With the July 31 trade deadline fast approaching, Joe Torre acknowledged Tuesday night, "Rightfield is the spot we're playing with." Translation: He's happy with Melky Cabrera as an everyday player but isn't as comfortable with Bernie Williams on a regular basis. So let those trade winds blow and those rumors fly – Bobby Abreu, Alfonso Soriano – Torre won't mind a bit. "If there's something that makes sense, we've got to go after it," the manager said. He seemed pleased with the starting rotation and the prospect of getting reliever Octavio Dotel back next week, reducing the need to deal for a pitcher. As for a solid bat for rightfield, Torre said, "We're not going to give up our future for a guy who won't help our future. And I agree with that." Translation: Pitching prospect Phillip Hughes isn't going anywhere and any outfielder the Yankees bring in won't be of the rent-a-player variety. It will either be someone with length on his contract [Abreu] or someone they'd want to sign beyond this year [Soriano] to replace Gary Sheffield, whose contract expires after this season. These next couple of weeks should be very interesting, don't you think?
Comments (16)
My choice for a trade is Soriano. He has played here and now will accept an OF assignment. He probably would come at too high of a price in man power. So, I am not hopefull for this happening. I would stay away from Abreu at all costs. His contract and the demand of paying an extension or the option year of his contract. This makes him way over priced. Also, he is not showing alot of pop with the HR production which is the need in the corner. Reggie Sanders can hit but there is something about him that turns me away from this trade. I guess stand pat and hope Soriano is available as a FA. Watching the combination of Yankee outfielders is not impressive by resume but impressive with desire and results. This is another gut reaction as the Sanders trade. I'd roll the dice and save the coin for use in the FA market.
After Melky's clutch HR last night, on top of many recent big plays, how can you not have a spot for him going forward? Matsui's locked up an OF spot for three more years, and Damon's here for three as well. That leaves one spot available for Melky. If the Yanks are going to keep him, how can they trade for a big contract guy? I'd take Melky over Abreau at this point. I've always been a Soriano fan and wish there was a way to get him back in pinstripes, but should it come at the expense of Cabrera?
Of the available players mentioned, I prefer the lefthanded hitting Abreu. When the posturing ends, I believe we can get him for marginal minor league talent and a lot of George's money. He doesn't hit for power the way he used to, but does still have good speed on the bases, which is needed with the style of ball we are now playing. I like Sanders and his playoff experience, but he is slow compared to Abreu and righthanded. The Yanks can afford to be wrong and waste George's money. They can't afford to be wrong and give away good minor league talent.
I'd like to see them pass on Abreu and Soriano. Bernie was not meant as an everyday player, but we are (most likely) getting MAtsui and Sheffield back, Matsui sooner than Sheff, and more probable.
In the meantime, use another presence in the outfield to bolster and platoon Bernie. That will allow Bernie to be more productive as the dog days wear down, and it will come much cheaper than big name acquistitions we don't really need.
How is Reggie Sanders an upgrade over Bernie?
I seem to think many are excited about a trade just for something new and exciting. There is no real baseball reason for a trade.
I am pretty sure Hideki Matsui will be back and when he is back and up to speed he will be an every day player again. He brings a great bat to the lineup and a more than adequate fielder.
Sheff may be back but then so might the agitation about his contract. Where does that leave Melky?
Melky is clearly an every day player, just 21, and getting better every day.
As a Yankee fan I would rather see Melky out there every day than some other rent-a-player on his decline. Is there any Yankee fan who could not call this team exciting?
Melky is the future of the Yankees, I believe.
No trades for outfielders.
If anything the Yankees need a better backup catcher so we do not burn out Jorge Posada before August 15. You want to trade for something? Go get a catcher who Jorge can mentor as Joe Girardi did him.
Paul, I totally agree about a need for backup C. However, I don't think there's anything out there that makes sense, at least at the moment.
Also, regarding big moves, I forget where I read it, but Cashman basically said he's not expecting to make any big moves at the deadline; he's more interested in doing what he did last year - small deals but no blockbusters. Heck, if Ponson can do what he did last night, Cano and Matsui come back and are decent, and Dotel lives up to the hype, there's your big moves right there. What else do you need? Whatever else Kaat may say, he's totally right in that Yanks don't need *another* bat, they need relief pitching because they score enough runs.
Paul...You are right on about this team being exciting to watch. I haven't been able to say that in a few years...but scrappy play beats out waiting for a 3-run homer any day of the week in my book!
Some of you posters are living in "Fantasy Land." Way to many "ifs." "If" Melky continues to play the way he is playing now. "If" Matsui comes back and gets "up to speed." "If" Sheff comes back. "If" Dotel comes back healthy and effective. Remember, after July 31, all players have to clear waivers in order to be traded. It is extremely difficult to improve your team through the trade market, if both teams have player(s) that must get through the waiver process. Even though we are playing well presently, "standing pat" is a huge gamble.
Roy, many of your "ifs" seem to be paranoia. "if" Melky keeps playing this well? I'd be concerned if there was any evidence whatsoever that he wouldn't. However, he just keeps getting stronger.
"If" Matsui comes back. He will. When it will be is a questions, but we have platoon options until then.
Sheff is an "if", but it is the last year of his contract and we should learn to live without him, we've done it so far.
I've got an "if" for you. "If" for some reason the Yanks don't continue to keep winning iwth the team they have now.
Unless the Yanks can get Sori or Abreu for just minimal loss of young talent, I say that we stay the course with Melky & Co and focus on upgrading our pitching. I really believe that without Melky's timely hitting, fielding and throwing the Yanks would be 4/5 games behind where they are now. If we can't get Sori or Abreu for minimal loss of young talent let's get Sori when he's a free agent to replace Sheffield in right. I trust Cash.
Nothing against Bubba. He's had some nice moments but he's as good as he ever will be. If he winds up in a deal for a pitcher, we can wish him well but the truth is Melky can do more. A switch hitting contact hitter like him is more valuable and he's young.
For Christ's sake! Can't you people see that it's pitching that is what the Yankees need.
Not another clutchless veteran outfielder, not another benchwarmer back-up catcher, not another power hitter.
We need PITCHING. You can't ever have enough pitching.
Even when you have enough pitching, it's still not enough.
Look at the Red Sox the last two games: 1-0 wins.
Yes, they may have been over the Royals but I'd like to see the Yankees do the same to the Royals. They can't.
Look at their homegrown pitching gems: Lester and Papelbon.
The Yankees won't be able to hit off of them even if the Yankees stocked up with Soriano, Abreu, or what have you.
Good pitching will be any slugger you can get.
Sorry, the last sentence above should read:
Good pitching will beat any slugger you can get.
I believe there is a trade out there that would solve the Yankees current problems with A-Rod that could benefit both parties. I propose a 3-way, 3-team trade which would include Miguel Tejada, Alfonso Soriano and Alex Rodriguez. Miggy to Nationals, A-Rod to Orioles to play shortstop where his hero(Ripkin) used to play and Soriano back where he belongs. Of course, either Baltimore or Washington would have to include a starting pitcher in the mix for the Yanks (Armas jr or Benson). Andy Phillips can play 3rd base temporarily until the Yanks could find another alternative next year. This would also benefit the Nats and also Birds.
i have heard many reports that the yankees are talking about a three team deal to aquire soriano at the deadline.