a risk. He's got speed and some power, but he strikes out alot and doesn't come up clutch. But we'll have to see what happens. As for Melky, I think he is one of the most underrated outfielders in baseball, his defense is stellar and has some pop. Come spring training, we'll see if Melky can win that center field job back. Overall, "B-" trade, but I wouldn't have done it.

Look at the last few Yankee prospects that were amazing in minors. Ian Kennedy and Phil Hughes. Ian Kennedy is yet to prove himself in the majors and Phil Hughes as been good but not as a starter which is what he was intended to be. Austin Jackson may come up to the majors and do horrible. Granderson has already proven he can play major league ball.

I was thinking the same thing, but I heard one sportscaster put it in a way that made sense:

If Austin Jackson reaches his full potential, then he will be exactly like Curtis Granderson.

Also, he hit 30 home runs last year, and in Yankee Stadium, he'll hit 45.

However, I still don't get why they traded Coke and Kennedy when their young relievers are what carried them through the playoffs.

Granderson is a proven all-star quality centerfielder. Jackson is just that, a prospect, no one really knows when and if he will be a major leaguer. Plus the Yankees have never really been concerned about their farm system and it works for them, why change? They'll still go after another outfielder and starting pitching in the FA market.

i was asking the same thing, i was excited to see austin jackson play because of all the hype surrounding him the past few years. but from what i have heard recently, Austin jackson is probably not as good as a prospect as he is hyped up to be. he was hyped up so much because he was going to be a yankee. the yankees didnt feel he was going to be so valuable that they should keep him. and his numbers in the minors werent anywhere near off the charts of anything like that. Granderson is the same type of player - fast, good outfielder, etc. HOWEVER he has power, he hit for 30 homeruns last season. 30 homeruns anywhere else is probably like 40 homeruns at yankee stadium because of the short walls. Granderson can also hit for triples - 44 in the past 3 years. By the yankees getting Granderson they get a YOUNG, athletic, good outfielder, who can hit for power. the only thing is, he strikes out a lot. however, i have a feeling the yankees coaching staff can help that. the yankee hitting coach does a great job, and if you have noticed last season the yankees did not strike out a lot at all

Austin Jackson projects to become a Curtis Granderson type player but with not as much power....why not get Curtis Granderson, who is still this side of 30?

I don't get it either. The Yankees already have too many outfielders, and now I'm just worried about Melky. If they re sign Johnny Damon, then that would fill the outfield and the Yankees might trade away Melky. I already had to see Austin Jackson go, I don't want to part with my favorite outfielder too!