Yankees have interest in Tyler Clippard, Craig Breslow
ByVia Nick Cafardo, the Yankees have varying levels of interest in relievers Tyler Clippard and Craig Breslow. Yankees fans should be familiar with Clippard, who has blossomed into one of the game’s best relievers since being traded away. I can’t imagine the Nationals are going to just give him away though, so I don’t rally expect a deal to happen.
As for Breslow, he’s left-handed and breathing, so of course the Yankees will have interest. He’s got a shiny 2.93 ERA with the Athletics, but ERA is a bad way to evaluate relievers. His real value comes from being able to handle both righty (.207/.291/.331 against since joining the A’s in 2009) and lefty (.240/.290/.388) batters, but Breslow hasn’t been effective against same-side batters this year (.390/.403/.559). That’s probably a sample size thing though (just 62 PA). He’s making $1.4M this year and would be under team control through 2013 as an arbitration-eligible player. He’d be a decent pickup, but not anyone that would save the season.
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The return of the Yankee Clippard? He’d be nice, but my guess is the price will be too high.
Breslow for Cervelli and Whelan.
Montero called up to Yanks.
Igawa still Takeshita.
what is this obsession with relievers. Are we listening to fatcasa about how to build a team, a loogy is fine but we don’t need clippard.
Clippard has been one of the better relievers in the league this year and it would be nice to have him back but seriously, we really don’t need him at all. Plus he’d likely cost more than we’d be willing to give up for him. And the only reason the Yankees are interested in Breslow is because he’s a lefty.
We need an overweight righty prone to 4 run outings to replace Joba.
broxton?
Sold!
Funny stuff.
It doesn’t mean they’re not looking at other players, such as a front-line starter, if such a beast is truly available and affordable. Yet that doesn’t mean they can’t look to add another reliever arm as they did with Wood last year. Becomes even more important if they don’t add a starter. They’ll need more depth in the pen.
We need a starter. If Soriano comes back effective we’ve got Wade, Soriano, Drob, Mariano, LHer. That’s enough for the postseason. What we don’t have is a playoff rotation- CC, Bartolo, Freddy, AJ is what it would be right now. If Hughes or AJ is starting a playoff game we might as well flush our chances down the toilet. We need a #2 starter.
If the price tag is less than Ubaldo, I’d love to pry away Garza. But so far Hendry has been shooting down reports of his availability. Yanks did send a scout to watch him, which may or may not mean anything. Shields won’t be traded in-division. Other than Garza, Liriano or Ubaldo (all of whom may not even be available) I’m not sure there’s anyone who’s much of an upgrade out there.
If Cash can’t find a partner to dance with, we just have to hope and pray Bartolo’s shoulder holds up.
I think his legs may be more suspect than the (bionic) shoulder.
This.
There are not any #2 starters coming to the Yanks. It’s just not going to happen. We’re stuck with the starters we have unless a #4-5 becomes available (Marquis?). And really, does anyone want another #5 on this team?
This team is one built to make it TO the playoffs, but not THROUGH them.
Ubaldo? Garza? Shields? Delusions of grandeur, all. Not going to happen.
“But what if….” NO. Not happening.
“But, but….” NO!
If Burnett can’t wake the fuck up, we’re cooked. Plain and simple.
Unless Cashman simply shocks us all. Which he is known to do…
Who knows what could happen between now and next Sunday.
Gen agree; however this ro was not built, it was a fortuitous accident. We had no “plans” as a back-up to Lee & Andy plan.
yeah right, burnett wake up…..as if he could. he’s a big ignorant baby hughie.
I agree hughes and aj too risky,,,must go for a #1 pitcher to be competitive!!
Breslow does not head out to the airport with Oakland today?
/trades doesnt happen in 5mins
I remember when Denny Neagle got traded from the Pirates to the Braves back in the day. Atlanta was in Pittsburgh and he did was walk over to the other dugout.
did the same happened last night with Mike Fontenot last season? The Cubs were playing the Giants (I think), and the trade happened right after the game.
How about Bengie Molina? Traded from the Rangers to the Giants, either way he got a ring last year.
That three run homer still gives me nightmares…
We need a trade to facilitate Montero’s arrival. Cervelli plus a minor leaguer for a relief pitcher will do.
LOL you said Montero’s arrival! You should know by now the Yankees aren’t allowed to bring up their exciting young prospects!
Brandon Laird doesn’t excite you?
/kidding
…unless Montero is traded for a starter. He’ll be gone if they land Ubaldo.
As I mentioned in the other thread, the Yankees won’t call up Montero and use a 40-man roster slpt until we get past the trade deadline.
Ubaldo can take a long walk off a short pier.
I think everyone will agree that Ubaldo is already an elite performer at the MLB level. A proven commodity. Do you know what the odds are for a top 10 positional prospect to become an elite performer at the MLB level?
http://www.royalsreview.com/20.....-prospects
39.6% or roughly 2-1 against.
It should also be factored in that the odds of the Yankees needing an elite offensive performer over the next few seasons is close to 100%.
That’s why Mo invented free agency.
He is omnipotent and benevolent, but I’m not seeing a C or corner OF (their two biggest needs/openings) with the necessary offensive impact in the 2012 free agent class, and 2013 is sufficiently far off that it’s tough to factor in any plans.
IMO, it makes little sense to tie up so much money at 1B/DH by signing Fielder, despite Francesa’s contrary opinion, so why not rely on a guy who has been nearly universally called their best hitting prospect since Jeter. He also is cost-controlled, which would enable them to use their available funds for other needs, like pitching, and/or a 3B/SS that could lessen their reliance on Jeter and A-Rod as they age.
The Yankees don’t need a corner outfielder anytime soon. Not until after next year, unless someone gets hurt.
Any stats on the last time a pitcher moved from the NL to the AL and had success? Now what are those stats for NL pitchers coming to the Yankees. Ubaldo has already shown signs of degradation, and now he’s goIng to move to the AL East. I’d say the chances of Montero being a great offensive player aren’t that far off from the chances that Ubaldo will come here and still be a top flight pitcher.
Ashmore: I remember you once told me that no one is untouchable. Is that still the case?
Cashman: “Realistically, there are guys that are untouchable for me. But I’ve got bosses, so…”
http://thunderbaseball.wordpre.....n-cashman/
This is why I don’t believe the Yanks are completely out on Jimenez, despite the asking price. If Levine, Gene Michael, Lonn Trost are for something and Brian is against it, then that’s the end of the story. It’s also worth noting Ashmore interviewed him in Trenton, where he was viewing a start by Dellin Betances. First time he’s watched Dellin since this spring.
If Gene Michael is in favor of a deal (actually, how closely does he even advise the Yankees these days?), then they should consider it. If Levine and Trost are in favor of it, it should be rejected!
I just threw his name out there as an example. I’m not sure how involved Michael is these days.
Levine, Eppler, Trost, Cashman and Hal are all likely to be there, and except for Eppler all those guys are above Brian.
I’d guess if they pulled the trigger on that without Cash’s approval he’d think twice about re-upping with the Yanks. If after 2009, after the farm system was rebuilt from nothing, and after the Soriano signing they don’t have faith in his judgment there isn’t much more he can do.
And the starting rotation still remains unattended too. I know there’s not much Cashman can do about the rotation right now, but that still doesn’t change the fact that the rotation needs help.
So if they only landed one of these guys, which one? Clippard is the better reliever, but Breslow might better fill a specific need now.
Mike A-
What do you think would be the difference in price between trading for Breslow or trading for Choate? If it was relatively the same I’d want Choate, just because he’s dominated lefties this year.
I don’t know the cost, but I’d much rather have Choate too. It’s not even close. I’d rather have the guy that can absolutely dominate batters from one side than someone who is okay against guys from both sides.
Yeah I agree.
I’d say that if they needed someone who could set-up, then I’d pick Breslow. But since they need a LOOGY, then Choate would be superior to Breslow.
Some other lefty options, as I discuss in my blog here: http://yankeesfansunite.wordpr.....ed-relief/ are: Aaron Laffey (SEA), the Cubs trio of lefties (Marshall, Grabow, Russell), and Sergio Escalona (HOU).
I agree with Andy and Mike, Choate is the best option for the Yankees needs.
BTW guys,
According to Tyler Kepner: Rafael Soriano’s in midseason form: he refused to talk to the media after his one inning.
This after he gave up a solo homer in his SWB game.
To his first batter-then got the next 3. SWB Yanks beat CMWang.
I’m more interested in hearing about his velocity, command and overall how he looked. He’s kind of going through Spring Training again, so there’s no need to activate him immediately his his overall “stuff” isn’t there yet.
Doesn’t ARod own Breslow? Seems a shame to potentially take away that scenario.
A-Rod is 2-6 versus Breslow career, with 2 homers and 5 RBI. But I think you might be thinking of Matt Guerrier who signed out of the AL with the Dodgers.
No, I was thinking of Breslow, but didn’t bother to check the stats.
What I remembered was that ARod hit that walk off against him with the Twins two years ago, and the Twins released him like a week or so later. Found that kind of ironic funny.
Yankees need to take TEX aside and show him the correct way to stand in the Batters Box and not try to pull every pitch. the Great Joe D and the Mick never looked that way.
They were also Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle. Tex is good but the comparison is a bit “apples and oranges,” no?
Also stances vary by player. Somebody should tell that Musial kid he’ll never hit like that.
I thought it was interesting that the Yankees were making inquiries on Shields: http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/.....llies.html
Breslow also has a degree in molecular biology from Yale (I believe), so he and Bartolo Colon could have lots of interesting discussions.
Oh is Bartolo extremely smart as well?
I was thinking that the discussion might be more along the lines of stem cells…
LH Steve Garrison hasn’t been used yet since being called up.
That’s…a bad thing?
I really like breslow.. To be honest i don’t totally trust Choate regardless of his recent found success… Breslow overall is very good against lefties in his career, i think thats what Cashman and the yanks are looking at more so then how hes doing strickly this yr…
I could see the yanks doing these trio of moves…
Trade for Breslow
Trade for Wiggington
Trade for one of Edwin Jackson,Erik Bedard or Anibal Sanchez
Why not wandy???
Wandy’s contract makes him an unpalatable option. Bedard is made of glass and I doubt the Marlins would trade Sanchez with JJ on the shelf already. Edwin Jackson I would be cool with, and the price shouldn’t be exorbitant given that he’s a rental.
well, thats why i said one of them… I didn’t say any one paticular, just 3possibilities, albeit some alittle lesser then others…
I bet it wouldn’t take much to get Matsui from Oakland. The guy seems primed for his usually hot September & post-season, and he hits lefties better than righties. Oakland would probably like to part with the 2 mil or so remaining on this year’s contract.