Yankees looking at Hidalgo

[RIYankeeFan]

http://www.newsday.com/sports/printe...y-sports-print

Desperate for outfield help, the Yankees have been talking with free agent Richard Hidalgo and plan to work him out shortly at their Tampa complex. "Richard is definitely intrigued," Chris Leibel, one of Hidalgo's representatives, said Friday.

Hidalgo, 30, signed a minor-league deal with the Orioles on Feb. 26 but spent just four days in camp before leaving to tend to his ill wife. He never returned, realizing that his chances of playing every day were not good, and was released March 7.


Once regarded as a future star, former Met Hidalgo played in 88 games for the Rangers last season, hitting .221 with 16 homers and 43 RBIs. If the Yankees like what they see at the workout, they will sign Hidalgo to a minor-league contract and give him at-bats at Triple-A Columbus.

[ManilaYankee]

Oh no... How about KT again?

[Kluivert4Ever]

Good move.

[Kluivert4Ever]

Oh no... How about KT again?

KT would be my first choice, but I rather have Hidalgo than Reese.

[tdel23]

KT would be my first choice, but I rather have Hidalgo than Reese.

doesn't Thompson have a hamstring problem now? I thought that is why he wasn't called up.

[noneckwilliams]

I have no problem with them trying various FA's.

I do not want to trade for an OFer and I don't think Cash will.

[Kluivert4Ever]

So who will be this year´s "Small" but for the outfield?

[Kluivert4Ever]

doesn't Thompson have a hamstring problem now? I thought that is why he wasn't called up.

I haven´t heard anything about that but right now I would be surprised to hear that a Yankee player is NOT injured.

[RIYankeeFan]

How good is he in the field? Better than Sheffield? I remember he put up good numbers a few years ago, but then hit all sorts of slumps after. He can probably platoon in RF/LF and bat DH if needed. He may not be the best option, but I'll take what we can get.

[tdel23]

I haven´t heard anything about that but right now I would be surprised to hear that a Yankee player is NOT injured.

very weird I can't find it on the online edition but it today's daily news that had a little blurb about it..."The Yanks purchased the contract of 28 year old Mitch Jones from Columbus because Clippers outfielder Kevin Thompson also currently is nursing a hamstring injury".

[cptcarl]

How good is he in the field? Better than Sheffield? I remember he put up good numbers a few years ago, but then hit all sorts of slumps after. He can probably platoon in RF/LF and bat DH if needed. He may not be the best option, but I'll take what we can get.

Dustin Mohr is probably going to be DFA'd soon (when Crisp returns), and he's much better than this year's numbers (in very limited playing time) would suggest.

[cmaff05]

Looking at his stats, other than his underwhelming BA, he hit a ton of homeruns in a limited amount of time..even with this crippled lineup, but him in the lineup and he'll drive in some RBIs hopefully..

The only thing that concerns me is that he has stated before that he doesn't want to be a fourth outfielder...when Sheff comes back he probably will be unless the Yanks push Melky to the bench...which they better not.

[apalradio]

Great. Now we're trying to cobble together a championship caliber team from the scrap heap. Until we can fill these holes from our own farm system, we are going to be in trouble. That will take a few years to accomplish, assuming that the organizational philosophy would ever change to allow for it, which is not something I'm putting my money on.

[buntsalot2]

geez... next will be Danny Tartabull? Bam Bam? Paris Hilton? Mattingly?

[ericns1]

I think there is now a move to try and rebuild the fram system as Cash seems in charge for now - don't forget the Boss is ceding move authority to Swindal as he gets older and Swindal is more of a hands off guy

[destiNY]

Great. Now we're trying to cobble together a championship caliber team from the scrap heap. Until we can fill these holes from our own farm system, we are going to be in trouble. That will take a few years to accomplish, assuming that the organizational philosophy would ever change to allow for it, which is not something I'm putting my money on.

What would you rather them do? Trade our best prospects for over-paid OFers? Seriously this is the route we need to go:

DL:
Pavano
Matsui
Sheffield
Crosby

Clearly banged up:
Posada
Damon
Bernie
Kevin Thompson
Farnsworth

Hildago is only 30 (I was really surprised by that), and I liked the Terrance long signing. This team is in injury shambles and we will be lucky to be in 2nd place by the all star break unless we start taking chances on cheap players.

I really don't want to have to trade duncan, hughes, clippard or anyone else for soriano, hunter/stewart, or Abreu, and that is our only option if we don't take chances on guys like Hildago and Long.

[destiNY]

Looking at his stats, other than his underwhelming BA, he hit a ton of homeruns in a limited amount of time..even with this crippled lineup, but him in the lineup and he'll drive in some RBIs hopefully..

The only thing that concerns me is that he has stated before that he doesn't want to be a fourth outfielder...when Sheff comes back he probably will be unless the Yanks push Melky to the bench...which they better not.

Honestly, I don't know how healthy damon is. After Sheff DH's for a few games I think we'll continue to see Damon DHing Melky getting some time in center b/c Damon is really hurting out there with his foot.

[JeffWeaverFan]

The guy hasn't been able to hit in the last couple of years but maybe we can catch lightning in a bottle. The one thing is that he plays fantastic defense.

[hardrain]

this is all so depressing... is it too early to drink?

[destiNY]

this is all so depressing... is it too early to drink?

Never!

I marvel in a year when this team is not devastated by injuries. It really makes me look back to 2003 and think how we really should have won it all. So frustrating.

[apalradio]

What would you rather them do? Trade our best prospects for over-paid OFers?

No, as my post indicates, that is exactly the opposite of what I'd like them to do. The reason we're even scouring the scrap heap now is because we've done all that damage to the farm system already. It's a problem, and there's no easy or fast way out.

[ojo]

is it football season yet?

[Spiker101]

I wanted Hidalgo in the off-season, so obviously this is good news for me, if it comes to pass. At worst, he's the perfect replacement for Bubba: can play all three outfield positions with slightly above average range and a well above average arm. And he's capable of putting up MVP offensive numbers, though it's been a long time since he's done that. Still, at age 30, he's got some potential.When, or I should say, if Sheffield comes back he'll allow Gary to DH until he's completely ready.

[Steph19]

Really good move, much better then Terrence Long. I really hope Hidalgo makes it. He's got some power, plays good defense in rightfield and supposedly has a cannon of an arm. (I think the Fielding Bible says its better then Ichiro, not sure if that's true or not, I haven't seen many of Hidalgo's throws.)

[yanksconstantino24]

Obviously, I haven't seen Hidalgo play everyday, but from what I've heard about him, he's got all the tools but is a very streaky hitter.

I think he's worth a shot. Even after Sheffield returns, this team could still use someone to DH. If Hidalgo hits well enough, he could DH, or possibly even Sheffield if he is okay with DHing.