I'd like to be clever and call today's signing a Winn-win for the Yankees but let's be honest it's more like a Winn-lose without the draw. For weeks, Yankees' fans have heard the top people proclaim that they have "$2 million to spend on a left fielder." Naturally there were a limited number of candidates, Winn, Rocco Baldelli, and supposedly Jermaine Dye being among them. It then became a race for the three to find Cashman's digits, call him up, and ink a deal.
Can Randy Winn contribute? Sure but not nearly as much as the re-addition of Jerry Hairston Jr. could have done. Also, will Winn's playing time cut into Brett Gardner's chance to be an everyday contributor? Hopefully not since Gardner brings speed and the ability to get on base to the bottom of a stacked Yankees' lineup.
As a side note, I was personally intrigued to see Jamie Hoffman get a shot at some playing time and this move will likely preclude him from making the team, barring any major injuries or a spring training season where Hoffman forces his way into the Yanks' plans.
Ultimately, as the title suggests, this is a clear line for the Yankees to move on Carl Crawford during the off-season between 2010 and 2011, a move that will give the Yankees speed at the top of the lineup, pop from the 2 hole, and the youth that Damon nor Winn possess.
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