Melky for Randy Wells?

by YankeesRock on Dec 19, 2009 8:38 PM EST

If we obtain another outfielder, either by signing Matt Holliday or Jason Bay to expensive, long-term contracts or resigning Johnny Damon to a two-year deal, we will have one too many outfielders. The Cubs are reportedly interested in Melky Cabrera or Brett Gardner as a replacement for recently traded center fielder Milton Bradley. It is possible that Cashman would trade Melky or Gardner to the Cubs for pitching. The Cubs pitcher I am most interested in getting is Randy Wells, a right-hander who pitched his first full season in 2009 and turned 27 in August.

Wells had a great first season in 2009, posting a 12-10 record with a 3.05 ERA (10th in the NL), 104 strikeouts, and 46 walks in 165.1 innings with a solid WHIP of 1.28 en route to a 6th place finish in the Rookie of the Year voting. He's not a big strikeout pitcher, but his walk rate is excellent. His fastball is around 90 mph, and he throws an excellent slider and an average changeup. Fangraphs suggests that he was worth 3.0 WAR, or $13.5M in 2009. On top of all of that, he's much cheaper than Sheets, Bedard, and the other free agent SP on the market.

It's hard to believe that 2009 was Melky's fourth full season in the MLB. Though he's only 24, Melky already has nearly 2000 PAs. He's a career .269 / .331 / .385 hitter, and while he plays good defense and his numbers may improve as he enters his prime, he's not making the league minimum anymore either, and he has a career OPS+ of 88, and has always been either average (99 in 2009) or terrible (68 in 2008). He's going to get better, but why hold onto him when Brett Gardner is faster, cheaper, plays better defense, and was more valuable in 2009 while getting much less playing time (2.1 WAR vs. 1.6 WAR)? I appreciate Melky's contributions to the Yankees over the past four years, but he's not that valuable to us.

We might not be able to get Wells for Melky straight up, and Cashman may not want to trade Melky unless we sign another OF (which I am opposed to, as it limits our options during next year's massive offseason), but if I had the chance, I would take it in a heartbeat.

Poll

What do you think of trading Melky for Randy Wells?

Do it

77 votes

Absolutely not

36 votes

The Cubs will never take it

43 votes

Not sure

23 votes

Other (see comments)

1 votes

180 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Melky, Montero, and high pitching prospect might do it

by Scooby Snacks on Dec 19, 2009 9:32 PM EST reply actions

not enough

by Travis G on Dec 20, 2009 1:59 AM EST up reply actions

With a closer look into his minor league stats

no, it’s definitely not enough.

by Scooby Snacks on Dec 20, 2009 4:08 AM EST up reply actions

If we can do Melky for him straight up...

yea, I’m down.

"It ain't over till its over"---

3rd down + Steve Smith = 1st Down.

"I just saw Avatar, and Sean Avery was hands down the best character!"

by FreeBradshaw on Dec 19, 2009 10:03 PM EST reply actions

tho I'd rather give up Gardner.

I still think Melk’s got some potential while Gardy probably is what he is.

"It ain't over till its over"---

3rd down + Steve Smith = 1st Down.

"I just saw Avatar, and Sean Avery was hands down the best character!"

by FreeBradshaw on Dec 19, 2009 11:34 PM EST up reply actions

I'd rather give up Melky

For a couple reasons. Firstly, he’s worth more, and they could get more value in return for him. Secondly, off the bench, Gardner is more valuable. His speed, and defense outclass Melky, and Id rather have Gardy in as a runner or defensive replacement. Melky is a solid starter with potential. And he’s getting better. But he’s easy to replace as a starter as well. If we’re gonna trade one of them, Id trade Melky.

by nyyrocks29 on Dec 19, 2009 11:49 PM EST up reply actions

Gardner's defense does NOT outclass Melky..

no frickin way.

Melky can get to a lot of place out there..and can throw righthanded farther than Gardner.

Gardner is a good basestealer….but that’s all he’s got that’s better then Melky. Melky can steal bases too.

Melky’s more valuable than Gardner.

"It ain't over till its over"---

3rd down + Steve Smith = 1st Down.

"I just saw Avatar, and Sean Avery was hands down the best character!"

by FreeBradshaw on Dec 20, 2009 2:47 PM EST up reply actions

When did Brett Gardner become more valuable than Melky?

Brett Gardner is fast. That is where it ends. He cannot hit and his arm rivals that of Johnny Damon. I would rather have Melky than Brett.

by BigDanz2000 on Dec 21, 2009 9:06 AM EST up reply actions

Why do I not know

who this Wells is?I never like a guy that tops out at 90 mph unless he is on the downside ala Petite with a wealth of big league experience. Oh well a little good news,Boston is stuck with Lowell and he needs surgery on his thumb.Can you say log jam Theo

by cashman bashman on Dec 19, 2009 10:32 PM EST reply actions

I could see that happening

trading Melky for a pitcher? You can never have enough pitching, and I would not at all be opposed to trading Melky, straight up for a good young pitcher who could fill a spot in the pen or back end of a rotation. Wells may be a good option. He’s young, like you said, and it looks like he has good potential. I like pitchers w/ good control more than power pitchers, as if you have good control, you are more likely to succeed (control is more important than anything for a pitcher).

Also, trading Melky would reopen the door for Johnny Damon to return, and I really do want him back, and he would be a better option in LF over Melky (I know he’s not good defensively, but his bat outclasses Melky’s by a mile).

I wouldn’t mind this, to be honest.

by nyyrocks29 on Dec 19, 2009 11:07 PM EST reply actions

Trading Melky (or Gardner) for a #4 pitcher...

would also free up money to spend on Holliday if the Yankees desired.

An outfield of (LF to RF): Granderson, Gardner, and Swisher is a great defensive outfield, with some good offense to match. However, an outfield of Holliday, Granderson, and Swisher is all around much better.

The money saved on Sheets/Duchscherer (and Granderson/Johnson) could go towards Holliday, or saved next year for an ace pitcher and Crawford/Worth.

Either way, the Yankees are already a better team this year than they were last year.

by Monotonousblob on Dec 19, 2009 11:47 PM EST reply actions

no way

melky should be the starting center fielder and granderson in left. enough with the melky trade talk already. hes not going anywhere

by R. Lewis on Dec 20, 2009 2:23 AM EST reply actions

Melky is good in CF...

but he’s not Granderson.

Melky would be fine in LF.

"It ain't over till its over"---

3rd down + Steve Smith = 1st Down.

"I just saw Avatar, and Sean Avery was hands down the best character!"

by FreeBradshaw on Dec 20, 2009 2:48 PM EST up reply actions

Randy Wells...

Is a guy who shuffled around the minors for a few years and was pretty mediocre until he had that breakout year for the Cubs last year. It smells like a fluke.

by Let's Talk About Tex Baby on Dec 20, 2009 10:28 AM EST reply actions