On the Yankees beat

I like the positive tone of the reporting about the possible suitors for Sheffield. I believe the order of return for Sheffield is pitching, pitching and more pitching. A number 3 starter would be nice with a double AA prospect for the future. My thoughts are based on the fact that Sheffield will provide immediate help to his new team and will not accept a one year deal. So, the Yanks in giving up a productive hitter should only accept a pitcher of this calibre and possible future assistance. If immediate bullpen help is available for the second part of the trade. I would be agreeable to this instead of the prospect. It all depends on the bidders and their need to add offense. In Chicago's Wrigley Field, Sheffield could light it up. Another bonus the yanks will be cleansing themselves of this disease called Sheffield.

This deal pretty much closes off any A-Rod trade if you ask me because they will not have any right handed power if they both go. Having said that, I'm glad it's Sheff who is leaving and I agree 100% w/ Larry that they need pitching in the worst way, bullpen help or a starter would work. Sheff has been just as bad as A-Rod in the playoffs so it's not like we'd be missing anything come playoff time. So long, Sheff, we appreciate what yu did while you were here but like every other team you played for, we're kinda glad you are leaving.

Hey Jim, I think the appropriate line is "Don't let the door hit you in the A--", Sheff.

A Sheff trade doesn't kill an A-ROD deal. It has already been widely publicized that the W\SOX have offered Freddy Garcia and Joe Crede for A-ROD. Crede would fill that right handed power vacancy that trading A-ROD would create. Even though he has a bad back, Crede hit 30HR last season, and is one of the best "clutch" hitters in the game. I know "Cash" said A-ROD is not going to be traded. Cashman just wants to avoid making it look like he's holding an auction for A-ROD, and getting the proud A-ROD "bent out of shape". The Sheff situation is showing that "Cash" knows how to horse trade. A-ROD will consent to a deal, and it will his biggest hit since coming here.

Larry, a #3 and a prospect? That would be a steal for the yanks. Shef is not worth half that. The primary benefit of this deal is keeping him out of Boston.

Craig: We'll see. Sheffield is an intriguing trade. He offers alot of offense. And he's far from through offensively. Thou, I believe he's about done defensively. I could be way off with my guess but some team maybe needy. I hope!

Jim A- Armanis Ramirez just filed for free agency. He puts up similar numbers to A-Rod and is a natural 3rd baseman. I don't see why the Yanks should not go ahead and trade A-Rod and sign Armanis. We will not only get rid of A-Rod in the deal and get some good pitching in return we will also have a productive natural 3rd baseman.

I'm glad Cashman hasn't been intimidated by Sheff's tantrums. We should get pitching with this trade. Any kind of pitching! Maybe we could get a good #3 or #4, someone that can pitch more than 6 innings. Then we won't have to pick up Wright's option and the Yankees could buy him out for 4 million. Or bullpen help would be nice since it's always needed. It seems that most pitchers make it through 7 on a good day. Help that bridge to MO get stronger.

Can't wait to read the headlines after the deal is done!

Aramis Ramirez has a reputation for playing well when his team is out of contention or in contract years so he would probably be a good replacement for A-Rod. You can look at Ramirez' body and tell he is not in the greatest shape and won't be a position player for long.
I would trade A-Rod to the White Sox for a healthy Crede and Garland, but not Garcia, he does nothing for me. Frankly, there is as good a chance of A-Rod succeeding in October as Aramis Ramirez playing well in NY. I get just as mad at A-Rod as everyone else, but I just think trading him for less than a #1 starter and an above average ML player is not worth it. This guy has too much talent to just give away.
You also have to wonder if whoever trades for Sheff doesn't have a side deal with Boston to send him there.

The NY Post is reporting that:

They (Yankees) are open to seeing what soon-to-be free agent right-hander Jeff Suppan, who played a big part in the Cardinals' improbable journey to a World Series title, is looking for.

The Yankees haven't had much success bringing NL starters into the beastly AL East.

I hope they think about this twice before pulling the trigger on 10 million a year for this guy. St. Louis is a big baseball town too (not like NY) but LaRussa protects his team from the media and Suppan won't have any protection here. Would Suppan be a good move for the Yanks?

I don't like the idea of bringing in Suppan. He pitched terribly for the Red Sox a couple years ago and the Post is right, the Yanks haven't had much luck with NL pitchers.
The only way I think it could work is if he is the number 4 or 5, replacing Wright, even then I suspect the results would be much like Wright.

If he ends up in Boston that would be a tough pill to swallow. Sheff will be fired up every time they play NY. It would be the ultimate revenge for Sheff since he feels the Yankees "owe him". Let's hope that who ever trades for him keeps him and gives him that 3-year deal he is looking for. Most of the teams interested need some power hitters anyway and Sheff is a great hitter and can still be an offensive force is a few years.

I hope we don't get Suppan, he was not that great all last season and then played very well in the playoffs, big deal. we don't need this guy. what is the difference in getting Suppan or keeping Moose. If it was up to me i wouldn't take either, and look for younger arms like Verlander or Bonderman. if we get Matsuzaka, another young arm, get some bullpen help, and if we have no other choice resign Moose for #4 then i think we will be fine.

I see Sheff going to the Phillies for some pitchers.

I still think A Rod will be traded. My guess is the Angels.

Sheff would be better off staying in the AL because his defense isn't so good these days but if he went to the NL it wouldn't bother me at all.

The Yankees should stay away from all NL pitchers, whether through trade or free agent signing. Whether a starter or reliever, these NL "stars" come over to the AL, and get torched.

Why keep Sheff out of Boston? Poison in the clubhouse and patrolling the most difficult right field in baseball spells disaster. And with Ortiz as DH, Sheff would have to play the field everyday- let him go to Boston- he will kill their team.

Good point, cs06.

Boston it will be then.

Ortiz, Manny, Sheff...that's why I keep him out of Boston. Sheff doesn't usually poison a clubhouse for at least one full season. Plus, it will piss him and the Red Sox off.

Who cares if Sheff goes to Boston. His attitude and defense will be a down grade from Trot Nixon. Besides even if Sheff gets fired up who gives a crap. Sheff only plays when he feels like it. So that means the Soxs will get a RF who only plays 19 times a year. Those 19 being when he plays us. And lets not forget they have the space cadet in left. The combo of those 2 players will drag that team even lower. Don't get me wrong they will put up great numbers but there superstar attitudes won't help team chemistry. Last but not least how fitting would it be for him to go to Boston the same place he knocked a beer out of a guys hand and almost smacked a chick. Let Sheff suffer in Sox nation.

If it was up to me i wouldn't take either, and look for younger arms like Verlander or Bonderman.

I love when Yankee fans post stupid crap like this. The logic goes something like this "we're the Yankees, we should get whoever we want, even young pitchers who are tied up in long term deals. If only it were that easy OYF.

AJ:

I think you are really underestimating Sheff and his ability on the field. He’s had a bad attitude his entire career, but that hasn’t stopped him from hitting 455 homeruns and being one of the most feared hitters in the league for the last several years.

Obviously, Cashman cares if he goes to the Red Sox or a division rival because he wouldn’t have picked up his option in order to trade him and control which team he’s playing for in 2007.

Nobody likes Sheff’s attitude, but anybody trying to be fair would acknowledge that the guy can rake with the best of them no matter what kind of nonsense comes out of his mouth.

If the guy only “played when he wants to” he wouldn’t have played almost the entire season in his first year as a Yankee with a really bad shoulder (he couldn’t lift his arm above his head to catch a fly ball) and still finished in 2nd Place in the voting for the 2004 MVP behind only Vlad Guerrero.

Speaking of bad attitudes, Manny Ramirez has been a cancer for most of his career and he’s always been a terrible defensive outfielder.

However, that has never affected his ability with the bat and is undoubtedly one of the top 5 hitters in MLB. Not to mention that he is pretty much a shoo-in Hall of Famer on top of it.

Plenty of bad attitudes have played this great game of baseball and several of them are now enshrined in Cooperstown.

I have to agree that if you think Trot Nixon is even in the same realm as Sheff your mistaken, Nixon is a solid average to above average corner, Sheffield is a potential hall of famer. you are essentially saying Ortiz is a upgrade to Bonds by saying Nixon is better than Sheff.

As for what we might get for him, my gut feeling is that it will either be

a. a known guy with terrific ability but some problems (like Brad Lidge or Mark Prior)

or

b. a mix of solid bench guys /relievers with decent prospects.

I'm not expecting a whole lot, but i am expecting something, i wouldnt' be terriblly shocked if we land a pretty good prospect actually. but to expect good starting pitchers is unrealistic, unless he is one like Mark Prior.

As for Crede, again, comparing Crede to A-rod is another Ortiz vs Bonds Nixon vs Sheff comparson, it's not even close. your going to trade a guy who going forward has very little chance of matching A-rod's production, is more likely to be hurt, and is under control for 2 less years? even throwing in a SP isn't going to cut it. all the Pale Hose SPs have some serious flaws, and all of them are fairly expensive with few years left on their contracts.

IF i'm even going to consider trading A-rod, I better have 2 young arm that is pre arbitration with superb abilities, and another prospect or 2, one of them must be able to play the infield.

For example...

Dodgers for

some combination of
Billingsly, Kuo, Elbert, Broxton + Laroche + Betimet or Hall.

Angels for

Santana/ Mathis / Aybar or Wood / Saudners/ Morales.

That was not my post michael ziemba. It was Aaron's. I believe he said arms LIKE Verlander and Bonderman not those actual guys.

ARod will not and should not be traded

Trading Sheffield is also a mistake; the Yankees will never get what he is worth in a trade.

Give Sheffield a two year extension and put him at first base. Sheffield is an excellant athlete who has a history of performing in NY.

Yankee fans...be careful what you wish for.

Sheffield to the Phillies are the rumors that I hear the most obvious. If Gavin Floyd is in the Deal, I would do it. Floyd and some prospects would be nice to replenish the system since the Abreu trade.
A-Rod rumors are just rumors. Garcia and Crede was offered but from what I heard is that another pitcher should be involved. The one I want is not Garcia but McCarthy. The tall righthander is the young power arm we need. The yankees have been a good offensive team but pitching and defense wins championship. I think we need more scrappy hitters that are tough to strike out and put the ball into play. they got the right idea of being a patient bunch. They still need more young arms and McCarthy is the way to go in the A-rod deal.
Yankees need pitching and they need to get young. They need to buy out Wright and Pavano. Randy should not be seen as an ace anymore. A fifth starter is what he is at best at this stage of his career. I know A-rod would give us a young power arm but I dont think we can trade him. The targets I go for are lefties if we cant get the Japanese guy.
I Like Pettite if he is willing to come to his real home. Im not sure about the Mulder situation but I would look into it. the guy maybe hurt but an incentive contract may get it done. I would not touch Suppan at all. the yankees are now aiming at power arms so Suppan makes no sense at all. Miguel Batista can fill a ramiro mendoza role as 6th or bullpen guy.
what do you guys think

andy, wake up and smell the coffee.

Sheffield said he does not want to play first base, period.

He is not cut out for first base anyway and even if you manage to convince him to play there, he will not be totally happy so the offense he provides is not worth that extra trouble.

eric,

why don't YOU wake up and smell the coffee. Sheffield said he would not play 1st base for ONE season, but if the Yankees offer an extension he would do it. So he did not say what you have stated.

Mattingly has said that he believes that with a full spring training that he believed that Sheffield would be a good first baseman.

So before you spout off like you are a know it all, read the papers

andy, I know that was you.

Why would you sign yourself as "eric?"

OK, back to Sheffield.

Perhaps he might have meant it that way or he might have meant it the way I interpreted it, which is he will not play first base regardless of the number of years he is offered.

Anyway, we all know what kind of person he is. He will say anything to get what he wants and when he gets it, he will cry and bitch about how much he hates this or that.

Do you really want him unhappy at first base for another 3 years?

Is his bat that so valuable that would make it worth it?

First base is critical, it is not something you "learn" at this point in one's career, nevermimd someone with Sheffield's attitude to begin with.

Posting as Eric was an accident not deliberate; Good for you, you knew it was me. This is a blog where people are entitled to their opinion. Apparently the only valid one is yours.

That said, Sheffield was a shortstop when he came up and a lot of baseball people stated in numerous newspapers and websites that they believe that Sheffield is quite capable of making that move. This included many of the baseball analysts at ESPN including Tino Martinez, remember him? I would think he might know just a little more on the subject then you.

Many players have made the move to first base from other positions. For every Piazza there are many more succesful switches.

btw, other then a couple of minor blips on the radar sheffield has been on his best behavior. How well do you know him that you can say he will be unhappy at first, when he, himself said he would do it?

Sheffield was a good soldier when Abreu came on board. I believe in giving a person an opportunity. Especially when he has performed the way he did with the Yankees before he was injured.

"This is a blog where people are entitled to their opinion. Apparently the only valid one is yours." - andy

I was only trying to inform you of what Sheffield said, not saying anything about what your opinions was.

No need to get defensive.

Eric,

When you tell someone to "wake up and smell the coffee". What exactly weren't you saying?

I think we need PITCHING for Sheffield. And, I don't want any more NL pitchers. So, let's think teams in AL, but not in the East where we see them 19 times a year.

Living here in Ohio, I have a great idea. Let's get Westbrook back from the Indians. And, knowing how the Indians think, we could give them Sheffield AND unload J. Wright.

Wright would also be making a "homecoming" in Cleveland and also offset the loss of Westbrook from the rotation. This is how the Indians think and would promote it to there fans.

Also, if the Yanks payed half of Wrights $7 mil salary, it would still save them $500,000 from the buyout amount, and the Indians would love it because low cost players is all they care about. A win/win for both teams on Wright. The Indians get Sheff AND a SP to replace Westbrook, and only have to pay Wright 3.5 mil.

Westbrook is young, a proven AL winner, and started in NY. And, we dumped Sheffield AND Wright. A twofer and saved $500,000 to boot.

Now all we need to do is unload Pavano, trade A-Rod to LAA for Santana (maybe throw in Pavano like the Indians deal), and sign a 3B.

Then, the rotation would be Wang, Santana, Westbrook, Mussina, and Johnson with Hughes in the wings to take over for Johnson. Once Hughes replaces Johnson, the rotation becomes very young and very good.

andy, that's just my way of getting people's attention.

Kind of like the outrageous Post and Daily News front page headlines.

Now Sheffield's Detroit's problem and he's doing a good job working at it. The infiltration and epidemic is just starting to spread. Downward go the tigers.