The one roster spot left open
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Nov 25, 2009 
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When the Yankees added seven players to the 40-man roster last week, they left one spot open. That means they can make a selection in the Rule 5 draft — teams have to have an open 40-man spot to do so — but it also means they’ll have to make additional moves before adding more than one free agent.
“There’s always a calculated gamble when you do that kind of stuff,” general manager Brian Cashman said. “Last year, I can’t remember when the Nick Swisher trade came down, but that was a three-for-one. I don’t have a trade sitting in my back pocket, but you hate to be in a position where two weeks from now or three weeks from now you do a deal and you move a few pieces off your 40, and maybe get one of those pieces back or none of those pieces back, and now you have excess. We’ll have to wait and see how the winter plays out, but there is built in flexibility. We’ll have to see how that plays out. I know where my soft spots are on my 40 and I know that a week from now or a month from now some trade opportunity might present itself that creates flexibility also.”
This is the second time I’ve personally heard Cashman talk about the idea of making a two-for-one or three-for-one trade to open a spot on the 40-man roster. It certainly seems to be a strong possibility. If no such trade happens, it’s interesting that Cashman has acknowledged “soft spots” on the roster. Catcher and outfield are obviously not soft spots. Jorge Posada and Francisco Cervelli aren’t going anywhere, and the Yankees barely have enough outfielders as it is. There will be no DFA or non-tender from those groups.
The two soft spots, as I see it, are the infield and the long-reliever/fifth-starter group.
Infield: Hard to imagine the Yankees designating one of the infielders they just added to the roster, but it’s hard to deny that four extra middle infielders is a lot for a team that has Derek Jeter and Robinson Cano playing almost every day. If the Yankees absolutely must open a 40-man spot, they could make a move in the infield and still have solid depth. By the way, Cashman said he hasn’t ruled out adding a proven utility infielder.
Long reliever/fifth starter: I’m not talking about Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes, but the Yankees 40-man does have Alfredo Aceves, Chad Gaudin, Ian Kennedy, Sergio Mitre, Hector Noesi, Ivan Nova and Romulo Sanchez. That’s not to mention a slew of minor league starters not on the 40-man. Some of these are stronger non-tender candidates than others, but it’s certainly an area from which the Yankees could lose a player or two and still be OK.
Injury concerns: Two more spots could open this way. You know all about Chien-Ming Wang. Last year’s injuries and struggles could be enough to lead the Yankees to non-tender him, even with his past success. But the Yankees also have Chris Garcia taking a spot on the roster. No one doubts Garcia’s talent, but he made just five starts last year and 13 the year before. Injuries have been a significant problem for the right-hander, and it’s hard not to wonder if the Yankees might have run out of patience and decided to run the risk of passing him through waivers.
What with the Sox ? Do they honestly think they’re going to land Halladay behind our backs !
Mike RI
November 25th, 2009 at 8:32 am
What with the Sox ? Do they honestly think they’re going to land Halladay behind our backs !
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I wouldn’t make too much out of it yet. I lost count of all the times last season that I saw “Red Sox pulling out all the stops to land Teixeira”
B. Ca$hmoney may not have a trade in his back pocket but I would bet he has one in his briefcase. Just as Chad wrote, he wouldn’t talk about “soft spots” on the 40 if he didn’t have a plan in mind. He does have some soft spots but only because he has some loaded spots as well.
Mitre must own blackmail pictures on Cashman. A roster spot wasted on this guy?
“Mitre must own blackmail pictures on Cashman. A roster spot wasted on this guy?”
Strikes me more that Girardi knew Mitre and for last year he was in the right place at the right time. I don’t think he’s a keeper by any means, but if they can use him in a package, why just let him go? The Yankees have many bullpen-quality arms as good or better than Sergio. Long reliever/spot starter seems more like Ace or Gaudin, not Mitre.
Injuries have been a significant problem for the right- hander, and it’s hard not to wonder if the Yankees might have run out of patience and decided to run the risk of passing him through waivers.
Say it ain’t so Chad. I wouldn’t give up on someone like Garcia until his arm falls off (which seems possible). Considering how he looked before going down last year, and the relative severity, or lack thereof, of this past injury, it would seem very possible Garcia could be an impact arm on the big league club next year.
IMO nobody is making a deal for Halladay unless and until the Yankees either bow out or get their last and best offer topped. That Daily News piece by Madden and Feinsand is pot stirring at its best during the slow period before Cashaman and Hal Steinbrenner set their budget. What a pleasure that the Yankee front office doesn’t shoot first and ask questions later anymore. Why, they’re almost, dare I say it… Businesslike?
Trade some of the fringe 40 man Pitchers for David Dejesus stick him Left Field. Sign Damon 2yrs 18mil for the DH
Done
“I wouldn’t make too much out of it yet. I lost count of all the times last season that I saw “Red Sox pulling out all the stops to land Teixeira””
Apples and oranges. Teixeira was a free agent and Boston did go hard…right til they figured out they were being used to boost his contract figures for another team. When it’s trading it’s a little different, though the Jays could conceivably play Boston and the Yankees off of each other to boost their return.
Even as average as David Dejesis is, KC isn’t just going to turn him over to NYY for a couple of plow horses. They just traded one outfielder and are trying to unload Guillen. That leaves them short of outfielders.
Squidward
November 25th, 2009 at 9:11 am
Apples and oranges. Teixeira was a free agent and Boston did go hard…right til they figured out they were being used to boost his contract figures for another team. When it’s trading it’s a little different, though the Jays could conceivably play Boston and the Yankees off of each other to boost their return.
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True, but I’m still not buying it.
“Trade some of the fringe 40 man Pitchers for David Dejesus stick him Left Field.”
Why would the Royals take what amounts to AAAA pitchers for DeJesus?
No way the Jays would deal Halladay without checking with the Yankees first, if for no other reason than to try and drive the price up for the Red Sox or any other team in the mix. Cashman will be montioring the situation, as always. This will not be a quick deal.
JohnC
November 25th, 2009 at 9:18 am
No way the Jays would deal Halladay without checking with the Yankees first, if for no other reason than to try and drive the price up for the Red Sox or any other team in the mix. Cashman will be montioring the situation, as always. This will not be a quick deal.
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Agree. I have no doubt Boston is interested in trading for Doc, but at this point I think it’s mostly speculation.
I’m not worried about what the papers say. NY has at least 5 papers looking for juicy stories that aren’t there. If they’re not there….invent something. Fans are so desparate for news that they’ll buy anything. The next news will be that Rodriguez is out on the town with a bevy of beauties because Kate Hudson off doing a movie.
Wouldn’t the ‘soft spots’ include the likes of Edwar and Albaladejo. I would imagine they would be the first to be taken off the 40 man, right?
I’m actually not overly concerned with the Red Sox possibly acquiring Halladay. Frankly it makes sense, since they’re concerned that they’ll lose Beckett shortly to Free Agency, and will therefore need someone at the top of the rotation.
Face it, if they get Halladay, it may only happen if he can sign a 4 year extension, which he will for greater than $22 million/year. Could they then turn around and pay Beckett the same? Another 4 or 5 year contract for $20+ million/year?
No, I think Boston is going for it all in 2010, as their window of opportunity may be closing. I see them pushing hard for Halladay and Bay or Adrian Gonzalez or another big bat, as after 2010 they start losing pieces: Ortiz, Varitek, Pappelbum.
What keeps going through head is Cashman’s philosophy of not paying money and giving up prospects.
Cashman is stealth and the media is the last people to know his modus operandi. plus he has the distinct advantage of having 50mm to spend.
If you visit nesn the talk with the writers and bloggers,is Felix Hernandez.Beantown wants him something bad!
GreenBeret7
November 25th, 2009 at 9:38 am
I’m not worried about what the papers say. NY has at least 5 papers looking for juicy stories that aren’t there. If they’re not there….invent something. Fans are so desparate for news that they’ll buy anything. The next news will be that Rodriguez is out on the town with a bevy of beauties because Kate Hudson off doing a movie.
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You must have missed the “Alex and Kate are taking a break” thing last week when she was plugging Nine and he was in Miami. lol
Very well said.
Erin
November 25th, 2009 at 9:47 am
GreenBeret7
November 25th, 2009 at 9:38 am
I’m not worried about what the papers say. NY has at least 5 papers looking for juicy stories that aren’t there. If they’re not there….invent something. Fans are so desparate for news that they’ll buy anything. The next news will be that Rodriguez is out on the town with a bevy of beauties because Kate Hudson off doing a movie.
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Very well said. You must have missed the “Alex and Kate are taking a break” thing last week when she was plugging Nine and he was in Miami. lol
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What? I surely missed that. I can’t believe that Rodriguez was out tomcatting around the beaches and bars while poor little Kate was home at night, knitting two pair of booties in blue and in pink. Rodriguez is such a cad.
plugging Nine ?
interesting
Alex was photographed sitting with Fergie and the Will i am,from Black Eye Pea at a basketball game in court side seats.Yahoo sports has the pictures in the Big League Stew blog.
Dontmesswiththejesus
November 25th, 2009 at 8:47 am
Injuries have been a significant problem for the right- hander, and it’s hard not to wonder if the Yankees might have run out of patience and decided to run the risk of passing him through waivers.
Say it ain’t so Chad. I wouldn’t give up on someone like Garcia until his arm falls off (which seems possible). Considering how he looked before going down last year, and the relative severity, or lack thereof, of this past injury, it would seem very possible Garcia could be an impact arm on the big league club next year.
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Garcia stays on the roster – this is the make or break year for him in terms of health. That arm is worth one last go. If he’s healthy – it’s like you made a trade for a high-end pitcher in exchange for a roster spot, even if he just winds up in the bullpen for now.
How about this as a possible DeJesus deal:
IPK, Kevin Russo, Brett Gardner & Brian Bruney for DeJesus and Brian Bannister (although if they could swing it so Gil Meche was included I would be good with that.)
As it stands right now, for Ian Kennedy to make the Yankee rotation in the next three years both Phil Hughes and Joba would have to flame out as starters, Andy would have to retire and the Yankees would have to decide not to go after a single free agent pitcher. That’s without considering whether guys like Zach McAllister, Dellin Betances, Andrew Brackman, Ivan Nova, or DJ Mitchell might pass him on the organizational depth chart.
Gardner becomes their CF
Russo’s a legit 2b prospect and leadoff hitter, but with Cano, Corona, Nunez, Pena the Yankees are deep there too.
Bruney is a middle reliever but his salary offsets some of the money that the Yankees will be taking back.
Plug DeJesus into LF and bat him 2nd and Bannister fills the Yankees’ desire to get a veteran for the back of the rotation. Bannister is due a raise from his 1.7 mil contract in arbitration this winter.
http://www. mlbtraderumors.com Buster Olney ,is told by one Blue Jays exec that the chances of trading Halladay is 50/50.
Another source said, the Jays could have had 3 top prospects last summer,whereas now they could land a star prospect and a second with major-league potential.Last year they got Nada for AJ.
Chip,
You’re at it again. Promise that you won’t utter the words Randy Winn today.
I don’t think you have to give up 4 players for DeJesus. Actually Gardner and Russo would probably do it if KC is trying to lower payroll. If they’re really trying to lower payroll however, it’s more likely they try to unload Meche and Bannister.
What kind of double agent wants us to trade for Dejesus?
I’ve never heard such a bad idea put out there so many times.