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The Yankees made their move to acquire a shortstop when they traded Shane Greene in a three-way deal with the Tigers and Diamondbacks to get Didi Gregorius. At this point it's tough to see a clear winner in the deal; Greene showed a lot of promise, but could also be at his highest value, while Gregorius is well-liked for his defense, but doesn't have much of a bat. Time will tell who wins this deal, but that won't stop people from bringing their hot takes to Twitter.
If Gregorius deal happens, have to like it a bit from #Yankees perspective. A No. 4/5 starter for a starting SS.
— Brendan Kuty (@BrendanKutyNJ) December 5, 2014
He's solid, chance to be an average player. Well worth the reported price for the Yankees RT @MikeBeanX do you like gregorius?
— Ben Badler (@BenBadler) December 5, 2014
A starting shortstop is definitely well worth a backend starter, especially when there is Jon Lester, Brandon McCarthy, and Max Scherzer available to help fill the rotation.
Greene is a decent enough pitcher, but his minor league numbers suggest his big league stuff from 2014 was more than is reasonable to expect
— Craig Calcaterra (@craigcalcaterra) December 5, 2014
It's hard to see a young homegrown player leave, but this could very well be the best Greene will ever get in his major league career. Given the team's needs, this was a move that had to get done.
I'm ok with Gregorius not hitting a ton so long as he's a better than solid defensive whiz.
— Jason Rosenberg (@Jason_IIATMS) December 5, 2014
He's not much of a hitter, but he does have a good reputation for his work in the field. If he can be a plus-defender for the Yankees, this could be a win for a team that has dealt with Derek Jeter's declining defense for years.
In the last nine months, NYY turned Solarte (MiLB FA), Nuno (indy ball signing) and Greene (15th rd pk) into Headley, McCarthy, Didi.
— Mike Axisa (@mikeaxisa) December 5, 2014
If you don't think Brian Cashman has been doing a good job for the Yankees, keep in mind what he's managed to take off the scrapheap and turn into legitimate talent. Greene might be the best of those three, but he also wasn't very highly regarded until recently. He might not end up being much for the Tigers.
Didi is an upper-echelon defensive SS. His bat leaves a lot to be desired, though. I don't "love" the move
— Matt Kardos ⚾ (@mattkardos) December 5, 2014
This might be where I am right now with the trade. I don't hate it or love it, I recognize it as something that needed to happen. Maybe I'll love it later or maybe we'll all end up hating it, but as of right now it makes sense.
2014 WAR Didi Gregorius: 1.1 Derek Jeter: 0.2 The Yankees just got five times better at shortstop.
— Jesse Spector (@jessespector) December 5, 2014
Any trade for a shortstop, especially a young one, is going to get hit with a ton of Jeter comparisons, but as PSA commenter Long Time Listener says, "1999 Derek Jeter isn't walking through that door." Overall, the offense isn't going to be there, but the defense will be better. Gregorius should be a big upgrade over 2014 Derek Jeter, which won't be that hard, but still:
It'll be fun when some Yanks fans see Gregorious produce better offensive numbers than '14 Jeter and way better D and get on his ass anyway.
— Craig Calcaterra (@craigcalcaterra) December 5, 2014
Which is to say: I like this deal for the Yankees, but fear all of the "he's no Jeter" crap that'll eventually come Didi's way.
— Craig Calcaterra (@craigcalcaterra) December 5, 2014
Pray for Didi because it's going to be brutal for him if he struggles. What are your reactions?