We understand that FoxSports’s Ken Rosenthal has a job to do. He’s the senior baseball writer, and has to come up with interesting and/or controversial reports almost daily. At this time of year, things pick up, and he’s got a lot more to talk about.
Unfortunately, he’s talking jibberish. At least to me.
In his latest column, he pleads with the Yankees and Rangers to get a deal for Teixeira done. He does note a problem: Texas wants Hughes, and the Yanks won’t deal him. He even goes so far as to suggest that the Yanks get a reliever and possibly a low prospect in a deal for Hughes.
A deal for Hughes?
Sorry, Ken, but you’re batshit insane. Why in the world would the Yankees deal Phil Hughes? He’s 20 years old (21 this weekend). He’s under the team’s control for the next six years. He was the No. 1 pitching prospect in the game headed into this season. In the minors, he posted numbers that put him in elite company. He’s one of two young pitchers in an old, old rotation.
And then Rosenthal adds a gem: “One rival GM projects Hughes as only a No. 3 or No. 4 starter, saying, ‘I’m not as high as the hype.'” How this GM has a job is beyond all human comprehension. He may not be the next Roger Clemens, but he’s sure as hell not going to be the next Cory Lidle.
Rosenthal then completely destroys his credibility with this paragraph:
The Rangers, on the other hand, could make a quality deal if they landed, say, [Melky] Cabrera, plus [Chase] Wright or [Joba] Chamberlain, plus another decent pitching prospect.
First off, not even Jon Daniels is stupid enough to trade Teixeira for Chase Wright and Melky. Second, is Rosenthal seriously suggesting that Chase and Joba are on the same plane? It’s not even freakin’ close. Joba is absolutely dominating — like he was supposed to. Wright dominated for two games, and hasn’t really pitched well since. One is a real prospect who could be in the Yankees rotation as early as Opening Day 2008. The other’s ceiling is a middle reliever.
Yes, it would be nice to land Teixeira (even though Mike thinks he’s a headcase). However, he just wouldn’t be worth the expense of a top-flight pitching prospect. Hughes was the No. 1 pitching prospect in the game last year, and Joba will be top 3 this year. Yes, those are attractive bargaining chips, but they’re far too valuable. There are many more economical options the Yanks should consider for first base: Scott Hatteberg, Russ Branyan, Mike Lamb. No, they’re not going to give you Teixeira production. But with this lineup — and the possible return of a healthy Giambi — do they really need it that badly?
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