Rosenthal: Yankees intesifying pursuit of Kuroda

July 27, 2011 by Mike Axisa 142 Comments

Via Ken Rosenthal, the Yankees have intensified their pursuit of Dodgers’ right-hander Hiroki Kuroda. Several other clubs are involved as well, so the Yankees have competition. Kuroda has a full no-trade clause and will need to be persuaded to waive it, though perhaps former teammate Russell Martin could help do that. I can’t imagine it’ll hurt. Here’s pretty much everything you need to know about the guy, who would be a definite upgrade to the rotation.

Cy Pettitte

Kuroda rental would be preferable to over paying for Ubaldo
- nsalem
  
  agreed
- mbonzo
  
  If the Yanks get Kuroda without giving up any of Betances, Banuelos, Montero, or Nova, I don’t think we’ll see the Yankees drop from the Jiminez discussions.
  - http://nyyprospectwatch.blogspot.com Bryan L
    
    Why would we not drop? We’re not out for two SP.
    - FIPster Doofus
      
      No such thing as too much pitching. Jimenez would be a solution beyond this season, whereas Kuroda would probably be a rental.
      - FIPster Doofus
        
        Also, on paper, Sabathia-Jimenez-Kuroda-Colon would be a championship-caliber playoff staff.
        
        Jorge
        
        Is that on MLB 2011?
        
        Johnny Nitro
        
        I have CC-Hughes-Hamels-E-Jax-ManBan as my rotation in MLB 11. Oh and I have Jeter batting 7th where he belongs.
      - http://nyyprospectwatch.blogspot.com Bryan L
        
        Of course not, but it’s just not likely. If you go out and get Kuroda without giving up the Top 3, then good work. But that doesn’t mean you have to deal them in another trade.
        
        mbonzo
        
        The Yanks will be in on him mainly to drive the price up, but they could also find out that the price is right with the Rockies. Jiminez is the type of player you move mountains to get, if you ask me, 29 teams are in on him right now.
- http://www.yankeeanalysts.com/ Matt Imbrogno
  
  Disagree.
  - http://kierstenschmidt.com Kiersten
    
    I agree with your disagreement.
- Ray513
  
  I would rather suggest you deal Phil Huges for Jimenez it’s really not him the way he has been performing compare to last year like come on now something has to give it’s getting late into the season and something is affecting us on being 3 games back in the Standings.
Hedley Lamarr

If they acquire a starting pitcher, what do they do with Hughes — 6th inning guy or Triple-A?
- Jake LaMotta’s Left Hook
  
  Probably Garcia.
  
  Come playoff time, a guy like Hughes, even if he is struggling would be a good asset. Playoff teams with good offense would eat Garcia alive.
IRF

So what’s a reasonable deal here? Maybe Warren plus Melky?
SDM

Does anyone have an idea of what kind of prospect the yankees will have to give up for kuroda?
- bonestock94
  
  Interested too. Hope it’s not Montero, Banuelos, Sanchez or Betances.
  - Jake H
    
    no way. Think more a better Zach McAllister type prospect. Probably a guy like Phelps or Warren.
    - Reggie C.
      
      i would think most of the Kuroda derby teams have a mcallister, phelps in their respective farms. it just seems that when competing trade proposals are “close” , the yankees always end up the loser.
- Jobawockeez
  
  The absolute best they will get is Romine straight up.
  - Cuso
    
    Romine isn’t going anywhere
Grit for Brains

I wonder what a) the prospect cost would be and b) if Danks is definitely off teh market with Jackson traded.
- http://www.youcantpredictbaseball.com bexarama
  
  re: B, supposedly the White Sox were contemplating basically blowing up the team. Though with today’s win they’re still very much in the playoff hunt, even if they’re not that great, so I don’t know why they would.
  - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside the Elder
    
    Trading Jackson and Teahen for Frasor and Stewart doesn’t seem like a “blow up the team” move, though.
Jedile

JoVa plus Pants for Kuroda!

Sound good?
Mike

Something tells me the Red Sox would get in a bidding war with us over Kuroda. We probably won’t go as far as them when it comes to dealing top prospects.
- SDM
  
  who does boston even have besides noodle bat iglesias, and ranaudo
  - Hedley Lamarr
    
    but iglesias is can’t miss, mortal-lock first ballot HOFamer.
    - Pat D
      
      His plaque is already being created.
  - El Anonimo
    
    I hope they’ll be crazy to offer those two for Kuroda. Who knows how he’ll pitch in the AL East.
    - Gonzo
      
      I almost want them to keep Iglesias. For the entertainment of his noodle bat.
      
      Rather have them add Brentz or Middlebrooks.
- Jobawockeez
  
  Henry isn’t the spending type at the deadline. i doubt they go far.
Jobawockeez

Hooray! As long as the package doesnt include Jesus, ManBan or Betances.
Monteroisdinero

Send Subaru Takeshita to pick him up at the airport. I’ll be outta here soon.

/Igawa
Reggie C.

I imagine the Kuroda derby would materialize fairly quick if Cashman started exchanging names with the Dodgers. The RS would be right there and since nobody is giving up a top 5 prospect for a 2 month rental, multiple contenders would have a shot.

I have no idea what it’d take to trump other teams’ offers. I’m thinking Cashman would have to part with a Nova (ready, cheap ML pitcher) and a JR Murphy (B level position player prospect) to beat out most clubs.
- Reggie C.
  
  Just realized that the “nobody is giving up a top 5 prospect for a 2 month rental” line doesnt hold up with the Beltran trade.
  
  I’ll qualify the statement with: a 36 year old starter, 2 month rental, who’s switching leagues.
  
  Better.
- pat
  
  I know we have two or three guys who could probably approximate what Nova could do in the rotation full time, but I would hate to see him leave for a guy like Kuroda. There’s something about Nova that makes me hesitant to flip him for a rental. It’s probably that image of him barking at Jose Bautista last year that leads me to think he has it all together up top and that makes him more valuable than just his stuff would suggest. So many guys just seem soft and once the snowball starts rolling they get completely derailed. He’s really only had a handful of meaningful starts but he seems like he’s a lot more mentally tough that most pitching prospects that come through the pipeline.
  
  Again, I could just be talking out of my ass and thinking about things too much, but I’d like to see him get more innings with the big club before being flipped in a deal for a rental.
  - Reggie C.
    
    I agree to an extent. I simply havent watched enough of Nova’s starts to expand on your statement, but the Bautista moment showed Nova to be a gamer. I’d prefer to keep Nova too and would rather part with a Adam Warren or Hector Noesi. I’d rather add a third player to the trade and keep Nova.
    
    Its just that most squads wont or cant part with their version of Nova. The Yanks arguably shouldnt bc both Colon and Garcia might find new homes (more $) next year. Nova is also healthier than Hughes right now … yeah … i’m starting to dread losing Nova.
  - Monteroisdinero
    
    Agree. He has what Phil does not. A 94/95 mph fb and a quality changeup. Curveballs are a tossup between the two. Stick with him.
    
    Do not trade Montero/Man Ban or Nova.
    
    Let’s build it from within for the long haul even if we don’t win the WS this year. Our pitching wasn’t great last year against Texas but our hitting wasn’t much either. How did we lose that series when Kay informed us that there would be no way Texas could come back after such a crushing defeat?
    - Pasqua
      
      “Let’s build it from within for the long haul even if we don’t win the WS this year.”
      
      Right there, that’s where your perception of the team might be skewed. There is no “even if we don’t win the WS this year” in the Yankees DNA. Their pedigree pretty much demands that they go all-out for a title every year. That’s how they fill the stadium, sell the merch, and grow the network. The idea that they will nurture their young ones and raise them to greatness is nice, but it’s not realistic for the brand. If a move for the “now” can be made – fairly – they will make it.
      - Samuel
        
        And that is what really sucks about this Yankee regime above Cashman.
        
        It is about the money and not about building a team.
        
        So they will continue to try and trade guys away for higher priced talent, and sign dickheads (Soriano) for stupid dollars in order to “present” a name team on the field, which drives up prices on tickets and merchandise crap for everyone.
        
        I believe Cashman would sacrifice a year or two of playoffs, but no title shot, to develop a couple of pitchers.
        
        As would I.
        
        It’s that the Lonn Trost’s and Randy Levine’s of the world will not.
  - http://www.firstresponseinc.net Chris Duke
    
    Good point! Soft Girardi and Cashman have given up and rolled over in so many games (forgetting that those games are what determine your solid wild card-2nd in AL East status). They seldom pitch inside, pay hitters well but then direct them to take good pitches. They should have gotten Clint Hurdle to instill some backbone and attitude to this team. Hate to say it but the RSox are an offensive juggernaut at Fenway, playing with swagger and attitude. The boss would be disappointed in this soft approach. Girardi really wants to be the Cubs manager…..it’s where he really belongs……sorry to see us in this shape – but we always have Mitre to rescue us, just like Javy Vasquez did twice….
    - Troll Killer
      
      Shut up Chris Duke. Freaking troll.
- JU
  
  Ur undervaluing Murphy, and some would make the agrument that with the league switch, there’s no guarantee that a 37yr old Kuroda is an upgrade over Nova.
  
  Murphy is more than just a B level prospect, and if that’s how hrs viewed at this point in his career, then that’s all the more reason not to trade him now.
mbonzo

I hate to be the pessimist, but I really doubt that this is serious. Cashman has the ability to keep this info hidden. I could be wrong, but it seems like one of those planted stories to drive the price up for a serious team like the Red Sox.
X-62

I’m not big on giving up good prospects for a rental that isn’t “elite” so my feelings on this I guess depend on what Kuroda’s value is on the market, if it’s a lot id pass.
- X-62
  
  I guess what I’m saying is I would rather pay big for someone like Ubaldo who is a long term difference maker answer then pay a decent amount for someone that’s a rental and is a good but not great pitcher.
  
  If it’s me I hold pat SP wise unless they can land a big fish. Keep in mind we don’t need anyone so we might as well keep all our chips unless we can get the right guy.
  - Simon
    
    Agree, I can’t tell whether I’m glad to hear this or disappointed because I know he’ll be an upgrade, but how much of an upgrade. IMHO, I would rather try and bring Rox’s price down for Ubaldo.
    - X-62
      
      Yeah that’s how I feel. I don’t really want to give up someone like Romine for a rental player that is a upgrade but probaly not a huge upgrade.
      Like I said NY doesn’t need to do anything to get into the playoffs so any move they do for a SP should be for either a pitcher that’s young and signed beyond this year or a pitcher that they fell is the difference between winning a WS this year or not and I just don’t think someone like Kuroda is that guy.
      - Mister Delaware
        
        Just imagine being a Giants fan right about now.
        
        X-62
        
        I know they needed offense but yeah that’s the type of thing I’m talking about, your best SP prospect for a old rental when your probaly in the playoffs already, don’t like it.
        
        Sayid J.
        
        Well, it’s a little different because the Giants at least have to be one of the early favorites to sign Beltran as well, only aided by the fact that he’s going to be spending 2 months there. I don’t think the Yankees would want to sign Kuroda next year.
        
        Mister Delaware
        
        (1) Do you really want to be the team to give Beltran his next deal and (2) playing there isn’t necessarily a plus. (See: Lee, Cliff)
Alfredo

i would not mind Kuroda if the do not give up a top 4 prospect.
- Mister Delaware
  
  I wouldn’t be happy giving up Slade or Murphy either.
Alfredo

i would like the yankees to get danks. whatever it is that cashman does am comfortable with it because the past 3 years he has been right.
- Simon
  
  Agree, if the Yankees are not going to acquire Ubaldo, then I would preferably like them to acquire Danks/Floyd. I think they are just as good options as Ubaldo just cheaper. But when it boils down to Kuroda vs. Danks/Floyd I’d go with Danks/Floyd. But seeing Chicago trade one starter earlier today, I don’t think they would deal another one of their starters, at least a very slight chance.
- Thomas Cassidy
  
  I don’t think it would be a good move to get Danks. I’ve never been a big fan, for some reason I don’t think he will be any better than a 4.20 guy in this division. I don’t like Kuroda either.
  
  Jimenez is the only guy available that I’d go after, if the price is right.
  
  Then again, Williams is a fucking moron, so Mitre for Danks straight up?
  - Simon
    
    Yes also agree, I would preferably like to have Ubaldo but IMO, I take this as a sign that Cashman is ready to move on from the Ubaldo negotiations, seeing as the Rox don’t seem to want to lower their price for Ubaldo, but then again, Cash could pull a ninja move and MAYBE get two pitchers.
    
    Yeah, I’d like to see Cash pull a “Swisher-like”, take-you-to-the-cleaners type deal for a pitcher on Williams.
    - Thomas Cassidy
      
      I have a feeling the Yankees will land Jimenez, but my only fear is for what cost.
      - Simon
        
        Yes agree, I too have essentially 2 fears based on whether the trade is not made or is made. 1.)If the Yankees do acquire Ubaldo, will he make the transition well. We know he has worlds of talent and can definitely pitch, but can he stay consistent enough and pitch in the AL (B)east. 2.) My other big fear is that even if the Yankees do hold onto their top 2 pitching prospects, that they will not be handled correctly and then end up like Joba/Hughes 2.0 and we go through that situation all over again. But aside from those, I’m leaning towards the idea that the Yankees should acquire Jimenez.
        
        Thomas Cassidy
        
        I think they’ve learned their lesson on how to handle their pitching prospects. Jimenez will be pitching for the Yankees. I don’t think Cashman will let this slip through his fingers like last season with Lee.
        
        Simon
        
        I would like to think that they have but, as much as I so desparately want to see them pitch well and succeed I just can’t get over the fear of them not being handled well and the Yankees have shown that they can ruin a good prospect pretty quick with some bad decisions. But I also believe that a trade with them in the deal can be good is in if they go to Colorado, they won’t have pressure to be the best or have the pressure where they have to live up to tremendous expectations like us Yankee fans often set them up for. It could benefit their further development in a not such a “win right now” environment, IMHO.
Bum Rush

“who would be a definite upgrade to the rotation”

I’m willing to bet that these words are going to come back and bite you in the ass. Kuroda is not much of an upgrade over Nova/Noesi. He is only if they finally move Hughes to the pen.
- mbonzo
  
  Kuroda is a clear #2 starter, Nova has been a clear #5 starter.
  
  He’s combined for a 3.31 ERA over the last 2 years, he’d be out second best behind CC.
  - Thomas Cassidy
    
    But he’s in the NL in a division with two or three good hitters (Tulo and Justin Upton). Nova looks to be like more of a number three guy to me.
    - Mister Delaware
      
      True #3s are like leprechauns and unicorns.
      - Thomas Cassidy
        
        He’s better than a four or five, but not as good as a two. He has proved it this year, and this is only his first season.
        
        Mister Delaware
        
        What exactly did he prove with his 1.4 SO/BB?
        
        Mister Delaware
        
        (And, for the record since it seems somewhat undefined, I’d consider a true #3 to be a guy you can always count on to stay below ~ 4.25 while knowing that anything better than 3.50 is a fluke. Consistently slightly better than average with the knowledge he isn’t good enough to be more.)
        
        Thomas Cassidy
        
        Save that, it’s about ERA. Remember, this is his first season, and he only pitched half of it. He still has a lot of progress to make. He’s already better than Burnett right now.
        
        Mister Delaware
        
        Then I can only assume you’re a massive Dillon Gee fan.
        
        Thomas Cassidy
        
        Nova has more time to develop, and he’s relatively young for a starting pitcher. If they develop him correctly, he will be better than a four, but worse than a two.
        
        Mister Delaware
        
        You said he already proved it then ignored my Gee comment.
  - Alfredo
    
    he has a 3.19 ERA this year.
    - Thomas Cassidy
      
      But he’s in a much, much worse division. He is a 4.00 guy here. We already have two of those. We don’t need another.
      
      If they were to get Kuroda it should be:
      
      Phelps, Joseph, and Warren. No more than that.
      - mbonzo
        
        Where do you come up with 4.00 guy?
        
        I’ll admit there is a difference between the AL East and NL West, but its not a whole earned run. Are Cain and Lincecum 4.00s guy in the AL East?
        
        Thomas Cassidy
        
        They are ten times better than Kuroda, and they strike out way more guys. It’s not a run difference, it’s a .6 run difference. Cain and Lincecum are 3.5 and 3.2 guys in the AL East. Kuroda is a 4.00 guy in this division. When you play in a division that has two good bats, you will not survive in a division that have 30 GREAT bats.
  - John
    
    Kuroda is not a clear #2 starter. Yes that’s a solid ERA, but you have to take into consideration that those numbers are achieved in the NL West, arguably the worst hitting division in baseball. Just look at the incredible success IPK has had pitching in that division.
    
    NL players typically haven’t brought their levels of success from the NL to the AL. While Kuroda is certainly a solid pitcher, there’s no way he’s a #2 in the AL East.
    
    As for Danks/Floyd, neither have been that successful so I don’t see them suddenly striking gold in the AL East. We don’t need another #3/4 starter, what we need is a legit surefire #2 who can compete with Beckett/Cain/Lee. That might be Ubaldo, but it certainly isn’t Kuroda or Floyd/Danks.
    - Thomas Cassidy
      
      Thank you.
    - mbonzo
      
      I personally think Kuroda is a LOT better than Beckett. Cain is pretty much on the cusp of being an ace depending on how his career goes, but I thought you said the numbers in the NL West can’t be taken seriously because of the hitters in it. Lee is an ace, he’s not a number 2. What you’re looking for is a number 2, and you’re vastly underestimating how good Kuroda. NL West might be offensively weak, but its not AAA. Look how well the Giants’ rotation did against the Rangers. All of Kuroda’s numbers point to him being a number 2 starter, and thats what the Yankees need. Another ace is overkill.
      - Thomas Cassidy
        
        You actually think Kuroda is better than Beckett?
        
        mbonzo
        
        I think you’re too enamored by the results of SSS Beckett has had this year. His career FIP is 3.65 while Kuroda is at 3.52. Kuroda is .30 ERA lower than Beckett overall.
        
        Thomas Cassidy
        
        And plays in a shitty division. Beckett is twice the pitcher that Kuroda could dream of being. Come back and talk when Kuroda wins 19 games and posts a 3.5, and even if he does that in LA, he is still worse than Beckett.
        
        mbonzo
        
        This game of baseball thats playing in your head means nothing. I don’t know how you plan on proving anything by making stuff up. You’re free to have an opinion, but its a shame to be so opinionated over something you don’t know.
        
        Thomas Cassidy
        
        You’re a moron. Just remember, Beckett’s ERA is inflated by that injury plagued season he had this year. Kuroda might end up being Burnett without the walks.
        
        mbonzo
        
        Or he might end up Cy Young. He could pitch every game and finish the season with an era in the 1’s. Look I can predict things without looking at stats too.
        
        Steve (different one)
        
        You say “Burnett without the walks” as if such a mythical creature would not be a great pickup.
        
        The Yankees would love to have Burnett without the the walks.
        
        Midland TX
        
        Glad someone said it. I just automatically edit out the “m” and “n.”
        
        Mister Delaware
        
        Yeah, dude. If Beckett and Kuroda are both sitting on the waiver wire and you choose Kuroda, you just fucked up big time.
      - Alfredo
        
        i would love another Ace and an overkill. PLEASE!!!!!!!!
      - John
        
        I legitimately almost stopped reading after the first sentence where you stated Kuroda was ” a LOT better than Beckett”. Beckett has better #s while pitching in the best hitting division in baseball, while Kuroda pitches in the worst. I’m not sure how you came to that conclusion….but you might wanna recheck the #s.
        
        How is another ace overkill? Our biggest competitors in the playoffs all have 2 great pitchers – PHI – Roy/Lee (+ Hamels), SF – Lincecum/Cain, BOS – Beckett/Lester.
        
        What happens if CC is off in game 1? Can you honestly say you think Kuroda could outpitch Lee/Cain/Lester?
        
        I’m not saying we overpay for Ubaldo, what I’m saying is it’s pointless to acquire another 3/4 type starter considering we already have several of those. If the right situation isn’t there, then I wouldn’t be upset to see Cash hold onto the prospects. Just don’t overpay for a guy we don’t need.
        
        Alfredo
        
        agree
        
        mbonzo
        
        Kuroda has better numbers than Beckett (FIP, ERA, xFIP), he’s a smaller injury risk, he’s out pitched Jimenez throughout their time in the NL West. If you’re so concerned about the difference between divisions, Jimenez should be a big problem to you too. If we are playing by this silly, add a .60 ERA difference, Jimenez sits at 4.60 in the AL East. Kuroda doesn’t have the media attention Beckett or Jimenez get, but statistically he’s been better and more reliable.
        
        As for overkill, another ace might get us to the World Series this year, but it will hurt us in the long run, losing a huge portion of our farm system. The playoffs are a crap shoot, Yankees didn’t lose to those guys last year, they lose to Lee/CJ Wilson/Colby Lewis. A second ace guarantees nothing at this point, except for a gutted farm.
        
        Thomas Cassidy
        
        First, you say that Kuroda is better than Beckett. Nonsense. Then you say that he is bette than Jimenez, too? I also assume that you are one of a few that think it’s okay to let CC walk at the end of the year, and that Doug Fister would be the greatest trade of the season if he were to come to the Yankees.
        
        Stop posting.
        
        mbonzo
        
        Do you enjoy Red Herring?
        
        John
        
        You can’t add .60 onto a pitcher who makes half his starts @ coors field, which is statistically considered a better hitters park than Yankee Stadium.
        
        I could go on and on, but it seems as though you actually believe Kuroda is better than Beckett/Ubaldo, which is beyond ludicrous and essentially voids anything you may have to add to the matter.
        
        mbonzo
        
        Over the last 4 years Kuroda has put up better number than Jimenez, both very god numbers, but Jimenez is younger and has a huge ceiling now that he’s reaching his prime. For the next 2 months, Kuroda would probably be a better pitcher than Jimenez. I would much rather have Jimenez for the long run.
        
        As for adding any amount of runs to an ERA and thinking it makes sense, it doesn’t. Stats are always subjective to the pitcher, Kuroda has been great and theres no reason to expect he won’t be great going forward besides this over generalization that NL pitchers will get wrecked in the AL East. Remind me what league Beckett and CC were in before they arrived on their current teams. Remind me what league Lackey and AJ were in too.
        
        John
        
        Kuroda has never exceeded 200ips in a single season in MLB, if he came to the Yanks and had to pitch into the playoffs would you really be that confident a 36 year old pitcher could exceed his previous IP totals from the past 4 years by over 40%? Last year he only pitched 120innings, do you really think he could hold up if he hit 240 this year? Double of last year?
        
        Even if you honestly do believe Kuroda is better, that has to be a legitimate concern.
        
        mbonzo
        
        He had 196.1 IP last year.
        He’s on pace to have a bit more if he does make the playoffs.
        
        Mister Delaware
        
        Ha, so he’s never even exceeded 197 IPs!
        
        http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
        
        He had 197.1 in 2010 and 183.1 IP in 2008. He missed two months of 2009 after getting hit in the head by a line drive.
        
        They don’t need 200 IP out of Kuroda, they need two months.
        
        Mister Delaware
        
        Ha, so he’s never exceeded 198 IPs!
    - Alfredo
      
      i really do not think their is a #2 starter out their a good one not a young pitcher with potential that he has shown at times yes (Ubaldo). if we can get him then take the oppotunitty but only for the right price and if Cashman does not like the price then wait For next year and we can trade for someone and win a WS then.
nsalem

The perception that Garcia gets eaten alive by good offensive teams is not true. He has been beaten up by The Sox in his last couple of starts. He also held the Yankee’s to one earned run and 5 hits in 7 innings last year, He has beaten The Rangers in his last 3 starts yielding 2 or 3 runs in 6 and 7 inning appearances. He has also held The Rays to 2 runs in 7 innings last year when they were a playoff team.
Plenty of good pitchers have been massacred by the Red Sox. The “Freddy gets eaten alive rants” which are repeated ad nauseam on this site by the ill-informed.
- Thomas Cassidy
  
  The postseason is a whole different ballgame. Look at Maddux and Wang. If you don’t get strikeouts, you don’t succeed.
  - Alfredo
    
    agree. but i still would not trade for any one available in this trade deadline.
    - Thomas Cassidy
      
      Just Jimenez, and I’m not giving up Betances or Banuelos, especially if they are along with Montero.
      - Alfredo
        
        if we can get Jimenez for nova, romine, slade heathcott +2 more prospects i will do it. if they want montero i might include him but start them off with that.
        
        Thomas Cassidy
        
        They would have no interest in Heathcott.
        
        Montero, Nova, Warren, Phelps, and J.R. Murphy/Corban Joseph should be enough to get the job done.
        
        Alfredo
        
        i would hate to see our home grown bat leave for a guy like that but if it has to get done then fine. also remember the position he plays their are not a lot of hitting catchers anymore it will be hard to find.
        
        Thomas Cassidy
        
        We would still have Sanchez and Romine, though. Bats are easy to come by, pitching is much tougher.
        
        Alfredo
        
        but montero is better than both and is projected to be better than both. and we have good young pitching too.
        
        Thomas Cassidy
        
        And he probably will be. But Jimenez will be more valuable than Montero. And Montero won’t even have 100 at bats this season unless Martin gets hurt.
        
        John
        
        Yeah I agree. I love Montero’s bat, but I don’t see him catching consistently/long term, which would mean he either has to move to DH or 1B, both of which are going to be occupied positions by Tex/Arod/Jeter.
        
        Young, cost controlled, successful pitching is rarely (if ever) available, especially in this market. If they’d accept that deal I’d pull the trigger and never look back. Let’s also not forget Ubaldo pitches in Coors, which is actually statistically considered a better hitters park that the Stadium.
        
        Thomas Cassidy
        
        If they can get Ubaldo for the right price, they have no choice but to pull the trigger. Montero isn’t exactly a young Alex Rodriguez, either. He projects to have a great bat, but not worth keeping him here for a guy like Jimenez. Cashman made that mistake last year holding back Nunez for Lee. If they can’t get Jimenez, than Cashman better come out of the blue and get somebody, or literally give up nothing for an upgrade (which I don’t see happening).
        
        http://kierstenschmidt.com Kiersten
        
        Why don’t we throw in Melky and IPK while we’re at it?
        
        Thomas Cassidy
        
        Only if we get Santana.
        
        Thomas Cassidy
        
        But I think Santana will go the Mets. If he does, that will suck. They will be a powerhouse for years to come :(.
  - nsalem
    
    Extremely weak reply. Maddux wasn’t a terrible playoff pitcher. He had an 11-14 WL but he had a low WHIP and a 3.27 ERA. Wang only gave up one earned run in his first PO start against the Angels and beat the Tigers the next year, He did gem bombed in game 1 against Cleveland as he did in game 4 but, he never should have started that game on 3 days rest. Orel Hersheiser was a low k guy and was an all time great Playoff pitcher over many years (look up his numbers) and JuanMarichal was one of the best big game pitchers of all time struck out under 6 for 9 innings over his entire career. If you don’t get strikeouts you don’t succeed is a drone type comment.
  - nsalem
    
    Extremely weak reply. Maddux wasn’t a terrible playoff pitcher. He had an 11-14 WL but he had a low WHIP and a 3.27 ERA. Wang only gave up one earned run in his first PO start against the Angels and beat the Tigers the next year, He did gem bombed in game 1 against Cleveland as he did in game 4 but, he never should have started that game on 3 days rest. Orel Hersheiser was a low k guy and was an all time great Playoff pitcher over many years (look up his numbers) and JuanMarichal was one of the best big game pitchers of all time struck out under 6 for 9 innings over his entire career. If you don’t get strikeouts you don’t succeed is a drone type comment.
  - nsalem
    
    Reply Fail Extremely weak reply. Maddux wasn’t a terrible playoff pitcher. He had an 11-14 WL but he had a low WHIP and a 3.27 ERA. Wang only gave up one earned run in his first PO start against the Angels and beat the Tigers the next year, He did gem bombed in game 1 against Cleveland as he did in game 4 but, he never should have started that game on 3 days rest. Orel Hersheiser was a low k guy and was an all time great Playoff pitcher over many years (look up his numbers) and JuanMarichal was one of the best big game pitchers of all time struck out under 6 for 9 innings over his entire career. If you don’t get strikeouts you don’t succeed is a drone type comment.
  - Mister Delaware
    
    Are we talking Mike Maddux or Greg Maddux and his 3.27 postseason ERA? Better than Clemens and RJ and many, many other “strikeout pitchers”.
    - Thomas Cassidy
      
      The real Maddux. I never said anything about Clemens or RJ. I’m just saying that strike out pitchers usually do better in the playoffs. I have no problem with Garcia in the postseason, or Colon for that matter. The only guy I’m worried about is Burnett.
      - nsalem
        
        But you just said if you don’t get strikeouts you don’t succeed and then mentioned Maddux as an example. I don’t understand the point you are trying to make.
nick

Kuroda is pitching in LA tonight vs. Rockies for anyone who wants to watch.
- Mister Delaware
  
  I’ll watch later just to see if they’re serious about my man Kenley in the 9th.
http://twitter.com/tjamato T.J.

Adam Warren and cash for Kuroda? Sounds good to me.
- Mister Delaware
  
  Then who will be our GM???????
X-62

Danny Knobler said this regarding Jimenez.

“The Yankees have basically declared top prospect Manuel Banuelos off-limits in talks, but they have enough depth that they could put together an attractive package without him. O’Dowd is said to want three or four players in return for Jimenez, and it’s thought that some combination of Jesus Montero, Austin Romine, Dellin Betances, Ivan Nova or Phil Hughes could convince the Rockies to make a deal.”

That sounds fair, if NY could get Jimenez for Betances,Romine,Hughes and Nova I do it. Getting someone on his level for multiple years on a cheap deal while keeping Banuelos and Montero sounds good.
- Mister Delaware
  
  Ugh. That package looks like way too much to me and I’m a pretty big fan of Ubaldo.
- CMP
  
  I’d go Betances, Romine either Hughes or Nova (preferably Nova but not both) and a low A guy.
- YankeesJunkie
  
  If the Yankees can get a deal done without Banuelos then I find it hard IMO to pull the trigger.
  - JMK
    
    Wait, you mean you’d find it hard to pull the trigger or not pull the trigger?
    - YankeesJunkie
      
      Oh yes that is what I meant.
- http://twitter.com/Carlosologist_7 Carlosologist
  
  Do you happen to have a link to this?
- JMK
  
  I would absolutely do Montero, Romine, Hughes and Nova for Ubaldo. You need to give to get.
  
  If that means keeping Betances and Banuelos, massively upgrading in the rotation and parting with those four, I’m fine with that.
  
  Personally, I see Hughes and Nova as closer to #3 or 4 starters than I do anything else (though certainly there’s the possibility of more development) and it seems the Yankees have a good bit of mid-to-back end rotation depth in the minors to make up for it. Losing the catchers would hurt the most, though there’s still alternatives down the farm in Murphy and Sanchez. Of course, they’re closer to 3 or 4 years from contributing (if at all), so I’d really prefer someone other than Romine if Montero were to be lost (and I think the Rockies would require him in any deal, as they should).
  
  At the end of the day, while there are scenarios under which Montero can absolutely contribute to this team, the lack of open spots is still troubling, concerns over his defense should not be taken lightly (and that overlaps with the earlier point) and getting a legitimate top pitcher, in my view, mitigates that loss. We’re still dreaming on his (considerable) potential right now. Ubaldo, though with some risks, is a proven commodity. That’s important.
  
  Rockies would get a (potential) top-flight hitter who can murder Coors Field (Montero), though the position is still somewhat cloudy. First base makes more sense there, given Helton’s advanced age and defensive questions. They also, under this scenario, would get a legit catcher likely to contribute to the big club in Romine; as well as one groundball pitcher with potential to be a #3 in Nova; and the wildcard, Hughes. I have no idea what to make of Hughes. I’m not sure they’d be hot to trot with him though, given his setbacks and the money coming his way in arb.
  
  We’d get a real #2 starter we’ve missed for quite some time, who’s under team control and could be even better, though the inconsistency frightens me a bit. Still, a risk worth taking. You just don’t find young guys with stuff like that, a good track record and years of cheap team control anymore in this game. When you can pull the trigger without giving up too much, I do it.
  
  Seems like a fair deal to me.
  - Monteroisdinero
    
    Romine Hughes Betances and any other minor leaguer not named Jesus Banuelos works for me.
Jonathan

Kuroda’s K/9 has dropped a little, his BB/9 while still good is the worst of his career and his GB% has really dropped off 8.3% from last year which has obviously led to a spike in HR/9. He’s also lost a little velocity but that might even out through the end of the year. But if you take away facing the pitcher and move him from the NL West to the AL East and from a pitcher’s ballpark to YSIII those HR problems are going to be a lot worse and the K/9 is going to drop even more. I would be extremely hesitant to give up much of value for him. I think he’s a type A FA but are we allowed to offer arbitration and wouldn’t it be pretty risky to offer a pitcher who’s never pitched in the AL before who’ll be 37 before Spring Training next year arbitration when he’s making $12MM or so already. Especially when you throw in the fact that we’ll have to resign CC to big bucks next off season and still probably need to take a run at Wilson or another top of the rotation guy. If we have CC/Kuroda/Hughes/AJ already there isn’t room for one of Betances/ManBan/Nova/Noesi/Phelps/Warren/Mitchell/Joba (I wish)/Colon/Garcia and Wilson. Of course who knows if Hughes will be in the rotation next year (I believe he will be). I guess we could always trade him if he accepts but I’m still warry of Kuroda.
- Jonathan
  
  Also, he’s getting away with a strand rate of 78.2% when he’s been in the 60’s his entire career. The FIP and xFIP look nice but there are some serious warning signs for a guy in his late 30’s here.
Pounder

Does anybody know if we are kicking the tires for Chris Carpenter?