When it comes to the New York Yankees, I can assure you of one thing:  Brian Cashman isn't as smart as you'd think.

However, he isn't as stupid, either.

I realize that Cashman's apparent plight to sign Nomar Garciaparra as an everyday first baseman is met with a collective frown.  It's not what you'd consider an easy sell.  And, it shouldn't be.  Why sign Nomahhh, a 32-year old, career shortstop with a history of debilitating injuries and -- worst of all -- glory years with the hated Red Sox?  Why bring in a guy whose legacy in Boston is that of a "clubhouse cancer?"  Why spend the money on someone who has no Major League experience at first base?  All are valid questions.

In reality, Brian Cashman might have more luck seeking out the Loch Ness Monster or marketing lead-based paint to homeowners than getting baseball fans to swallow the concept of Nomar... in pinstipes... as a first baseman.

But, here's the thing, he might be onto something.

Say what you want about Cashman and his crazy, preposterous, inane, outlandish notion of signing Garciaparra, but the man always has an ace up his sleeve, and this might be it.  In fact, I not only like the idea of Nomar in Yankee Stadium, I encourage it.  Here are three reasons why:

1) The dude can still hit

I know it's easy to forget this, but Nomar hit a cool .301 with 28 homers and 105 RBI in 2003.  That's not that long ago.  Heck, in 2004, Nomar was on pace for similar production in stints with Boston and Chicago in only 81 games AFTER he came back from injury.  And, despite his heinous groin injury, which made every man over 16 shudder in dismay, Nomar finished strong and ended 2005 with a .283 average.

What should you take away from this?  Sure, maybe he'll never have another 35 homerun campaign like 1998, but his skills have not diminished to the point that he's a vegetable.  Furthermore, the Yankees don't NEED another slugger in their lineup, they need solid hitters.  If he could hit for average with a hint of power, which Nomar's proven he can do, it would go a long way towards fortifying the Yankee lineup.  Do you think for one second that he couldn't put up .280-15-80 hitting behind Jeter and in front of A-Rod, Sheffield, Giambi, or Matsui? 

2)  Your grandmother could play first base

Whenever an out-of-the-box idea like this is proposed, most people look for reasons to strike it down.  The complaint of choice regarding Nomar as a Yankee:  he's not a first baseman.  My God, he's a shortstop!  Do you know if he became a Yankee that they'd have three... 

Stop it, I know.  But, it's still not that big of a deal.

When it comes to Major League Baseball, position changes are like Ashlee Simpson:  well-publicized, highly visible, but grossly overrated.  In this case, Nomar would be shifting from the most difficult position on the diamond (shortstop) to one of the easiest (first base), a move I'm confident any big league middle infielder could make.  After all, there's a REASON guys like David Ortiz play first base (against NL teams) and not centerfield, it requires far less defensive aptitude.  There's also a REASON that shortstops are easy to place elsewhere on the field, and NOT vice versa.  A shortstop can play anywhere.  At the very least, Nomar would be a clear defensive upgrade over Jason Giambi for the next season (or two) while prospect Eric Duncan (another first base heir) hones his skills down at Columbus.

3)  There are NO real risks

Despite what you might think, the Yankees aren't playing hopscotch in a minefield if they make this move.  Actually, there's minimal risk involved.

Look at it this way, if the Yankees sign Nomar, there are a few things we'll know up front.  For starters, it won't be a long-term deal, maybe a year or two at the most.  Secondly, he'd be one of the cheapest players on the team with a four or five million dollar contract.  Financially, it'd be a calculated risk.  Most importantly, if the injury bug bites again, it won't be the end of the world for the Yankees.  They won't be tied into a monster contract and they'll have an all star backup who's admittedly a better hitter when he plays the field.  From a pure depth perspective, Nomar would be much less of a risk than Tony Womack in 2005.

So...  maybe Nomar will be in pinstripes in 2006...  maybe not.  However, don't curse Brian Cashman for trying.  Maybe he knows what he's doing after all.

That's the way I see it, anyway.