The trade deadline is coming fast, and just like the past few weeks, the Yankees' needs change on a daily basis. It can't be good for the Yankees that Steven White, a righthander at Triple-A Columbus who has garnered some interest, struggled in front of a few high-ranking officials from the Pirates and Nationals yesterday.
The Yankees definitely want Alfonso Soriano and Bobby Abreu, but like any big deal, a lot needs to happen to facilitate it, and it's hard to see everything coming together with a week to go. That the Pirates were in Columbus immediately makes you think about Craig Wilson and Roberto Hernandez. The Nationals' presence probably had more to do with righthanders Ramon Ortiz and Tony Armas Jr. than Soriano.
But Yankee fans can dream...
Comments (8)
Oh my god.
For the last time, the Yankees need PITCHING, not more clutchless, 30+ year old sluggers with a higher salary than their batting average with runners in scoring position.
If you pitch better than your opponent, you win, it's that simple.
When you are playing a team in the post season, say the Red Sox and you are getting shut down by a Curt Schilling or a Jonathon Papelbon, having an Abreu or Soriano or heck even Pujols in your line up ain't gonna help when your pitcher is giving up 12 runs to them.
Jim,
Longtime Yank fans don't dream about magical trades. We know our needs. We know George has given away the wharehouse of talent to achieve the the ring. So now, we must struggle through with limited hopes of a quality trade with no talent to trade .
We need pitching. I repeat,"we need pitching." Abreu will not assist us in stopping hitting teams as the Red Sox, Toronto, White Sox and Tigers. If Torre has to bring in Mariano in the 9th with a 4 run cushion. I'm concerned. With pitching help, this team with its present roster can make the playoffs. No Abreu or Carlos Lee use our energies to bring some pitching to the Yanks. We are averaging about 5 plus runs a game. We need pitching.
Just say no to Abreau! The Yanks don't need another veteran with a huge contract. They're not getting a big arm without giving up big talent, and Barry Zito's about the only guy worth going for right now, so they should focus on middle relief.
BTW, guys on ESPN Mike and Mike were saying A-Rod still has the best 3B numbers in the AL--only Joe Crede has a better slugging percentage--and actually DOES hit in the clutch, with a .380 avg with two outs and runners in scoring position. Stop bitching about the guy and appreciate what we have.
And as far as acquiring a big outfield bat, if it means displacing Melky, forget about it.
Sure we need pitching, but we need good pitching, and that rules out any NL pitchers. Forget Abreu, and get Craig Wilson for marginal minor league talent. He also plays 1st base, which gives him a position once Matsui comes back. Best case scenario for Phillips is his being a late inning defensive replacement at 1st base.
Take a look at my post at the tail end of Comments on Jim's last topic (Lining Them Up). It fits better here.
True, the Yankees need pitching but this is one year where few quality arms are available unless a team wants to give up a lot of farm. A guy like Zito amounts to a rent-a-player with no guarantees who he'll sign with this winter as a FA. And, his agent is Scott Boras.
Everyone needs pitching except for Detroit and maybe Minnesota. It's not going to happen and we're going to have to live with what we have. As inconsistent as the pitching's been, we're right there in the hunt at 2 1/2 out for the division and 2 out for the wild card. All our pitchers have to do is be more consistent and go a little deeper in games (maybe 7 innings (hopefully). Is that asking too much? Maybe, but there aren't any alternatives unless we part with Hughes and Duncan. (NOT!!!!!).
We don't need another bat! We just need more production from the ones that we have now. Giambi needs to break out along with A-Rod. If these guys get hot it will be infectious and the rest of the team will go on a tear. Besides, we'll get Cano back soon and Godzilla is rehabbing hard to get back. if he does, he's gonna tear up the post season cause he'll be fresh.