2012 Hot Stove/ Trade Rumors...

[Yankeesfan924]

What do the Yankees definitely NOT need?

#1) Outfielders. The Yankees starting OF is an All-Star in Granderson, a very good player in Swisher and a Hall of Famer in Ichiro. Backing them up is Andruw Jones (the best 4th outfielder in baseball) and Raul Ibanez, who would be the #4 hitter on a whole lot of teams.

#2) First base, second base, or shortstop. I think Teixeira, Cano, and Jeter have that covered.

#3) Much more than 1 bullpen arm. Robertson and Soriano are still perhaps the best end-game tandem in baseball.

That leaves the following holes:

Third base, catcher, starting pitching.

With Andy Pettitte hurt and Pineda out for the season, the Yankees still could use a starting pitcher. Sabathia, Kuroda and Nova are great to just good. Hughes can be servicable, but Freddy Garcia is not someone the Yankees want to take to the playoffs. A real #2 or better pitcher would drastically help this team's chances at securing a WS berth.

Additionally, even though ARod is pegged to return this year during the regular season, I think the Yankee offense will probably need some help anyway. A professional hitter that can play third base would be extremely valuable to the Yankees right now. Eric Chavez simply isn't that good.

At catcher, the Yankees have essentially a black hole. If any one spot can be fixed up via a trade for the long term, this would be the place. Russell Martin does not look like the type of guy the Yankees can depend on for the next 4 years.

A real #2 or better pitcher would come with a very high cost. I don't know if the Yankees would be willing to deal for a #2+ starter with CC, Kuroda, Nova and Hughes, with Pettitte coming back this year, Pineda next year, and some decent arms on the farm.

[flymick24]

This team needs a legit bat. Too many streaky hitters hitters/guys who can't hit.

You know it's bad when adding cervelli to the lineup would realistically improve it

[teknetic]

and Raul Ibanez, who would be the #4 hitter on a whole lot of teams.

Yea, I bet these mystery teams are salivating at the prospect of having a 40-year-old who can't hit lefties, is rocking a .297 OBP, and a 93 OPS+ as their cleanup hitter. Really now?

[dabomb2045]

What team would Ibanez hit 4th for? maybe a team that would lose 90-100 games and have an awful offense. People are acting like the guy's had a good year...he hasnt.

Ichiro? I'm hoping for a rejuvenation...but stop just looking at the name and look at his stats. .261 avg and .288 obp? Hell, the great Russell Martin has a higher OBP.

This lineup has huge issues without Alex there. Lets see how long Chavez lasts as an everyday player before he gets hurt, or at least sees his good part time numbers drop off.

[ArodEra]

Who knows...maybe a long funk would be a blessing in disguise. Maybe the GM is too blinded by the record and standing to see that this team has too many weak links in the lineup.

[flymick24]

Who knows...maybe a long funk would be a blessing in disguise. Maybe the GM is too blinded by the record and standing to see that this team has too many weak links in the lineup.

he'll stick to his guns if the prices are even moderately high... cashman has always been gunshy about trading away players that he really believes in (to a fault)... this is how you have a joba-for-haren deal being passed on

[dabomb2045]

he'll stick to his guns if the prices are even moderately high... cashman has always been gunshy about trading away players that he really believes in (to a fault)... this is how you have a joba-for-haren deal being passed on

Reminding me of this makes MY balls hurt

[YankeePride1967]

If we are presented with a deal that makes sense, fine, but even without Alex we have a lineup 95% of the league would drool over.

[Benefactor]

Who knows...maybe a long funk would be a blessing in disguise. Maybe the GM is too blinded by the record and standing to see that this team has too many weak links in the lineup.

No one player can fix this offense. I'm sure Cashman will find some hidden gems or spare parts on the waiver wire as opposed to trading away pieces of the farm system.

[southernNYYfan]

It's a shame his deal is for so long because the Brewers are selling and Aramis Ramirez would be a good replacement for A-Rod

[philleotardo]

this is how you have a joba-for-haren deal being passed on

Except it was Joba, Nova and one other.

[flymick24]

Except it was Joba, Nova and one other.

It was Zach Mccallister, but that's neither here nor there... The point is that Cashman was balking at including Joba... He was the reported sticking point

[NYYankeesFan92]

Yea, I bet these mystery teams are salivating at the prospect of having a 40-year-old who can't hit lefties, is rocking a .297 OBP, and a 93 OPS+ as their cleanup hitter. Really now?

[Tifoso]

Raul Ibanez, who would be the #4 hitter on a whole lot of teams.

In high school

(sorry, didn't mean to pile on )

[yank4life2005]

Just get Ramirez and make Arod fulltime DH.

[coachtsurfing]

Just get Ramirez and make Arod fulltime DH.

rather have headley from arizona and move arod to fulltime dh.

[YankeePride1967]

Just get Ramirez and make Arod fulltime DH.

How long is Ramirez signed for? If past next year, forget about keeping both Cano and Granderson.

[NYYRocket]

We have enough that we stand over other teams. No reason to fill star for star. Like to see the farm grow or at least keep prospects for a more demanding trade down the road.

[DJ27]

rather have headley from arizona and move arod to fulltime dh.

This ^^^^^^^^.

[hellonewman]

If we are presented with a deal that makes sense, fine, but even without Alex we have a lineup 95% of the league would drool over.

They're 4th in the league in runs scored WITH Alex, so the drool quotient was probably more like 70%. What it is without Alex I can't tell you, but it has to be lower than 70%.

I agree with the larger point, though: No panic trades. It's too late to magically transform this good offense into the model of pure greatness some think it is. Get a good platoon stopgap like Wigginton cheap if possible and ride it out until A-Rod makes it back.

[coachtsurfing]

Everyone keeps saying don't make a panic move because arod is out, he'll be back in 6-8 weeks. And I agree to a certain degree. When he does come back, I think it will take some time to get back into the swing of things. And he hasn't come back as quickly from previous injuries. And he hasn't been known to exactly light it up in the playoffs. I don't think we should give up the farm for a replacement, but I am all for finding someone that would be decent and move his old expensive behind to dh when he does come back.

[hellonewman]

I am all for finding someone that would be decent and move his old expensive behind to dh when he does come back.

Any move that puts his "old expensive behind" permanently at DH will likely have to wait for this offseason, if even then.

[bomber999]

I just hope Cashman doesn't pass up an opportunity to obtain an impact player at 3B because he feels the need to justify ARod's contract by keeping him at 3B. Alex's contract is pornographically obscene, and whether or not he plays in the field or DH's, this will be the case until the day it expires. It is sunk cost. Additionally, his offensive stats are better by a significant degree when he DH's (SSS, yes, but not necessarily unmeaningful), and, last night's injury notwithstanding, he stands a better chance of maintaining life in his legs (and, in turn, bat) if he does not have to take the pounding of being a regular 3B at his age. We will need another strong bat in the lineup this year, since our catcher's spot is a black hole and Ibanez is rapidly approaching corpse-like status as well.

[dont_ya_know24]

ss jeter
cf grand
dh rod
2b cano
1b teix
rf swish
3b trade
c martin
rf ichiro

jones, chavez, nix, stewart/cervelli

cc kuroda pettitte nova hughes
sori rob joba logan phelps eppley rapada

if chase headley is that trade, yankees would win the world series.

[YankeePride1967]

ss jeter
cf grand
dh rod
2b cano
1b teix
rf swish
3b trade
c martin
rf ichiro

jones, chavez, nix, stewart/cervelli

cc kuroda pettitte nova hughes
sori rob joba logan phelps eppley rapada

if chase headley is that trade, yankees would win the world series.

And what do they do with Alex when he returns and the Padres are looking for high level TOP prospects in return. Who do the Yankees have that fit that criteria and what sense does it make when Alex is returning?