With
the July 31st trade deadline a few weeks away some players names have
been circulating as possible trade bait so I thought I would take a
little time to talk about them and give my opinion as to how they
would or would not fit on the Yankees.
In
my opinion, I don't think the Yankees GM Brain Cashman will do
much if anything come this trade deadline just like he didn't do
anything last season. I think the offense is fine so there's no
need for a bat. Cashman might consider a deal for a pitcher just in
case of an injury. Andy Pettitte is due to come off the disabled list
August 28th but you don't know how he's going to be when he returns.
So if Cashman can get a decent low cost low risk deal done for a
pitcher I say do it.
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| Brian Cashman - NY Yankees |
Two
players from the Chicago Cubs that have been mentioned in trade
rumors are pitchers Ryan Dempster and Matt Garza. Should the
Yankees make a trade for Dempster ? I say no and here's why.
This season Dempster has started 13 games and has a record of 4-3
with ERA of 1.99. In 86 innings he has 70 strikeouts, he's walked 22
and has a WHIP of 1.012. This is Dempster's 15th season in the
Major Leagues and his career record is 116-199 with an ERA of
3.74. He's pitched for three teams. The Reds, Marlins and Cubs.
Not what you would call the pressure packed, over analytical media
capital of the baseball world like New York. I know his
win-loss record isn't good but he has pitched on some pretty bad
teams throughout his career. Although his ERA is fine you have to
keep in mind that he's only pitched in the National League. If he
came to the American League you have to figure his ERA would go up.
He's making $ 13 million dollars a year. Way to much money for a 35
year old. He also has a no trade clause in his contract. Do I think
he would wave the no trade clause to come to New York ? Let's see $
13 million a year with no pressure or New York where they analyze
every pitch ? He won't do it, neither should Cashman and the Yankees.
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| Matt Garza |
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| Ryan Dempster |
The
Yankees have shown some interest in Matt Garza. He is in his 7th
season and has a career record of 56-61 with an ERA of 3.88.
This season with the Cubs he's 4-7 with 4.32 ERA. Once again he's
been pitching for a poor team this season and last when he
joined the Cubs. He pitched for the American League East Tampa
Rays from 2008 through 2010. I still don't know why the
Rays traded him. In 2008 he was 11-9 with a 3.70 ERA. In
2009 8-12 with 3.95 and in 2010 15-10 with a 3.91 ERA. Over his
career he's averaged 208 innings pitched. So why did they trade him ?
Did they Rays have to many young pitchers with David Price, James
Shields and Jeremy Hellickson ? Garza is 28 years old he's making $
9.5 million dollars and has one year left on his current contract. He
is arbitration eligible in 2013. I think Garza has the
experience and guts to pitch in the AL East. I don't know the man but
I think he would love to be put back in a competitive atmosphere and
stick it to the Rays !! Everybody holds the Yankees for ransom when
it comes to making trades so maybe Cashman can make a deal where he
doesn't have to give up much more than a couple of prospects. He
could help both this season and next. I say if it doesn't cost
much do it !!
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| Cole Hamels |
Now
here's a name that Yankee fans might get excited about. Fans who hate
the Yankees will say here we go again " the rich get richer."
Cole Hamels. This season Hamels is 10-4 with 3.20 ERA. In 2008 with
the Phillies he won the World Series and was also named the MVP
of the NLCS and World Series. He's a very good pitcher and he's
left handed. His name has surfaced around in rumors. Is he really
available ? Are the last place Phillies sellers this season ? Are
they telling their fan base we give up now and our in the future. Who
knows but what ever the case I don't see it happening. The Phillies
would want too much from the Yankees. Knowing them they'd probably
ask for Robinson Cano and we know that is never going to happen. Plus
he's a free agent at the end of the season. He's making $ 15 million
right now. Regardless of how he finishes this season he
will get a boat load of money on the open market. The story
around New York is Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner is tired of paying
the luxury tax and wants to lower the payroll starting next season.
At the end of this season the Yankees have some key free agents to
consider singing. Robinson Cano, Curtis Granderson, Nick Swisher, and
Mariano Rivera. So as tempting as it may sound to get Cole Hamels I
say the Yankees have some cash to lay out so they shouldn't
and probably won't go for Hamels.
Okay
here's my sleeper pick. A player that I think the Yankees as
well as some other teams might consider making a deal
for. Minnesota Twins pitcher Fransisco Liriano. The 28 year
old left hander is in his 7th season and his career record is
50-50 with an ERA of 4.28. This season he's 3-8 with an ERA of 4.93.
He has a WHIP of 1.412. In November of 2006 he under went Tommy John
Surgery and missed the entire 2007 season. Look, I know what your
thinking. Liriano ? That's crazy his numbers aren't any good.
Well neither are the Twins. Maybe a change of scenery will do him
good. He's been healthy since the surgery and over the past
three seasons he's pitched an averaged 153 innings. I say
the Yankees should make deal for him for a few reasons. He's
only making $ 5.5 million dollars, he's left-handed which will
be a plus at Yankee Stadium, it probably will cost the Yankees only a
couple of low level prospect to get him and when he's a free
agent at the end of the season they can offer him a low cost
deal to for him to try and make the team as a back end of
the rotation starter next season. So why not ? Maybe they can
catch lightning in a bottle !
Well
that's it for now. I'll keep my eyes and ears open as well as my
having investigation team out digging for possible deals. If
the Yankees make a deal I'll give you my opinion and see if it was
worth it. Until then Go Yankees !!
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