Trade winds: Cano to the Dodgers?

by John Amato on Jul 25, 2008 2:36 PM EDT

I doubt this one would happen as it appears, but what say you about trading Cano?

Dodgers have an interest in Robinson Cano and might be willing to deal Derek Lowe and outfielder Matt Kemp, but the Yankees aren't inclined to part with the red-hot second baseman unless there is a front-of-the-rotation-type starter coming to The Bronx. Lowe, who has the stomach for big games and has AL East experience with the Red Sox, doesn't fit that bill.
Kemp, 23, would be viewed as a replacement for Bobby Abreu in right field next year. Kemp is batting .287 (104-for-362) with 11 homers and 55 RBIs in 94 games this season. His biggest downside is striking out 107 times.

As much as I love Robbie, I would move him in the right deal. It looks like the Yanks have to win the division in order to not play the Angels in the first round and Boston has the home field advantage in their remaining games this season. Tampa has like eleven more games on the road and they are not a good road team.

I love this time of year...

0 recs | Comment 11 comments | Add your comment

Story-email Email | Print |

Comments

I'm not looking to move Cano

but I’d jump all over this deal if I’m Cashman.

Losing Cano would hurt, but this team has to replace three outfielders over the next 18 months (Damon, Abreu, and Matsui) and the market for outfielders these days is absolutely dreadful.

Kemp is a great talent and is only 23 years old. Potentially, the Yanks could have Kemp and Austin Jackson patrolling 2/3 of the outfield in 2010. Jackson is only 21 years old.

Replacing the three outfielders is going to be the Yanks’ biggest challenge over the next two seasons. They need to get younger and stay away from aging players who are on the decline.

They would only have to replace one Second Baseman.

I’m sure there’s no truth to this rumor considering the source (George King), but I’d find a way to get Kemp over the offseason if I was running the team.

by anaconda on Jul 25, 2008 3:24 PM EDT reply reply 0 recs

I used King but

I’ve heard it from credible LA news people…

by John Amato on Jul 25, 2008 3:46 PM EDT reply reply 0 recs

trading Cano would be terrible

The saying “buy low, sell high”, the Yankees would be selling Cano LOW.

Trading Cano makes sense if you’re trading for a Tim Lincecum/Cole Hamels type of young starter with proven success who you’ll control for a few years. Trading him for Lowe and Kemp is a terrible idea.

If the Yankees weren’t going to include Cano in the Johann Santana talks, why would they trade him for a lesser pitcher and a slightly above average outfielder?

by 3460kuri on Jul 25, 2008 4:35 PM EDT reply reply 0 recs

Kemp is not a slightly above average outfielder

He’s 23 years old and he’s very similar to a young right-handed Grady Sizemore.

I don’t care about Lowe, but I’d very much like to see them find a way to get Matt Kemp during the offseason.

by anaconda on Jul 25, 2008 4:42 PM EDT up reply reply 0 recs

Matt Kemp

Is a great young outfielder.

He strikes out a ton (108 already this season), but his line .290/.343/.462 would provide a solution to the Bobby Abreu problem, and he’s the backup centerfielder on the Dodger’s depth chart.

Derek Lowe isn’t great, but we don’t need a great starter, just a guy who can eat innings and give me less heartburn than Sidney Ponson.

Lowe is a free agent.
Kemp hasn’t even hit arbitration yet (and I don’t think he will till after next season).

And for a second baseman, you can plug in Alberto Gonzalez or trade for a pending free agent like Orlando Hudson or Mark Ellis.

I’d love to start next season with Hudson at second, Kemp in right or center, and a rotation of Wang, Joba, Pettitte, Lowe and Hughes.

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

by jscape2000 on Jul 25, 2008 6:18 PM EDT up reply reply 0 recs

I wouldn't resign Lowe

But it wouldn’t be the worst strategy in the world to sign Sabathia and really stack the rotation: Sabathia, Wang, Pettitte, Joba, and Hughes.

With the bullpen far exceeding our expectations (and they figure to improve a bit next season with Sanchez and Melancon added to the mix) – the Yanks could arguably have the best pitching staff in the AL from top to bottom.

They might have trouble scoring runs at times, but they really need to let Abreu and Giambi walk and adding Kemp would certainly help. That pitching staff will offset whatever offensive woes they might encounter.

They could also package some of lesser arms like Horne, Kennedy, and McCutchen to find another bat.

On paper, this team could as good as any in the AL with a few changes in key areas.

by anaconda on Jul 25, 2008 6:33 PM EDT up reply reply 0 recs

The Bobby Abreu “problem” is hitting .280/.354/.445…..And we’ve since picked up Xavier Nady, so thankfully this won’t happen.

A 2nd basemen who can post an .850 OPS (assuming Cano still can) is a huge commodity, much more so than a corner outfielder who can do the same. I’d trade a commodity for another commodity, but not for an average hitting outfielder.

by 3460kuri on Jul 28, 2008 11:57 AM EDT up reply reply 0 recs

Trade Cano for....

if we could get Clayton Kershaw AND Matt Kemp, then that’s an automatic deal!!!! I doubt that the Dodgers would part with Kershaw for just Cano, but stranger things have happened. I’m all for trading Cano. Maybe Cano and Melky for Kemp and Kershaw? That sounds mighty juicy to me.

by nitlion007 on Jul 25, 2008 6:03 PM EDT reply reply 0 recs

HERE'S A BETTER TRADE

Robinson Cano Jose Molina and Ian Kennedy for Matt Kemp, Russell Martin and Huong Chi Kuo. Sign here.

Munson15

by Munson15 on Jul 25, 2008 6:09 PM EDT reply reply 0 recs

Cano

I think Cashman has the right attitude here—only include Cano in any deal if you’re getting a surefire #1 starter in return, and even then, be skeptical. Cano has struggled in the first half of the last two seasons, and he’ll probably always be a second-half player, but when he’s hot, he’s hot, and he’s also getting a lot better defensively. Second basemen are harder to find than outfielders. Cano is one of our players of the future. We shouldn’t be any more ready to give him up than Joba.

"If you lived in my grandfather's house...and you wanted to eat, you had to be a Yankees fan." --Joe Biden

by SenorSwanky on Jul 25, 2008 11:35 PM EDT reply reply 0 recs