On the Yankees beat

I've been saying for 2 weeks that I think it's a good idea to sign the guy.
1. He'll take the league minimum.
2. Since he's had a tough time landing with a team, I'll bet that he'll be on his best behavior and not rock the boat.\
3. He has the best bat speed through the zone of anyone that I've seen in years. He can still rake.
4. Yankee Stadium is is perfect for him.
5. Bat him in front of A-Rod and watch the fireworks.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

I will honestly boycott this team. If that lying, cheating, racist cancer ever puts on pinstripes, it's a mockery to the tradition.

Yes, Giambi is a cheater too, but at least he's a likable guy who really goes out of his way to get to know people. He's always very gracious with fans. Can't say the same about Barroid.

My initial response to Barry Bonds joining the team is no, a very resounding no. Lets consider if Bonds could help us. There are probably 30 games remaing at the stadium by the time he's gets his stroke back. The season would be nearly completed.

I would have little respect for the org., if they signed Bonds. Lets make deals that keep in mind our transition into a farm fed team with occassional FA signing and trades made with surplus talent from the minor league system. Thus keeping us competitive and free of long term contracts with aging marquee players past their prime. We look like the heavyweight boxing division with former champs fighting the reigning champ into their late 40's and on.

I want him! I take roids to make up for my tiny appendage! Sign him!

Not so sure i would let go of Melkman or Gardner for Washburn.

By Ed Price/The Star-Ledger
Thursday July 24, 2008, 5:06 PM

A person familiar with the Seattle Mariners' plans, who asked not to be named because of the sensitive nature of trade discussions, said a possible trade of lefty Jarrod Washburn to the Yankees has "got legs" and predicted "something will happen there."

The person said talks have progressed between the sides. The Yankees today held meetings between the baseball-operations staff and ownership in preparation for trade-deadline moves and thus could be prepared to pull the trigger soon.

Kei Igawa's name has come up, as a way to offset Washburn's salary ($10.35 million next year and about $3.4 million for the remainder of this year), but the Mariners aren't sold on Igawa. One area of need for Seattle in in center field, and while the Yankees have put Double-A Trenton's Austin Jackson off-limits, Brett Gardner or Melky Cabrera could be discussed.

Cincinnati's Bronson Arroyo and Texas' Vicente Padilla also interest the Yankees. But they mean even more of a financial commitment; Padilla will make $12 million next year with a $1.75 million buyout on a $12 million option for 2010, and Arroyo has a contract that calls for $9.5 million next year and $11 million in 2010.

Washburn has a partial no-trade clause that includes the Yankees, but the Mariners have discussed it with him, and it doesn't seem to have hampered talks.

Although Washburn is 4-9 with a 4.75 ERA, the Mariners have scored just 74 runs total in his 20 starts, 3.7 per game. He has a 2.65 ERA over his past eight starts, with just four homers allowed in 51 innings.

McCarthy

I could see NY moving Igawa and Colin Curtis for Washburn and Vidro.Seattle would be very happy to unload contracts.

Another possibility is Laird and Padilla for two pitching prospects a starter and reliever and a decent mid level bat.

I told you Igawa's contract was VERY tradeable!

ruse you are a California dope....shut up!

No way the Yanks sign Bonds, especially with all the notoriety they got regarding Pettitte, Giambi, and Clemens. All they are doing is their due diligence, which is fine, but I don't see Bonds ending up in pinstripes and that's okay with me. Signing Bonds would harken back to the days of "The Boss" signing some over-the-hill veteran and giving up a bunch of talented minor league prospects in the process. Cash seems to have the ear of Hank and that's why I don't see Bonds coming to the Bronx.

Mike,

Bonds would cost only money, not prospects, dope!

Well After reading some people comments the oxy moron's leaked out.

" will honestly boycott this team. If that lying, cheating, racist cancer ever puts on pinstripes, it's a mockery to the tradition.

Yes, Giambi is a cheater too, but at least he's a likable guy "

ANYWAY - FLashback Josh Beckett deal

remember who the THROW IN player was and what he did.

Vidro may actually help the yankees and could lead the way for the Cano kemp deal.

Wow.
Bonds?
REALLY?

That'll work

Ian Kennedy pitched another gem last night for Scranton add a couple more good outings NY would seriously have to consider Ian as an option.

Or would increase his trade value which to this observer would be a shame if NY trades him.

Vidro could help NY with his bat not so much with his glove and could never replace Cano in the field.I heard Vidro has been playing injured I'm not sure if that's old news or not

Vidro has been a quality player with the bat in his 11 or so seasons in the big leagues. To give up a guy who's on the tail end of his career for an upcoming star as Cano is wrong. We are giving up 1/4 of a decent infield defensively and 1/4 of a excellent hitting infield for a pitcher who may not fit into the plans next year. I say, "grin and bare it with what we have . Seattle will give up Washburn without Vidro in the mix or Cano.

The Yankee brass must have rocks in their head to go beyond consideration of the trade. These are salary dumbs on Seattle's part. We should give them nothing more than middle of the road prospects if not accepted move on.

We do not have enough pitching to win the WS nor can we obtain it. So, why give away the future best 2nd baseman for nothing.

Forget Vidro, if the yanks traded Cano and expected Vidro to fill in, they are in for a big time letdown. That would be a horrible move in the short and long term. Vidro is a terrible fit for this team...he hasnt hit for power in years ( last 4 years..6HR, 6HR, 7HR , 7HR ), now he's not hitting for average ( .229 ), cant field ( been a DH the past 2 years ), cant run and cant hit with RISP ( .244 ). Where is he going to play? I guess Jose and Big Sexy can make some Starbucks coffee for the rest of the team while they ride the pine and tell stories to the kids about when they were good back in the late 90's. I havent heard about a Cano for Kemp deal, but if its true, I still prefer Cano. I love Matt Kemp, he's a solid/young ball player, but 2nd basemen that can hit in the .320 range with power dont come along every day. Aside from Cano's April ( .151 ) he's hit ( .295, .287, .366 ) in the other months and is KILLING the ball right now...519 AVG and .815 SLUG since the break!!! He's about to go on his patented 2nd half run.

Washburn is OK, nothing special, batters are hitting a cool .298 off him this year. He has decent career #'s against the Sox ( 4.63 ERA ), and good numbers at the stadium ( 2.82 ERA ), but is he the difference maker thats going to put us over the top? This is not the same guy you saw in Anaheim. If it was just money, fine, but I dont want to give up on Melk and Gardner just yet. Ponson has as much chance as Washburn in winning a game, both are very hittable and dont have an outpitch any more. Keep Pontoon, then shuffle in Rasner, McCutchen, Karstens, Kennedy..or bring up Ohlendorf who they have been transitioning to starter at AAA. Ian almost threw a no hitter his last turn out and was the minor league SP of the year last season...bring him up. Even if he gets his brains beat in again, you're still giving him experience at the MLB level which lays the foundation for his career. We need to see Ian more so we have a better grasp on what he is for next year and beyond.

Now to Bonds, I hate the guy, and the press would have a field day bashing the Yanks for signing him...but for just money, I cant really formulate a solid argument for why we shouldnt sign him. All the reasons I have against the guy are personal....I think he's a jerk, I think he cheated and lied about it...but the man can still hit and take a walk. He'll basically give us Giambi #'s. Is it worth the PR hit to "possibly" get those numbers for a month? Thats a personal opinion, although I dont think it's a move that will put this team over the top come October. Could he help us make a run and get into the playoffs? Maybe, but without Wang and Jorge, we dont stand a chance in a 7 game series against top notch pitching. We're doing well right now, and its great, but this team is not built for a deep playoff run. I wish it wasnt true, but who do you throw out for game 1 in Boston? Joba? Not sure he's ready just yet..he's getting there though. Moose? Do you really trust him in that spot to go head to head with Beckett twice? Andy? He's more of a #2. I wont even list the rest of the guys. Washburn isnt that guy, the Wang injury was devastating. The Yanks can survive without him in the regular season, but he's our #1 that can take us deep into the ballgame to open a series, which also keeps the pen fresh. I know Wanger didnt do that last year, but that doesnt mean it will happen each year, I think the kid's got Ace stuff and will get it done on the big stage in the near future..just not this year.

If this team was fresh and had Wang anchoring the rotation, Posada's lethal switch hitting bat driving in runs while gunning down baserunners.....but Matsui was gone for the year..I would sign Bonds to protect Arod.
If Wang and Jorge were in, but Ian and Phil were down like they are, I would sign Washburn to solidify the back end.

Wang and Jorge are the bones of this team, along with Jeter, Mo and Arod, they are the meat of the Yankee sandwich. Guys like Bonds and Washburn are just condiments...I hope we dont think our Ketchup and Mustard sandwich can compare with a T-bone and backed potato dinner come October.

NO MORE 1ST ROUND KO'S!!!!!

Forget Vidro, if the yanks traded Cano and expected Vidro to fill in, they are in for a big time letdown. That would be a horrible move in the short and long term. Vidro is a terrible fit for this team...he hasnt hit for power in years ( last 4 years..6HR, 6HR, 7HR , 7HR ), now he's not hitting for average ( .229 ), cant field ( been a DH the past 2 years ), cant run and cant hit with RISP ( .244 ). Where is he going to play? I guess Jose and Big Sexy can make some Starbucks coffee for the rest of the team while they ride the pine and tell stories to the kids about when they were good back in the late 90's. I havent heard about a Cano for Kemp deal, but if its true, I still prefer Cano. I love Matt Kemp, he's a solid/young ball player, but 2nd basemen that can hit in the .320 range with power dont come along every day. Aside from Cano's April ( .151 ) he's hit ( .295, .287, .366 ) in the other months and is KILLING the ball right now...519 AVG and .815 SLUG since the break!!! He's about to go on his patented 2nd half run.

Washburn is OK, nothing special, batters are hitting a cool .298 off him this year. He has decent career #'s against the Sox ( 4.63 ERA ), and good numbers at the stadium ( 2.82 ERA ), but is he the difference maker thats going to put us over the top? This is not the same guy you saw in Anaheim. If it was just money, fine, but I dont want to give up on Melk and Gardner just yet. Ponson has as much chance as Washburn in winning a game, both are very hittable and dont have an outpitch any more. Keep Pontoon, then shuffle in Rasner, McCutchen, Karstens, Kennedy..or bring up Ohlendorf who they have been transitioning to starter at AAA. Ian almost threw a no hitter his last turn out and was the minor league SP of the year last season...bring him up. Even if he gets his brains beat in again, you're still giving him experience at the MLB level which lays the foundation for his career. We need to see Ian more so we have a better grasp on what he is for next year and beyond.

Now to Bonds, I hate the guy, and the press would have a field day bashing the Yanks for signing him...but for just money, I cant really formulate a solid argument for why we shouldnt sign him. All the reasons I have against the guy are personal....I think he's a jerk, I think he cheated and lied about it...but the man can still hit and take a walk. He'll basically give us Giambi #'s. Is it worth the PR hit to "possibly" get those numbers for a month? Thats a personal opinion, although I dont think it's a move that will put this team over the top come October. Could he help us make a run and get into the playoffs? Maybe, but without Wang and Jorge, we dont stand a chance in a 7 game series against top notch pitching. We're doing well right now, and its great, but this team is not built for a deep playoff run. I wish it wasnt true, but who do you throw out for game 1 in Boston? Joba? Not sure he's ready just yet..he's getting there though. Moose? Do you really trust him in that spot to go head to head with Beckett twice? Andy? He's more of a #2. I wont even list the rest of the guys. Washburn isnt that guy, the Wang injury was devastating. The Yanks can survive without him in the regular season, but he's our #1 that can take us deep into the ballgame to open a series, which also keeps the pen fresh. I know Wanger didnt do that last year, but that doesnt mean it will happen each year, I think the kid's got Ace stuff and will get it done on the big stage in the near future..just not this year.

If this team was fresh and had Wang anchoring the rotation, Posada's lethal switch hitting bat driving in runs while gunning down baserunners.....but Matsui was gone for the year..I would sign Bonds to protect Arod.
If Wang and Jorge were in, but Ian and Phil were down like they are, I would sign Washburn to solidify the back end.

Wang and Jorge are the bones of this team, along with Jeter, Mo and Arod, they are the meat of the Yankee sandwich. Guys like Bonds and Washburn are just condiments...I hope we dont think our Ketchup and Mustard sandwich can compare with a T-bone and baked potato dinner come October.

NO MORE 1ST ROUND KO'S!!!!!

sorry for the double post...I thought I caught it in time when I saw "backed potato", STOP..RERESH!!!!..lol

A rumor that was floated a little bit yesterday was shot down late last night. The trade would have gone down like this:

KC gets: Melky Cabrera, Robinson Cano

NYY get: Zach Grienke, David DeJesus, Mark Grudzelanek

Yeah, fits right in with the youth movement.

This guy better NEVER wear pinstripes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Chip -

Love Zach, he's a solid starter.
David De Jesus is a solid young kid, hits around 300, a little power, a little speed..10/10.
Dont like Grudzy

For Melk, who I believe ( a personal opinion ) will develop into a .280 hitter with more power and speed than David De Jesus and is younger...thats a wash for me. Its Davids current production at 28-29 vs Melks upside at 22-23. Tough call.

Then its Zach for Cano. AI trade I could see happening in my fantasy league, but I still think Cano is more valuable as a potential batting champ at 2nd. Plus Zach is a fragile guy, almost quit the game a couple years ago and is taking anti-depressant drugs. I think he would crack under the pressure of NY.

So Howie...NO DEAL!!! Now can I please shake your hand???

Im glad it was shot down.

The Yanks should be hanging on to Cano and the notion that Jose Vidro could somehow help the Yanks is laughable. Has anyone seen him lately? The guy looks like he was locked in a Taco Bell for 6 months! There is no way he could be anything but a DH for the Yanks and he doesn't have "H" part of DH anymore, actually never did if you ask me. In his prime he was a good hitting IF but he does not have the numbers for a DH and now that his batting average would make Jose Molina feel good about himself, no way should the Yanks consider him. If he's a throw in to take back salary for a Washburn for Igawa swap, I'm fine with that, just cut him the day after the trade is made or try to sucker some team into giving the Yanks half a bag of balls (hey, doesn't Mike Lowell have that?) for him.

Bonds? Please.....this is exactly the type of thing Yankee haters have been waiting to see and I just don't really want to see it even though on some crazy level it might make sense. The most hated person in baseball on the Yanks would just be too much ammo for Yankee haters everywhere I couldn't defend the move at all.

Honestly, I'm with Viper on this season, as I said before and will say again, I'd really like to see the Yanks build for the future, not try to patch this team up with likes of Raul Ibanez or Xavier Nady to get to the playoffs this year, especially since they are not the long term answer and they will cost prospects who very well could be or could be traded in deals for players who are worth it.

I just think the Angels are so tough right now that the Yankees bringing on someone like Nady is not going to make them better than the Angels right now.

I guess we'll know a lot more about our beloved team after this weekend.

Dru ...

You cannot have a bunch of Melkys patrolling the OF next season and season to come, if we can get a matt kemp to go along with AJAX if he is any good in the Bigs woudl be a better boost than with Robbie at 2nd , Until robbie hits 320 for a WHOLE season i will not call him a batting champ. Our OF situation is alarming bad fresh yong legs is needed and if you have a productinve young everyday player avail then you do the deal. So your losing a half a season productive player.

gimme a solid 280 2nd baseman all year round and I'm good.

basically you cannot keep ignoring a crippled OF and rely on a half season 2nd baseman.

The OF is bad

What has Matt Kemp proven at the big league level that Cano hasn't?

The guy slumped for three months, but has been killing the ball lately and has a history of getting better as the season progresses and we want to trade him for a guy who "should be, might be, could be" good some day?
Nah. I'll keep Cano thank you very much. OF's are too easy to come by either as FA's or through trades for lower level prospects.

Now if the Dodgers want to take Melky and two mid level prospects for Kemp, I'd jump knee deep into that, but not Cano.

Jim A...

Currently the Yankee team is playing with Patched up roster , you have a old team and especially in the OF, you have an overrated CF nady is and upgrade over any of our corners. Ownership and thsi includes hal see;s that there is a chance to be productive and will jump on the chance for upgrade due to last season's flaws on assuming the team was good enough, they also want to figure who and what there team will consist of to start next season. already with Posada's stubborness he may be DL'd at season start.

If certain kind of players is offered up it is a blessing and Kemp is one of those. Nady believe it or not may be one of those who knows he could be our right handed paulie think about it what was paulie considered before he came here.

sometimes history repeats itself in a good way

Matt Kemp
Year Team G AB R H HR RBI BB SO SB CS OBP SLG AVG
2006 LAD 52 154 30 39 7 23 9 53 6 0 .289 .448 .253
2007 LAD 98 292 47 100 10 42 16 66 10 5 .373 .521 .342
2008 LAD 95 366 52 106 11 55 30 108 22 6 .343 .462 .290
Total 245 812 129 245 28 120 55 227 38 11 .344 .480 .302

Robinson Cano
2005 NYY 132 522 78 155 34 4 14 62 16 68 1 3 .297 .320 .458 .778
2006 NYY 122 482 62 165 41 1 15 78 18 54 5 2 .342 .365 .525 .890
2007 NYY 160 617 93 189 41 7 19 97 39 85 4 5 .306 .353 .488 .841
2008 NYY 99 373 41 99 21 1 8 45 16 31 1 3 .265 .301 .391 .692
Total -- 513 1994 274 608 137 13 56 282 89 238 11 13 .305 .338 .471 .809

YOU DECIDE

I decided. I'll take Cano.
So you take away Cano to improve the OF, now you've taken away your young 2B who darn near one a batting title last year and who is, at least to me, a lot harder to replace long term than an OF.
I'd love to have Kemp, but not at the cost of Cano. The Dodgers can have any of the Yanks minor league OF's except Ajax, plus Melky and hell, I'd throw in someone like JB Cox (a reliever Joe T. can wear out), but just not Cano.

Nady is AVERAGE and he is not better than Bobby Abreu or Johnny Damon, maybe defensively better than Damon just because he can throw the ball better but that's it. Damon will be a Yank next year and if the Yanks were to re-sign Abreu for two years, I could live with that while Ajax, Gardner or Tabata get ready.

Xavier Nady

2000 SD 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.000 1.000 1.000 2.000
2003 SD 110 371 50 99 17 1 9 39 24 74 6 2 .267 .321 .391 .712
2004 SD 34 77 7 19 4 0 3 9 5 13 0 0 .247 .301 .416 .717
2005 SD 124 326 40 85 15 2 13 43 22 67 2 1 .261 .321 .439 .760
2006 NYM 75 265 37 70 15 1 14 40 19 51 2 1 .264 .326 .487 .813
2006 Pit 55 203 20 61 13 0 3 23 11 34 1 2 .300 .352 .409 .761
2007 Pit 125 431 55 120 23 1 20 72 23 101 3 1 .278 .330 .476 .806
2008 Pit 88 327 50 108 26 1 13 57 25 55 1 0 .330 .383 .535 .918
Total -- 612 2001 260 563 113 6 75 283 129 395 15 7 .281 .337 .456 .793

Bobby Abreau....
2000 26 PHI NL 154 576 103 182 42 10 25 79 28 8 100 116 .316 .416 .554 143 319 0 3 9 1 12
2001 27 PHI NL 162 588 118 170 48 4 31 110 36 14 106 137 .289 .393 .543 141 319 0 9 11 1 13 MVP-16
2002 28 PHI NL 157 572 102 176 50 6 20 85 31 12 104 117 .308 .413 .521 151 298 0 6 9 3 11
2003 29 PHI NL 158 577 99 173 35 1 20 101 22 9 109 126 .300 .409 .468 136 270 0 7 13 2 13 MVP-27
2004 30 PHI NL 159 574 118 173 47 1 30 105 40 5 127 116 .301 .428 .544 145 312 0 7 10 5 5 SS,MVP-23,AS
2005 31 PHI NL 162 588 104 168 37 1 24 102 31 9 117 134 .286 .405 .474 126 279 0 8 15 6 7 MVP-14,AS
2006 32 TOT 156 548 98 163 41 2 15 107 30 6 124 138 .297 .424 .462 126 253 2 9 6 3 13
PHI NL 98 339 61 94 25 2 8 65 20 4 91 86 .277 .427 .434 118 147 0 6 5 2 8
NYY AL 58 209 37 69 16 0 7 42 10 2 33 52 .330 .419 .507 138 106 2 3 1 1 5
2007 33 NYY AL 158 605 123 171 40 5 16 101 25 8 84 115 .283 .369 .445 114 269 0 7 0 3 11 MVP-17
2008 34 NYY AL 98 382 56 105 24 3 11 64 13 7 42 72 .275 .348 .440 111 168 0 0 1 1 10
+--------------+---+----+----+----+---+--+---+----+---+--+---+---+-----+-----+-----+----+----+---+---+---+---+---+

Johnny Damon

2000 KC 159 655 136 214 42 10 16 88 65 60 46 9 .327 .382 .495 .877
2001 Oak 155 644 108 165 34 4 9 49 61 70 27 12 .256 .324 .363 .687
2002 Bos 154 623 118 178 34 11 14 63 65 70 31 6 .286 .356 .443 .799
2003 Bos 145 608 103 166 32 6 12 67 68 74 30 6 .273 .345 .405 .750
2004 Bos 150 621 123 189 35 6 20 94 76 71 19 8 .304 .380 .477 .857
2005 Bos 148 624 117 197 35 6 10 75 53 69 18 1 .316 .366 .439 .805
2006 NYY 149 593 115 169 35 5 24 80 67 85 25 10 .285 .359 .482 .841
2007 NYY 141 533 93 144 27 2 12 63 66 79 27 3 .270 .351 .396 .747
2008 NYY 85 324 53 102 24 3 6 38 37 46 13 6 .315 .384 .463 .847

Add age and injury and it will show that NADY is in the upside of his career .

YOU could live with Damon, Matsui Bobby in the OF , Thank the good lord the Yankees is looking at other options

Jim A - Hilarious!
I agree, we do not want any part of Vidro. Take Washburn for a couple of prospects only. I think Washburn would be a BIG help in the rotation and would make a difference.

Nady would do well in our lefty hitting line-up, but he just wouldn't get as many AB's with the Yankees.That being said, I don't think this move is necessary. Yanks could bring up Jackson, or continue with Christianson. Gardner is in over his head for sure. He doesn't even try to bunt for a basehit. Kennedy should remain in the minors until a really good trade offer comes up.

Send Gardner back

Im with Jim A on this one, offensive 2nd basemen are much harder to find than OF's.

Utley = total package..AVG, power, speed and fielding
Kinsler = AVG, Power and Speed..horrible fielder
Roberts = Speed, Average, fielding...no power any longer
Phillips = close to the total package, little low average and average fielding
Pedrioa = has everything but power
Uggla = just has power
Cano = has everything but speed

Those are the 7 best 2 baggers. Only 2 of them have more than 16HR's, only 3 slug over .500, only 2 of them are hitting over .300.

2 years ago Cano hit .342, slugged .525 and hit 15 HR's in only 482 games. Last year he was off his marks but still hit .306, .488 SLUG, hit 19 HR's, scored 93 runs and drove in 97 runs. If/When Robbie puts it all together, he will be a .320 hitter with 25-30 HR's, 100+ runs and 100+ RBI's

Now look at the OF's..19 have hit more than 16 HR's, 25 slug over .500, 19 are hitting over .300.

Now I know that we're talking about 3 OF spots vs 2 2B spots, but like Jim pointed out. Its a hell of alot easier to find a .300-100-25-100 OF than a .300-100-25-100 2B.

Looking back at last year..NONE of the 2B accomplished that feat. ONLY Utley drove in 100+, only Uggla and Phillips hit over 24 and only 5 got 100 runs.

For comparison sake, 21 OF's hit more than 24 HR's, 14 drove in over 100 runs and 13 scored more than 100 runs.

The point here is that Cano has more of a chance at being the top 2B than Kemp does at being the top OF 3 years from now.

Give me Cano's production matched up with a lesser OF over Kemps production matched up with a lesser 2B.

3 or so years from now we will have a young, fast, strong OF of Ajax, Gardner and Tabata. Match that up with Cano, Arod, Jeter...Tex???? Plus by then maybe Montero will be ready to rake behind the dish....its setting up pretty nice if we just give it a chance and have some patience through the growing pains.

PS. Anon - when you post those stats, I have not clue what Im reading...just give me the good stuff buddy, thanks!

Dru , tell me where that easy OF is at please include Youth, and Skills

You're missing the point Anon, its easIER to get an OF that can hit 20+ hr's and hit over .300 than it is to find a 2nd who can do that. There are dozens of OF's who can get to those numbers, but only 1 or 2 2B. What Cano can do is very unique, what Kemp can do is not very unique. Understand?

Question..

who would you rather have at 1st Jorge or Tex?

now here is where Jorge 's contract could kill this team.

people cried for the future but yet this signing happened , Now there is a chance that he cannot continue as a catcher.

Dru - tell me with out spending big bucks are you getting that OF? Please do nopt say AJAX ,COMET or whatever his name is or the other Prospect. tell me where you are going to get that OF? who is young , etc. CF is not a position to be played with in Yankee Staduim that is a legends spot and all I know is that idiot currently playing there now is not of that class

There is too much overreacting to Jorge's contract. If the surgery is successful, he will resume being the starting catcher. If not, he will be the DH - NOT the 1st baseman. We can still go after Tex if he is available. Then we would have 2 switch-hitters in our line-up. Why all the panic? Jorge is never going to be our everyday 1st baseman - he does not want to be and he isn't good enough defensively. Girardi knows this. But as long as he can swing the bat, no problem.

Time to kick some Bosox butt!

Down with RS Nation! Here we come!

Lets Go Yankees!

The panic is the years of the deal meaning the team is going to have to Move matsui.

It's called Log jam

So Nady is the legend that will replace Melky or is it now Kemp who is the legend?

Ok Anon, Ill play this game. So you want to know what I would do with the OF situation if we did not trade away Cano, without spending big bucks. Here is a list of the FA OF's, 2B and SS after this season...

Outfielders
Bobby Abreu NYY
Moises Alou NYM
Garret Anderson * LAA
Rocco Baldelli TB
Willie Bloomquist SEA
Emil Brown OAK
Pat Burrell PHI
Endy Chavez NYM
Carl Crawford * TB
Adam Dunn CIN
Jim Edmonds CHC
Cliff Floyd TB
Brian Giles * SD
Ken Griffey Jr. * CIN
Vladimir Guerrero * LAA
Raul Ibanez SEA
Jacque Jones DET
Mark Kotsay ATL
Rob Mackowiak WAS
Kevin Mench TOR
Jason Michaels * CLE
Craig Monroe MIN
Jay Payton BAL
Scott Podsednik COL
Manny Ramirez * BOS
Juan Rivera LAA
Rondell White MIN

Second Basemen
Jamey Carroll * CLE
Ray Durham MIL
Mark Ellis OAK
Marcus Giles COL
Mark Grudzielanek KC
Orlando Hudson ARZ
Jeff Kent LAD
Felipe Lopez WAS
D’Angelo Jimenez STL
Pablo Ozuna LAD
Nick Punto MIN
Jose Valentin NYM
Jose Vidro * SEA

Shortstops
Orlando Cabrera CWS
Alex Cintron CWS
Alex Cora BOS
Craig Counsell * MIL
Adam Everett MIN
Rafael Furcal LAD
Cesar Izturis STL
Ramon Martinez LAD
Edgar Renteria * DET
Juan Uribe CWS

Lots of old men and dead weight on those lists. So what would I do then? I would not resign Abreu if he wanted anything more than 2 + 1 option year. Then I would sign Juan Rivera on the cheap to that 2 + 1 option year contract for much less money. Juan has the ability to hit 25+ HRs, led the league in OF assists in limited action in 06 ( also the year he hit .310..23 HR..85 RBI in only 448 AB's ) I would keep Cano, stick Damon in LF, Gadner/Melky in CF and call it a day. At the same time I would sign Tex for whatever money he wanted ( 7 @ 140...taking him to age 35 ). Then my lineup for 09 would be...

Damon - LF
Jeter - SS
Tex - 1B
Arod - 3B
Matsui - DH
Posada - C
Rivera - RF
Cano -2B
Melk/Gardner -CF

Then in 2010

Gardner - CF
Jeter - SS
Tex - 1B
Arod - 3B
Cano - 2B
Rivera - RF
Miranda - DH
Posada/Cervelli - C/DH
A-Jack - LF

Then in 2011

Gardner - CF
Jeter - SS
Tex - 1B
Arod - 3B
Cano - 2B
A-Jack - LF
Miranda/Montero/Posada - DH
Posada/Cervelli/Montero/Romine - C
Tabata - RF

This can be done with the Yankees only signing Tex this offseason. Now Im sure if any of the young kids dont hit like the Yankee scouts think they can, other players can be brought in. Id have to look up the FA list for the next 3 years to determine that info, if you're really intrested...give me some lists and I get you some answers. That three year outlook doesnt look too far fetched or bad to me.

So now that I answered your question, what would you do if the Yankees traded Cano for Kemp......go.

= )

Why waste time on unlikely scenarios? Cano is not going anywhere for anybody, that's just a fact. The guy was atrocious the first half but he is a proven hitter who will hit .300+ for years to come. And he has greatly improved his defense as well.

The reason the Yanks have accumulated pitching prospects is to trade them for proven young offensive talent. So, the best option on the table is Jason Bay. But trade partners don't part with quality without wanting quality in return. A reasonable offer would be Kennedy, McCutchen or Sanchez and Gardner for Bay. The Yanks have plenty more arms lined up at Trenton and Scranton, and Bay is proven while Gardner and Christian are not.

AZ,
Buster Olney got this started by posting on ESPN.com that the Yanks were talking about swapping Cano for Kemp and I guess we took it from there.

Kennedy, McCutchen or Sanchez and Gardner for Bay...hmmmm, maybe, but remember Bay has been breaking down the past couple years and he K's about 140 times a year ( would lead our team in that cat ). I dont think he has that many quality years left in him...I wouldnt kill myself if it did happen though.

Yanks should get Washburn for Igawa and a minor leaguer and thats it.

Tim...if they could get Washburn for Igawa and say Marquez...Id be on board with that. That other minor leaguer is the sticking point though. You'd figure that with the Japanese influence in Seattle, they might bite on Kiwi...I wouldnt count on it though.