PItching Moves Aplenty
It sounds like John Lackey is headed to Boston while Roy Halladay is headed to Philly with Cliff Lee going to Seattle.
I think the resolution of the Halladay situation is a good one for the Yankees. This moves him out of the division and into the NL. That's perfect from a New York standpoint.
I would have liked to have seen Lackey come to New York, but I also understand why the Yankees didn't want to give another pitcher a five-year deal (Lackey is reportedly getting five years and $85 million) He gives the Red Sox some protection if Beckett leaves in 2011 and a very nice 1-2-3 of Beckett, Lester and Lackey next season. But where I think it will hurt the Yankees the most is with what it makes the Angels do now.
Think about the Angels for a second. They are losing their ace. They are watching Halladay, a pitcher they tried to get head to Philly and worst of all, Cliff Lee is going to Seattle where he will join former Angel Chone Figgins. Clearly, the Angles need to make some noise and it sounds like part of that is going to be Matsui headed out there.
Now Matsui, was not the priority for the Yankees because I don't care what anyone says, playing him in the outfield is a bad idea. But, he gave New York options if Damon signed elsewhere. The Yankees could have turned to Matsui and given him the DH role in 2010, keeping the lineup deep and dangerous. Now, if you lose Damon you probably don't have that fallback. The Yankees still have plenty of options, but it would be worth their while to start forcing the issue with Damon and Boras. They need to get Plan B going if Damon is not going to return.
One final note, this trade strikes me as off from the Phillies standpoint. Halladay is a wonderful pitcher, but is he that much better than Lee? Lee is slightly younger, cheaper and proved he could pitch when it counts in the 2009 playoffs. Halladay for all he has done, has never really even pitched in a pennant race. With both players free agents after 2010, why not just keep the guy you have? It will make more sense if Philly got prospects included or something like that, but on the surface I am scratching my head.
Comments
Hideki Matsui heading to Los Angeles makes me sick. He's been my favorite Yankee for years now and I'm hesitant on what I should do with his bobblehead that I have on my dresser, purchased on my first trip to Yankee stadium in 2004.
What can you do though? In all honesty it might be better for us in the long run. How many good years does Godzilla have left in him?
As far as the pitching goes, I LOVE the moves. Roy Halladay is added to a team who doesn't get ANY BETTER by adding him. Cliff Lee goes to an overall irrelevant team and John Lackey signs with Boston, making the Sox likely out of the Holliday and Bay sweepstakes.
Perfect for us.
I believe our pitching is just fine how it is. Joba and Hughesy are more than capable 4 and 5 starters, and I'll GUARANTEE a break out from one of them, if not both, in 2010.
I believe we'll sign one of Damon, Bay or Holliday to play left field. And also still have the possiblity of bringing in a Sheets, Smoltz, or Jason Marquis.
All in all I feel pretty good about what's gone down this year.
Pride. Power. Pinstripes.
-Scooter Blake.
Posted by: Scooter Blake | December 14, 2009 05:39 PM |
From what I hear, Hallady will commit to a long term deal with Philly upon being traded, where Cliff Lee will be shopping and demanding the big bucks. That would be the main logic. While your point is valid about Roy not having playoff experience, he HAS been pitching in the AL east and still been as successful as he has been.
Posted by: Evan | December 14, 2009 06:15 PM |
Scooter- See my latest post on Matsui. I would keep that bobblehead in a place of pride, he was a wonderful Yankee.
Evan- That makes sense on the deal front and I am sure Halladay will be great in Philly.
Posted by: Peter![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
|
December 14, 2009 07:21 PM
|
think about his stats in the NL next year, could be Gibsonesque (or Madduxesque)
Posted by: blmeanie![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
|
December 14, 2009 11:16 PM
|
No doubt, but three prospects and Lee for Halladay?
Posted by: Peter![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
|
December 14, 2009 11:21 PM
|
they weren't the Phils top prospects Brown or Taylor to my knowledge (right?)
Posted by: blmeanie![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
|
December 15, 2009 06:33 AM
|
ESPN is reporting that yes, Taylor is in the trade. But, they are also reporting that Phillippe Aumont, the Canadian pitcher, is going to Philly. That seems unlikely because I assume Toronto would insist on him for marketing purposes alone. This thing is pretty messy right now.
Posted by: Peter![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
|
December 15, 2009 07:52 AM
|