Andy Phillips

It seems that it's up to Andy Phillips to have the Yankees not make a deal right now for an outfielder. I've heard Phillips interviewed a couple times in the past. He seems like he's just about as nice a person as exists. He's one of the people you root for.

Bernie Williams is an everyday outfielder for the time being with Johnny Damon and Melky Cabrera (who got on 3 times in the #2 spot in the lineup tonight).

In 2004 and 2005 Phillips combined to hit .313 in the minor leagues, with a .385 OBP, and an impressive .572 SLG.

Phillips spent about half of the 2005 season in the Majors. He's 29 years old now, so he doesn't get prospect treatment of when you're up in the majors you play. Despite spending that much time in the majors he only had 40 at bats. He did not hit in them. He batted .150. This season his at bats were sporadic again, and as of May 15th, he was batting .136 in 36 at bats. He started getting a little more playing time and his averaged went up to .204 by May 29th.

Tonight marked the first time in Andy Phillips' career that he started four consecutive games. Phillips also has 4 consecutive multi-hit games, meaning over the last four games he has 3 more hits than he had in during the 2005 ML season. This is the first chance he's getting in the Major Leagues to be an everyday player. So far he's taking advantage of it. If he doesn't take advantage of it, he may never get another shot.

We know he can hit in the minors, and at age 29 he needs to show right now that he can do it at the Major League level.