Cliff Lee?
So, moving from last night's egofest we have news that the Yankees are "close" to acquiring Cliff Lee. The details are sketchy, but Jesus Montero is the centerpiece of the deal and two other prospects are rumored to be included. Montero is a steep price to pay, but Lee is worth that price in my mind for three reasons.
First, the Yankees do not have a great spot to play Montero. The fact that they have offered him to the Phillies for Lee and are willing to do the same with the Mariners tells you the Yankees don't think he be a full-time catcher. And if he can't fill that roll, the Yankees would have to DH him which is something a team with older guys who need to take breaks on a regular basis can't do. In 2011, the best plan would be for Posada to DH 80-100 times, A-Rod 20, Jeter 20 and other guys fill in as needed. (I know Jeter is a free agent, but I am willing to bet anything he is back for 2011) And the DH picture doesn't get much clearer in the future. A-Rod is going to need more time there. Jeter past 2011 would as well. With DH and first blocked for the forseeable future, Montero doesn't fit if he can't catch everyday.
And that brings me to the second reason the Yankees can trade Montero, Austin Romine. Romine is 21 and his catching skils have never been in doubt. Add in a .281/.361/.423 line at Trenton (a huge pitcher's park) and his bat is coming along nicely too. Romine's the true catcher of the future for this team and his hitting in AA makes Montero expendable.
The final reason is what Lee means to the rotation. Sabathia and Lee are as good a 1-2 as any team in the league has. Come playoff time this trade would make it extremely likely you won't see AJ Burnett starting any games for the Yankees. Add in the likely return of Hughes to the bullpen, where the Yankees can easily manage his innings and you have a win-win.
One caveat, it would be a mistake to turn around and trade Vazquez. Vazquez has pitched very well since mid-May and he will be a Type A free agent next year. That means the Yankees would get two draft picks if someone else signed him, and with Lee, Sabathia, AJ and Hughes already in the rotation, you would have to think the Yankees let him walk. Plus, you can never have enough pitching. Keep Vazquez, restock the farm system with the draft picks after the season.
Hang on to your hats, it's going to be a bumpy day.
Comments
For so long we have been told Montero is the cream of our crop... meanwhile, he is not having a good year in his first AAA year. .250 w/ 6 HR over 70 games... we may have to accept the fact that he was overrated. Cliff Lee is a proven stud, both regular season and playoffs. At 6'4 225lbs, Montero is a little oversized to be an every day catcher anyway. Peter, I'm all for not putting Vasquez on fire sale, but you don't think we could do a little better than that in a trade scenario?
Posted by: Evan![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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July 9, 2010 11:16 AM
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I don't like trading Montero. He'll fill the Catching gap between Jorge and Romine and then RF will be his ultimate destination. I don't like giving up that kind of offensive talent for a rental (we won't even have a window to negotiate an extension!)
However, if the Yankees turned around and traded Vazquez for Jason Werth, who would then come and reduce Granderson's playing time (as well as being a Type A free agent after this year, himself), I don't mind that whatsoever.
But yeah, I think this Montero trade is going to hurt, big-time.
Posted by: Jim Johnson | July 9, 2010 11:39 AM |
OK, if Montero doesn't fit and we pick up Lee - that's great. Makes it easy for Andy to retire if he chooses to do so. Might be a little crowded in the rotation though unless we can turn someone like Burnett or Vazquez into Carl Crawford or someone equally as talented.
Posted by: Anonymous | July 9, 2010 11:58 AM |
Evan- I would assume the Yankees would get a nice package back for Vazquez at the trading deadline, but I still wouldn't do it. I would hang onto him (ERA of 3 since May 12th)
Posted by: Peter![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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July 9, 2010 12:08 PM
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Jim
It will hurt, but if they add Lee without trading anyone on the 40-man roster, that's a big get in my book.
Posted by: Peter![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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July 9, 2010 12:09 PM
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I think it's worthy to point out that Girardi favored giving the pitching staff lots of rest last year after the all star break, particularly as our lead began to grow in the standings. He may continue to let Hughes start and hold on to Vasquez, doing a 6 man rotation and letting the top 3-4 compete for post season rotation. I wouldn't be opposed to that. At the worst, Hughes goes back to the bullpen and strengthens it up, although I think it's important to keep him confident as a starter (especially with such an outstanding start).
Posted by: Evan![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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July 9, 2010 01:50 PM
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Good point Evan. I get the feeling that the Yankees just might do that for the two weeks between the All-Star Break and the trade deadline if this goes through.
We know Hughes is going to pitch tonight, who will he face?
Posted by: Peter![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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July 9, 2010 02:18 PM
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mlb trade rumors is reporting Lee is going to the Rangers.
Posted by: Andy![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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July 9, 2010 05:11 PM
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oink oink...serious pig envy going on here as a Sox fan. Whether you get him or not it is exciting to see your team involved in always trying to better themselves.
Anyway, got to get back in the groove and analyze tonight's lineup:
Scutaro SS
McDonald LF
Ortiz DH
Youkilis 1B
Beltre 3B
Drew RF
Cameron CF
Hall 2B
Cash C
5.5 opening day starters! Woohoo, Maybe Seattle will entertain offers of Cash and McDonald for Lee?
Posted by: blmeanie![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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July 9, 2010 05:54 PM
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Ah well. The question now becomes: does Lee sign an extension with the Rangers or does he want to make large dollars and get some nice jewelery by becoming a Yankee?
Posted by: Mitchell![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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July 9, 2010 06:40 PM
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I think he can only be a rental for them. The team is in bankruptcy (with A-Rod as their largest creditor!) and needed the Mariners to pay all of Lee's salary.
Posted by: Peter![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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July 9, 2010 10:45 PM
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bl, glad they didn't get him. That would have been devastating.
The Red Sox offense has been great this year, much better than I thought it would be. Your line-up does cause one to pause. 9 of the 25 opening day roster on the DL is just crazy...
Posted by: Andy![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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July 9, 2010 10:45 PM
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