Pregame notes: Yankees make surprise move at the deadline
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Notes on Jul 31, 2012 
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First the basics…
1. The Yankees have officially announced their trade for corner infielder Casey McGehee. The Yankees are sending reliever Chad Qualls to the Pirates, and the Pirates are including cash in the deal.
2. McGehee isn’t expected to be here until tomorrow. For now, he’s not active.
3. Joba Chamberlain was on his way to Trenton for a rehab appearance, but he’s been told to turn around and drive back to Yankee Stadium. He’ll be active for tonight’s game, replacing Qualls in the bullpen.
Now, the details…
Some time in the last week, Brian Cashman talked to Pirates general manager Neal Huntington about McGehee. The Yankees liked the idea of a right-handed corner infielder to help fill the Alex Rodriguez hole, and the Pirates weren’t getting more than platoon production out of McGehee at first base.
“Neal was working through some things on his end,” Cashman said. “The player would become available under certain circumstances, if they did a few things. He just wanted to give me a heads up earlier in the week, ‘Hey, I might be calling you if a couple of things work out a certain way. So it’s possible on the 31st, I might have a conversation if you’re still interested in that certain situation.’ I said fine, so we were prepared for it, and a call did come. So we obviously just had to work through what would work and what wouldn’t.”
The Pirates traded for first baseman Gaby Sanchez earlier today, and that trade obviously made McGehee available. The Yankees gave Qualls, who seemed all but certain to be designated for assignment within a few days anyway when Chamberlain came off the disabled list.
“We feel that (McGehee) can play third and first for us,” Joe Girardi said. “With some of the trouble we’ve got going physically with some of the guys — with Tex not being available for a few days, with Alex not being available for weeks — this is a guy that has put up big numbers in his career, and we’re hoping he can helps us.”
McGehee’s overall numbers are far worse than they were two or three years ago, but he is hitting .250/.344/.463 against lefties this season. He brings some balance to a lineup that has been extremely left-handed without Rodriguez. He can help fill the temporary void at first base, and he can slide into somewhat regular duty at third. Having McGehee to play third makes it easier to use Jayson Nix at shortstop and second base so that Derek Jeter and Robinson Cano can get a few DH days against lefties.
“Until you get what you want, which is a World Series trophy, you’re never comfortable,” Cashman said. “You’re always looking at ways to try to improve your club. Obviously you’re not allowed to do so after August 31, other than what you have. The only time that mentality stops is if you’re the last team standing. Otherwise, you were never close enough.”
• Mark Teixeira was relieved by today’s diagnosis of inflammation in his left wrist. He had his wrist in a brace today and won’t play until Friday at the earliest. “Very relieved,” he said. “But it’s what I expected. When you’re injured, you can tell if something’s seriously wrong. I didn’t feel like there was something seriously wrong. I just felt like my wrist was sore and I needed to get it fixed.”
• The Yankees weren’t entirely sure how quickly Chamberlain could get to Yankee Stadium, but he’s expected to be here at some point tonight. “I talked to my trainer earlier today,” Cashman said. “Just said, ‘Hey listen, if I make a trade and I lose Chad Qualls, is there any medical reason that would be of concern to activate Joba tonight?’ He said no. I said, ‘OK, as of right now, keep him on line in Trenton, but if I move on Qualls for McGehee, then obviously I would reinstate Joba.’ … We put this together, we finalized it just before the deadline. I just grabbed my trainer (and) said, ‘Track Joba down. Tell him to get here rather than there.’ He may be in route to Trenton. He may be in Trenton. But he’ll be here tonight at some point.”
• Cashman wouldn’t comment on whether he was close to trading for Ryan Dempster. “Obviously, the deadline process, you listen to a lot of different things,” Cashman said. “You have a lot of different conversations. Some initiated by us, some initiated by them, them being any of the 29 clubs. I would say, or I wouldn’t confirm who we were talking to and about what. But there’s a lot of things that get presented, ideas thrown around, a lot of different concepts.”
• Did the Teixeira injury rush the Yankees plans for Nick Swisher to get back in the field? “Well, we were kind of day-by-day,” Girardi said. “If Tex didn’t get hurt, would I have waited until tomorrow? Maybe. But I might have thrown him out there today and DHed Raul. I would have just checked with him.”
• With a lefty starting tomorrow, Girardi said it’s possible McGehee will be the Yankees starting first baseman with Jayson Nix at third base for this Baltimore series finale.
• Girardi didn’t say as much, but I have to think Ramiro Pena will be option tomorrow to make room for McGehee.
Associated Press photos
Austin-
Upon-Are you talking about Justin from AZ?
If yes, that guy is not the right fit in The Bronx.
Well, we’ll get to see McGehee cleaned up!
bruceb
Can’t wait to see Joba either but not too confident he’ll be pitching with a lead. This lineup without A-Rod and Tex will frighten no one, not even the Orioles. Lot of onus on Granderson and Cano to drive in runs, and unfortunately they’re both slumping.
“July 31, 2012 at 5:26 pm blake, again, if you had gotten Upton, Choo, or Headley, where would they be playing in the postseason? If the answer is on the bench, how would that have helped the team out?”
None of those guys would have been on the bench. Headley would play 3B or outfield if Alex DHd. Choo or Upton would have pushed Swisher to DH or ichiro to the bench.
blake, again realistically, I think you know none of that would have happened. The Yankees are not going to acquire someone when they already have a “more than credible” person in the position. They would not be sitting Ichirio, nor would they sit Swisher. Realistically.
And I don’t think you’d see Arod sitting as DH when they would want to be able to have different players DH depending upon the situation.
And going back to the price, I think you know hey would not be giving up what it would have cost when they already have players in place. It just doesn’t make sense.
McGehee on radio now.
Warning Track,
Yes, that’s who I was talking about.
And I don’t think you’d see Arod sitting as DH when they would want to be able to have different players DH depending upon the situation.
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If A-rod is the best choice, why wouldn’t they put him at DH in the playoffs? And acquiring Upton or Choo, Choo would be the 2nd best player on the team. Of course he’d be in the field and push Ibanez or Jones to the bench where they probably belong in a playoff situation.
“They would not be sitting Ichirio, nor would they sit Swisher. Realistically.”
They wouldnt have to sit Swisher….hed DH. The price may have been prohibitive etc and thats fine……
I never did understand the Dempster talk. This year’s stats don’t reflect the innings eating, but so-so pitcher in his career. He’s a solid pitcher, but I prefer the Rangers get him than Johnson or Greinke.
The NY Yankees are a lock for the AL East Divsion and conducted business at the dedaline just like a club that has that lead should…….They have some good ballplayers returning before October baseball begins……The overhaul could take place come December when the Hot Stove Season rolls around………This place will be in a frenzy with insanity……Doc Joe, always good when you sop by to visit………GB hasn’t been around from and hasn’t responded to some e-mails that have been sent out…….Hope is that he’s alright
If Swisher is your DH, then you take the bat out of the hands of every other player for the postseason – like Chavez and Ibanez and others who could be situationally invaluable. You don’t do that. But on top of it, the price would have been prohibitive.
So here we are. Play today, win today!
Later.
Realistically, Ibanez should only hit vs righties @ home. He is awful vs lefties and on the road in most situations. He benefits greatly from NYS.
Having better and more options to mix and match and platoon would be a huge plus. Not to mention all 3 of those guys would help the team beyond just the next 3 months.
Pat M,
I dont disagree with that….I just think they have a shot this year and would have liked to see them push a little bit if they could have gotten a difference maker……but id rather do no deal than a bad one so maybe thats all that was out there.
Pat M,
I too am a little concerned about GB. Please share, if appropriate, if you hear from him.
Thanks.
Beast Deal we can make today, would be to end the losing streak. Losing 8 of 11 has not been fun and i am over it. Time to start a 5+ game winning streak tonight.
Tabbert July 31st, 2012 at 5:44 pm
Beast Deal we can make today, would be to end the losing streak. Losing 8 of 11 has not been fun and i am over it. Time to start a 5+ game winning streak tonight.
——————————————————————
That’s what I’m talking about!
If Swisher is your DH, then you take the bat out of the hands of every other player for the postseason – like Chavez and Ibanez and others who could be situationally invaluable. You don’t do that. But on top of it, the price would have been prohibitive.
–
How? Those are bench players, they are there to just pinch hit, not play during the playoffs. They can pinch hit if the situation arises. The Yankees have done the same thing in other playoffs. Jones hit sparingly last year. Thames and Berkman shared DH in 2010 and pinch hit.
With stewart & martin being mostly terrible, they could pinch hit for either with any of the guys you mentioned. There is no imperative to play these guys as starters. They can come in after a pinch run.
Bowden just asked Jack Z if Jon Daniels called and offered Profar, Olt, Perez, and Buckle for Felix what would he say…….he dodged the question
Trisha,
No one told me. What was the prohibitive price for these players? Tell us your scoop.
Nick in SF -
Did I miss a Dempster diving reference? I mostly skim, so it’s possible. (Did you make said reference???) LOL
This guy McGhee will need a good shave before he arrives in
The Bronx.
Ideally….Ibanez and Chavez would be bench players come playoff time.
I’ve been pushing for A-Rod to be the primary DH… his splits definitely favor that spot this year. He could play 2 games at 3B a week and stay fresh.
Josh Norris @jnorris427
Dellin says Manny threw a BP last week. #Yankees
______
Also Greg Bird is reporting to SI. #pumped.
McGehee’s overall numbers are far worse than they were two or three years ago, but he is hitting .250/.344/.463 against lefties this season.
He brings some balance to a lineup that has been extremely left-handed without Rodriguez.
He can help fill the temporary void at first base, and he can slide into somewhat regular duty at third. Having McGehee to play third makes it easier to use Jayson Nix at shortstop and second base so that Derek Jeter and Robinson Cano can get a few DH days against lefties.
Pat M. – thanks for the kind words. I agree, having a comfy lead on July 31 gives you the luxury of holding onto players of the future.
I’ve wondered about GB myself. Hope he’s ok, and not in the clutches of Nurse Karloff. If you hear/contact him, please give him my regards and best wishes.
Cashman hasn’t made a deadline deal that was worth a damn since he sent Tabata to Pittsburgh for a platoon outfielder and lefty specialist.
Blake,
I completely agree to the appropriate roles of Chavez and Ibanez. However, they may play pivotal roles. The RISP problem is not a fluke, in my opinion. I so hoped, as you, they would get a quality bat.
Frankly, I think this off season is going to be painful. The first twenty million dollars chop will probably occur then. It would be difficult to reduce the payroll by such a large amount in one year.
waka flocka July 31st, 2012 at 5:52 pm
Cashman hasn’t made a deadline deal that was worth a damn since he sent Tabata to Pittsburgh for a platoon outfielder and lefty specialist.
————————————————————————————–
If the Yankees win the 2012 WS, then the moves Cashman made/did not make
were perfect.
Isn’t that what the bottom line is?
WTP,
Hughes and Nova scare the sh*t out of me, you have no clue what you’re getting out of Joba or Pettitte, and the Yankees have zero right handed power without a declining A-Rod.
waka- so, you don’t like the trade for Curtis granderson?
Wasn’t a deadline trade
Good thing he said no….
——–
Jayson Stark?@jaysonst
Heard from 2 clubs in last 30 minutes that #Marlins thought they had Carlos Lee traded to #Yankees – but he wouldn’t waive no-trade (again)
“Did I miss a Dempster diving reference? ”
I think the first of multiple such references was made in the original Dempster-rumor thread a few hours ago. You’re in good company, but no one’s putting this one on their comedy resume.
And with that said, I doubt any of us will be spending as much time thinking/talking about Dempster as we did today, including whenever we next face the Rangers.
Yanks are in 1st place with a .588 win percentage at the end of July. Yet quite a few Yankee fans stress out. Only Yankee fans. So spoiled.
Anyway, great to see Joba. Didn’t think he’d make it back so quick. I’m telling you, I think he’s on a mission.
waka flocka July 31st, 2012 at 6:00 pm
WTP,
Hughes and Nova scare the sh*t out of me, you have no clue what you’re getting out of Joba or Pettitte, and the Yankees have zero right handed power without a declining A-Rod.
——————————————————————————————————
Hughes and Nova don’t scare me one bit.
Nova scares me a little because he seems to be taking a step back, when he should be moving
forward.
nick- on a much more important note- I found a local place that stocks coal ila.
life is good!
Joe, that’s good news indeed. I think I bought my last bottle at a duty free shop in Mexico City, but I could be misremembering. I’m up in Eureka, CA right now, so I’ll most likely be celebrating tonight’s victory with a local microbrew from the Lost Coast Brewery, but I’ll be sipping a wee dram of malt whisky soon enough.
If you had chad qualls getting traded to pittsburgh for casey mcgehee… you win!
Nick ever try henry weinhards private reserve. had it a long time ago thought it was very good.
nick- enjoy your stay in eureka, and your victory brew. i’ll have a sip or two on your behalf.
Jayson stark reports carlos lee turns down trade to Yankees…new York city hot dog vendors disappointed
So Quall’s biggest contribution to the Yankees was netting McGehee.
Not bad.
Joe from long island,
Granderson wasnt a deadline deal. He waka was referring to deadline deals.
Kerry wood was a good deal.
The Yankes deadline deals have principally been salary based. I don’t think they do that now.
So much for the theory that the Yanks didn’t really want Dempster and were just used to drive up the price….
Joelsherman1
With some further reporting, I am surprised, but #Yankees were much deeper in on Dempster than 1st imgained. I thought #Cubs were just trying to get #Dodgers to up price because that was only place Dempster would go. But once Dempster OKd #Yankees #Rangers, NYY did try.
Buster_ESPN
An early list of possible August trade targets: Beckett, Josh Johnson, Cliff Lee, Giambi, Drew, Soriano, Francoeur, and Jed Lowrie
Why would the Yankees want Carlos Lee exactly?
HE is doing well vs RHP this year so I approve of that! Unfortunately he can’t really play any positions so that is quite perplexing.
“Why would the Yankees want Carlos Lee exactly?”
lol, the same question can be asked for why they were so in on Dempster. Hell, why did they want Casey McGhee instead of a guy who can hit RHP?
Yea…Carlos I guess would be a RH platoon DH…..where would that have left Jonesy?
blake July 31st, 2012 at 6:45 pm
Yea…Carlos I guess would be a RH platoon DH…..where would that have left Jonesy?
———————-
off the team
Maybe the Yankees wanted Lee to help provide them with some right handed power they are currently missing with Arod on the DL … it would have given Girardi more flexibility at DH and the left field.
It makes me wonder if the Yankees might look to go after Soriano … earlier reports said the Cubs told him they would look to deal within the next week, just did not have enough time to do it before trade deadline. I doubt anyone would claim him off waivers. So once he clears, then Theo/Cash could discuss a package that involves eating a portion of his remainin contract.
lol, the same question can be asked for why they were so in on Dempster”
Well at least Dempster is a pretty good pitcher still …..
i just drove up to newark from new hope, pa in just over an hour. if joba isnt back at YS well before gametime, he’s playing hooky
“off the team”
Prolley
reportedly, joba in the clubhouse.
Seems like the Marlins pushed the Lee deal, likely Cashman said first see if he’s open to being a Yank first then we can negotiate if something works.
Seems like the Yanks name was tossed out there for leverage — both in the case of Carlos Lee and Ryan Dempster. Hard to take some of these reports seriously. Neither would have fit on the team …
It’s possible the team engaged on the Dempster talks only to drive up the price for the Rangers.
Enjoy the game folks.
Would like to see Nova looking sharp once again.
Especially command of his FB.
Carlos Lee is still a pretty good hitter. I like a hitter who walks more than he strikes out. No one would want to watch him play in the outfield.
Yanks now have a beast lineup they can put out against any kind of pitching
vs. LHP – Jones, Nix, McGhee, Stewart
vs. RHP – Chavez, Ibanez, Ichiro
Jerkface July 31st, 2012 at 5:28 pm
blake, again, if you had gotten Upton, Choo, or Headley, where would they be playing in the postseason? If the answer is on the bench, how would that have helped the team out?
–
Upton? Easy, RF or LF.
Choo? RF or LF
Headley? 3B, A-rod at DH.
///
I…..
nevermind.