Holliday in New York? Not so fast
-
- July
- 16
Yes, Matt Holliday hit a home run at Yankee Stadium last night. Yes, he’s available. But before you ask Brian Cashman to throw a bunch of prospects in a sack, consider these stats:
Career home splits: .364/.427/.659
Career road splits: .277/.341/.449
Unless the new Yankee Stadium is at a much higher altitude than the old one, you might want to rethink calling for that trade.
This entry was posted
on Wednesday, July 16th, 2008 at 1:51 pm by Peter Abraham.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
Share and Enjoy: 
| 
Print This Post
| 
Email This Post
Advertisement
i still wouldnt mind having him around. dude hits the ball hard
I don’t know if Holliday is the answer, but the Yankees need a corner OF for the future, cause Bobby Abreu is just not getting it done, and signing him as a FA after the season would be a bad idea.
I don’t think it’s the Colorado air, per se, because I think the altitude issues have been handled fairly well. But what are the dimensions of the Rockies’ ballpark? Very different from YS??
he bees not un whos bees da slacka durn games
Those splits scare me - I wouldn’t touch him. How about Raul Ibanez?
eh… If the Yanks lineup as currently constructed (with the likes of Jeter, Arod, Abreu, Posada, Giambi, and even Cano) can’t score more than two runs a game, then adding another bat will do little to jump start them and is a clear indication that this team needs more help than a single trade/bat can provide.
Thank you Pete!
Matt Holliday = Larry Walker
Regardless, is there any possibility of actually getting him, what would it take…let me guess hughes. Is there any other possibility. obviously we can stick melky and kennedy in a package, but that has to be linked to a an A-type prospect.
“Yankees need a corner OF for the future”
I agree with this, but next year only one corner is presumably available. Is there any indication that he even has the arm for right field?
Ibanez is ok, but hits from the left and I think is getting kind of old. Really not many good OF’s anymore. Not like the late 90’s and early 00. Best players are now in the IF.
No to Holliday.
he is a major leager he could ajust to yankee stadium!
Right now, I’d take any bat not named Bonds.
OK, I’m exaggerating, but you can do worse than Matt Holliday.
he is probably the best hitter available through trades or free agency. milton bradley will be a free agent but is never healthy, manny will be (enough said + age 37), texeira is a good option for a bat. and we could try to trade for bay or nady. As far as im concerned, holliday is looking pretty good
Do the Yankees get compensated if Abreu/Giambi/Mussina/Pavano leave after this year? Are the compensation picks based upon production or contract?
Nice piece on Bobby Murcer in the WSJ this AM
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121616842842256325.html?mod=hpp_us_inside_today
Some good insights.
Holliday plays hard and is certainly has as good numbers as the guys that trot out to CF and LF lately.
I don’t care. I want to start winning again.
We need a lot more than Matt Holiday.
Our pitching’s been good, we just need to get some offense, any offense going.
Looking forward to some re-energized players. Hopefully not wiped out playas. Wonder what Melky and Robi did over the break?
Only one OF spot will be available assuming Damon in left, Melk in CF and Abreu unsigned, leaving Matsui to DH. RF will need replacing, prefer w/ a RH bat.
come on folks. we have to think of something. here is the lineup we’re most likely going to see on friday.
jeter ss
cano 2b
abreu rf
a-rod 3b
giambi 1b
posada c
gardner lf
melkey cf
betimit dh
i just vomited in my mouth.
And by that, I mean Holliday.
What’s with these Holiday players that don’t know how to spell their names?
William, I would think they would look at options replacing melky in center. good defense, his hitting not to great…
He has a plus arm for a left fielder, but is a bit below average in right field.
holliday i mean
Your tax dollars
No need to get Halladay or Texeria. We have a good enough offense and help in the farm.
2009 lineup
Damon LF
Jeter SS
Matsui DH
Arod 3B
Posada 1B
Miranda/Carson platoon 1B
Cano 2B
Gardner CF
Cabrera RF
I want Nate McClouth out in center - like by Friday.
I’d love to come out of the post ASG gate flying and win ten in a row.
But as the philosopher Jagger once said, “you can’t always get what you want”
I trade for Holliday. Load up a sack of prospects and ship them out to Colorado.
He’s a winner. He plays the game hard and probably would add a little character to an everday lineup that seems to lack character minus Damon and Matsui.
The number one goal to saving this season is adding pitching. It’s replacing the likes of Melky, Betemit who can’t get on base or drive in runs.
We’re carrying a defense first catcher in Molina and that is fine. I want him in the lineup.
But we need to replace the low IQ hitters in our lineup with guys who get on base more, have more power and can drive in runs.
If Cano, Melky, Betemit, Molina and Gardner are 5/9ths of the lineup the rest of the season, we won’t win the wild card or even sniff the division. Their failures is putting even more pressure on the guys who normally come through. Everyone is up there trying to win the game with every at bat.
With a high on base percentage offense, you make things happen by having more men on base. Pitchers get distracted by base runners. Girardi can put on plays to take advantage of the situation.
We were a team that valued in on base percentage. When Cashman committed 2 starting roles to Melky and Cano, he eschewed the logic of what made this offense click in the past. Add in the injuries to Damon and Matsui and we can’t get anyone on base. You can carry Melky and Cano if the rest of the lineup is getting on base, but with the injuries, you can’t carry 5 guys who can’t get on base.
We need healthy good smart hitters.
Deals need to be made to save this season because some of the guys currently starting everyday are not good enough to get us there.
I really do not think Melky is our problem. The fact that he plays good defense and can lay a bunt 9 out 10 ten times works for me. I am much more concerned with the 1-6 guys in the lineup getting it done. Strong defense in CF is so critical that I do not think you can sacrifice his glove from 20 more hits in a season.
The biggest problem is there are no FA OF available this off season, so any additions will need to be through trades. This is why you stock pile arms, some of these prospects need to get moved.
Vito, agreed, I know Melk is young, but his approach is regressing. No patience or pop.
No to Holliday..
But can they please find a way to score some runs
I meant we don’t need to add pitching above. We need an edit button.
I think we can get by with what we have considering how well the pen is pitching and still win with a decent offense.
To you minor league people — do we have any high on base hitters in AAA? I’m fine filling in from within as long as the philosophy is sound and we’re bringing up guys who can get on base.
Rebecca–Optimist Prime-Mo for Cy Young 08
But if you try some time…….
“The biggest problem is there are no FA OF available this off season”
Ahem, Milton Bradley is an FA.
Also Brandon, nice link.
Damon - LF
Jeter - SS
Holliday or Nady - RF
AROD - 3b
Teixeira - 1b
Matsui - DH
Posada - C
Cano -2b
Melky/Gardner - CF (AJAX in late 09?)
CC/Wang/Joba/Hughes/pettite
aaaaaaahhh if only
I just looked at the stats of SWB, and their position players are pretty weak. If you also look at Kennedy, he’s been hit hard (and his control has been bad) his past 2 starts, while Horne and Marquez have regressed this year. The only guys on that pitching staff that look like they are progressing are McCutchen and Aceves.
I don’t think Melky is the #1 problem. He’s part of the bigger problem which is undisciplined hitting.
We could carry Melky and his offense if the rest of the lineup were healthy and performing.
Since they are not, he stands out as an automatic out. Garnder is in the same category.
I’m not laying it all on Melky. But we need to build around players who get on base with more regularity than Melky in the future.
This is off topic, but I am so sick and tired of people going out of their way to complain about something A-Rod did. Now the sports media are complaining because he didn’t stay for the whole 15 frackin’ innings. Yes, he left after he was taken out. Who cares? He only has 2 days free before they have to start playing again. Is there a crime with him wanting to get back to FL as soon as possible?
I don’t care how many rings this guy eventually wins, his name will always be dirt. Give the guy a break!
End of rant.
milton bradley = pavano’s little sister
you’re right, peter. i’d much rather have brett gardner and justin christian. what was i thinking!?
honestly, i don’t give a rat’s rump who the yanks get. they just have to get someone if they are going to play in october. their offense is atrocious. and, i don’t have much faith in abreu, giambi, cano, and the lefty-gang to get it done.
Hi Pete,
I saw an All Star Game Program and there was a story on a blogger that you list on your site, “Yankees Fan in Boston”. Did you have an influence on getting the story placed? If you did, nice job.
G Love,
I live in Scranton, so I see them pretty often.
We have nothing in AAA. Some middle tier pitching (McCutchen, Horne when healthy).
Our best players are in AA or lower. No help until 2010.
“can lay a bunt 9 out 10 ten times works for me.”
Except that he can’t. Being a poor hitter does not automatically translate to being able to bunt well.
“do we have any high on base hitters in AAA? I’m fine filling in from within as long as the philosophy is sound and we’re bringing up guys who can get on base.”
Gardner was, but I don’t see his OBP translating. Miranda has great numbers against righties but sucks against lefties.
He did pretty good at sea level last night. At this point I’d probably welcome Bonds into this weak lineup.
Anyone know where I can find the picture that was on the front page of the Sports section of the Times today… online?
“Ahem, Milton Bradley is an FA.”
He’s also crazy and injury prone.
If we lose Matsui, what do the Yankees do? I like Gardner, but you’ll lose offense with him.
I guess you take a serious look at Richie Sexson to get some kind of production.
You get:
1B Sexson
2B Cano
3B Rodriguez
SS Jeter
C Posada/Molina
LF Gardner/TBD
CF Melky
RF Abreu
DH Giambi/Posada
IF Betemit/Moeller
OF Christian
Very little rest for the regulars in the dog days.
Anything’s possible, they just have to get themselves going.
miranda should be traded if he has any value, he has no place on the yankees
Ahem, Milton Bradley is an FA.
Hey…. I’d bring the kook to NY, and if he can beat down Chris Carlin I might even grow to love him and consider him my favorite Yankee.
” If you also look at Kennedy, he’s been hit hard (and his control has been bad) his past 2 starts, while Horne and Marquez have regressed this year.”
He’s only made 2 AAA starts coming back from injury and has a 1.04 WHIP. I don’t know how hard or how bad your control is if you’re WHIP is only 1.1.
He’s pitched in 17.1 IP’s and has 18 strikeouts, 6 walks and 13 hits……
“I’m not laying it all on Melky. But we need to build around players who get on base with more regularity than Melky in the future.”
Good thing this team isn’t built around Melky then isn’t it?
while i don’t think you should sell the farm for Holliday i do think he is a great player! I grew up playing against his older brother here in Oklahoma and they are both talented individuals…Matt has much better skills though.
Plus the Yanks have some history of Oklahoma outfielders being pretty good for them!
rayblay,
Here’s a link to the online Yankee page:
http://www.nytimes.com/pages/sports/baseball/index.html
Try a search of the photog’s name, too.
i honestly think kennedy will round out and be decent. he has a good head on his shoulders.
Putting Milton Bradley in NY is scary. How many games would the over under be for when he murdered Michael Kay? Anyway, career year for him in hitters park. Burned bridges everywhere he’s been.
I wonder what it it would take to get Nady.
who is to say that split (while big) isnt just him being more comfortable at home? colorado has become less hitter friendly than it was before the humidifier
is there any way to get nady/holliday/bay without dumping hughes/tabata/jackson/melancon
“but you can do worse than Matt Holliday.”
Yankees are using considerably worse than Matt Holliday.
Melky is 23 years old, and still has a lot of potential to improve. How about the fact the leading RBI scorer on this team is on pace to hit 102 RBIs? Despite what we have grown accustom to thinking these past five years, the 7-9 hitters do not have to be threats. They have be able to play defense, but we can survive without their bats. We cannot survive with the whole team rotating on the DL. Giambi has been fun this year, but he really hasn’t carried the team at any point like the past.
Really, Cano is the guy we should be drilling, not Melky. Cano is at the point in his career where he should be stepping up and assuming a leadership position. He cannot hit in the 3/4/5 slot, and that is where we need production right now.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=nj8iFKo2Il0
Carlos Zambrano has a future as a Spanish language sportscaster.
Check out about five minutes in.
“is there any way to get nady/holliday/bay without dumping hughes/tabata/jackson/melancon”
Nady? Yes
Bay and Holliday? No
Seriously, what’s the point?
“miranda should be traded if he has any value, he has no place on the yankees”
Yeah, it’s not like the team’s DH, who is a lefty, may have season ending surgery. We certainly have no use for a lefty DH, given that situation.
Would it be better if he were righty? Sure. But he’s hitting really well at AAA right now, especially against righties. Why not give him a shot?
Don’t most hitters hit better overall at home, than away ? Who’s to say that his numbers won’t be the same as a Yankee and he will be lights out at the Stadium and just OK on the road….I say get him….just write the check !
OMFG I can’t believe what Chris Carlin just mumbled.. he actually thinks Cal Ripken Jr. is overrated…this is a guy that hit .323 one year while on that iron man streak !!! There is no Jeter or Arod at SS w/o him !!!
how can we get nady then? i cant imagine why we wouldnt group together a few B-type prospects for nady. it seems almost self explanatory. the pirates must be asking for a hughes type
retire#51,
I used to think the world of Kennedy, because he was a really good college pitcher who did well in the minors and had a good debut in ‘07.
But, and I can’t believe I’m going to say this, I now doubt whether or not he has a good head on his shoulder.
From what we hear, his attitude during his demotion leaves a lot to be desired. I prefer that he suck it up, shut up, and work his way back. He needs to focus on where he’s going, not where he’s at.
I have every confidence that he can make it back, but the more he resists, the longer it’ll take.
hollidays bees da un i bees wantin fur dee yanks
Why don’t you post Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy’s splits while you’re at it? Or Jose Tabata’s? Oh, right, because that would expose how foolish you are…
i cant imagine why we wouldnt group together a few B-type prospects for nady.
Because Pittsburgh wants 2 grade A’s included
“how can we get nady then? i cant imagine why we wouldnt group together a few B-type prospects for nady. it seems almost self explanatory. the pirates must be asking for a hughes type”
Go read mlbtraderumors.com. There is a whole lot of nady stuff over there.
“OMFG I can’t believe what Chris Carlin just mumbled.. he actually thinks Cal Ripken Jr. is overrated”
That shocked me too, Brandon. What about his consecutive game streak? That has got to count for something.
Cal Ripken, in my opinion, is one of the greatest players ever to lace up a pair of cleats.
Why did they bother sending Kazmir if they didn’t want him to pitch? How about putting someone in there that actually wants to participate? I hate TB.
“From what we hear, his attitude during his demotion leaves a lot to be desired. I prefer that he suck it up, shut up, and work his way back. He needs to focus on where he’s going, not where he’s at.”
Are you basing that entirely on those quotes about getting up in the morning and feeling like he was going to dominate whatever competition he faced that day? Or is there more?
miranda is not good.
I also think Ripken is overrated.
Holliday would cost way too much, bad splits too.
“Because Pittsburgh wants 2 grade A’s included”
thats what i though but fredo corleon says otherwise. he isnt worth two A prospects, but apparently thats what pitt. is asking. I think they will dramatically lower the price before the deadline. they want to get rid of him, its makes sense for them
hollidays bees lookin good in de pinstripes
“Who’s to say that his numbers won’t be the same as a Yankee and he will be lights out at the Stadium and just OK on the road….I say get him….just write the check !”
Because it’s not “just write the check”, it’s “put together a package centered around prospects like Hughes and Jackson, and then extend him well into his decline years.”
For what? A player who might very well perform no better than a righty Hideki Matsui? Sure, that’s very good…but now there’s no CFer with upside in the pipeline, and the next pitcher in the system with Hughes’ upside is probably in A ball right now.
I also think Ripken is overrated.
Your talking about the guy that changed the SS position !, was 20 HR and 80 RBI per season maybe even more if he would have canned the streak, hit .323 one year, .318 , .340, the guy had he taken a rest would have been a legend. I always remember how he would change his swing every 2 or 3 months and just kept on hitting.
“miranda is not good.”
That is a wonderfully well-supported point of view. I can’t believe I was so foolish as to think that a guy hitting .301/.390/.445 in AAA could help this team. .349/.444/.533 against righties.
He’s got a hideous platoon split, but how can you call a bat like that “not good”? Especially when a DH slot is open on the team?
Remember that Holliday is signed through ‘09, so adjust prices accordingly
ripkinds bees lookin dee sillie wit dee baldeelocks looks
“they want to get rid of him, its makes sense for them”
I don’t know about that. They are certainly willing to part with him, but are in no way desperate to be rid of him.
more proof that the big bat we need is named mark teixeira and not matt holliday. theyr both going to be overpriced and to give up a boatload of prospects twice isnt the way we get younger
Brandon- Look at the numbers. Only hit 30+ home runs life. A career .276 batting average. Hit over .300 only 3 times in a full season. Only had 100 RBI 4 times. Cracked the 200 hit mark twice. A good fielder. The only reason he is in the hall of fame is the streak. Statistically, yes he is overrated. The only reason he has good numbers is he played every single game.
Whozat,
Someone said that they went to a “rehab” game and he was very sullen. They were less than impressed.
Now that’s just some anonymous poster who could be making it all up. But yeah, add that to the “I’ll show them” attitude and I’ve formed an uninformed opinion of him.
It seems like he thinks he’s too good to be where he’s at. Good pitchers (Cliff Lee) and great pitchers (Roy Halliday) have gone back to the minors to figure things out.
I may be wrong, heck, I hope I’m wrong. I want the best for our players.
Margot Parlez vous francais ?
There is nothing overrated with Ripken. Aside from being a two time MVP, 17 time All-Star, and (as mentioned) changing the middle infield position, he brought a work ethic to the game we had not seen since Gehrig.
No one ever thought Gherig’s record would ever be broken - ever - and no one thinks that Ripken’s record will be broken. Keep in mind all of the aspects that come with playing that many games. Obviously health, but what about motivation, and ability. Players are commonly sat a day to pop out of a slump. That fact that in the first 1000 games of the streak that never happened shows what kind of consistency and dominance he brought to his position.
“they want to get rid of him, its makes sense for them”
i didnt say desperate, but they have two great outfielders, and are have a great OF prospect coming up. Why would they keep him when they can get more prospects. It just seems like a common sense stradegy for them. plus they are clearly selling high with nady. he is having a monster year
People, we’re not getting Holliday. Let’s move on.
“Someone said that they went to a “rehab” game and he was very sullen.”
What does that even mean? From the STANDS, they thought they could read his mental state?
Don’t you WANT a young player to think he belongs in the majors? Kennedy’s whole problem up here was that he nibbled…shouldn’t we WANT him to think that he’s just as good as these hitters and learn to attack them?
PJH - Are you kidding me ?, seriously how do you think every hitter would hit while playing hurt for what 18 out of his 22 seasons ?
I understand Brandon’s case for Ripken revolutionizing the SS position - but for anyone who watched a lot of him in the last 10 years of his career (and I did) he was not anywhere near a top-tier player.
He compiled numbers, resisted moving to 3B long after his defense had fallen off, and big-timed the organization whenever it suited his purposes. (btw - Angelos is an a$$ and I had no problem with Cal sticking it to him)
Great record, very good player, but overrated.
Trade Melky and Kennedy and whoever for Holliday. Although I seriously doubt anybody would want them. Its hard to believe they could have gotten Santana for them.
Then pick up Sexson and Bonds from the Garbage heap. Hey when it all comes down to it the Yanks would and have historically signed anybody they thought would add something . If you look at the Clemens signing last year (1 mil a start!) Bonds at 20,000$ a game is a bargain. What is he going to disrupt some bulls**t clubhouse chemistry that they don’t even have in the first place.
Gardner CF
Jeter SS
ARod 3b
Bonds DH
Giambi/Sexson 1b
Holliday LF
Abreu RF
Posada/Molina C
Cano 2b
I know, I’m smokin crack but hey it worked for Hamilton.
kennedys been poutin in dee lowdowns den he gots ta goes see yas
Yeah Milton Bradley is a horrible teammate. The way he was smiling and fooling around with his all star teammates, the way he was wiping hamilton down during the home run derby…what a jerk
“Just write the check.” That attitude is what’s been wrong with the Yankees since the beginning of the millennium.
“Why would they keep him when they can get more prospects. It just seems like a common sense stradegy for them. plus they are clearly selling high with nady. he is having a monster year”
Ok, but if no one’s going to buy high on him, then I can see them holding on to him and trading in the offseason. The free agent market for RFers is so weak that teams might actually be willing to spend more in trade for him in the offseason than now.
In his prime, Ripken was one of the greatest.
He declined, as most ballplayers do, and now many in my generation only remember his later years.
It’s true that he has a career .790 OPS on the road, but he has improved his road OPS every year since 2005:
2005- .729 road OPS
2006- .819
2007- .860
2008- .859, okay so that’s not an improvement, but its not regression, and its still pretty damn good.
“Your talking about the guy that changed the SS position !, was 20 HR and 80 RBI per season maybe even more if he would have canned the streak, hit .323 one year, .318 , .340, the guy had he taken a rest would have been a legend. ”
Hey may have changed the position but his lifetime OBP is .340 and lifetime batting average is .276. He was good but he wasn’t some GodLike SS. A-Rod was. Healthy Nomar was. Jeter is below those guys but a better all around hitter then Cal was.
“Its hard to believe they could have gotten Santana for them.”
THEY COULDN’T HAVE.
Can this rumor PLEASE die?
brandons bees makin dee sweeteyes on me
“okay so that’s not an improvement, but its not regression, and its still pretty damn good.”
Yep. It’s about Matsui-level production. Very good. Worth Hughes/Jackson and other pieces for a year+ of that kind of production?
I’m sure happy that some of you aren’t the Yankees’ GM…
Milton Bradley seems to be a misunderstood player. It seems his temper has caused him a lot of problems, but otherwise he is supposed to be a great person. Peter Gammons said yesterday that when he was sick last year, Milton Bradley wrote him more than any other player during that time.
We have had the likes of Strawberry, Gooden, Howe and Sheffield - how is that any different than Bradley?
“Worth Hughes/Jackson and other pieces for a year+ of that kind of production?”
The implication being that I don’t think it is worth that price
Brandon- Thats a terribly lame excuse. Anyone can say they played hurt. If he had significant injuries he would not have been able to play every game.
No to Holliday and a huge Yes to Ryan Spilborghs! I know Spilborghs is out with an oblique strain.
Second do whatever to get Mat Gamel!!! He has the perfect Yankee Stadium swing. Trade Kennedy, Farnsworth(gives them a pick) and JB Cox or whatever just do it Cash!
“We have had the likes of Strawberry, Gooden, Howe and Sheffield - how is that any different than Bradley?”
He’s more explosive than Sheff, I think. The thing that spooks me more is his injury history.
“The free agent market for RFers is so weak that teams might actually be willing to spend more in trade for him in the offseason than now.”
Yeaa…
I have no doubt that the Rockies will snag at the very least one frontline starter-potential prospect from someone for Holliday, be it midseason or in the offseason. A very good hitter at 28 years old signed through ‘09…if O’Dowd does his job, Holliday should bring in a good haul.
Whozat,
How am I supposed to answer that? I’m trying to have a civil conversation here.
I told you, I used to love Kennedy. I’m sure he was told to stop nibbling before, during, and after each of his major league starts this season. But he didn’t. Is it because he’s stubborn? Thinks he knows better? Or is because that’s what his game is? Painting the corners just like the one pitcher he’s so famously compared to.
You’ve also got Joe Girardi saying he has to earn your way back. That’s not a mechanical issue. That’s an attitude issue.
Like I said, I want the best for Ian. We go as he and Phil go.
Some of you people don’t make sense. During Yankee games, when they are wasting away offensively, you come here and complain. Then when it comes to Holliday, you give a quick “no”. Uh, if you pop Holliday into the Yankees lineup right now, it goes from looking bellow average to unbelievable. Jeter, A-Rod, Holliday, Giambi, Posada, and hopefully Damon in the same lineup? Come on, that’s pretty sick. And about the splits… Who knows, but all I know is last night I saw an all star, Matt Holliday, hit a homerun IN Yankees stadium off another all star. That’s all I needed to see.
If they can get Holliday for any sort of reasonable price, they have to do it.
Mantle played hurt for most of his career and Cal’s career couldnt hold a candle to the Mick’s.
I cant stand Chris Carlin either, but he is dead on…Cal Ripken is extremely overrated.
“The thing that spooks me more is his injury history.”
Good point.
Brandon, that photo was amazing. I found myself in the stands. I’m having an internal battle as to whether the cool factor outweighs “the Big Brother that freaks me out” factor. Thanks for posting the link.
And Dr. J (2:09), the lineup you would be happy with would win 81 games.
Brandon- Thats a terribly lame excuse. Anyone can say they played hurt. If he had significant injuries he would not have been able to play every game.
I don’t know what to say after reading this, the man played 2,632 games before he said you know what I need a break, it’s not like he sucked either, put it this way I don’t know any player today that can contend that.
“No one ever thought Gherig’s record would ever be broken - ever - and no one thinks that Ripken’s record will be broken.”
Of course the only record that will never be broken belongs to Johnny Van Demeer (sp?)…
“all I know is last night I saw an all star, Matt Holliday, hit a homerun IN Yankees stadium”
That was barely a home run - in October it is a double at best.
the problem with milton bradley is not so much is additude. its mostly the injury issues. He has never played a full season or had nearly this kind of power production. I like him, i just think its a big risk for the kind of money he will want
On wfan, did Chris just let the cat out of the bag? Mentioned something at Yankee Stadium in Novemeber. Anyone know anything about this?
Also, for the people who are so scared of trading prospects, just stop, it’s getting boring. If it takes Ian Kennedy, it takes Ian Kennedy. Supposedly the Rockies were interested in him, so there is no reason the Yankees shouldn’t trade him. They have tons of young pitchers, you can’t keep them all.
“Worth Hughes/Jackson and other pieces for a year+ of that kind of production?”
First of all, I’m assuming the Yankees would give him an extension. Also, I wasn’t saying we should trade Hughes and Jackson for him, just that he would still be a very good player even if he didn’t play at Coors. I don’t think I would trade the two of them, but a deal should at least be explored.
That was barely a home run - in October it is a double at best.
That is a dumb comment, he destroyed the ball regardless, it was a great piece of hitting.
“If they can get Holliday for any sort of reasonable price, they have to do it.”
You are missing what I’ve been saying for a few days now. They CAN’T get Holliday. I just don’t see COL dealing him right now. It’s not like he’s going to be a free agent this year. Also, this guy is the face of the Rockies. If SEA isn’t trading Ichiro, COL isn’t trading Holliday. That’s my opinion; I could be wrong, but I doubt it.
“kennedys been poutin in dee lowdowns den he gots ta goes see yas”
Um, stop it.
Yeh NASA works in wonderful ways
Your Tax Dollars
DFox, it’s not Kennedy. To get Holliday, I’m sure the Rockies would start with Hughes and AJax and go from there.
I also heard the Ripken discussion. To me he’s sort of an intangibles guy. He had the consecutive games streak, redefined the position of SS and had a way of showing up big in big moments but others who have played the position put up bigger career numbers.
Vin: Was his the back to back no-hitters?
Hey, if we are talking Kennedy and some B prospects for Holliday then that is a different story. But that is only b/c I consider Kennedy a B prospect at this point.
the problem is that nothing takes just ian kennedy, he is a small trade chip as of now. apparently he will play a key role if they get fuentes, but i would rather hold on to kennedy. Fuentes is not going to get us to the play offs
TINSTAAPP
Not sure why but cashman seems to want to hold on to every minor league pitcher in the system. Im sure he has a plan, but he really should consider trading some of the minor league arms
Everything I’ve read indicates Bradley is a great teammate and San Diego did offer him $ 4 million to stay, but Texcas offered more.
But the dude has anger management issues and I don’t know that they’ve been solved. Bottom line, you don’t invest heavily in a guy who has played for six teams in nine years and who, coming into this season has never hit 20 HR, never stolen 20 bases, never driven in 70 runs.
He’s having a career hald year in Texas and would be foolish to leave the first place where he’s been healthy, productive and popular.
As for Nady.. I think Kennedy and Ohlendorf would do it… would you make that deal?
For any layman to say anyone’s overrated is ridiculous.
Teams will up the ante big time if we lose Matsui.
Brandon I tried posting that earlier, but I guess it got stuck in spam. That is insane!!
“Also, for the people who are so scared of trading prospects, just stop, it’s getting boring. If it takes Ian Kennedy, it takes Ian Kennedy. Supposedly the Rockies were interested in him, so there is no reason the Yankees shouldn’t trade him. They have tons of young pitchers, you can’t keep them all.”
Who’s worrying about trading Kennedy for Holliday?
“First of all, I’m assuming the Yankees would give him an extension.”
Any extension he’s willing to sign will have to extend into his decline phase, which is a worry unto itself.
I look at it this way…would I trade one or two front-line young players for 4-5 expensive years of (prime) Hideki Matsui and 2-3 years of his decline? I don’t think I would do that, no.
jennifer: It’s well known there are closing ceremonies planned for November, but I’m not sure what, exactly, they’re planning
Blargh,
Yep. good luck throwing 3 straight no-no’s.
“I just don’t see COL dealing him right now.”
That’s why you have a general manager, Brian Cashman, who is supposed to be good at what he does. He’s supposed to work deals. And also, I’m going off what Pete said and what others have said, that he IS available…
“DFox, it’s not Kennedy. To get Holliday, I’m sure the Rockies would start with Hughes and AJax and go from there.”
Like I said above, that’s Brian Cashman’s job. To work magic. They are going to want Hughes and AJAX for someone they are going to lose in 2009? Cashman should be able to talk them down to Kennedy, and hopefully someone/people besides AJAX.
Why do people think Nady is good? He couldn’t even play for the Mets! Come on people. The guy is having a career year and he is still not playing that good.
Rebecca that is the first time I’ve heard it.
Troy Tulowitski (sp?) is the face of the Rocks - not Holliday. They know they aren’t going to be able to keep him and they are going to try to maximize his value in trade.
“As for Nady.. I think Kennedy and Ohlendorf would do it… would you make that deal?”
No. That’s another guy having a career year. He’ll revert to the merely solid player he is soon enough. And NOT that that’s bad; but I really do see Kennedy as a solid, cheap back-of-the-rotation option for the next six years. And I think that’s worth a lot more than a RFer who puts up a 110 OPS+.
“Also, for the people who are so scared of trading prospects, just stop, it’s getting boring. If it takes Ian Kennedy, it takes Ian Kennedy. Supposedly the Rockies were interested in him, so there is no reason the Yankees shouldn’t trade him.”
Sure they’re interested in Kennedy. They just want to send Fuentes back for Kennedy. Do you like that trade? I sure as hell don’t.
Wow, DFox. You’re tough. There will be a huge market for Holliday. The Rockies have no insentive to sell him for 10 cents on the dollar. And people don’t give the Yanks discounts.
I think the mutant spawn of Billy Beane and Gabe Pual couldn’t make the deal you want Cash to make.
Fox showed Bradley twice on the bench last night. During Longoria’s first AB. And later (a lot later) after a good play by Longoria. Just staring. Fox was definitely trying to create some drama. Finally towards the end he looked happy. Maybe he was just tired.
Bradley would be fine. Bonds would be fine. Just like Ponson has been fine.
You really can’t use personal stuff as an excuse to hate on someone. They almost always behave in a new situation, especially with the Yankees. So many eyes.
Let’s get real about Nady. It would take a lot more than IPK and Ohlendorf.
From mlbtraderumors.com:
According to ESPN’s Buster Olney:
The asking price for Xavier Nady is considered to be extraordinarily high right now, and rival executives have a sense that the Pirates are not going to lower their demands for the corner outfielder before the trade deadline. Nady will be arbitration-eligible this winter.
Nady, 29, is hitting .321/.377/.525 in 337 plate appearances this year despite multiple nagging injuries. Nady is under team control through ‘09; he’ll go through the arbitration process one more time and could earn $6MM or more next year. That’s valuable - the free agent market for right fielders is weak.
Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says the Yankees, Mets, Rays, and Braves have at least some interest in Nady. He’s still more likely to be dealt than Jason Bay.
“Like I said above, that’s Brian Cashman’s job. To work magic. They are going to want Hughes and AJAX for someone they are going to lose in 2009? Cashman should be able to talk them down to Kennedy, and hopefully someone/people besides AJAX.”
He should? Why would Colorado ever do that? They’re not going to lose him until AFTER 2009. There’s this whole offseason AND next year’s deadline. They aren’t in a hurry to trade Holliday.
I think Holliday would be a perfect fit we can trade Melky and kennedy and low A prospect it would cost nothing.
This would be a great trade for the Yankees I don’t know why so much suspense.
Trade for him now! (Ian Kennedy + 2 other prospects that are not Brett Gardner, A-Jax, Phil Hughes, or even worst Montero)
“That’s why you have a general manager, Brian Cashman, who is supposed to be good at what he does. He’s supposed to work deals. And also, I’m going off what Pete said and what others have said, that he IS available…”
Well, then the GM for COL is a fool. Why would you trade the blue chip of your team a year after you almost won it all? What does that say to the Rockies fan? It says to me that last year was a fluke and that they are years away from being serious about contending again.
If COL is willing to deal Holliday, then we need to get on the phone with SEA to see if we can get Ichiro. Surely, he’s available….
“Not sure why but cashman seems to want to hold on to every minor league pitcher in the system. Im sure he has a plan, but he really should consider trading some of the minor league arms”
Who’s to say Cashman isn’t exploring trades? Just because he hasn’t traded for who YOU want him to trade for doesn’t mean he’s afraid to trade anybody.
Holliday’s away numbers are much better over the last season and a half, Pete. Don’t let his early years fool you.
I would love to get Holliday, but I don’t want to mortgage the farm to get him. Which means we won’t get him, at least not this year. And that’s OK with me.
Nady would be a good option if he’s cheaper. We can’t give up A prospects for him; he’s just not good enough to justify it.
I hope we don’t give up anything of value for a bullpen arm. The pen has been fine, and we’ve got a ton of high upside bullpen arms coming up the ranks.
What we need is a starter, but I’m not sure there’s anyone out there to be had for anything close to a reasonable price. I DO NOT want Randy Wolf. He’s been terrible away from PETCO.
“Wow, DFox. You’re tough. There will be a huge market for Holliday. The Rockies have no insentive to sell him for 10 cents on the dollar. And people don’t give the Yanks discounts.”
I’m not saying 10 cents on the dollar… Ian Kennedy and OTHER prospects… If it requires AJAX, then you might have to go down that path. But I bet you said the same thing when the Phillies were trading Abreu. Do you remember anyone Cashman gave them?
“Sure they’re interested in Kennedy. They just want to send Fuentes back for Kennedy. Do you like that trade? I sure as hell don’t.”
If the Yankees actually needed more relief pitching, I wouldn’t hate it, but being that their bullpen is a strength, it would be stupid.
raymagnetic,
LOL. Either Cashman’s not working the phones or no one wants our prospects. Neither is very appealing.
Even though I doubt that it will happen, I have no problem with the Yankees trading Kennedy for Holliday along with 2 low level prospects. Anything else and we’ll be overpaying.
I think the Yankees should do these deals:
Kei Igawa for Brian Fuentes
Ohelendorf and Marquez for Matt Holliday
Justin Christian straight up for Xavier Nady
Roger Maris’s retired number for Jason Bay
The laundry bin in the Yanks locker room for A.J. Burnett
Some dirt from the Yankee infield for Jarrod Washburn
If Cash can’t make these deals, he should be fired.
I think it is fair to say that we have no idea what the value of these guys is until a deal is done. Did the Abreu deal make any sense when you first heard it? People thought it would take Hughes and A-Jax to get Harden and the actual deal was nothing close to that.
The insane reflexes on both extremes make no sense.
ML i agree with everything you just said.
Actually, DFox, nobody wanted Abreu because of his contract. Nobody was willing to pick up the year and a half and $24 million that was left. Not even the Red Sox. The Phillies had a choice between the Yanks offer (of garbage) or keeping Abreu. They chose to unload him.
The Rockies will have five or six teams in a bidding war. Not even close to the same situation.
“But I bet you said the same thing when the Phillies were trading Abreu. Do you remember anyone Cashman gave them?”
Abreu was a salary dump. Getting him out of town was the Phillies reward.
Holliday is NOT a salary dump. He’s a guy the Rockies can use to reload their system and guys like Kennedy simply won’t do it. Ti trade for him this year will be two A-list guys at a minimum.
Oh yeah, I forgot about Igawa. I wonder if there will be a time when a NL team will want a very cheap #5 starter? I’d like for him to have some success in the majors. He was too good in Japan to not have something translate.
“Why would you trade the blue chip of your team a year after you almost won it all? What does that say to the Rockies fan? It says to me that last year was a fluke and that they are years away from being serious about contending again.”
Wait, you’re losing me… The Rockies fans still think they’re a good team? They are 18 games under .500 and 8.5 GB. If you can get whooped with Holliday, you can get whooped just as well without him. That’s what I would tell the fans…
“He should? Why would Colorado ever do that? They’re not going to lose him until AFTER 2009. There’s this whole offseason AND next year’s deadline. They aren’t in a hurry to trade Holliday.”
You don’t understand value. The later they do the trade, the LESS they get for him. Once again, if you can lose with him, you can lose without him. Everyone knows the Rockies won’t be able to sign him. Get to next year, and what are they going to get for him? Very little.
jennifer: Not sure where I heard it first, but yeah.
Don’t know what they have planned though.
Honestly? I’d like to see the Stadium closed out by a top ninth, game seven World Series, strike out from Mariano Rivera.
I’m not sure anything else would be right.
If Big George were still calling the shots Melky would have packed his bags long ago.
“Even though I doubt that it will happen, I have no problem with the Yankees trading Kennedy for Holliday along with 2 low level prospects. Anything else and we’ll be overpaying.”
doubt it will happen! kennedy would be one of the lower level prospects. try hughes tabata kennedy. holliday is a great great player, he would cost a LOT.
Laura, last years Rockies run was a fluke, unless you think this year is more the fluke.
Mitch you made made day.
you forgot to add demose marte for jeters batting gloves.
Don’t waste talent on fuentes. He’s a good player, but we don’t need bullpen as much as a power bat. Veras is solid, robertson is good, if we need another good reliever we have melancon in AA, farnsworth is good, brett gardner + melky cabrera= awful.
Cano will turn it up, he should not be traded. He has a good track record, and is much better than the raplacement in AAA. If we go for a big star, his team will not add a second baseman in the deal so we’d be stuck with junk.
Miranda is good, and with giambi becoming a FA, betemit not being good enough to be a full-time 1b let alone a serviceable one, shelley duncan sucking, and jeter not moving to 1b any time soon, miranda will be getting playing time. If he’s traded our option will be shelley duncan!
There’s no reason to sink that low.
I love how people just completely disregard $9,500,000 contracts like Holliday’s. For a small market team that isn’t anywhere close to contention, I’d say that’s a significant amount of money.
Retire #51,
Thank you. I agree with everything you just said.
Is Ichiro available?
“try hughes tabata kennedy”
That would be a horrible trade for the Yankees. All three of those players’ values are very low right now. Selling low=Bad
mel -
Think of players like houses on the market - the longer they are on the market the further down the asking price goes.
If you close a deal the day you put a player on the market then you weren’t asking enough for the player.
The assumption that Cash isn’t trying to do deals or that our prospects aren’t good enough to close deals is premature imho.
Thanks, Moe. Yours is great.
I’m not even worried about getting a bat for this year. however the FA market is such crap next year that we might need to get one now. I think we have a good shot at the playoffs this year if they step it up. but cashman needs to really make sure he doesnt screw up the next 2-3 years. We should be stacked with all of the extra money coming our way and the advancement of the farm system
Although I must admit, I don’t think they should retire 51. Or 21. Or any numbers from this era except for 2, 6, and 42.
Too many retired numbers already. It should be reserved for immortals. HOFers only.
“That would be a horrible trade for the Yankees. All three of those players’ values are very low right now. Selling low=Bad”
read more clearly, thats what i was saying. I was merely pointing out that people were saying we could trade kennedy for holliday. I have no interest in trading hughes or tabata. that is the complete opposite of what i was saying
How about taking a flier on Matt Morris?
TKinDC,
I know. It’s just funny that people think Cashman spends all his time in the tanning salon.
I trust Cashman and the Yankees to do the right thing.
The team didn’t really deserve any help, but now Matsui’s injury mandates some kind of move. Even I, the eternal optimist, know that we can’t battle the rest of the season with this makeshift offense.
The most respected statistical measure of HOF qualification is this Hall of Fame monitor. (on baseball-reference.com)
It says that roughly with a score of 100, there is a good possibility of being in the HOF and with 130 you are a virtual shoe-in. Bernie has a score of 133.
Another measure is the HOF career standards test. The average HOF has a score of 50. Bernie has 48. Therefore he has a score higher than roughly 49% of the HOF.
Also neither of these account for world series wins, general wins, or playoff performance (bernie has 2nd most playoff hrs, hits, runs, at bats, total bases, walks singles, times on base)
He is first in all time playoff extra base hits and RBIs by a landslide (80, next is 64)
I agree he is close. But a case can be made
“You don’t understand value. The later they do the trade, the LESS they get for him. Once again, if you can lose with him, you can lose without him. Everyone knows the Rockies won’t be able to sign him. Get to next year, and what are they going to get for him? Very little.”
Actually, I _do_ understand value. It’s not like his trade value monotonically decreases as time passes. It’s situationally dependent as well. Maybe the Red Sox decide that Manny’s done this offseason and target Holliday because their tiny LF minimizes his defensive crappiness and can envision him lofting homers over the monster for the next 7 years. Young players that teams are giving a shot for the next three months might not pan out, or guys might go down with significant injuries later in the year. Contracts come off the books, putting teams in different financial positions.
plus he was a solid backbone of the yankees throughout the dynasty. has 5 golden gloves, and a batting title. he was int he top 20 mvp rankings 6 times
“Young players that teams are giving a shot for the next three months might not pan out, or guys might go down with significant injuries later in the year. Contracts come off the books, putting teams in different financial positions.”
That’s a good point, but I’m under the belief that he will be traded to SOME team this year, whether it’s the Yankees or not. Even if it means some team overpaying a little, they will.
retire #51: how do they calculate hall of fame monitor scores?
“That’s a good point, but I’m under the belief that he will be traded to SOME team this year, whether it’s the Yankees or not. Even if it means some team overpaying a little, they will.”
That’s a perfectly reasonable belief, but if it happens it will not because they’ve lowered their demands to the point where Kennedy, Colin Curtis and Eric Duncan get it done.
its a crazy formula, go on baseball reference. there are a few of them.
looks like plenty here have already pointed out that his road splits are not much of an issue in the past couple seasons.
i’ll agree on ripken being a bit over-rated.
and i have to agree with Margot as well.
i think
I would like to see Holliday batting in the 5 hole. If he turns out to be a righty Matsui, then he would be a fantastic hitter. I think he has more power than Matsui though.
I’m assuming the Ichiro talk is sarcastic, but the difference is that he just signed a contract extension last year so the Mariners have (I think) 3 more years with him. He is the most exciting outfielder in the game and would be a good fit.
Raul Ibanez is interesting. I don’t think he fits because he is a lefty, but he does seem to produce consistently. His numbers never seem fantastic, and he doesn’t get a lot of attention but he drives in runs, which is what the Yankees need.
Eric Duncan, yikes, what a giant bust of a 1st round pick that was. He is from New Jersey, though, isn’t that the reason why the Yankees took him?
I think Kennedy and Ohlendorf are running neck and neck for “most likely to be traded before July 31st” right now. The question is, to what team and for who? But to me, if a team is looking for major league-ready arms, those are the guys the Yankees will be quick to offer. I just wonder how much return the team could see on those guys, considering the league is pretty much aware of their potential upside: 4th starter and short reliever, respectively.
“If he turns out to be a righty Matsui, then he would be a fantastic hitter.”
No, he’d be a very good hitter. Someone I’d TOTALLY take as my everyday left fielder if
1) the team didn’t have two LF/DHes under contract for next year
2) I didn’t have to trade Hughes/Jackson plus other pieces for him
3) I wasn’t going to have to sign him until he’s 35 if I want to keep him past next fall.
4) I wasn’t going to have to trade for a RFer this offseason, and maybe think about a CF upgrade as well. And maybe 1B too.
But, given that all of those things are true, he’s gotta be Manny Ramirez if I’m going to acquire him. If some of them weren’t true, I’d be much more willing to think about it.
I don’t really see a problem with having a lefty bat - especially if they need to replace Matsui in the lineup - a lefty for a lefty. I think Ibanez could be had for very little. Throw in Bedard, and now you’ll have to give up a lot.
Or… could you put together a package for Randy Wolf and Brian Giles, and not lose Kennedy? (no way I trade Hughes, and I really would like to give Kennedy more of a chance than April & May; he is just 23.)
mel
July 16th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
raymagnetic,
“LOL. Either Cashman’s not working the phones or no one wants our prospects. Neither is very appealing.”
I personally believe that Cashman is working hard but nobody is all that enthused about our prospects. The ‘08 performances of Hughes, Kennedy, Gardner and Ohlendorf in the majors and Tabata, Marquez and Horne in the minors lessens the trade value of each of them right now.
” Just write the check “….WAS A JOKE !!!….man, you people !
You wonder if in the right trade, Abreau wouldn’t be appealing to some team. His home runs, rbi’s, slugging % and batting average in ‘08 are almost identical to his numbers with the Phillies in ‘06 when he was traded. A change of scenery might be what he needs.
The Yanks would get short money on him because of his salary and contract status, but in the right package he could draw some interest.
“The ‘08 performances of Hughes, Kennedy, Gardner and Ohlendorf in the majors and Tabata, Marquez and Horne in the minors lessens the trade value of each of them right now.”
But the performance of Robertson, McCutchen, Macallister, Jackson, Cox (until recently), Veras, and Miranda has made them look better.
And Gardner’s had no time in the majors to speak of. He’s no more or less valuable now than he was when they called him up from AAA.
Here’s a crazy idea: we’re not going to have a perfect outfield in 2009.
This team is going to continue to be a work in progress. While a few guys come off the books at the end of the year and, hopefully, the movement towards getting younger while remaining productive continues, there’s going to be places where we still transition.
That may or may not include trading for a younger, productive outfielder. That may or may not be Matt Holliday. I don’t know everything there is to know about Matt Holliday, but there is that nagging “Larry Walker and Dante Bichette played in Colorado” thing about him to me.
Someone said thia a couple of hours ago as well, but I really, really like that McClouth kid from Pittsburgh.
I also have to say that, no, we should in no way entertain acquring him, but goddamn did Ichiro look good in RF yesterday.
I want Josh Hamilton!! Trade: Kennedy, Horne, Melky, Sanchez for him…..
Half a minor league season isn’t going to change many opinions about prospects.
Abreu would be a perfect fit for Arizona… they are deep in position prospects, though they wouldn’t give up a lot for a late season rental. But maybe that deal frees up the Yanks to make a stronger bid for Nady/Bay/Holliday or some other RH bat.
I think Ichiro is in the first year of a 5 year, $ 90 million deal and I wouldn’t want to take that on. Besides he’s the last guy Seattle would want to move… Bedard, Beltre, Vidro, Washburn, Batista, Silva… those are the contracts they want to move.
“I want Josh Hamilton!! Trade: Kennedy, Horne, Melky, Sanchez for him…..”
When I was a senior in high school, I sat behind this girl in my French class. Really nice girl, but she weighed about 240 or so. No one dared asked her out. By the end of the year, she lost about 100 pounds (of course, being that was 18, the idea that 17 year-old girls would do that in awful ways did not cross my mind). Guess who asked her out? I did. We dated for a month, until she dumped me because she knew I wouldn’t have dated her if she was fat.
That fat chick is Josh Hamilton. Real friggin easy to say you want him now.
Papelbon was notified that he received his certificate from the John Rocker Academy of Rage.
The official presentation will be made when the Socks return home from a west coast trip to face the Yankees on July 25.
The Yankees are expected to be lined up at the top step on the dugout to doff their caps.
Ryan Spilborghs Ryan Spilborghs Ryan Spilborghs Ryan Spilborghs Ryan Spilborghs he has a little over 1 years service time entering this season so he is still cost controlled for the next 3-4 seasons. He rips left handed pitching! He has no future with the Rockies when Seth Smith and Dexter Fowler are coming up! Please get him Cashman.
He is going to be traded to someone so it might as well be the Yankees.
I would take Ichiro’s $90 mil deal in a heartbeat if I were the Yanks. I’d even volunteer to pick him up at the airport. But I don’t see Seattle ever trading him unless Ichiro demands it…
Trading Abreau is an interesting notion. Really, only a contending team would want him, otherwise why pay the money - so that definitely would make Arizona a possibility. Maybe L.A.? Can’t imagine Philly taking him back. Milwaukee’s probably made their big move. Angels could probably use him, but I have trouble seeing the Yanks trade with a team they could potentially see in Oct. And Yanks don’t trade with the Mets, who could use him also.
But I don’t know if, in effect, replacing Abreau with Bay or Nady is a flip-flop I’d want to make. Nady’s having a good year, but he’s no big deal. Bay is having another solid year, but I consider Abreau a better hitter than both of them. What’s Abreau’s trade-clause situation?
But whatever happens, please, please don’t bring Sexton here!!! Unless he’ll be a pinch-hitter….
“I would take Ichiro’s $90 mil deal in a heartbeat if I were the Yanks. I’d even volunteer to pick him up at the airport. But I don’t see Seattle ever trading him unless Ichiro demands it…”
he’s almost 35 years old. it may make for an attractive-looking band-aid, but it’s still, at best, a band-aid.
Chris go check the numbers Abreu stinks! He has declined since he stepped into the AL. If you can trade him you do it!
“But I don’t know if, in effect, replacing Abreau with Bay or Nady is a flip-flop I’d want to make. Nady’s having a good year, but he’s no big deal. Bay is having another solid year, but I consider Abreau a better hitter than both of them. What’s Abreau’s trade-clause situation?”
I agree that it’s probably a lateral move, at best.
you still have to assume that this season is Bobby Abreu’s last frightful rendezvous with the rightfield wall at any incarnation of Yankee Stadium.
Abreu had a full no-trade clause… don’t know if Yanks were able to alter that when they picked up his option.
I think swapping Abreu for Nady makes the Yankees better, younger and cheaper… that’s a pretty good trifecta. Key would be what prospects you could get for him and what Nady’s price tag is, but it addresses needs for both ‘08 and ‘09.
Dan I — Spilborghs is a good idea. Certainly shouldn’t have too high of a price tag and he’s a good fit.
Ryan Spillborghs would be a nice addition[injured now?] And Dan why do you think they are trading him, since they’ll need a replacement for Holliday.
However I’ve heard Garrett Atkins and Matt Holiday might be hard to sign by the Rockies, and therefore trade bait.
Any interest in Atkins a 3B moving to 1st?
No to renewing a contract for Abreu. Not even sure he’ll be a Type A FA. He would statistically have to be among the top 20% RF’ers over years 2007 & 2008.
Holliday is a 28 year old professional hitter who would adjust fine away from Coors.
Whether he is the answer or not, I can not agree that we have position players in our farm system ready to produce at the level needed to compete for championships. Jackson is still a couple years away and by that time most of the present core will be 36 - 40 (Jeter, Posada, Damon, Matsui).
Melky and Gardner are 4th OFers at best and neither has enough power to play the corners. If you want to play the statistics game that Pete is playing above - it is more telling that in Melky’s last 400+ at bats is average is right around .240. He has a plus arm, but just average range for a CFer and a below average bat.
We have no choice but to trade some of the young pitching prospects to get the bats needed to compete.
Matt G-
Agree we need another bat-righty in outfield.
Here are possibilities of righty hitting OF’ers currently on teams that might be sellers:
Baltimore-Jay Payton- Big no!
Cleveland-Ben Francisco-probably untouchable!
Royals-Jose Guillen?fit for Yankees+ assume large contract
Mariners- no decent righties
Blue Jays-would probably love to dump Wells’ contract, and don’t think Alex Rios available.
Reds-no righties
Rockies-Matt Holliday-we’ve been over him
Astros-Hunter Pence, Carlos Lee? doubt available
Pirates-Nady and Jason Bay- what prospects will it take to trade with the traditionally tough to trade with GM?
Padres-Scott Hairston
Who do you want, and what are you willing to give up in minor league prospects for a right handed outfield bat, that mi