SNY: Salfino: Yanks have needs for ‘09—and the means

Carlos Gomez! Oliver Perez! As tasty as a bag of Duke Carmels!

Center field is just as big a trouble spot, but with no easy answers. Milton Bradley could conceivably play it (as he last did regularly in 2005) but has lots of off-field baggage and is always hurt. He is an above-average hitter from both sides of the plate. When healthy, he has a reasonable chance to approximate Bernie Williams at the plate, (good), but comes close to Williams’ defensive abilities in his later years (bad).

Jim Edmonds has been discussed, but believe his Cubs resurgence at your own peril. The Yankees could go to the trade market for a player with some upside. How ironic would a Phil Hughes for Carlos Gomez trade be after last winter’s dealings with Minnesota involving Johan Santana?

In house, Melky Cabrera’s stock has fallen. He’s still young enough to be intriguing, but he’s declined three straight years and can now be viewed only as a fourth or fifth outfielder with very marginal starting upside.