TwitterPut Your GM Hat On
29 Jul 2011
Ok, let’s say you are Brian Cashman, what move(s) do you make at this trade deadline? Here’s my answer.
1- I try and find a primo starter available. One last call to the Mariners just to make sure Felix isn’t going anywhere. A call to Oakland to check on Gio Gonzalez. Assuming the answer is no, I then look for the second tier pitchers. Ubaldo Jimenez scares me for a number of reasons, so I probably stay away. Matt Garza would be an interesting pickup since he has pitched well in the AL. And finally, would the Dodgers be interested in moving Kuroda? (Or better, Billingsley?) Assuming the discussions are not fruitful or the prices are too high, I sit still. Ivan Nova is sitting in AAA with Phelps and Warren, why not give one of them a shot if you need rotation help?
2- I stay away from bullpen help. Robertson and Rivera are doing fine and Soriano will be back shortly. Trading for a second lefty doesn’t make a lot of sense to me when Banuelos could probably fill that role and profit from the experience in the majors. All the arms I mentioned before could also help in the pen.
3- Now getting another bat would be a very good idea. Unlike previous seasons, the Yankees have a pretty solid bench. Andruw Jones is hitting lefties and Chavez can cover righties. Nunez is a good pinchrunner and can cover the infield. The thing the Yankees are lacking should be the easiest spot to fill- DH. Jorge Posada had a great June, but he cooled off again in July (.468OPS in the last 28 days) and his overall season has been a disaster. At the very least, he should be benched against LHP (6-for-51 no HR’s) but his numbers against righties The Yankees could move Jones to DH when they face a lefty, but another bat wouldn’t hurt and a guy who could play a couple of positions like Ty Wiggington (.318/.423/.519 vs LHP, played 1B/3B/OF and 2B in past two years) would be a great addition.
4- Turn some pitching prospects into positional prospects. The Phillies are apparently trying to find a 3rd team to give them some pitching prospects to land Hunter Pence. No matter what happens in the next few years, the Yankees won’t have room for all their potential pitching prospects. Giving some of them to Philly or another team in return for position prospects makes a lot of sense.
So, what would you do? You have just about 50 hours to decide. (And please check back Sunday as I will be live blogging the deadline from 2:30 onward.)
Jul 29, 2011 @ 17:19:53
Peter –
1. I would also check on Fister’s price in Seattle. Every time I watch that kid, he impresses me. I think he could stick well and for the long term. Other than that – no changes to your course.
2. No changes.
3. I would ask Jorge if he’d be willing to retire early with a restructure to his contract if that helps ease the indignity. If I can move him out then I trade Cervelli for a postion prospect and make Montero the backup C to Martin – making sure that CC is OK with losing Cervelli, of course.
4. My only thinking here is that we have, in essence, got basically every positon blocked for at least another year or two. In the interim, we need a super-utility type.
Jul 29, 2011 @ 21:09:39
local radio hosts crapped on Pence, said if anybody (Phils, Braves) give up a bunch for him they are crazy.
Jul 29, 2011 @ 23:54:37
Mitchell
Fister is a good one, hadn’t thought of him.
Jul 29, 2011 @ 23:57:17
BL
I have a feeling those hosts aren’t going to be crapping on him for long. Pence is going to be a nice addition to a dangerous Phillies squad.
I am getting ahead of myself, but a SF-Philly NLCS would be amazing.
Jul 30, 2011 @ 12:31:49
Sounds like Fister is headed to Detroit.
Jul 30, 2011 @ 15:16:08
Does MLB currently have a policy of one from each team makes the all star team?
If so, isn’t Pence an all-star because one was needed from the Stros?
nice player, but to give up multiple high level assets? Sounds like Bagwell for Anderson to me.
Jul 30, 2011 @ 17:46:11
BL
Did Hunter Pence hit your car or something? You don’t like the guy.
Not every team can land a quality bat like Mike Aviles.
But to answer your question, yes they do have that rule. Every team gets one player in the ASG.
Jul 30, 2011 @ 20:43:33
No, just wish the excitement over a deadline deal actually led to an impact player being dealt. Rarely is there one that has an impact in the postseason.
Jul 30, 2011 @ 21:05:08
BL
What about Cliff Lee last year?
No way Texas makes the World Series without him.
Jul 31, 2011 @ 08:48:01
sorry, impact is winning
and I forgot about Lee