Two Moves To Avoid
The Yankees still have a lot of work to do, but now that they are 4 1/2 back in the wild card it is pretty obvious they will not be sellers at the deadline next week. That means they are buying and a lot of possible moves are out there. Here are two that I just don't think make any sense at this point.
Trading for Mark Teixeira. It is impossible not to like this guy, he hits, he fields, he is still only 27. As an added bonus he is a switch-hitter and won't be a free agent until after 2008. Adding him to the lineup would give the Yankees an embarassing group of offensive talent. But, Teixeira is going to be very, very expensive after 2008 and command a long deal, probably something similar to what Giambi got after the 2001 season. Yes, it is probably safe to say that Teixiera hasn't done the steroids Giambi did and he will be about two years younger than Giambi was when he signs his next deal, but this is the type of move the Yankees need to get away from.
Trading one of their best pitching prospects (I assume it would take at least Kennedy to get him as part of a package) isn't a smart move right now. The Yankees finally have some homegrown talent to build around and while Tex is enticing, it is the wrong move. Andy Phillips is going to cool off soon, but he is adequate at first and you have Giambi and Mientkiewicz coming back in the next few weeks. The offense has enough horses for now, if the Yankees want to use one of their top prospects, use it for pitching, not hitting.
The other move I wouldn't make is trading Scott Proctor for a utility bat. Proctor isn't going to take Mariano's place anytime soon, but there are a lot of things about him that make him valuable to this staff. He never shies away from taking the ball and he is one of the few, maybe the only, pitcher on the staff who will protect his hitters by buzzing the opposing team. With Duncan off to a good start, plus the returns of Giambi and Mientkiewicz, where would the Yankees find time to play a Wilson Betemit if they got him? Keep Proctor for the seventh inning and see if you can get someone else for the 8th besides Vizcaino.
Comments
Agreed.
Texeira is too expensive. They probably have to improve this position with a lateral hire, but let's see what becomes available and how guys like Phillips & Duncan & Damon work out in this position.
Proctor is frustrating, but in a far different way from Farnsworth. At least he is mentally tough and is capable of improving.
Farnsworth may have the most trade value (does he have a no-trade clause?). Some National League contender could use someone with his stuff.
The White Sox might be willing to deal a good veteran for a work-in-process like Chase Wright, Klippard, DeSalvo, or Igawa.
Posted by: Corey | July 25, 2007 04:04 PM |
I would really like to see Cashman make a strong push for Jarrod Saltalamacchia now that the Braves are entertaining offers. With the starting catcher job locked up by Brian McCann, I think it isnt too far fetched.
The problem being that Schuerholz is a smart GM, and wont be fleeced.
With such a talented young player however, it might be worth it to move some pitching prospects for Posadas successor.
Posted by: Ian | July 26, 2007 09:28 AM |
Corey- Farnsworth can be traded anywhere, let's keep our fingers crossed!
Ian- That is a great idea, especially because he can play first as well. The Braves are supposedly interested in Damon (according to ESPN) I wonder if the Yankees paid a bunch of money and sent a prospect if that could be a match?
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July 26, 2007 03:55 PM
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