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Vidal Nuno/Brandon McCarthy Trade
The Yankees traded Vidal Nuno for Brandon McCarthy and the internet had plenty to say.
Really pumped to see the Yankees add that final missing piece: a 30 year old pitcher with a 5+ ERA. @YankeesWFAN
— Eleutharias Frome (@WallingfordDude) July 6, 2014
Don't worry, he's not the missing piece, he's just a piece. That's what I find great about this trade; by getting McCarthy for just Vidal Nuno, the Yankees didn't use any of their prospects and still have the pieces to make other moves. He instantly improves the team and that's all that matters.
I'm not entirely sure why the #Yankees would trade Nuno for a 31-year old, 3-10 5.01 ERA pitcher from the Diamondbacks.
— Paul (@_mochabear) July 6, 2014
Probably because Nuno was even worse. He has a 5.42 ERA and 5.15 FIP, which is not a real starting pitcher, while McCarthy at least has a 3.79 FIP.
the old yankees i knew would've copped d price at this time of year somehow. nowadays, we get guys like brandon mccarthy. are you kidding
— ryanfields (@rfd327) July 6, 2014
lol yeah no. Even with a package of Gary Sanchez, Luis Severino, Rob Refsnyder, and whoever else, the Rays could get a better deal elsewhere. If the Yankees didn't have the pieces to land Jeff Samardzija, they don't have the pieces to get Price and that's all there is to it.
#yankees rebuilding the wrong way. The old get older.
— Robb Pozarycki (@robbpoz) July 6, 2014
This is not a rebuild move, not even close. The Yankees aren't even out of contention, so why would they be rebuilding? Young does not always mean better, and this trade proves as the Yankees acquired a 31-year-old for a 26-year-old.
Who the hell is Vidal Nuno? #Scouting
— Jason Parks (@ProfessorParks) July 6, 2014
This is exactly why this trade is so great. Brandon McCarthy might not be having the best year right now, but he's still an improvement and there's still still hope:
NL scout: "[McCarthy]still has good stuff but it's not playing..but between him &Nuno it's not even close. McCarthy is a legitimate starter"
— Erik Boland (@eboland11) July 6, 2014
I mean, not many people understood the deal from the Diamondbacks' position:
Unless Vidal Nuno means "grit and hustle" in another language, I don't love this trade for Arizona.
— Chris Crawford (@CrawfordChrisV) July 6, 2014
Brandon McCarthy for Vidal Nuno! Lmao Tony LaRussa isn't baby sitting Kevin Towers apparently
— Stan Croussett (@Crewsett) July 6, 2014
Yankees easily win this trade.
Brian Cashman speaks out about his acquisition:
Cashman: "(David) Huff was better than we had and McCarthy was better than what we had, so we improve when we can."
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) July 6, 2014
Cashman on what #Yankees like about McCarthy: "Quality stuff. Pounds the strike zone. Lots of ground balls, which helps at our Stadium."
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) July 6, 2014
While McCarthy might give up his fair share of home runs, he's much more of a ground ball pitcher (55.3%) than Nuno has been (37.9%). Sure, the Yankees infield is terrible, but a ground ball single is better than the batting practice Nuno has been dishing out.
Alfonso Soriano DFA
In other Yankees news, Alfonso Soriano was designated for assignment only hours after the trade was announced. While it definitely needed to happen, I can't help but feel bad for Sori because this could really be it for him.
Soriano said to @ESPNDeportes he hasn't decided what he will do, will take a week to think about it with his family; retirement is an option
— Marly~ESPN Deportes (@MarlyRiveraESPN) July 6, 2014
Soriano: "Now I will have the opportunity to decide what I want to do next, and the team can find someone to do the job I was unable to do"
— Marly~ESPN Deportes (@MarlyRiveraESPN) July 6, 2014
Soriano:"This was to be expected. I talked to my lawyer about what I was going through, how I was being used, and I didn't feel comfortable"
— Marly~ESPN Deportes (@MarlyRiveraESPN) July 6, 2014
I mean, sure, it did sound like he was unhappy with some things, but if he hit better we wouldn't be here now. He's likely seeing the end and maybe he speaks his mind a little more. I can't be annoyed by him or mad at him anymore, mostly because of this:
Alfonso Soriano: "This was to be expected and it is a decision that favors both me and the team" pic.twitter.com/3JddjhXCHe
— Marly~ESPN Deportes (@MarlyRiveraESPN) July 6, 2014
Cashman on the other hand, is cold and heartless. HEARTLESS.
Cashman on Soriano: "He was struggling on offense, even against lefties recently, and struggling on defense. It had been a half season."
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) July 6, 2014
Cashman said understood Soriano probably needed full-time ABs if he was going to get better, but #Yankees couldn't afford to give to him
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) July 6, 2014
Even though everything he says is true.
At the end of the day, no matter how you feel about Brandon McCarthy or Alfonso Soriano or even Vidal Nuno, all that matters is that the Yankees are better.
Nuno is gone, Soriano is gone, Yankees are winning and chased a pitcher after two innings. Sun is a little brighter today.
— Pinstripe Alley (@pinstripealley) July 6, 2014