On the Yankees beat

I agree about not trading Cano foolishly! He has mental lapses and jakes it to 1st but he has become a good defender and has a fantastic bat! It's up to some of the vets to set him straight and if there are none, then it's time to get some in who care about playing the game hard and correctly.

Listening to "The Cure"??? It's only baseball Anthony, it will get better (j/k) ;-)

Reiber - I don't think anyone is suggesting giving away Cano - but the precident for trading young potential stars was set with the Hamilton for Volquez deal, a trade that worked out for both teams.

If the Yankees could get a Clayton Kershaw or Matt Kemp from LA or Prince Fielder from the Brewers and then sign Orlando Hudson, or even Rafael Furcal, to play second...why not investigate the possibility?

I think Cano had a mental lapse yesterday - the more I watch him the more he reminds me of Bernie Williams. Super talented but doesn't always have his head in the game and a horribly slow starter.

Chip is right in two ways:

1. What's the harm in checking out whether there are mutually beneficial trade possibilities? Cano is having his worst year, so his value may be down a bit, but most manager/coach types think they can 'fix' talented youngish guys who just don't get it. Torre/Bowa did the 'good daddy/mean daddy' thing pretty well on Cano, and they might be willing to give that performance another run.

2. Cano has been reminding me too of the downside of Bernie. (Not so much of the upside.)

It would be interesting to see what baseball would be like under Viper's system, when every club must make do with whatever they have on the farm.

Contrarian - exactly. I don't think anyone is suggesting sending Cano to the Indians for Paul Byrd here - but exploring the options is just good baseball sense.

Troll impersonating Viper: Tampa "built" their team by being awful for a decade and amassing high draft picks while demolishing their fan base - and to this point, they haven't won anything so lets take a breath before we start touting them as the model franchise.

Cano should not be traded any time or anywhere. He is 25 years old and has the realistic potential to be a fantastic player. The Yanks should not have to worry about finding a 2B for many, many years.

The Yanks need to find dependable starting pitching as usual. Trading Kennedy right now would be ludicrous as his value is greatly diminished, they might as well bring him back and let him pitch the rest of the season to see if they can get him going at the major league level and the same goes for Hughes. The Yanks have invested too much and passed over the best trade they could have made involving these guys so there is no use in giving them up now.

All I know is CC better be a Yank next year.

Jim,

I would like Sabathia on the Yankees, but I really think he's going to end up with the Dodgers. He likes the National League and he's from SoCal (building a house out there from what I hear).

Jim A., "any time or anywhere" is a bit extreme. No reasonable poster here is suggesting getting rid of Cano for a bag of balls. But he isn't the sort of player that needs to be completely off the table no matter how good the return. IMO.

And CC won't do us a lot of good if we can't hit -- or dive for grounders. There's a lot more wrong with this team than pitching.

would it be so bad if the Yankees traded Cano and wound up with either a Prince Fielder to play first for the next ten years? Clayton Kershaw to join Joba and Hughes in the front of the rotation?

This year's free agent crop pretty much stinks, but where it is deep is among 2nd basemen with Furcal and Orlando Hudson and Mark Ellis. Plus the Yankees are really deep in middle infield prospects with Ramiro Pena being the most prominent.

Love them Yankees!

Couple things:

The post at 13:11 is not me.

Contrarian: You are right in a way when you say that every player should be considered in trade proposals if they improve the team, but when I say I'm opposed to the Yanks trading Cano, I mean basically dumping him or giving up on him because he is an air head at times (Bernie Williams was considered an air head until he came up big in the post season, suddenly he was adoringly aloof).

Chip, you talk about Sabathia possibly breaking down because of his size and weight yet Fielder is extremely heavy himself. Frankly, he's not worth trading for if the Yanks have to give up any pitching at all because while pitching is supposedly the Yanks strength, it doesn't really appear so right now.
Orlando Hudson and company are not nearly as good as Cano is and they aren't getting better as Cano will likely improve substantially at his age. I don't think Kershaw is worth trading Cano for as he hasn't proven anything yet at the ML level.

Sorry Jim A. and Viper I haven't been around here long enough to tell the trolls from the regulars unless they go into sex or poolitics, so I just answer to the handle that's on the post or if its outrageous/obvious just ignore.

Adam Dunn was traded to the D'Backs for three minor leaguers. I'm curious to see how he performs in a playoff race. If he holds up I would love to see him in pinstripes at first next season

I say re-sign Doug M., we don't need anymore offense. Get somebody who is slick at 1B. Also, Sign Manny for DH.

Walt - you do realize in two sentances you declared that the Yankees don't need additional offense and that they should sign Manny Ramirez? Which is it?

Manny Ramirez is not coming to the Yankees. He didn't like the media attention in Boston so what makes anyone think that he'll find it acceptable in NY? I read in SI this morning that Lucchino may leave Boston and go to LA. If he does, then there's a good chance that Manny stays there.

John

Manny said late last week that he would love to come to NY and play for the Yankees against Boston. Bottom line, Boras is his agent, he'll go to whomever pays him.

Chip,

Yeah, unless he fires his agent.

John,

He just hired Boras and followed his advice on how to get out of Boston - he's not firing him now.

When we lost those 1st two games in Texas, you knew this was going to be an ugly road trip. Oh well, hang with it boys, it aint over till its over!

Just read about the Dunn deal, good for the babybacks. Now they can have the top 2 strike out artists in the entire league..Dunn and Chris Young, two all or nothing swingers.

Im not interested in trading Cano unless its top notch young talent, even then I would stop and really think about it. Unless the Yanks are the clear winners, no deal. 25 year old 2B that can win a batting title dont come around too often. Players have down years, hopefully this is the only one Cano has.

I would love CC to sign on, but like Ive said a million times, getting Tex is even more important. Give me Tex and a vet SP...Sheets, Lowe, Wolf, Garland, Burnett, Oli Perez etc. Over getting CC and then having to choose from this crop of misfits =

Player Club
First Basemen
Rich Aurilia SF
Ben Broussard TEX
Carlos Delgado * NYM
Nomar Garciaparra LAD
Jason Giambi * NYY
Wes Helms PHI
Kevin Millar BAL
Richie Sexson NYY
Frank Thomas OAK
Jim Thome CWS
Daryle Ward CHC

#1 offseaon move = Tex, we not only need his monster switch hitting bat, but also his golden first basemen's glove.

Anybody hear me this morning on WFAN??

Kinda off topic but I know some of you do listen to WFAN like myself and I was wondering if possibly any of you caught me DRUNK on the air with "Adam the Bull" this morning?

I called in during the"Warm Up" show at like 5 am that Adam was hosting in place of Chris Carlin?

I was the one who was upset with the "Free pass for life" that Jeter seems entitled to and I chided our Mighty Captain for his league leading 20 double plays and suggested that his career lows in BA OBP SLG RBI's Etc...may not be the simple result of having "just a bad season" as the Host kept insisting was the case.

What I fine strange about the Cano situation is the following. Why has the lackadasical play continued throughout the season. If fans and sportscasters have noticed then someone on the Yankee coaching staff must have noticed even some of the players. I'm sure Jeter has addressed some issues just by what I see on the TV after certain plays by Cano. This cannot be the first approach to Cano to straighten out his game plan and hustle. He's hitting into Dp's that guys like Molina with their running ability hit into.

Cano has a dumbtruck load of ability both offensively and defensively. He makes all Yankee second baseman that I can remember.And can remember vividly from Bobby Richardson stand behind him in the above mentioned tools of the game. But in the mental aspect of the game. He's about as sharp as a big of rocks. He can't see Richardson from where he stands on the brain wave line. This will not change. People do not change. He will be this type of player, lackadasical but bust a gut on a clear base hit. He dogs it on any ball put into play that may not produce a hit.

To explore trade possibilities with other teams is an excellent idea but don't trade him for equal talent. Don't give him away for a bag of rocks. Look at LAA for examples of players who are not all star talent laden but win.

Anybody hear me this morning on WFAN??

Kinda off topic but I know some of you do listen to WFAN like myself and I was wondering if possibly any of you caught me DRUNK on the air with "Adam the Bull" this morning?

I called in during the"Warm Up" show at like 5 am that Adam was hosting in place of Chris Carlin?

I was the one who was upset with the "Free pass for life" that Jeter seems entitled to and I chided our Mighty Captain for his league leading 20 double plays and suggested that his career lows in BA OBP SLG RBI's Etc...may not be the simple result of having "just a bad season" as the Host kept insisting was the case.

I also lobbied The Fan to create a new protocol with regard to a very special caller named JEROME asking that there be a mandatory 3 minute warning put in place so that we as listeners could all get our tape or digital recording devices ready in time.

Seriously Jerome should have his own show!!!

I laugh hysterically for 20 mins everytime that guy calls in.

You guys and gals if you're up really early for work or jsut keep random hours like myself you should try to check out the overnight on WFAN lots of funny crazy people call in at that time of day.

DRU,

Most of those "misfits" are improvements over what the Yanks have this season.

Nudge - I don't know about that, they've gotten some pretty good production out of Giambi this year.

Dru -

I just don't see Tex leaving the Angels. He's a perfect fit for them, they know it and they have the money to spend to keep him there.

I'm telling you, if he does well in the playoff push for Arizona (thus proving he can play under pressure) the Yankees would be well served to put Dunn at first.

The other guys I would look at are Garrett Atkins, Ryan Garko and Mark Teahan - though not sure any are available - especially Atkins given the health status of Todd Helton.

Or, if you wanted to make a big trade, you try and get Adrian Gonzalez out of San Diego or as I suggested earlier, Prince Fielder.

Chip,

Yeah he leads the league in gimmicks!

Chip,
The same reason you say that Manny will play wherever the money is applies to Teixeira as well. Boras is also his agent so he'll go where the money is and we all know the Yanks have a little bit of money, or so I hear.
Boras is a season ticket holder for the Angels though.....just FYI.

Nudge:

.252 avg 23hr 67rbi and a near .400 OBP is pretty productive any way you slice it.

Yes and having to admit you wear a gold thong to help your hitting is pretty embarrasiing you have to admit. Not to mention the power of his defensive abilities! Not bad though for what.....26 million?

I am curious to see whom feels NY needs to address the following areas next year and with whom?:

1B
CF
SP
C

Chip,

I think you said about 2 months ago you wouldn't trade Giambi for Delgado....well that deal looks like a no brainer now.

Realist,

What about LF

Jim,

I agree 100% that Tex will play for whomever pays him. But the Angels have the cash and they didn't just give up Kotchman to let him walk. I think it's more likely for him to stay there than for Manny to stay with the Dodgers who already have too many outfielders and will have their sights set on CC.

Nudge,

I would still not bring back Giambi (or sign Delgado) it's the 11th commandment Thou Shall Not Covet Players Having Bounce Back Years in Their Free Agent Year

Nudge - Incidentally, that rule also applies to Mike Mussina.

Realist:

C - I would consider retaining Pudge at 1 year if he's up for it.

1b - is a mess, I laid out some options above

SP - Sabathia or Darvish would be my choices.

CF - I'm a big fan of David DeJesus but the bottom line is that Melky is only a problem because so many others are under performing.

Chip,

I agree about not resigning either.

Thanks Chip...I agree with Sabathia and Pudge.

Nudge, if Abreu is retained it's Nady...if not there is still Damon and Matsui.

I've given some pretty outlandish lineups for 2009 but I think the most likely is probably:

Damon - LF
Jeter - SS
Arod - 3b
Manny - DH
Posada - 1b
Nady - RF
Cano - 2b
Rodriguez - C
Cabrera - CF

with Matsui being used (in his walk year) as a part time player - I don't think Cashman/Girardi believe he's going to be healthy for a full season.

Again, I would still like to see the Yankees move Melky and Kennedy for DeJesus or another younger OF - but who knows.

Rotation
Sabathia, Joba, Wang, Andy, Hughes

Realist,

All 3 scary names.

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Chip,

I like your lineup but not Manny, though if he hit .320 40HRs 130RBI's, I could live with it.

Nudge,

I agree Damon and Matsui are scary, trust me! Though Nady is a ball player..imo.

Realist,

Thats Abreu, Damon and Matsui....not Nady.

test

I stand corrected! ;-)

test

I don't think there's much chance of Abreu coming back. He's going to want a Jorge Posada type deal and I don't think the Yankees are going to want to give it to him.

I could see him winding up with the Mets or Indians

Chip, Ken Davidoff said on his Live Blog today that there's no chance the Yankees will go after Manny in the offseason.

Realist,

Nady is a player!

JB -

No offense, but until Ken Davidoff moves from Newsday writer to GM of the Yankees, he's speculating, same as the rest of us. Sure, someone within the Yankees might tell him, "we're not going after Manny" but Cashman was quoted in the papers on July 29 saying he wasn't making any trades, a day later Pudge was a Yankee...I'm just saying the GM isn't going to spell out his game plan to a writer.

Nudge,

I agree, plus he is in his prime at 29.....can field all 3 outfield positions(though in a pinch at CF) and play some 1st. Not bad for the prospects NY surrendered.

Considering that you're penciling him in the lineup based on some random quote that Manny may or may not have made, I'd rather stick to what an actual journalist thinks of the situation.

Baseball Prospectus also said over the weekend that the Yanks have shown zero interest in signing Manny this offseason.

I think moving Cano might be a wise thing to do this offseason and Matt Kemp is a guy I would target.

Spare me the "oh, he's only 25 yrs old and has the potential to be....."

It has nothing to do with Cano's down season. It's the fact that he doesn't come to play hard every day. He has way too many mental lapses and often lacks effort.

I'd rather see someone out there everyday with less talent but comes to play hard every day and gives it his all.

Players like Cano often don't ever reach their potential. This is his fourth season - we're not talking about a rookie - and his numbers have regressed dramatically since 2006.

If the Yanks could get a Matt Kemp and other useful player in return for Cano - I'd move him tomorrow.

JB,

I asked a hypothetical question, which Chip answered...what's your take?

Which hypothetical was that Realist?

Chip,

Abreu to the Mets...not a chance. Mets have enough outfielders that can actually catch a ball near the wall.....even the ones that never played OF before. Besides....after seeing Abreu every year the Mets learned how he was a numbers guy without any real impact.

Viper,

Moving Cano is not a bad idea. If this trend with him continues he will only de-value further. To bad since he has skills but doesn't know how to show them consistently. I think he believed his own hype.

Posted by Realist | August 11, 2008 16:26

I am curious to see whom feels NY needs to address the following areas next year and with whom?:

1B
CF
SP
C

JB,

This one, its waaaaaaaaaaay up there ;-)

You don't move a 25yr old 2nd baseman who has batting title potential and could be (not now) a future gold glover. I believe if the Yankees can move Melky, this would solve the problem. Gotta break up the High Five Twins. This will help with the maturation process Cano needs to go through. Let Damon play centerfield for the rest of the season and also next year - with AJax used as his caddie. In 2010, hopefully, Ajax will be able to inherit the position.
We need starting pitching and TIMELY HITTING, period. Jeter is having a down year, Posada is out, ARod is choking in the clutch, Abreu has been streaky, Melky has stunk up the joint, Cano is immature, and Giambi is all-or-nothing. Plus King Wang has been out for the year.
As the famous Viper has said, we need to get younger overall. Carrying 4 over 35yr olds is enough. Where is the Geritol when you need it?

Lets Go Yankees! Signing off, so any stuff after this will be from the Bosox troll.

Nudge - you really think that about the Mets?

You believe Fernando Tatis is someone to be counted on? And that Daniel Murphy is anything other than Benny Agbayani minus the power? Endy Chavez is a fourth outfielder (an average one at that). And Fernando Martinez needs to actually play a full season at any level before I take him seriously.

I could see them returning Nick Evans to his real position at first to replace Delgado, but they still need help in LF.

They probably need to address all those positions, but as far as going out to get people to fill them, I don't see much happening. They already have their starting rotation. Mussina and Petitte will definitely do another year or two. Then you've got Joba, Wang, and Hughes. So I think there's little, if any, chance that they go after Sabathia or Sheets.

Catcher, they're stuck with Posada. I really don't think they're moving him to 1st base.

CF, same thing, they're stuck with Damon, and he's actually been their best hitter, so that's not even a bad thing. Their outfield will be Damon, Nady, Matsui next year. Maybe they get a speedy player who can play both left and center to let Damon and Matsui DH.

1B will be interesting. I don't see them resigning Giambi, but like someone said earlier, I don't know why the Angels would let Texeira leave, especially after giving up a solid young player in Kotchman. Texeira is finally the big bat they've needed for Guerrero all these years. I have to believe they will throw the bank at him.

Mike,

Future Gold Glover? Now thats Fantasy Baseball. He is a player in search of a position that he cant hurt the team at too much.

As for that potential stuff....remember Ian Kennedy?

Chip,

I KNOW that about them. I have an "inside" person.

Nudge -

Based on your statements about Cano I wonder if you watch the majority of Yankee games. He's had his bad moments (ah haven't we all) but he's played an above average 2nd base.

And say what you will about Abreu and the walls - but he's got a plus arm in RF and above average range - plus he doesn't exactly hurt to have in your lineup. I think you're selling him a little short based on one flaw.

And as far as Ian Kennedy. Young players struggle...it's no great shock. Not everyone is going to be Evan Longoria or Tim Lincecum out of the gate:

Clay Bucholtz - no hitter last year - not terribly impressive this year
Josh Fields
Homer Bailey
Asdrubal Cabrera
Micah Owings
Justin Upton
Chris Young (the Arizona OF not the SD pitcher)
Mike Pelfry
Carlos Gomez
Francisco Liriano

Doesn't mean they are busts, just young.

Thanks JB,

I appreciate you answering, Chip as well.

I can't see The Yanks letting Posada catch full-time anymore, he's a liability defensively. His strength is his Offense and it is compromised by the rigors of catching daily. So 1st base/DH is something that makes sense imo. I know Matsui is there (DH) but you can't count on him to stay healthy.

Matsui can't stay healthy at DH so expecting him to play LF full-time isn't realistic...it's Johnny's spot for now.

I would give Gardner a shot at CF, unless a better player could be attained via trade or FA. I wanted Hunter last year as I have never been sold on Melky...but that ship has sailed.

I don't like the idea of bringing back Pettitte or Moose...both are are pitching in a contract year and that scares me, plus their age. Wang and Joba, should he return 100%, are the only starters next year that can make an impact. Though both have to be healthy to do it. hughes has proven anything at this point and it is foolish to think he can be relied on until he proves he can. So that leaves 3 spots to be filled. I am not sure whom but CC and a middle order guy would make me breathe easier, plus taking pressure off Joba and possibly Hughes.

Realist, I see what you're saying and I think all those positions for next year are flawed and I would make moves to get rid of most of those guys. I just don't know if the Yankees are willing to do it.