Orlando Hudson Makes Some Sense

by jscape2000 on Nov 20, 2008 5:11 PM EST in Analysis Comment 10 comments

Jon Heyman says that the Yankees are considering free agent 2B Orlando Hudson.

The Yankees might have to consider some rejiggering as well, since they currently have the talented Robinson Cano at second base. While they could consider moving Cano to first base, the more likely scenario would be to trade Cano, either for a centerfielder (how about David DeJesus, who may be expendable now that the Royals have Coco Crisp) or a pitcher.

With Hudson likely to command upward of $50 million over 5 years despite a dislocated bone in his left wrist. In addition to the concerns about his bat, it gives me concerns about his ability to hang in the pivot on the double play. Just like when a catcher misses time after a collision, or when a pitcher gets hit by a batted ball, I want to see Hudson make the plays before I really trust him.

David DeJesus is what he is, a decent centerfielder who will turn 29 in a month, though he is economically signed for the next three seasons (3.6, 4.7, and an option for 6). But Cano is 3 years younger and scheduled to make, 6, 9, 10 with options at 14 and 15.

I think Brian Cashman has to kick the tires on Hudson, with a price ceiling in mind. If Hudson wants to play for the Yankees, then flipping Cano for pitching or moving him to first or right field makes sense.

Could the Yanks put Cano (rather than Hughes) at the center of a Peavy deal? I doubt it. What other teams have young pitching and are in the market for a 2B?

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Why?

Unless we’re planning on trading Cano, this deal makes no sense. Cano had a bad year both on the field and with the bat. While I wasn’t happy with his performance much of the year, I’d certainly give him the benefit of the doubt for 2009. He’s simply too young and too talented to write off so quickly—especially if we’re moving him for a centerfielder named DeJesus. Are you kidding me? Cano for DeJesus and Gordon? Sure.

Hudson in pinstripes makes little sense to me.

"Baseball is the background music of my life." -George Will

by Ronster22 on Nov 20, 2008 6:54 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

It’s an “only if we’re Hudson’s first choice” scenario (I remember rumors he’d take a discount to play in NYC).

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

by jscape2000 on Nov 20, 2008 11:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The question remains, why?

Can Hudson throw runners out at second when Posada’s shoulder blows up? Can Hudson play first when we discover Swisher’s bad year is the norm? Will Hudson play over a 25 year old .310 lifetime hitter in Cano? When CC turns down our offer, will Hudson become our staff ace? Or, will Hudson’s presence knock Jeter to centerfield? Perhaps when Arod is too Kabala’d to make contact, Hudson will be there to take his place and bash 40+ homers?

Hudson isn’t a supersup like Cairo, Kennedy … He’s an everyday player who isn’t going to play everyday for the Yankees. Discount or not, this really makes little sense to me unless, as was mentioned earlier, they are packaging Cano for a top-shelf centerfielder.

"Baseball is the background music of my life." -George Will

by Ronster22 on Nov 21, 2008 9:32 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

if he wants to play in NYC...

the Mets could use an upgrade at 2B.

Cano for DeJesus straight up is laughable. Plus KC would never take on Robbie’s contract.

The Jayfiss Report ...one fan's rants

by NumberSeven on Nov 21, 2008 10:54 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

JUST SAY NO

Hudson is too expensive and not a fit for us. Cano had one bad year, lets focus on his improvement which is going to happen….his swing is just too good.

A ball player's got to be kept hungry to become a big-leaguer. That's why no boy from a rich family ever made the big leagues. ~Joe DiMaggio, quoted in New York Times, 30 April 1961

by kdog on Nov 21, 2008 3:54 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

(De)Jesus

What’s with the love for David DeJesus?

he’s a modest hitter at best, a career 105 OPS+ hitter at age 28, he’s neither that young nor very healthy, with only 1 season where he played north of 135 game (and it was one of his worst hitting season, a bad combination to say the least)

PMR peg him as THE WORSE CF defensively in 08, small sample size (as he wasn’t there full time in 08) and inconsistency in defense metrics obviously apply, but I’ve seen several different metric that give his CF defensive play some bad reps. so it’s pretty risk there.

Next up we have Orlando Hudson who’s…

a. career batting line outside of Chase Statdium is in the low .700s ops
b. is 32 next year
c. suffered a major wrist injury this year.

WOW, and people are lusting after that?

seriously, I’m not trading Hughes+ Cano unless the guy comming back is a highly likely HOF guy still in his prime. Jake Peavy might fit the former but unlikely the later. while Cano strait up for DeJesus is essentailly trading a better hitter playing a more important defense position better and younger and healthier and cheaper for the later. WOOOPY!!!

by RollingWave on Nov 22, 2008 1:27 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

correction

I mean the oppostie on Peavy, he’s still in his prime definately but he’s unlikely to be a HOF caliber pitcher.

by RollingWave on Nov 22, 2008 1:29 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

We'd have to get

Zack Greinke back from KC in any Cano deal, I would say. Greinke and Dejesus for Cano? That makes more sense, IMO.

by BrianByron on Nov 22, 2008 6:16 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Are... You... In... SANE?!!!

The above must be a joke. Greinke has been one of the best young pitchers in the game over the past two years.
2007 FIP 3.76
2008 FIP 3.65
He’s worth WAY more than just Cano. To get him, it’d cost the Yankees something like Cano, Hughes, and Austin Jackson.

"It's just a tiny little nick, but it hurts when I get champagne in there."
- Jason Bay, on getting spiked scoring the winning run in ALDS Game Four.

by 0157H7 on Nov 23, 2008 3:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs