Looks as if everyone got fired up over the talk of trades. Strong cases made by everyone. Here are the general themes of what you guys wrote in the comments section, and I'll give you my take. And then feel free to come back what you think about my take. It's one big cycle, and it won't end until July 31. Buckle up.
* Alfonso Soriano
Most everyone who weighed in wants him, and with good reason. The guy is a total bases machine. Somebody brought up the notion of signing him to a longterm deal right away, and that's a good thought. He loves New York, still has his Jersey apartment and would probably love to return to pinstripes, but is he really a longterm fit? So it's probably a given the Yankees don't pick up the option on Sheffield, but signing Soriano longterm may complicate matters more than solve any. But that said, the Yankees must think about this year, too, and if they can get Soriano without giving up Phil Hughes, Cano, Wang, etc., it's a no-brainer. Good luck at that.
* Keeping prospects
This is a tough one. Phil Hughes looks good, really good at times, and he's so young, but how do we know he's the real deal? We don't, and we won't until he comes up and pitches. And what happens if he does what Sean Henn did last year? Then he loses stock. So it's always a delicate decision regarding prospects. Take Eric Duncan for example. A former first-round pick, his name still attracts attention. But his struggles this year in Triple-A and Double-A hurt any chance that he alone can be the biggest chip in a deal for a big name. So while many fans are insisting the Yankees hold on to Hughes, Jose Tabata, Austin Jackson, etc., don't forget that sometimes what you get for them is more than you'll ever get from them. And it's always a gamble, either way.
* Pitching, pitching and pitching
It's important, very important. And Brian Cashman has constantly stated it's his priority. After watching games like he 4-2 loss on Monday, it's easy to jump to the other side of the debate and say the Yankees need a big bat. They certainly do, and there's no debating that. But do they need a big bat more than they need another starter or a more reliable reliever? No, they don't. So while Soriano's numbers are attractive, when in doubt, go pitching.
* Jose Guillen
Some people seem to be in favor of this. He has a lot of pluses, including power, fiery attitude on the field, outstanding canon for an arm. But his attitude has always eaten away at clubhouse -- google "Jose Guillen and suspenion" and you'll have hours of reading to do. While in most cases these type of players fall into the Yankee way, it's never a given. And it's never pretty when it doesn't work out.
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That's all from here. Great game tonight. How about that Ryan Howard???
Comments (10)
Life is a gamble, isn't it?
Hughes is as sure a thing as there could be with a pitching prosepct. Granted, he could get injured, but so could the player you trade him for.
Comparing him to Duncan reveals an inattention to their respective peripheral stats.
Duncan has always had trouble making contact. That's a red flag. He wasn't good in AA last year. But for his stellar performance inthe AFL, he would have started the season there again, and he should have anyway. Failing to do so set him back.
Conversely, Hughes has an incredible K/BB ratio. Pitchers with his combination of power and command come along once every ten years, if that. He also has a great curve, an improving change up, and a slider.
YOU DON'T EVEN CONSIDER TRADING HIM, unless you're getting back Santana, and you're not.
We dont have to do much of anything yet. We are a few weeks away from getting Dotel, Beam has good stuff and can spell Proctor. Smith has good stuff and can spell Myers. Over use Villone for a while. Farnsworth is a one inning pitcher, use him as such in 8th till Dotel gets better, and 7th when he has his form. Chacon is just rusty. Wright has pitched well enough through five innings. Give them the hook before the 3 runs score. If the first 2 runners get on in the fifth or sixth, get them out now. National league teams do this constantly. Give each reliever thier assigned innings and job to do and use them consistently and dont flip around. Let them know they will come in and when and they can be prepared and ready and fresh. RELAX! Its no surprise we arent doing so well in National League parks. That isn't our game. It seems like Yankee fans expect to win 162 ballgames every year! We have to keep the pieces to fit for the coming string of titles. Look at next years roster and possibly late season call up for Hughes. We will pick up Pavano and Dotel for the season, Wright will be replaced by any number of better ARMs. We can play free agency for the top and back of our starting rotation. Melky in left, Damon, Matsui in center, Sheff at DH, Gman and Phillips platoon, a better back up catcher etc. Wang, Cano, Hughes, Duncan somewhere spelling AROD and Sheffield for some at bats. Sounds great.
I watch Brett Myers throw against Yanks the other night, and see I guy with near-Josh Beckett stuff and wonder why the Yankees can't get somebody or grow somebody with an arm like that. What we have in 2006 are two geezers running on fumes in Johnson and Mussina, an NL retread in Chacon, the ever-underachieving "power-nibbler" Wright (wouldn't know a three-up and three-down inning if it came up and took away his chaw) and Wang, who doesn't have the arsenal to get away with mistakes like he made Sunday. It's a broken record, but starting pitching is what won the Yankees all those titles, and where are Clemens, Pettitte, El Duque and Wells now? Farnsworth is a bigger dud than Gordon ever was, and who out there didn't feel a bit stiffed when Gordon blew through the Yankee 2-3-4 hitters Monday night? Some guys like Gordon and Farnsworth just can't handle Big Apple pressure. A-Rod may be another.
We can't give up good young talent for Soriano, and then let the guy leave via free-agency after just a couple months. If we trade for Soriano, it is imperative we sign him long term before the deal is consumated. We should be able to get Guillen cheaply, largely due to his past history and impending free agency. Due to his "cheap" price, we can let him walk if there are club house problems. Though I would enjoy seeing "Clueless" deal with him.
Remember, this is the last year of the "Basic Agreement," and there may be a work stoppage. A lot of "save the young talent" posters, are looking forward to next year. Next year may be a mess. Play for now.
Here's why I'm a big proponent of Soriano. He's excelling in the outfield and will probably be more receptive to staying there after being selected to the all-star team. He's got a good arm and bat to replace shef in right, and he's five years younger. Plus, he's already proven himself on the big stage here, hitting clutch hits in the 01 campaign and nearly winning the Series with that golf shot off Fat Curt. (Forget his troubles in 03 post season.) I'd love to get him back, even if we give up a prospect or two, and sign him to a five-year deal.
At this point, though, Cano and Wang should be UNTOUCHABLE. Maybe Cabrera for the right deal, but try to keep him, too. Although with Matsui coming back and if they got Soriano, where does he play?
No. You DON'T play for now. Yankees have been playing "for now" for the past 5 years, and look where it got them. So what if there's a work stoppage next year. First off, it''s a big if, and even if it does happen, the young players will still be young (and better developed!) by the time it returns.
Yes, choosing young players over "proven veterans" is a gamble, but what isn't? Signing Pavano to pay him $40 million to sit on DL? Sure, sometimes you gamble and lose...but that's life. Look no further than the Zambrano-Kazmir trade. Think the Mets would like him back now? If you don't gamble on young players you will never see Papelbon, or Wang, or Cano, or Jeter, or Rivera....
If you've got a shot at getting Soriano back, he'll sign a long-term deal and he'll agree to play the outfield, you have to make that trade in exchange for our prospects. Maybe we can hang onto Hughes a little longer, but Duncan has no position on his Yankee team for five years.
We know what Soriano can do in New York. We don't know what these kids can do and it could be years before we find out.
Apparently John Smoltz might be available...he could make the difference and has already proven himself as a big money pitcher in the post-season.
Hang on to Hughes a little longer?
LOL. Stop the madness.
we have lost the rbi production of 2 great outfielders. the gm has lost those rbi's. the gm sucks, get rid of him