MVN - a New York Yankees blog
The Bronx Block
Yankees close to deal with Mark Loretta
Just heard this from Buster Olney on Mike & Mike. It either means that they want an upgrade over Wilson Betemit in the middle infield…. or that they’re considering dealing Robbie. Yeah, I dont want to think about that either.
Loretta would add a decent right-handed bat off the bench. Betemit would be our backup corner infielder. Suddenly first base looks pretty crowded.
This move is making me very VERY uneasy. To say that I have a sense of impending doom might be a little much, but why are they signing an old guy who isn’t a starter unless they plan on trading away youth and need a filler? God dammit, Hank. Stop already.
This entry was posted
on Friday, November 30th, 2007 at 7:06 am and is filed under Wilson Betemit.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
THE AUTHOR
RECENT ARTICLES BY DIVISION RIVALS
ARCHIVE
SPONSORS
Online Seats
New York Yankees schedule New York Mets Tickets
Ticket Specialists
Yankees Tickets New York Baseball Tickets
Coast to Coast Tickets
New York Yankees Baseball Tickets MLB Baseball Game Tickets New York Event Tickets New York Jets Football Tickets New York Giants Football Tickets
Ticket Specialists
Tickets4U
New York Yankees Tickets World Series Tickets Red Sox Tickets
Great Seats
New York Yankees Tickets Tickets to the Mets New York Giants Tickets MLB Baseball Events Tickets - New York Jets
30 Responses to “Yankees close to deal with Mark Loretta”
November 30th, 2007 at 7:45 am
Oh for the love of god don’t trade cano. Hank and Gene need to shut up and let cashman go to work. He is smarter then everyone. Just let him do his thing. Save joba, hughes, cano, tabata and ajax. So basically screw santana, I’ll take my chances with are big 3.
November 30th, 2007 at 8:18 am
Trevor, agree 100%!!
Maybe Loretta is going to be an option at 1B?
November 30th, 2007 at 8:28 am
or maybe they’re going to trade Betemit.
November 30th, 2007 at 8:44 am
I really like Loretta as a player. I think he could be a real nice option at first. However, if they are gonna trade Cano and put him at second I will flip out. He can’t play 2nd full time any more, and Cano is a budding star. Just the thought of giving up Cano has me all pissed off….
November 30th, 2007 at 8:46 am
What is the point of this deal ? For me it makes no sense, unless they are looking for a utility infielder upgrade, that can sub at 2nd , SS and possibly 1st. Whats with Phillips Duncan and Betemit? Cashman shaking it out. One of them is leaving. This has nothing to do with Cano!
November 30th, 2007 at 9:07 am
Theory: The Yankees see a Betemit/Duncan platoon as their best option at 1st base. They need a backup infielder.
November 30th, 2007 at 9:19 am
EJ,
If Duncan starts the day at 1B, Betemit would be the backup infielder.
If Betemit starts the day at 1B, Duncan could replace him at first and Betemit would shift over to replace whichever infielder left the game.
If there’s an injury, Alberto Gonzales is on the 40-man roster.
I don’t see a role for Loretta with the current Yankee roster. I see that as meaning changes are coming.
November 30th, 2007 at 9:21 am
Ibelieve it is easier to get a 2nd basemen than a # 1 starter(Santana) and if cano has to be traded its a good move on the part of the yankees. Cano has bad habits and I really don’t think he will overcome them and I believe he has to move out of nyc.
November 30th, 2007 at 9:41 am
…. and you’re basing that on what, Mario?
Also, one thing I hadn’t thought of…. maybe Duncan’s shoulder surgery was more serious than they let on.
*shrug*
November 30th, 2007 at 9:47 am
Mario, Cano’s going to be in contention for batting titles the next 15 years. The guy is Rod Carew with pop.
November 30th, 2007 at 10:01 am
I agree. Cano is going hit between 25-35 homers a year too. I have no doubt in my mind. Trading him is just dumb.
November 30th, 2007 at 10:04 am
If they trade Betemit then why pick up loretta? We need a lefty for the 1B platoon.
November 30th, 2007 at 10:17 am
No way on Cano. It would be insane to trade him!
November 30th, 2007 at 10:54 am
I doubt that the Yanks would be foolish enough to trade Cano (along with top prospects) for Santana. I agree with others here that he will be a big time hitter for the next ten years. Definitely going to average in the 325 BA range with 25-30 HR and 90-100 RBI.
November 30th, 2007 at 11:19 am
Cano is a stud…no doubt. But Santana is sick…bottom line we have too many bats, which obviously isn’t working…we need the shut down pitcher.
November 30th, 2007 at 11:29 am
Jameson, it’s not just offense…Cano is a gold glove calibur defender & is one of the best at turning the double play. Plus he can hit for power AND average.
As for Loretta, I recall the Yankees really wanting him lastyear…I think they just really like the guy…
November 30th, 2007 at 12:33 pm
Please don’t trade the future. Our starting pitching will be fine without Johan. I think Boston and the Yanks are playing with the Twins because they don’t want Santana to be traded, this way they can go after him next year when he is a free agent and don’t have to give up anything for him.
WE NEED MIDDLE RELIEF - we will need joba to start and we have no one to get it to Mo and he can’t pitch more than an inning a game this year.
November 30th, 2007 at 12:58 pm
Has it crossed anyone’s mind that Betemit was highly sought after by other teams prior to the Yankees acquiring him as “insurance” for the potential loss of A-Rod? Cashman traded a reliever for him… maybe he’ll get the same back in return? I’m not sure, but I think the Twins have been in the market for an affordable guy to play 3B. Also, Giambi isn’t going anywhere and Cashman has already said he expects the Giambino to play some First Base this year. And one last thing, the Twins need a DH… maybe Duncan goes to the Twins in the deal, if Loretta signs? I REALLY like Duncan, but it’s not like he couldn’t be replaced… he barely played after his Kevin Maas-like start to the season.
November 30th, 2007 at 1:06 pm
My thought on the deal… Kennedy, Cabrera, Betemit and atleast one other pitcher (Karstens, DeSalvo, Horne or Marquez) will be the deal that lands Santana in Pinstripes. If only one minor league pitcher, it will be Horne. Otherwise, you may see the Twins ask for both DeSalvo and Karstens as they are closer to being ready for the Majors (albeit with less potential).
November 30th, 2007 at 1:07 pm
Jim, don’t forget that utility players need to provide more than offense: Loretta has a pretty decent glove, something none of the backup Yankee infielders can really boast.
I can certainly imagine a Betemit/Duncan platoon at 1st, with Loretta as your back-up infielder/defensive replacement. Loretta could also potentially play a clean SS, giving Jeter some days off.
November 30th, 2007 at 1:31 pm
Phoenix, we have Gonzales to fill that role if need be. He’s already on the 40-man. Why would we need Loretta?
The problem with having another backup infielder is that we’ll have a platoon at first. With 1/2 of that platoon being a utility infielder, having a second one on the bench isn’t a luxury that the roster limit will allow.
November 30th, 2007 at 2:38 pm
please don’t trade cano….
November 30th, 2007 at 3:51 pm
Maybe they are really going to up the ante.
Hughes AND Cano + other pieces, for Santana AND Nathan.
Loretta could be a stop-gap while they search out a good young 2b.
November 30th, 2007 at 5:04 pm
no , the yankees have stated multiple times that cano is untouchable . this might mean betemit is getting shipped somewhere .
November 30th, 2007 at 5:35 pm
from ricky neal i love this deal the yankess are making for mark lorett
November 30th, 2007 at 6:50 pm
The only thing worse than losing Hughes or Cano in a trade would be losing both. Why pay for past accomplishments? That’s what we’d be doing if we trade either Hughes or Cano for Santana/Nathan. No other team has offered the Twins a talent on the level of Cano OR Hughes for Santana. Why are we bidding against ourselves? Keep the youth! Round out the roster with free agent signings, not by trading youth for veterans! I feel like I’m in an episode of the Twilight Zone, forced to watch as my team makes the same mistakes over…and over… while I sit helpless at a keyboard.
November 30th, 2007 at 7:33 pm
You’re not bidding against ourselves. Santana is in the prime of his his career and should have a great 5-10 years left.
November 30th, 2007 at 8:53 pm
From MLBtraderumors.com :
“John Harper and Bill Madden of the Daily New are reporting that the Yankees are including Phil Hughes in an offer for Santana. While I’m sure the Red Sox will be asked to up their offer, the Yankees package looks like the winner.”
November 30th, 2007 at 8:57 pm
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/2007/11/30/2007-11-30_yankees_decide_to_offer_phil_hughes_in_p-2.html
I’m getting the feeling that Cashman may quit cus Hank is basically taking over…
December 5th, 2007 at 12:18 am
I;m telling everyon now the yankess will Santana.
Leave a comment