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Sound Off: What To Buy
The Yankees-oriented blogs have been bandying about the “should the Yankees be sellers or buyers” debate for the last few days, ever since the team seemingly passed on C.C. Sabathia due to the precarious nature of the 2008 Yankees season. I believe that this is a silly notion that has no basis in fact. The Yankees are three games behind Boston in the loss column with half a season to play, meaning that the team has a legitimate chance to make the postseason. That is an amazing statement, particularly when one considers the incredible amount of things that went poorly in the first half. Most importantly, the Yankees are not going to become sellers when they have sold over 4 million tickets for the final season at Yankees Stadium. With this in mind, the question then becomes whether the team should stand pat or should attempt to make some sort of acquisition to bolster the current roster. I believe that if they are going to attempt to make the playoffs this season, they need to be buyers. This finally leads me to my question for you. What should Brian Cashman be buying? What should be at the top of his list? I personally believe the team should attempt to bring in some offense, both in the starting lineup and on the bench. They have injuries in the outfield and should be looking to bolster that portion of team. What do you think? Is pitching a more pressing need, or would you look for offense as well?
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15 Responses to “Sound Off: What To Buy”
July 8th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
We could use a rent-a-starter if he’s relatively cheap (Freddy Garcia, Greg Maddux, Tim Redding) and a young corner outfielder with a good arm going forward if that guy is out there (for depth this year and to replace Abreu next year). Chris Duncan seems blocked in the Cards outfield. He might be available.
July 8th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
To buy means to burn prospects…I would say this should be considered if the situation were such that one key player makes the team a WS contender…
Do you think this is the case? I sure do not….
Add a Rich Harden…what do you do to solve the station to station offense that is rendered ineffective by anything approaching top notch pitching?
An offensive team that is not able to hit behind runners, sacrifice, steal a base, execute a hit and run, or take an extra base on a hit?
How about a defense that has virtually no range in the field and on any given day fields three position players that on any other AL Team would have to be DH’ed?
Add a Matt Holliday…what do you do about a pitching staff that is basically two starters, an ace and a quality starter, away from being competitive in a playoff series? I think Chamberlain can become that Ace, but will it be this year? If Wang can come back 100% and Chamberlain develops into the role than perhaps the offensive piece gets the Yankees in the Playoffs…but I do not see a WS Championship in any case.
Again I remain the staunches of fans and I look forward to 2009 and beyond but for another “run” to occur some pain is necessary and a step back in 2008 may provide the impetus for huge rewards down the road.
July 8th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
i think aaron harang from the reds would be a great fit. he would add a lot of depth in the starting rotation once wang returns.
July 8th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
Jose is right on the mark. We are not a piece or two away from being a contender. No way we should be buyers unless it’s a Betemit type of trade. The relievers such as Fuentes, Mahay, Marte (aka the usual suspects) will all go for more than we would want to give up I think. Let’s play this half season out as best we can and see if we can make a run as is but I think next year is where we still start seeing some changes/improvements once a lot of the payroll comes off the books and Cashman has some some more flexibility and a better idea of what he has in the farm.
July 8th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Some hitting/speed offensively is what to be looking for. Bullpen is shaping up, and the rotation will improve. But the offensive side of the ball is where you might be able to add some youth to.
July 8th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
I personally think the pendulum has swung too far towards hanging on to all your prospects. I read these blogs about how great a player is going to be? The reality is that more of these players either completely flop or are nothing more than role players in the majors versus becoming impact type players. I personally think the Yankees are not that far away. I would go get an innings eating middle of the rotation type, a lefty reliever, and if Matsui is going to be out for more than another week we should seriously consider signing Bonds for the rest of the year. I hate the guy too but he still gets on base, hits HR’s (which we have lacked), and is usually good in the clutch (where we have struggled). We have both speed and power issues and we most likely won’t solve both. Power seems the cheapest and easiest area to address and we can still hang on to some prospects. Also, I want to keep the financial flexibility we have coming and trading for a name position player will disrupt that.
July 8th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
Save the bullets for the offseason. If I were the Yankee GM i’d look to dramatically improve the pitching and defense in ‘09. Throw big money, shorter years at CC. (5yr/130). In additon to CC I’d also take a gamble on AJ Burnet or (gulp) Oliver Perez. Each guy has baggage, but can flat out dominate when everything is working for them. Putting either at the back of the rotation would take the pressure off. I’d move Jeter to first, and target Rafeal Furcal on a one year deal to play SS (if healthy). I’d say bye to Abreau, Giambi, Mussina and happily take the draft picks. I’d then dangle Phil Hughes as the major chip to find a young offensive player. (Matt Holliday?) Its a little extreme, but its the best I can think of to reload for year 1 in the new stadium.
July 8th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
I am a firm believer in buying opportunities…
The following are players that I believe will be available and due to various issues the acquisition may be made for less than real market value:
1) Rich Harden RH/SP Oakland: A walking DL assignment but a perennial Cy Young talent and still in his mid 20’s. If Oakland is selling and allowing for a discount based on health I am a buyer.
2) Rocco Baldelli OF Tampa: He has had injuries/illnesses that most MD’s are not familiar with, but again if healthy a 5 tool stud and still young enough to warrant taking a risk.
3) Zach Greinke RH/SP KC: The horse may be out of the barn on this one in that he is having a breakout season but after the 2007 season KC was shopping him. Another Cy Young talent and still only 24-25 years old. I do not know the KC situation as to paying players but Greinke is probably a year away from breaking the bank so KC may be listening.
4) Oliver Perez LH/SP NY Mets: A free Agent after the 2008 season and at 27 years old he has the physical tools to pitch at the top of a rotation…
5) Andre Eithier OF LAD: Good, young LH bat with plus defensive skills for RF. Yankee Stadiummay prove an ideal home for that swing.
6) Jonathan Sanchez LH/SP SF Giants- Incredible power arm from the left side. The Giants are looking for some offense. Not necessarily a fit with what the Yankees can offer but he has been rumored available.
There are others but I am out of time…
July 8th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
I’m not really looking for rotation help unless it’s a rental for this year. Our rotation for next year is pretty much set: 1) Sabathia 2) Joba 3) Wang 4) Pettite 5) One of the following possibilities: Mussina/Kennedy/Hughes/McCutchen/Aceves/Horne
so, personally, I’d shy away from Burnett/Harden/Perez/Sanchez/Harang, etc. Ethier is an interesting guy but the Dodgers, like the Giants, need offense not pitching (13th in NL in runs), so it doesn’t make sense they’d give him up. Baldelli makes sense as a flyer, though Tampa has a club option.
Jeter’s not changing positions
Holliday would be prohibitively expensive. What are you prepared to give up (plus they’re still in the race).
Can Bonds still play OF (we have too many DHs as it is)?
Adam Dunn is a possibility - F.A. next year - might not be too expensive.
July 8th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
What about Xavier Nady?
He wouldn’t cost as much as others, and plays both RF and 1B. He’s a righty bat who’s actually hitting.
Yankees have a surplus of right-handed relievers, and could probably trade a couple for Nady. Also, he still has another year, and could be the guy to replace Abreu, while backing Teixeira.
Next year, I say the team reaps the rewards of free agency. Let Mussina, Farnsworth, Abreu, Giambi go for draft picks. Sign Sabathia and Teixeira and Marte(?).
Some Japanese lefty relievers will also be free agents according to MLB4U and they did better in Japan than Okajima, so why not see if one of them can the lefty out of the ‘pen. But maybe this comment is for after the Yankees win the 2008 World Series.
July 8th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
Teixera might be available, we need a lefty bullpen arm, Fuentes, Marte, Mahay, blehh…. Bonds? Don’t forget a pitcher… hey would you send Hughes, Brackman, Kennedy, Ohlendorf, Horne, Melky, and Tabata to the Marlins for King Felix and Ichiro? Would that even work? They can have everyone for those two…
July 8th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
First off, it’s the Mariners. And interestingly, after first thinking that proposal was whack, it does make a little sense. But Cashman wouldn’t do that, and neither would the Mariners.
July 8th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
Nady’s an interesting possibility. He’s having a huge year, and he’s under club control next year, so suitors may have to overpay but he’s a nice versatile guy who’s still fairly young (29). He has a history of nagging injuries, though, and is a low OBP guy
July 8th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
I wonder if they’ll take Betemit. He must still have some value. If you pair him with a guy like Ohlendorf and some other prospect, it should work out.
July 9th, 2008 at 12:09 am
Let’s buy a GM with a brain. Then we get some pitching. Killing me
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