After the 2005 season, the Yankees were in dire need of a center fielder. Now entering his age-37 season, Bernie Williams was no longer capable of manning the position on an everyday basis, as his 85 OPS+ and 12 home runs both represented career lows. Over the course of the season, the Yankees had used Bubba Crosby (career 47 OPS+ in 173 plate appearances over three seasons), left fielder Hideki Matsui (who had manned the position in 2003 when Williams was out with a knee injury), and utility man Tony Womack (who began the season as the second baseman) in center when Williams wasn’t out there.
25 Smartest Moves of the Past 25 Years: Yankees sign Johnny Damon
