Baseball Toaster was unplugged on February 4, 2009.
Cashman is embracing a similar strategy this year, especially with the Yankees trying to make up a six-game gap in the American League East. Prior to the signing of Clemens, Cashman had engaged at least three teams in trade talks for starting pitching. He had revisited some old trade talk with the Phillies, with the teams considering a swap of Jon Lieber for Kyle Farnsworth. In addition, Cashman had fielded calls from the Giants, who showed interest in Melky Cabrera and appeared willing to give up left-hander Noah Lowry. Cashman had also inquired about right-hander Paul Byrd, a member of the Indians’ rotation.
With Clemens in tow, the urgency to make any of these deals has lessened, but has not completely died on the vine. After all, the Yankees may still need starting pitching. The age of Clemens and Mike Mussina, coupled with the disappointing start to Kei Igawa’s major league career, puts the Yankees just one or two potholes away from another pitching emergency. If everyone stays healthy and Phil Hughes can return in six weeks, the rotation will be just fine. If not, Joe Torre will have to do more juggling. That is why Lieber remains a viable option. He pitched well in his one season in the Bronx, shows no fear of the big stage, and possesses an ability to economize pitches that makes him a certified innings-eater. At one point, the Yankees would have bristled at the notion of giving up the electric-armed Farnsworth for a journeyman like Lieber, but the thoughts of the front office and coaching staff have changed. Frustrated with the high-strung Farnsworth’s faulty mechanics and his inability to pitch on successive days, the consensus in Yankeeland now concedes he’ll never prosper in pinstripes. Brian Bruney has the stuff to replace Farnsworth in pitching the eighth inning, and a back-end starter like Darrell Rasner or Matt DeSalvo could take over Bruney’s role in the middle innings.
A Cabrera-for-Lowry deal is less likely, if only because the Yankees already have such little depth on their bench. They are also concerned by Johnny Damon’s nagging leg and back injuries, which make him unavailable from time to time. Still, the Yankees could take a chance on replacing Cabrera with Kevin Thompson, Kevin Reese, or the intriguing Bronson Sardinha. (Or how’s this for a radical idea? The Yanks could bring back Rickey Henderson, who wants to continue playing at the age of 48.) A trade of Cabrera might be worth fulfilling the goal of adding some young left-handed pitching to the rotation. With Igawa banished to Billy Connors’ pitching camp, there are few young lefties in the system besides Chase Wright that can be counted upon to contribute to the rotation in the next year or two.
While starting pitching remains the top priority, the Yankees have also contemplated changes elsewhere. Doug Mientkiewicz’ awful April almost resulted in his release, but his three-run home run against the Red Sox saved his job, triggering a resurgent May, which has included a series of spectacular defensive plays at first base. So for now, Minky remains the first baseman, backed up by the underused Josh Phelps. As long as the Yankees continue to score runs, Minky should be safe, but another prolonged slump—either for him or the team—will once again have his detractors calling for a change.
A more immediate change could take place behind the plate, where backup Wil Nieves has been horrifically bad. For an organization that had a pretty strong tradition of backup catchers from the 1970s through the 1990s—with capable reserves like Johnny Ellis, Rick Dempsey, Cliff Johnson, Ron Hassey, and Joe Girardi—the backup catching situation has deteriorated badly in the new millennium. Chris Turner, Alberto Castillo, and Kelly Stinnett were poor enough, but Nieves looks like the worst catcher the Yankees have had in 40 years. He can’t hit (one hit in 34 Yankee at-bats and even that was erased when he tried to stretch a single into a double), and isn’t particularly good defensively. Simply put, Nieves does not deserve a spot on a major league roster. As a result, the Yankees can be expected to pick up talks with the Phillies about Rod Barajas, who has been a free agent disappointment in Philadelphia. Barajas can’t be traded without his permission until June 15, but the Yankees may pounce on a deal shortly thereafter. Another option would be Pittsburgh’s useful Ryan Doumit, who swings the bat well and can play both first base and the outfield. Don’t be surprised to hear rumors linking Doumit with Melky Cabrera; the Pirates are unhappy with their outfield situation as it pertains to center and right field. Then again, Pirates GM Dave Littlefield seems to have a phobia about making trades.
Finally, the Yankees’ overworked bullpen will need to be addressed. An in-house option involves veteran left-hander Ron Villone, who has been dominating the International League, but has to be recalled by May 15 or else be granted free agency. The potential return of Villone won’t excite many Yankee fans, but it speaks volumes about the state of Joe Torre’s relief staff.
So while we all wait for Clemens to officially begin his second stint in New York, let’s keep in mind some of these other possibilities. Given the ground that they need to make up in the standings, the Yankees are not done making moves—not by a long shot.
The Kevins aren't doing all that hot, not even at the Mendoza line for BA. I would entertain trades for Melky, but only under the right circumstances (don't know what they are, though.)
Farns for Leiber isn't a bad idea.
Any rumors about a trade w/ the Brewers, specifically involving Chase Wright?
I don't know, I'd rather see Clippard than Lieber.
And Littlefield wasn't afraid to deal Wilson last year.
My thoughts, in no particular order:
I'm comfortable with leaving the rotation alone. Wang, Pettitte, Moose, Clemens and Hughes with Rasner, Karstens and DeSalvo waiting in the wings is a place I will stand pat.
BUC situation demands attention. Not only is Nieves an automatic o-fer, he also causes the opponent to pitch around the 8 hitter in any RISP situation to get to him.
Bullpen help is required. Wouldn't mind trading Farnsworthless for a reliever, but not for Jon Lieber.
Would trade Chase Wright in a heartbeat even though the organization has been high on him. Feel like his "perceived" value atm is higher than his actual value. Would not trade Melky given the current Damon situation.
- Farnsworth for Barajas, Bruney gets the 8th
- Henn to the minors, bring up a rested Villone
- Clippard and Kevin Thompson for Mark Texiera,
- DFA Phelps or Minky, depending on who has a better summer. Let the Giambi contract expire after 2008, go sign someone like Griffey Jr. or Thome as the full-time DH for a few years until a better option presents itself.
Why give up on Henn? He got overused by Torre and the expected happened. He's young and throws hard.
I think the pitching situation is resolving itself as well as can be hoped for with Torre using 6 pitchers when 2-3 will do every night. Changing which starters get yanked early or which set-up guys pitches an inning or less far too often won't change anything.
BUC has been a joke for several years now. Since Posada should be rested at least once a week, having this constant stream of guys who can't hit or field is just plain dumb.
A hot streak by M-z doesn't change the fact that he's not a very good baseball player.
Villone isn't really the answer. If you look at his numbers, they look alright at first glance, but look closer and there are warning signs all over the place. Allowing a lot of walks and hits, but getting away with it because, well, its AAA. Been good against righties, not so good against lefties ironically. I dunno, I just foresee the same old Ron Villone. If it means getting rid of VIz, sure, why not? If its at the exepense of Henn, which it would be, well, meh. THen our BP is pretty much back to it was last season, and thats not really a good thing
Britton should be replacing Viz or Farns (whichever can be dealt for something, like a BUC... Viz for Barajas would be sweet if unlikely), and Meyers used like what he is these days - a mop up man. For whatever reason, Meyers is not a LOOGY anymore, as the better lefties light him up (and the average lefties do too), but there's a lot of value in his ability to soak up blowouts (if he were used that way more often, the 4 inning appearance last week being a great example). Anyone care to take a shot at why his LOOGY-ness has evaporated?
Or can we have Matt Smith back?
I'm fine with someone tearing me a second on that statement since my knowledge of Doumit is limited to the fact that he smacked the ball around in AAA. Dude's raking for the Pirates right now, too.
The problem with our Bp roster is that we have two dead weights in Myers and Viz (I know myers has been good, but hes only good as, mentioned above, a mop up long man, as is Viz, so thats two guys for the same job, a waste), a one inning every other day guy in Farns, and then Mo, Bruney, Proctor, and Henn, who are fine (if overused in the case of Bruney Proctor and Henn). If we could get rid of Farns/Viz and replace him with Britton (provided Britton can enter the sacred circle of trust), that only gives us one/two dead weights, plus farns spot/live arm is metigated by Brittons...And, as also mentioned, the other dead weight/mop up spot could go to either Ranser/DeSalvo when Roger/Hughes returns...
I would look at other qualities. Younger, harder throwing guys who have some semblance of control and command should be more valuable in the pen than an older guy relying on 'guile'. Guys prone to lots of homers, or lots of fly balls, are risky. Guys who rack up Ks and grounders are probably safer.
If you really want to look at statistics, I suggest more advanced reliever metrics, like BP's WXRL and LEV, ARP, Fair RA, etc. Again though, with relievers, because they pitch so few innings, I don't think past performance is any guarantee of future performance.
I wouldn't be ready to cast Vizcaino off yet. He's been bad, but he's been clearly over-used - and its a small sample size! He has stunk, though. I wish Torre would move him down to 7th man status, instead of the 3/4 slot he seems to have now, until he gets himself righted.
I think Matt Smith has been sent down. I believe I saw him in an Ottawa Lynx game the other day.
I would trade Melky for Doumit, but I kinda doubt Pittsburgh would go for that. Doumit has been raking.
I'm kind of baffled that they would go with Nieves to begin with. I know there's a shortage of catching talent, but jeez.
Can you add some links supporting trade-mill items. This is one of those times when the reader wants more and since you're familiar with the orginating source, that would saves us time.
Thanks
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