Yankees pick up a big bat: It’s Cano
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Jul 21, 2008 
Print This Post
| 
Email This Post
You can speculate all you want about trades. But the answers to most of the questions are on the roster.
Robinson Cano since the All-Star break: 10 of 19, 4 runs scored, 5 RBI, 4 extra-base hits. Seems the Yankees just picked up an All-Star.
When healthy, the Yankees have this lineup:
Damon LF
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Rodriguez 3B
Giambi 1B
Cano 2B
DH du jour
Cabrera CF
Molina C
It’s not a great bottom third, but it’s a pretty damn good first six now that Damon is back, Cano has figured it out and A-Rod is 100 percent healthy. Mix in Brett Gardner and Wilson Betemit and you can get by with that offense.
Brian Cashman on making a trade: “I think more important are the guys that we’re running out there on an everyday basis; I think we need to get them going. If that doesn’t happen, then our offense won’t improve whether I make a trade or not. Of course, I’ll look at the trade market and see what’s available, but I’m not optimistic there. I’m not expecting a trade to come down that’s going to bring in a bat.”
Meanwhile, Jorge Posada now says that his shoulder did in fact bother his hitting, which was prettty obvious from his lack of power. It seems pretty evident that he should have his surgery now and get healthy for 2009. What is the point of having a DH/1B without power?
Guys, if you want to be amused, look at what Detroit is doing to KC.
Otherwise look at Cubs/Arizona.
because it beats Betemit/Sexon/Gardner you stupid guy!
Jarred Washburn !! should be a nice replacement for Mr rasner.
that KC game is painful!!
my boy Bill Hall broke the Cardinals back w/ that HR
oh god, Leo Nunez is in that game now, he’s on my fantasy team – i’m scared to look!!
Anyway, great win tonight, I’ll be at the Stadium tomorrow for yet another victory!!
What a shock another Sox road game, and they cant score.
so Wells in the Colorado game gives up 7 er (8 total) recording 1 out and his ERA is now 5.40 – what do you think it was before that disasterous appearance?
Also, check out the Dodgers game.
What the heck is in the water today?
Why doesn’t Cashman admit he’s just not interested in making a trade and is using this season as a transition year.
I know he won’t admit it, but I’m sick of the same BS answer he gives about trades.
Lester is in Cy Young form once again.
So much for that. Back to the Mariners.
I generally agree with Cashman on the issue of trading for a bat. I would like to see him maybe get creative and at least acquire a solid bench bat at the deadline, but I don’t think it has to be a big Bay, Nady, Holliday type blockbuster.
I am more concerned with the need for a solid middle of the rotation starter, and it is a BIG need, just look at Ras & Sir Sid’s WHIP’s. Is anyone else watching Washburn pitch tonight and thinking he’s our guy?
What is Cash going to say Yea we need to make a trade to keep the season going. That will give him lots of leverage with the other gm’s.
Oh, Arizona broke up Harden’s no hitter with a HR. RJ on the mound gunning for W #291.
crawdaddie, Cashman would be a fool to say the words you long to hear. They would serve no purpose whatsoever. Maybe he should just make a guest-blog appearance here and tell us in confidence what his plans are?
Wow…Miguel Cabrera 5-6 with 6 RBI. My fantasy team’s week just got off to a great start!
I was venting guys, aren’t I allow to do so on a Yankee fan blog? I’m just sick and tired of reading the same stuff from Cashman whether he’s correct in saying it or not.
Venting is absolutely allowed.
I cannot handle Jason Varitek
Okay, maybe I lied about Washburn….
Seattle is using Miquel Cairo as their DH!
Unbelievable.
Chad Jennings is saying it but he is hinting that Mark Melancon or Anthony Claggett might get promoted soon.
Maybe Veritek discovered Seattle coffee.
Am I reading that right? Fairy Tek has 2 hits including a 2-run homer? At least he used all of his hits for the week and shouldn’t give us a problem this weekend.
Why doesn’t Cashman admit he’s just not interested in making a trade and is using this season as a transition year.
I know he won’t admit it, but I’m sick of the same BS answer he gives about trades.
What’s BS about it?
Seems pretty darn logical to me.
Cashman said Phil Hughes (broken rib) is “very close” to throwing batting practice. Carl Pavano (elbow surgery) is “getting close” to throwing in minor-league games. “There’s certainly a chance he pitches in the majors this year,” Cashman said, “if everything goes right.”
http://www.nj.com/yankees/inde....._trac.html
Seattle loss.
“I’m just sick and tired of reading the same stuff from Cashman whether he’s correct in saying it or not.”
The sky is blue. The Yankees wear pinstripes. Jeter usually bats second. I hope that doesn’t make you sick as well.
Congratulations on the stupidest comment I’ve ever read on this blog. Which is high praise, indeed.
Cashman has done an outstanding job.
Cashman said Phil Hughes (broken rib) is “very close” to throwing batting practice. Carl Pavano (elbow surgery) is “getting close” to throwing in minor-league games. “There’s certainly a chance he pitches in the majors this year,” Cashman said, “if everything goes right.”
Boston is playing Seattle.
I would recommend ignoring Yankee press releases or Cashman quotes. They’re like baseball commentary from Joe Morgan… Obvious, predictable, and has about as much info as a users manual for a bar of soap.
Still think another solid bat would be a good thing, and still don’t think Nady will cost as much as speculated. Pitt can ask, but they won’t get.
Bay will be more, Holliday even more. Assuming we’re looking at a guy to bat 7th how much can anyone expect we’ll give?
Plus we won’t be carrying 3 C’s anymore (wouldn’t mind a replacement for Moeller now that he may actually have to play some), so that should mean a more useful bench too.
Without a above average RH hitter this lineup has serious issues…..It’s had this problem once Sheffild left….And now without the switch hitting Posada the weakness is more that just glaring…..Come on Pete some of us have been around for a awhile….Not asking for a David Justice type pickup, but to sit there and try to pass this notion that the lineup will suffice in it’s current configuration is an insult…..The Sexton Giambi mix is a good one, but the loss of Posada’s bat and then Matsui’s is a loss of 50 plus homers and close to 200 RBI’S…..I suuport Cashman but something must be done if the team plans on being a factor come October…..
I think Cashman should just issue daily press releases chronicling every internal discussion about players as well as ones he has with other teams. We should all be told everything that is going on and all of his exact plans.
Sad thing is there are people here who beleive that.
umm, guys, right now, Tony Peña, Jr, is pitching for KC.
Yes, you did read that right.
You can speculate all you want about trades. But the answers to most of the questions are on the roster.
I’ve been saying that all along Pete.
Glad to see Posada is on the DL just because he was killing us. Yesterday I said he needed to be out of the lineup and either rest long enough to heal or have surgery. But he wasn’t doing the Yankees any good in the lineup or behind the plate. I don’t mean I am happy he’s hurt and has to be DLd as much as I mean I am happy that whatever it took to get him out of the lineup happened. I didn’t see him volunteering out. The opposite in fact.
Cashman isn’t going to say anything to tip his hand on what he might like to do before the trade deadline, if anything at all. Why should he?
If Hughes and dare it be said, Pavano, can come back and contribute to the team in a few weeks, then pitching may not be as big a concern. The next week will give him more of an idea of what the real needs are.
Tony Pena Jr. also pitched a perfect inning
Guess KC has Yankeeitis when they’ve had a big game. They just about wiped the floor with Chicago. Looks like it caught up to them.
Tony Pena Jr retired the Tigers in order. Even got a K of Rodriguez. lol
Rebecca, yep. Tony Jr. just pitched a perfect 9th inning, hitting 90 and 91 MPH on the gun and just embarrassed Ivan Rodriguez by dropping a “Yellow Hammer” on him to strike him out. 12 pitches, 8 strikes.
Rangers fans talking possible trade scenerios
Salty and Bradley for Horne, Kennedy and Whelan and Cox
(I doubt that would happen, I’d do it in a heartbeat)
You know, maybe Peña should do a reverse Ankiel, or something?
GET JASON BAY DO MAKE THE LINEUP AWESOMER
I agree with you again Pete. Posada should get the surgery now so he can be healthy by the start of next season. It’s obvious it’s not something that’s going to get better so why delay it.
man – anyone interested in bringing Tony in as the 5th starter
i am just kidding!!
also Steve Phillips? Moron.
All of the media knows that Girardi and Cashman lies to them. I just hate it when Cashman doesn’t tell everybody about player moves. Just because it ups the price, who cares. Just like Girardi….WE’VE GOT A RIGHT TO KNOW.
agreed Rebecca. The yankees need bullpen help? Last time i checked that was one of their surprising strong points. Why does ESPN still employee him?
also Steve Phillips? Moron.
What did that fool say now?
Steve Phillips is an absolute moron.
As for the team, couldn’t we pick up a veteran hitter like a Randy Winn or Raul Ibanez? Milwaukee got Durham for cheap from SF. Winn would give us a nice utility bat.
Winn would give us a nice utility bat.
so would Jeff Keppinger
Why the heck would we trade for Jeff Keppinger? The Reds aren’t going to give him up unless it’s a pretty good package of prospects.
great win tonight. not much else to say. let’s keep takin’ them one at a time. GO YANKS!!!
Bob: Something about the Yankees and Bullpen Help and the verb ‘need’
Rebecca, it’s a possibility. If he continues to hit .150, he’d better do something. The Yanks have a young lefty that’s a converted outfielder playing in Charleston, and, he’s going to move fast. Really good fast ball, knee buckling slider and a Bugs Bunny changeup. His name is Wilkins De La Rosa.
Brandon -
Saw Chad comment about that too. But it looks like Horne might be coming off the DL soon, so that might push Ohly back to the pen.
Because of a makeup game they managed to find work for 6 starters, but they’ve got Igawa (who seemed ticketed for some relief work prior to the break), Karstens, IPK, Aceves, Ohlendorf (starting to work on things), McCutchen (getting skipped this go around), and perhaps Horne approaching a return. Plus Marquez and Patterson on the DL but supposedly starting to throw soon. I’m sure they’ll keep throwing those 7, with Strickland, Cox, Britton, Traber, and Jackson working in the pen, plus the 2 on the DL in the wings.
Phillips got released, and Chad was talking about White not pitching for 2 weeks. But there isn’t much of a spot, maybe a short term one. Not to say the 2 AA studs shouldn’t get a shot.
Bob: Something about the Yankees and Bullpen Help and the verb ‘need’
Explains why he’s a former GM, right?
Funny how all the fools, him included, who said it was a mistake to start Joba are pretty quiet about that now.
I really don’t think some of these guys even really watch the games.
I don’t understand Jorge,last time he got so pissed off that he was not the everyday catcher and told people “you’ve got to asked Girardi if he is going to play the catcher according to the opponents”. Now he is saying he hurts even when hitting.If he hurt so much,he shouldn’t have being upset about Girardi not letting him play catcher everyday.
Jorge has some ‘splainin’ to do!
I think it had more to do with not liking being put at first base. He doesn’t want to play there and probably said so. He has a lot of pride, and this is a tough blow to him.
Would you ?
Alan Horne, Ian Kennedy, JB Cox, Kevin Whelan and Jairo Heredia for Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Milton Bradley ?
Jorge’s got a hot head and I’m sure the injury stressed him out.
I wouldn’t read much into what he said.
Cut him some slack.
My God, this Mariner lineup is awful.
Book this one for Boston.
It could be the Yankees were telling him his role was going to move him to first and DH. He might not have admitted his pain to them, he wants to play. If he was being told they were moving him regardless of what he wanted he could have reacted that way.
If he wasn’t being totally honest about his shoulder, which wouldn’t surprise me, he might have been trying to protect his position, rather than admitting that this season is a bust for him physically.
can Cairo do something here?
Come on super-DH cairo!!!
Miggy Cairo always seemed to help us…
So far, Saltalamacchia, bat has been less than impressive, but his defense as a catcger and a 1st baseman has been worse, if that’s possible. I’d rather see Gerald Laird, but, not for that package.
So far, Saltalamacchia, bat has been less than impressive, but his defense as a catcger and a 1st baseman has been worse, if that’s possible. I’d rather see Gerald Laird, but, not for that package.
***catcher***
Miguel Cairo sucks
…so he strikes out. Right.
It’s ok we knew we’d be relying on LaHair.
Honestly, that’s the best Seattle can do for a DH?
What a freaking joke.
Wait they have an ace in the hole… jose vidro!!!!
GB7 Salty’s value is at a good price for his age, you have to believe he will improve behind that plate. I’d do it.
I think the Mariners as a team have pretty much shut down. There can’t be a lot of heart in that team at this point. Ichiro and Lopez are about the only ones who are hitting well. Lester’s pitch count is low, meaning they are getting themselves out more than anything else.
Oh great the mighty Vidro is PHing.
Shocking.
Oh well, no sense watching anymore of this one.
At least we kept pace!
I will certainly grant you all that the Seattle line-up leaves an awful lot to be desired.
At the same time Jon Lester is maturing into a very good pitcher. He used to walk a lot of batters and rarely got beyond the fifth inning.
He has become one of the most consistent Sox pitchers and I believe has walked no one tonight so far.
But I have no confidence in the Sox bullpen right now!
I don’t see the Yankees trading for a starting catcher. While this season is probably done for Jorge, he could be back next season as a starting catcher. Then what?
ray, no offense, but when a pitcher gets through the 6th inning and has only thrown about 50 pitches, the batters are the ones getting themselves out. A lot of swings on pitches out of the zone.
Tonight isn’t anything to measure Lester on.
Sorry, Brandon, but a .217 batting average and a .975 fielding percentage doesn’t cut it, and, it wasn’t any better last year, and the runers are stealing him blind. Even if part of the steals are because of the pitchers, 33 of 40 are successful. Posada does better than that with a bad shoulder.
I understand your point 13, but this has been Lester’s pattern the last few games…just not this one.
Talking about Lester, on a different note, I hate Boston, I don’t particularly like Lester, but during the ESPYs I REALLY felt like he deserved the award for “best sports moment”. His no-hitter killed all the other nominees, and the one that won was a nice story but not anything amazing like what Lester did.
GB he’s only 23 years old, no telling what Tony Pena would add to his coverage.
Yikes, we’re going to need Timlin to bail us out now.
“What is the point of having a DH/1B without power?”
Indeed, Seattle…what is the point? I can’t believe the DHed Cairo. They’re a joke of a team at this point. A sane GM should have realized that they were more lucky than good last year and that the thing to do was KEEP Jones et al and build their team that way.
Lester is generally regarded as one of class players on the Red Sox squad. I don’t blame you a bit DFox for not particularly liking him especially because he is a Red Sox player.
To be very candid I cheer for Beckett because he pitches for the Sox, but I personally think he is a jerk….a gifted jerk…but still a jerk! It gives me way more satisfaction to cheer for Lester.
Lester is one of the few Sox guys that doesn’t bother me.
Him, Francona, and, surprisingly, Ortiz, always come across as genuinley good people.
If they wanted to don Yankee stripes I would not be upset.
“To be very candid I cheer for Beckett because he pitches for the Sox, but I personally think he is a jerk….a gifted jerk…but still a jerk! It gives me way more satisfaction to cheer for Lester.”
Yeah, like you said, I don’t like Lester because he’s on the Red Sox, not because of what kind of person I think he is. I agree that Beckett is a jerk, and the only other Red Sock I’d put in that category is Papelbon. I don’t agree with the people here who call Pedroia names and Youkulis names, I have no problems with them other than what team they play for. Pedroia actually seems pretty nice.
Ray….I have always admired Tek and Wakefield and despised the assclowns like Millar, etc….
Rebecca,
The way you described your feelings about Lester is the same way I feel about Jeter, Rivera, and some other Yankees.
I would say they also come across as genuinely good people.
Brandon, that’s only my opinion and that means absolutely nothing to anyone but me. I like the four young catchers NYY have in Charleston and Tampa. Of those four (Montero, Romine, Gil and Anson) I like Montero and Romine better. Jose Gil also plays first base and has power. I haven’t seen weems, yet, so I can’t comment, but, I’ll see him next year.
I hope Ichiro rocks Lester and then someone gives Lester a hug in the dugout.
but no!
Ray: Yep. Rivera is often described as one of the classiest guys in all of sport.
I think you can put the same label on Francona as well.
game over Papelbon is gonna shut that rally down.
Nick, you got close, but, it wasn’t Suzuki that tagged Lester, but, Ibanez just rocked one off of his shin. It caught him flush.
who got hurt ? it saids injury delay ?
Still two outs to go in the eighth inning. I don’t think Francona has anymore confidence in the rest of the bullpen besides Papelbon than I do!!!
Lester got hit in the foot by a hit, but I think he is okay.
So the Rockies score in every inning but the first and second….
…and they still lost the game.
Raul ends the game.
ray sox fan,
get a life and post on a Sox board. why would you post here?
Prediction:
Pavano wins the game on the final Sunday of September in Boston to clinch the division.
Sorry, it was Bloomquist, not Ibanez…luckily for Lester. They would be fitting Lester for an artificial leg right now.
Cashman should get Bay and Marte and make this team a legit post season contender even with Sid and Ras starting til Sept 1.
Nibs, why do YOU post here?
Nibs, Ray is a long time poster here. Every family’s got a black sheep; he’s ours’.
Nibs,
Ever hear of something called diversity…its not a bad thing.
Besides right now on this Yankees blog most of the posting is focused on the Sox/Seattle game.
It’s a sad day when you can say that a Red sox poster is better than even a so-called Yankee fan. i wasn’t aware that species even existed.
“Cashman should get Bay and Marte and make this team a legit post season contender even with Sid and Ras starting til Sept 1.”
Hmm…a LF/DH when we already have TWO under contract for next year and a reliever when we already have a very good bullpen, and several interesting arms in the minors.
If you’re going to try to pry away THAT package, go for Holliday instead.
I was going to suggest that the Yanks trade some of their pen surplus to teams like the Cards and the Brewers. Kyle would appeal, perhaps. He’s closed before, and is pitching well. I’d be fine with guys like Bruney, Veras and Robertson moving up in the pen and filling in the 6th inning with one of Strickland or Britton, or Ohlendorf. Or, maybe trade a Britton or an Ohly.
whozat would you ?
Alan Horne, Ian Kennedy, JB Cox, Kevin Whelan and Jairo Heredia for Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Milton Bradley ?
Didn’t Atlanta release Bryan Pena, thr switch-hitting young catcher who kills lefties?
I think he’s a FA if I’m not mistaken don’t know mmuch about him right now.
Brandon: I wouldn’t. Saltalamacchia is a little overrated and Bradley is a major, major risk. If it was just Kennedy and Horne, I might consider it, but that’s the only way.
Salty is more of a DH/1B. Laird could be had for the right price though.
If it was just Kennedy and Horne, I might consider it, but that’s the only way.
remember Rebecca your selling to Texas that these kids are ML caliber, I would guess this pushes it… Kennedy, Horne, Heredia and Curtis. (I’d sign that right now, remember we drafted pitching this year too)
I’m officially off the Nelson Cruz bandwagon a Texas Rangers poster answered my question.
What is up w/ Nelson Cruz in AAA
His approach is the problem and he hasn’t changed it.
he isn’t really doing anything different. He just goes up there and hacks at everything and he’s able to run into a bunch of average fastballs in the minors. That doesn’t happen in the Majors.
I think the Rangers were high on him early in the season, because he appeared to be focusing. He was running noticeably faster and he improved his plate discipline. But since early in the season, he’s been the same old free-swinger
Consider me done w/ this player.
Honestly once Bruney returns and possibly Melancon gets called up what is wrong with our bullpen. I know Kyle cant be trusted but I like our bullpen. I heard it was 6th in ERA during tonights game.
SIGN BONDS
NO !
Bradley as an impending free agent could re-sign but hed be a Type A FA so the picks would be nice. Seems like a nice deal as the yanks will be able to replenish the farm with quite a few compensatory picks next year
That line-up you post iis mighty fine… until Molina gets on base. Then Meachum starts thinking too hard and holds up every runner after watching Mollasses Molina lumber along.
I realize Posada isn’t much quicker… but my God…!
When they’re completely healthy, isn’t Matsui in the lineup?
Imagine how much more potent the line-up would be if Bonds were in that DH spot.
Damon
Jeter
Bonds
ARod
Giambi
Abreu
Cano
Cabrera
Molina
That’s one hell of a line-up. Sexson can fill in at DH/1B. Giambi can relieve Bonds at DH if needed. I just don’t understand why people aren’t interested in a guy who had an On-base percentage of almost .500 and an OPS over 1.000 last year.
because he’s a candidate for the 15 year inactive list!