The following was posted on October 16, 2008 in Chad Jennings’ Scranton Yankees blog:

“Juan Miranda is crushing the Arizona Fall League, leading the league in average, slugging percentage, extra-base hits and doubles. He was at it again today, going 3-for-4 with his sixth double in a come-from-behind win.” He also has two triples on the short season.

But it is amzing to realize that the Yankees had the smooth fielding, home run hitting first baseman of the Tampa Bay Rays, Carlos Pena, in their system a few years ago - and let him exercise a clause in his contract to become a free agent.

If I were Brain Cashman, forget about Mark Teixeira coming to the Bronx and let Miranda get the 400 or so AB's against right handed pitching, then pair up Miranda with a smooth fielding RH hitter who can play first base and fill in other spots. too. Cody Ransom would look good in that role. Then both could platoon with Jorge Posada, who looks to be more of a DH/1B this season as he tries to come back from a torn labrum and surgery last July. Unless he is traded this winter, Hideki Matsui would be in the DH mix, too.

But, Miranda is a young slugger suited for the right field wall at Yankee Stadium. He crushes RHP and needs to hit in the majors instead of back in AAA Scranton where he did very well this past season.

The Yankees would save over $120 million dollars and get younger in the same process.