Interested in an Outfielder?

by jscape2000 on Jun 27, 2009 10:12 AM EDT in Analysis Comment 27 comments

With Nady out for the season, does it make sense for the Yanks to trade for another outfielder?

When the Yanks traded for him last season, it was openly acknowledged he was brought in to replace Bobby Abreu. When Cash swiped Swisher from the ChiSox (for Wilson Betemit!) a part of the attraction was that Swisher would be a Yankee for several seasons and a reasonable price.

I think it's an experiment that the Yankees should look to repeat as the trading deadline approaches.

Melky, BG, and Swisher are under control for next season but that's an outfield of question marks. While AJax is killing the ball (.321/.385/.424), he's also missing the ball (71K in 68 games).

The Padres' Scott Hairston would be an interesting target- a hard swinging CF. He's 29 and under team control through 2010. Kevin Towers has liked the Yanks pitching prospects in the past.

The Astros have a pair of 26 year olds, Hunter Pence and Michael Bourn. They're both under team control for longer, so the price would be higher. Maybe for a Zach McAllister and a reliever?

Catching the Red Sox this year will hinge on the starting pitchers. But adding a young outfielder who will stay with the team for a few years will give the Yanks greater depth and more flexibility in the off-season.

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No!

If the Yanks got Nady back, or got another outfielder, they’d have to clear a roster spot by getting rid of someone.

Who’s that? Brett? Melky? Swisher? He have to be a stud to be an upgrade.

AAAA Shelly is in the wings. AJ is on line to come in for next year. Another outfielder would be a bonehead move, IMO.

If I's known I was going to live so long, I'd have taken better care of myself. Casey

by Cbeck3 on Jun 27, 2009 10:35 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Nady’s spot on the 40-man becomes available when he hits the 60 day DL.
Ransom and Pena are redundant.
Gardner has options, too.

There’s room for improvement.

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

by jscape2000 on Jun 27, 2009 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hunter Pence would be an excellent addition

but there is no reason that the Astro’s trade him unless he has a contract situation, which he doesn’t as the Astros are trying to extend him with a deal similar to Longoria’s or something like that.

But Id wipe that one right out of the dreams NOW. I mean I would trade Austin Jackson for him, but why would the Astros?

Scott Hairston would be a nice addition, not cuz he’s an OF but like any Hairston he can play all over the field. He could even DH cuz he’s got some pop in that bat that would look more potent if he wasn’t playing in Petco.

Unless something out of the ordinary like the Astros making Pence available actuallly happens, I say they stick with what they got.

The OF is underwhelming, but when you have the corner OF the Yankees have and the fact one of them seems to be breaking out of his slumber (and its nice weather in the East again!), I wouldn’t trade the pitchers for a guy like Matt Holliday (PLEASE STAY AWAY FROM HOLLIDAY!)

by FreeBradshaw on Jun 27, 2009 10:42 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I didn’t realize the ’stros were trying to extend Pence. It makes sense.

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

by jscape2000 on Jun 27, 2009 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why not send Cody Ransom down ...

and bring up Shelley? I mean, with Ramiro on the bench, do we really need a 2nd utility infielder?

by .ryan on Jun 27, 2009 11:11 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

actually, for the time being

they do kinda. Arod’s obviously coming off the hip surgery, and Jeter’s sick right now. if only Shelley could play 3b.

by Travis G on Jun 27, 2009 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Has Tex ever played 3rd?

In a pinch he could switch the other hot corner, have Shelley in RF and Swish at first. I don’t think there is any need to make a trade for anyone right now. Yankees are more than loaded with talent right now to win.

by HappyLuckyGoldenDragonNumber1! on Jun 27, 2009 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You can't do that.

Tex actually played 3rd at Georgia Tech, but moved to first cuz the great Hank Blalock played 3rd.

I just don’t think that you can switch a 1B of his caliber to 3rd even in a pinch. I mean the Sux do it with Uncle Fester, but who honestly cares what they do?

by FreeBradshaw on Jun 27, 2009 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

And Youk came up playing 3rd. He only played 3rd as a rookie in 2004.

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

by jscape2000 on Jun 27, 2009 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

whatever happened to Derosa?

They need an infielder much more than an outfielder. But it’d be great to get someone who could both.

by long time listener on Jun 27, 2009 12:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

DeRosa just got traded to the Cards

by the Tribe for some prospects and a player to be named later, i believe.

by .ryan on Jun 28, 2009 1:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

We dont need a bat

Our offense is comming around and we have no need for a bat. I like the way are team is set up. The only thing that I could hope for is another middle reliever, but i wouldnt rush on that until we see more innings from them

by dan.altman89 on Jun 27, 2009 12:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

No! Now is not the time to do a panic trade for an outfielder

They have 4 outfielders for 3 positions now. If Girardi just rested them more often, I think they would be plenty productive. Actually, they are all productive right now. And if another bat is needed, bring up Shelley Duncan. He would also provide a little energy which this aging team constantly needs. But trading for another outfielder? Absolutely not.

by cph on Jun 27, 2009 12:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Just a thought...

Although I don’t think we necessarily need to make a trade, there are two players that come to mind if we decided to…..Mark Teahen and David DeJesus…Yes they are Royals, but hear me out. They could come relatively cheap, and their contracts extend for the next couple of years at a great price…What about a trade for Mark Teahen? He is still young, athletic, and a great base runner. He is also capable of playing RF, LF, 3b, 1b, and 2b. He also has a good bat and has produced with the lowly Royals. Plug him into a great lineup like the Yankees and he could be an even better hitter. Plus he’s a lefty and we all know about the power surge to right field in this new stadium…Then there’s DeJesus, he can play all three outfield positions with plus speed and range. Although his average is down right now, he also hits in the Royals lineup with no protection. He is also a lefty that can reach the short porch in right…Also, they almost always remain healthy….Just a thought….

by dkraft3 on Jun 27, 2009 1:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I like that

I think Dejesus is a poor (extrememly poor) man’s Johnny Damon at the plate, in the OF he can actually throw a baseball (always wondered how the hell Johnny made it past little league with that arm).

Teahan and guys like Scott Hairston are the players Id like to see the Yanks go after. Pretty much can play anywhere on the diamond, tho both are better suited as OF they can fill in at nearly every IF position (don’t know Id put either at SS).

But Id rather go with Derosa if they make a trade. I mean even in the future the guy could be an everyday OF if needed there; he’s an everyday player cuz of his bat. If the Yankees trade for a bat, he should be the main target.

by FreeBradshaw on Jun 27, 2009 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

So what would be the cost

Everyone seems to forget that.

by HappyLuckyGoldenDragonNumber1! on Jun 27, 2009 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

true

I mean I don’t think the age thing is a big factor. None of these guys should be viewed as the Yanks starter for the next 10 years.

But the cost thing is what is probably the biggest. Derosa’s name is one you hear a lot about and I think he’d cost the most in terms of prospects.

But who even knows if Teahan is available? Dejesus too? I know the Royals have a bunch of minor leaguers waiting to get their shot, and Id think they would like to get a few of the Yanks pitching prospects.

But I guess this is why the deadling is 7/31. You still need some time to decide. Cuz as it looks right now, they don’t really need it.

I do think the Yanks eventually go get Derosa tho and I have no problem with that.

by FreeBradshaw on Jun 27, 2009 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Age Factor

I like DeRosa as well…The only problem I would have is that he is 34 years old, where as DeJesus is 30 and Teahen is 28….I think DeJesus and Teahens youth would be better off….The cost? who knows, but it’s the Royals and it wouldn’t hurt for Cash to give Dayton Moore a call to find out….

by dkraft3 on Jun 27, 2009 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dejesus

after looking at his numbers, and while Im pretty sure Dejesus is a better fielder or at least less prone to bonehead plays, the Yankees already have a Dejesus and his name is Melky Cabrera.

I mean these players are nice, but Id rather upgrade. Teahan too. He’ll just be a backup and Id rather not even trade a mid-level prospect for him.

Derosa is probably overvalued too, but Id rather have him out of these 3.

by FreeBradshaw on Jun 27, 2009 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don't forget

I think everyone is forgetting about Matsui. I know he’s like 80 years old or whatever, but the Yanks believe that hell be able to play the outfield again sometime in July. That would gove the Yankees 5 OFs for 4 spots. Having 6 OFs would be a bit ridiculous. Plus, it seems as if Girardi truly wants BG to be the everyday CF, so that leaves Swish and Melky in a RF platoon, and Hideki and Damon in a LF/DH platoon. I think that would work just fine for the rest of the season.

With those 5 guys and A-Jax waiting in the wings, a trade would be unnecessary.

by Joshv37 on Jun 27, 2009 2:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

^ 5 OFs for 3 spots. My bad ^

by Joshv37 on Jun 27, 2009 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

+DH, so it could be 4 when Posada is catching. Don’t be too hard on yourself.

by gimpsta7 on Jun 27, 2009 6:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

lets be real

catching the Red Sox this year will require Bay and Youkilis to get hurt :/

by Brian5517209 on Jun 27, 2009 5:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Not at all

It would require Bay and Youkilis to remain mortal and for our rotation to stabilize and hitting to knock those runs in. I still feel the Yankees have the most talent in every aspect except the bullpen, where the Sox shine. What the Sox have been the past 3 weeks that the Yankees have not been is consistent. That role could reverse at any time with a good month. But the Yankees cannot phone in games like they were against the Sox, Nationals and Marlins.

by HappyLuckyGoldenDragonNumber1! on Jun 27, 2009 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bourn and Pence

I live in Houston and the ‘stros are in love with them! It’s going to take a lot more than that to get one of them!

by fob22 on Jun 28, 2009 12:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

"lets be real catching the Red Sox this year will require Bay and Youkilis to get hurt :/"

LMAO! Talking crazy in June!

by fob22 on Jun 28, 2009 10:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

We're fine

our corner-outfielders are fine. Not every player needs to be an allstar, its about building a good lineup and team chemistry. Gardner is hitting 350 in june and steals bases so easily. He’s essential to a championship team.

Swisher is the man. He grinds out pitchers better than anyone except maybe texiera. I was at the game last night and in 3 at bats he went full counts all 3 times and got two walks. He’s making a starting pitcher throw 5-7 pitches every at bat and gets em out of the game early.

Let’s ride melky when he’s hot and when he’s not, he sits, its been working so far this year.

Damon is the definition of consistent.

We’re fine, the team is built to win if everyone executes consistently. That should be the focus, not bringing in another mercenary

by ryfry on Jun 29, 2009 9:48 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs