This was the reason I didn't like the Marte/Nady deal

by Travis G on Sep 3, 2009 12:00 PM EDT in Analysis Comment 26 comments

It wasn't because I thought Damaso Marte and Xavier Nady wouldn't help the team (which they largely haven't), or that Jeff Karstens, Ross Ohlendorf or Dan McCutchen would turn into anything special. It was all about Jose Tabata.

He was among our top prospects and even among the top in baseball. In the midst of last year, he was playing poorly, no question about it. He wasn't hitting much (.248/.320/.310), was dogging it in the outfield, had some injuries, and even went AWOL one time. But everyone knew he had the talent and approach to be a great hitter, and the Yankees sold low on him.

The rest of that year, Tabata hit .348/.402/.562 with Double-A Altoona. And this year, between Double and Triple-A, the 20-year-old hit .307/.372/.422. The power that scouts expected would come seems to finally be appearing.

This wasn't like trading a 23-year-old with promise; Tabata was a teenager with immense promise who was already in Double-A, which in and of itself is impressive. Pittsburgh has even been playing him a bit in centerfield, which will increase his value. The Yankees were playing him exclusively in rightfield.

Tabata will play in the Arizona Fall League, where teams' top prospects often go. Don't be surprised if he gets promoted to Pittsburgh early next year.

Then if you really want to suffer, think about how much time Marte and Nady have missed. In more than a full season since the trade, they've played in a combined 102 games. Nady will be a free agent after the season while Marte was signed to a three-year, $12 million deal. Would anyone not rather have Tabata (and the three other pitchers)?

0 recs | Comment 26 comments | Share

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Yes and No.

Although the trade was made to help the team, it really didnt hurt us much. Xavier was an amazing pick up. He is a classy ball player, but you can judge him on the fact that he got hurt. If he was healthy in this line up, I am sure that he would hit well above his average and this article wouldnt have been written. Same with Marte. If he was healthy all year and was pitching in Burney’s spot, he would have a lower ERA and fewer losses than BB, so he would have looked better then too. But yes it doesnt look like the best trade ever.

by shawn p on Sep 3, 2009 12:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Nady was an 'amazing pick up'?

I’ve never heard anyone classify him that way.

by Travis G on Sep 3, 2009 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You can't win them all

And I think we’ll really have to wait and see about Tabata.

He did post similar numbers to Austin Jackson this year, in the same league, which is quite interesting considering he’s two years younger.

by 3460kuri on Sep 3, 2009 12:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

i've gotten a chance to see a lot of

Tabata over the past few months here in Indianapolis and he’s looked great. most importantly, he seems to have his head on his shoulders – something that hurt him in the Yankees system.

McCutchen did win 14 games with Indy this year before earning a call-up last week, but doesn’t have overpowering stuff and is a borderline-ML starter (in my humble opinion).

the good news is that however lopsided this trade is, it’s probably offset by the fact that Cashman turned Wilson Betemit into NIck Swisher.

by SBakerTheTouchdownMaker on Sep 3, 2009 1:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The real thing Travis misses in this article (and I don’t have any way to know about) is how Tabata was affected by the trade.
The Yankees were the only organization he’s known since he was- what- 16 years old?
His head wasn’t right in Trenton- who knows why. He needed a change of scenery, a different set of voices telling him to get his act together, a different set of voices reminding him how talented he is.

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

by jscape2000 on Sep 3, 2009 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

"His head wasn’t right in Trenton"

i mentioned this. and it doesn’t mean he should be given up on after half a season.

by Travis G on Sep 3, 2009 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pittsburgh stockpiles prospects, Washington signs college phenom. Selig needs to arrange for two other teams to take their spots as the jokes of baseball, and fast!

by SportsSandwich on Sep 3, 2009 1:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think the Mets have been auditioning for one of those spots this year.

by Wraithpk on Sep 3, 2009 6:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Trading Tabata to the Pirates...

…kind of like promoting him to a different AAA team. When he’s ready to be “called up”, the Yankees will (try to) swoop in with the big $$$. If he doesn’t pan out, it’s Pittsburgh’s problem.

by waw on Sep 3, 2009 1:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Tabata and the AAAA Pirates

If this kid shoes even a glimmer of real potential at the MLB level, he be dealt and most likely to the Yankees. I have no problem with what the Yankees did. Nady played well for the moment and probably would have done as well as Swisher (plus hit for a higher average) had he not gotten hurt. And Marte? He gives us depth. … I’m offering up a Three Rivers Cheer for our friends in yellow … Keep polishing our soon-to-be Yankees!

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

by Ronster22 on Sep 3, 2009 1:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Wouldn’t be suprised to see him back in pinstripes… I mean the pirates have yard sales every year.. mostly with their OF too

by Yankz09 on Sep 3, 2009 1:54 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

Jury still out on Tabata

So granted he’s young and doing decently in a small sample size at AAA, but his minor league equivalency rates don’t smile too kindly upon him.

Based on his showing at AAA so far this year, at the generic big league level, he would hit .250/.303/.367. His AA-to-Majors equivalencies are .236/.290/.308. Let’s see where he is in a few years before we start proclaiming that trade a loss. He’s got a long way to go.

River Ave. Blues

by Ben K on Sep 3, 2009 1:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

ok

i agree that it’s too early to call Tabata’s career, but perhaps if he had been held onto longer and began to hit well (which he did), the Yanks could’ve got a lot more in trade value for him. like i wrote, they sold low on him.

by Travis G on Sep 3, 2009 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

to quickly add

look at his BA/OBP from every level of his career:

GCL age 16 – .314/.382
A – .298/.377
Hi-A – .307.371
AA – .248/.320
AA (post trade) – .315/.380
AAA – .295/.355

which is the outlier?

by Travis G on Sep 3, 2009 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The deal made too much sense at the time

to not make. Tabatha hasn’t proven yet he can hit a major league pitch.

by BigSlim on Sep 3, 2009 2:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

when nady comes back......i think with the injury people forgot how good he is....and

Nobody will be thinking about tabata….I still think he’s gonna be good…and if he is we will get him down the line….

by NYYWinsRings26 on Sep 3, 2009 2:07 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

you're overrating Nady

his career OPS is below .800. he has 16 career SB. he’s an average to below RFer.

by Travis G on Sep 3, 2009 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Damn

This is a depressing article… Nice job, Travis.

by lennysyankees on Sep 3, 2009 2:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Good point, I hope we are done sending our top prospects for national league rentals. Wow can you imagine an OF of Garner, Tabata, and Jackson ? The pitchers Karstens, and Ohlendorf we sent are looking promising also. Very bad deal knowing Wang was out and we had a slim shot at making a run at a WS.

by JoeDom on Sep 3, 2009 7:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Nady is solid at best

AVG OBP SLG OPS

career numbers- 280 .335 .458 .792

He’s only hit over 20HR 1 time and has never hit 100 RBI

That being said last year was his best year and he could of really been coming into his own.

To bad for the injury I wonder if we will resign him ?

by JoeDom on Sep 3, 2009 7:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

what about ohlendorf?

Wasn’t he having a good season? I never thought we gave him enough of a shot. what would his record be with yanks if he has a winning record with pirates?

by jerseybillfromva on Sep 3, 2009 9:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Pirates the Yankee farm team LOL!

Well it’s not that funny.
Back in the 50’s and 60’s the Kansas City A’s were known as the Yankee farm team.

by Tricon11 on Sep 4, 2009 2:28 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Until....

he can prove he can major league pitching the Yankees got the best of the deal so far.

by pedro316 on Sep 4, 2009 10:22 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Damaso Marte looks reeally strong and could be a huge help....

I’m impressd with Damaso and I think he’s the replacement for Brueny who looks like kerosine the past few outings.

The Yankees have so many strong prospects I’m not at all concerned about losing Jose Tabata. After winning the world series this year the Yankees will go out and sign a top center fielder with the ability to hit 30 home runs and bat over 300. Melky and Gardner will back up Damon and Swisher/Xnady. Next year we’ll see 20 home runs from all 9 positions.

by Parachute Man on Sep 4, 2009 4:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs