Deal for Gonzalez reportedly gaining steam

by anaconda on Dec 16, 2006 10:01 AM EST in New York Yankees News

In an effort to upgrade their bullpen, the Yankees have discussed a three-way trade with Pittsburgh and Atlanta, the basics of which would send Melky Cabrera to the Braves, bring Pirates closer Mike Gonzalez to the Bronx and give Atlanta first baseman Adam LaRoche to the Pirates.

A person familiar with the situation confirmed the talks. However, Pirates general manager Dave Littlefield is in a position of strength; he doesn't have to trade the lefthanded Gonzalez, who converted 24 of 24 save opportunities in 2006.

Gonzalez, 28, is eligible for arbitration, but the Pirates can afford to keep him. A slew of other clubs, including the Red Sox, have interest in Gonzalez; Boston probably would deploy him as a closer.

But Pittsburgh wants a power hitter and likes LaRoche, who hit 32 homers last season. Atlanta would likely want more than just Cabrera for LaRoche.

As much as the Yankees enjoyed and appreciated Cabrera's development in 2006, they don't view him as untouchable because they have three All-Star-caliber starting outfielders in Bobby Abreu, Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui. If they could get Gonzalez as the primary setup man for Mariano Rivera, the Yankees could shop Kyle Farnsworth, who experienced an uneven first season in pinstripes and has two years remaining on his contract.

The departure of Cabrera, meanwhile, would create a possible opening for Bernie Williams as the team's fourth outfielder. Williams wants to return to the Yankees for a 17th season, but the Yankees have been anything but optimistic about a Williams return. Asked Friday if he had spoken lately with Williams' agent, Scott Boras, about the ultra-popular veteran, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman responded, "There's nothing to report."

The Yankees continue to work toward solving their situation at first base, with free agent Doug Mientkiewicz a good possibility to sign and platoon with either Josh Phelps or Andy Phillips.

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I know there

are alot of fans of Gonzalez on this site. But I just am not sure of his transition to the AL. He's 28, plays in a week NL, doesn't play in any meaningful games. There is a big difference playing a game with the Pirates in August then at Yankee stadium with over 55,000.

Great Success!

by ReLaunch on Dec 16, 2006 10:12 AM EST reply actions

Too much analysis

If the guy has the talent, that's where the focus should be. So he pitches in the NL. Does that mean he's no good? If the guy is competitive, every game he pitches has meaning. And I don't see being 28 as being a negative. I think you're inventing things to worry about here. With the questionable condition of the pitching staff, this would be a deal well worth doing.

by flipster on Dec 16, 2006 11:22 AM EST up reply actions

And giving up

just Melky (as much as I loved him) for a solid lefty is a great deal. A bullpen of Myers-Britton-Proctor-Gonzalez-Rivera is better than what we had last year, and we've still got the young guns ready to force their way onto the scene.

Have faith in the Yankees my son. Think of the great DiMaggio.

by jscape2000 on Dec 16, 2006 11:46 AM EST up reply actions

That's right!!!

We shoulda traded for Josh Beckett with Chien Ming Wang and Robinson Cano... sign......

doesn't this sound almost completely indentical, we're going for a older player (Beckett + Lowell vs Cano + Wang ) who have done well on other teams for our younger guys that have some unanswered questions. and the main reason seem be blocking boston? huh?

Gonzalez walks the park, and not giving up HR is not a particular skill you can rely on espically since last year he was a flyball pitcher with a 1.35 WHIP, that 1 HR allowed screamed fluke.

by RollingWave on Dec 16, 2006 11:55 AM EST up reply actions

HR's

Well, he only gave up 2 in 2004 and 2 in 2005, so it looks like a repeatable skill for him. Mariano is the same way with HR's, and i think it's a really important ability for a closer.

by nycfan @ Pinstripe Alley on Dec 16, 2006 4:06 PM EST up reply actions

Agreed

One downside though is that this makes Bernie the 4th outfielder. As beloved as he is, he is fucking worthless as a reserve outfielder. Hopefully they will give Kevin Thompson a look instead, but blind loyalty seems to rule the day with Torre and Cashman.

Fear the Evil Empire

by pfistyunc on Dec 16, 2006 11:55 AM EST reply actions

A 4th outfielder...

Call me a pessimist, but something tells me that the Yanks will need a decent one again this year. Bernie won't cut it. Melky would, but if he goes, where does that leave us?

by Lou Reed Is My Hero on Dec 16, 2006 2:29 PM EST up reply actions

Very true but...

You need to determine what is easier to find. Can Thompson fill that role? Perhaps a non-tender? The point is, without looking, I can only assume that a hard throwing, strikout pitching left-handed closer turned set-up man, with a perfect closing record last year, is a much harder to find player than a 4th outfielder.

by dbm20th on Dec 16, 2006 3:07 PM EST up reply actions

Good reliever vs. good fourth outfielder

A good reliever is very valuable, more than a fourth outfielder. All I am saying is if the Yanks make a Melky-Gonzalez deal, they better have a plan for the outfield that doesn't include Bernie Williams, because odds are they will need one between Matsui, Damon, and Abreu.

by Lou Reed Is My Hero on Dec 16, 2006 4:11 PM EST up reply actions

What I don't like about the

deal is that Gonzo doesn't seem to have the rubber arm that pitching in the Yankees bullpen requires. He pitched 3 days in a row last year and it was attributed to him being put on the 15 day disabled list

Losers always whine about their best. Winners go home and f*** the prom queen.

by Edwantsacracker on Dec 16, 2006 12:02 PM EST reply actions

Regardless of the question marks

We are getting a lefty reliever with plus stuff for a 4th outfielder. You make that deal 100 times out of 100.

Fear the Evil Empire

by pfistyunc on Dec 16, 2006 12:33 PM EST reply actions

I like Melky too,

but I'd trade him for Gonzalez in a heartbeat.

by anaconda on Dec 16, 2006 12:37 PM EST up reply actions

I agree

You have to make this deal. But if it goes down the Yanks will most likely have to give up another mid level prospect. Plus I also heard that if this deal happens the Yanks could then send Sanchez to the Nats for Nick Johnson.

by Yanks22 on Dec 16, 2006 1:24 PM EST reply actions

Why trade Sanchez for Johnson?

If I am the GM I would do that trade. I,m not trading a pitcher with alot of upside for a guy you traded away three years ago who is always hurt. That trade I would not do in that situation.

by RKO42 on Dec 16, 2006 6:40 PM EST up reply actions

I would not do the trade

a mistake on my part

by RKO42 on Dec 16, 2006 6:41 PM EST up reply actions

Johnson

Has been a premier hitter over the last two years. He's easily one of the top 10 first basemen in the game, and i can't imagine anyone taking just a pitching prospect for him. Sanchez could be good, but he has injury and weight problems and is by no means a sure thing.

by nycfan @ Pinstripe Alley on Dec 16, 2006 7:33 PM EST up reply actions

Um, no

Konerko, Teixeira, Sexson, Delgado, Nomar, Pujols, Derek Lee, Ryan Howard, Laroche, Morneau all come to mind as better than Johnson and I am sure that I have missed others.

Fear the Evil Empire

by pfistyunc on Dec 16, 2006 10:58 PM EST up reply actions

It also

said that the pirates shot down Victor Martinez for Gonzalez. So I doubt they will do Melky for Gonzalez

Great Success!

by ReLaunch on Dec 16, 2006 1:39 PM EST reply actions

Errr no

The Indians (rightly so) shot that one down.

by RollingWave on Dec 16, 2006 11:09 PM EST up reply actions

Melky won't do it...

You'll have to throw in someone else to the Braves, maybe Rasner or someone like that. (just throwing that name out off the top of my head)

I would still do this deal in a heartbeat. Gonzo is 28 folks, so please stop the "older player" stuff. That's a pitcher in his prime. He stirkes out more than a batter per inning, so we're not talking about a ground ball pitcher taking advantage of the NL.

Every pitcher who has ever pitched in the ML has at one point "not pitched a meaning ful game" so that's not much of an argument. You have to take the chance. This is a closer.

by dbm20th on Dec 16, 2006 2:25 PM EST reply actions

NOOOO!!!

DON'T TRADE MELKY!!!!!! COME ON CASHMAN!!!! NOOOO!!!! Damon, Matsui and Abrue are all over 30 and will get hurt next year! We need MELKY!!!!

by BillyBobisdrunk on Dec 16, 2006 3:23 PM EST reply actions

That seals the deal

If Billy Bob is against it, then it must be a good move. He should the proverbial "canary down the well" for any and all Yankees transactions.

Fear the Evil Empire

by pfistyunc on Dec 16, 2006 5:03 PM EST up reply actions

WTF

Why would the Braves give up Laroche for Melky?

by BillyBobisdrunk on Dec 16, 2006 6:30 PM EST up reply actions

I am not sure

Especially since we were talking about trading Melky to Pittsburgh for Gonzalez.

Fear the Evil Empire

by pfistyunc on Dec 16, 2006 10:59 PM EST up reply actions

Braves have a replacement for LaRoche

in Scott Thorman. Whether's he's any good or not is another issue.

For some reason, the Bravos don't like their left field platoon of Langerhans and Diaz. Or maybe this is to replace the largely overrated Francoeur?

by Willton on Dec 17, 2006 9:47 AM EST up reply actions

The Braves

want more outfielders for when A Jones leaves them next year.

Great Success!

by ReLaunch on Dec 17, 2006 10:38 AM EST up reply actions

I love Melky

but Gonzalez is excellent. I remember being really impressed with him when the Pirates came to Yankee stadium I think in '03. What happens if Mariano has another injury, who would close then? I like Thompson a lot and hard throwing lefties don't come by often...I'm kinda mixed on it, but I wouldn't hate it if he's actually traded...

by John Amato on Dec 16, 2006 3:27 PM EST reply actions

John A., you're right...

what does happen if Mariano goes down again? Kyle gets too clever in big game situations (which often leads to 9th inning homers). A solid backup closer acquisition is more important than having cover for our current allstar outfield.

by carbondavid on Dec 18, 2006 2:08 PM EST up reply actions

I wouldn't want to trade Melky

I love Melky. But, blocking Boston from getting Gonzalez, putting him in as a setup man in our pen, and kicking Farnsworth out of NY makes it worthwhile...

Got Melky?

by danbrady143 on Dec 18, 2006 11:43 AM EST reply actions