Right now, as I type, we’ve got 5 hours and 40 minutes until the trade deadline. The Yankees, we know, want Eric Gagne, and want to move at least Kyle Farnsworth and possibly Kei Igawa. Bigger trades, while unlikely, are off the table.
We’ll keep updating with news and rumors as we hear them. I promise: No more advocating for Eric Gagne-for-Melky Cabrera trades.
As our old blogging ground is reporting rumors of one trade and Buster Olney reporting word of another, it’s clear that, even if these trades aren’t completed right now, the Yankees are angling for a new-look bullpen. Combined with Joba’s relief dominance, we could see a whole new pen soon.
On the one hand, we have the Eric Gagne rumors. Pieces of the trade aside, Gagne would be a great addition to this bullpen. This year, he’s, according to everyone who sees him, finally throwing free and easy after a few injury-plagued seasons. In 33.1 innings, he’s allowed just 8 runs on 2 HR, 23 hits and 12 walks while striking out 29. His 2.16 ERA is a full two runs lower than the Yankees’ current set-up crew. Plus, his free agent status would net the Yankees a first round draft pick next season.
On the other, Buster Olney mentions a possible Scott Proctor-for-Wilson Betemit deal. Betemit is a 27-year-old infielder with the Dodgers. He’s hitting just .231 but with an OBP of .359 and a SLG of .474. With 10 HR in 156 at-bats, he would add some much-needed pop to the bench, replacing Miguel Cairo as next in line for an infield slot.
Meanwhile, as we know, the Yanks are trying hard to deal Farnsworth. So in a few days, instead of Farsnworth, Proctor, Bruney, Vizcaino, Myers, Villone, Henn, we could have Gagne, Chamberlain, Vizcaion, Bruney, Myers, Villone, Henn. Or Britton. Or Ramirez. These moves are good ideas; we’ll see if they come to fruition.
Update: I just wanted to stress what Peter Abraham wrote here. This Gagne deal is still just a rumor, and the team is denying it. So hold your horses for now on it.
We’re hearing and reading a lot of reports that the Rangers would trade Eric Gagne to the Yankees for Melky Cabrera. With Kyle Farnsworth’s recently ensuring his one-way ticket off the Yanks and Melky swinging a hot bad, this is a trade I would make in a minute. I don’t see Melky exceeding his current production levels, and I think his value is as high now as it will ever be. This move solidifies the pen and lands a decent return for a player who will be a fourth outfielder at best or a starter on a lesser team.
While everyone is salivating over the thought of Mark Teixeira in pinstripes, I don’t think the Yanks are going to make a big trade this July 31st. They aren’t going to trade one of their blue-chip young pitchers, and they get back a pitcher from the DL – Phil Hughes – who is better than anyone available via a trade. The Yanks’ offense doesn’t need help; the pitching has been solid lately. Maybe we’ll see a bullpen move, but nothing major.
This is little more than speculation, so let’s view it as just that.
There was an article in today’s San Francisco Chronicle that talked about the possibility of the A’s moving Mike Piazza in the coming weeks. This comes just days after speculation that the A’s were prepared to trade first baseman Dan Johnson.
Naturally, the Yankees have been connected to both names. Piazza would have no use beyond DH, as he still cannot throw a ball with his bum shoulder. That’s actually the reason he’s being shopped — with Jack Cust at DH, a full outfield, and Johnson at first, there’s simply no room for Piazza. He’d be a big bat off the bench, but Billy Beane didn’t shell out $8.5 million for a pinch hitter.
Johnson can play first base capably, and is hitting .260/.369/.455 in 235 at bats since returning from the DL. His lowly marks of .234 /.323 /.381 from last year are largely attributed to double vision, which was corrected with surgery this off-season.
I try not to give much consideration to such rumors, but I thought I’d throw this out there for you all to digest (since Angels fans are already talking about it). Anaheim is one of the oft-reported destinations for Alex Rodriguez should he opt out of his contract at the end of the year. According to Halos Heaven, we may not have to wait that long. They’re reporting that the two teams could perform an early-season swap:
Stoneman and Cashman have reportedly agreed on a three-tier wait-and-see:
1. Audition Moseley
2. See if the boo-birds flock on A-Rod and how Boras then responds to a trade proposal (as Rodriguez can ultimately veto it)
3. Assuage Boras by adding Jered Weaver to the deal, as WTY in Yankee Stadium = Visions of future big bucks to tempt Scott B.
4. Yankees get Weaver, Moseley and Jose Molina for A-Rod.
First off, I don’t buy into this scenario at all. Why would the Angels give up Weaver if they can have Alex AND Jered next season? The only reason would be that they think their pitching is good enough without Weaver, and that Alex is the missing piece to their World Series quest. I’m not familiar with the inner workings of the Angels, but by knowing their roster, I’m not quite sure this is the year for them.
Second, why would Cashman trade his only right-handed power bat for Weaver, Moseley, and Molina? Jered has had one good season, and could certainly falter in the future, especially under the bright lights of Yankee Stadium (need I even mention his brother at this point?). I’m unsure why Moseley would be even remotely attractive as a trading chip. Sure, he’s had a good spring (1.98 ERA), but what are you going to trust, 13.2 spring innings, or a minor-league track record littered with 4.50+ ERAs at the AAA level? Finally, while Molina is an adequate backup catcher, he sure doesn’t fill the hole Alex’s bat would leave in the lineup.
No, no, no, that won’t do at all. I understand that the Yankees risk getting nothing for him after the season (though, if he opts out, he’s a free agent…the Yanks would get a first-rounder out of it, right? Mike, I’m looking at you.). But to trade Alex for that proposed package would do serious damage to their chances in 2007. Beyond losing significant power, the question remains of who the hell would play third base?
The strangest part of all is that the few commenters on this post, for the most part, don’t want to execute the deal. Understand that if (biiiiig if) the Angels were to acquire Alex, an extension would surely be the price of him waiving the no-trade clause. Hypothetically, the Angles would acquire one of the best hitters in the history of the game (and the best third-baseman or shortstop in the American League) for a young pitcher with one good year under his belt (and who is currently battling injury) and a load of dog shit.
My question to you, our loyal readers: would you pull the trigger? If so, I’d like to hear some arguments. I just can’t see risking the 2007 season, especially when the Yanks don’t look to have even a replacement-level player to man third base should Alex depart.
Hat tip to MLB Trade Rumors.