A new approach? Officials hint on new team strategy

[Stealthspy]

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/ba...p-277539c.html

Cincinnati would love to unload Griffey's contract on the Yankees, just as Colorado would be thrilled to get rid of Wilson's. Ain't happening. "We're out of that business," the Yankee operative said...
...the Yankees would be foolish to sacrifice a top prospect such as switch-hitting Melky Cabrera. The 20-year Cabrera, who has made the fast track through the Yankee minor-league system and is off to a hot start at Triple-A Columbus, is by far their most enticing prospect now that they've made it clear Robinson Cano and Wang are absolutely unavailable. Cabrera will take walks and as one Yankee operative put it to me: "Why would we trade this guy when maybe he might turn out to be the guy we're looking for in center field — this year and beyond?"

Maybe we won't see the incredibly dense veteran moves in the future, and more of an emphasis on the farm. I like.

Apologies if this was already posted, I didn't see it anywhere.

[noneckwilliams]

Thanks for the article. Somewhat encouraging. I do think Burnett from the Marlins is someone they should look at more for the future than for this season. The AL NL thing is a factor but they can't let a few bad experiences bascically cut them off from looking at half the pitchers in baseball.

[jimmyclark]

Yup, I was afraid with Griffey Jr being healthy the Yankees would try for him. Let's hope this kid Melky Cabrera is a player and the team gives him the proper time and support. Of course 8 years ago people were saying Rueben Rivera was a better prospect than Derek Jeter...Enough of the broken down over 30 multiyear contract players...

[JollyH]

An unnamed Yankees source hyping a Yankees prospect through the roof and saying he's untouchable a month before the deadline.

How is this new?

They've done this with every prospect right before they've shipped them out.

If I were you I'd hold off buying that Melky Cabrera jersey...

[seamusk]

trading melky would be stupid. The source seems to speak truth here.

[Bob846]

Personally if they picked up Griffey's contract the prospect they should get in return should be a non prospect. Contract relief should be benefit enough for Cincinnati. Of course you do realize that if the Yanks did this, Griffey would probably go on the DL about 7 to 10 days after the deal.

[BronxByTheBay]

I'd love it if it were true, but it sounds to me like trade deadline hype by the organization.

One nice thing that has come from this: consider how our prospects are looked at and discussed now as opposed to this time last year.

[TheScooter]

Bill Madden and Stick Michael are thisclose

[NelsonMuntz]

HOORAY!

[brndnclaussen'sghost]

I know he's young and he definitely has tools and upside, but the fact is Melky hit .267/310/413 in AA this year. He wasn't ready for AA, clearly wasn't ready for AAA, and may or may not be anything real as a prospect.

I'd trade him for a proven player in a heartbeat, though not a proven player with a bad contract like Griffey. Let's wait a few weeks of AAA stats before we throw out his AA mediocrity.

[apalradio]

Originally Posted by BronxByTheBay

I'd love it if it were true, but it sounds to me like trade deadline hype by the organization.

One nice thing that has come from this: consider how our prospects are looked at and discussed now as opposed to this time last year.

The biggest difference this year is that have looked worse than any Yankee team over the past 10 or 12 years. Plus, they've looked bad in the postseason for the past 4. Plus, the major dissapointment the team has been this year comes on the heels of the horrific and embarrassing collapse in the ALCS last year. With all of that, I would trust that this is more than just the same trade deadline hype as usual.

[noneckwilliams]

Originally Posted by apalradio

The biggest difference this year is that have looked worse than any Yankee team over the past 10 or 12 years. Plus, they've looked bad in the postseason for the past 4. Plus, the major dissapointment the team has been this year comes on the heels of the horrific and embarrassing collapse in the ALCS last year. With all of that, I would trust that this is more than just the same trade deadline hype as usual.

Given that last season ended in absolutely the worst possible way and that this season has been a series of various and sundry humiliations (losing 6 of 8 to Tampa, swept by KC, The Road Trip, 17 runs at home to Boston etc) the restraint shown by the FO to this point is encouraging. There is however plenty of time to revert to the old ways. Every game is struggle for the NYY right now (and Pavano's injury doesn't help) and the post All Star trip to Bos (4), Tex (3) and Cal (4) could be brutal.

Not to be negative, but by July 24th the outlook of the FO might be more focused on winning next year and beyond than winning this season.

[NelsonMuntz]

Originally Posted by brndnclaussen'sghost

I know he's young and he definitely has tools and upside, but the fact is Melky hit .267/310/413 in AA this year. He wasn't ready for AA, clearly wasn't ready for AAA, and may or may not be anything real as a prospect.

I'd trade him for a proven player in a heartbeat, though not a proven player with a bad contract like Griffey. Let's wait a few weeks of AAA stats before we throw out his AA mediocrity.

I agree that out of all of our prospects being discussed right now, Melky is the one who I would part with if the right deal came along. But I'm more excited about the apparent change in philosophy in the Yankees front office. I was convinced that we would end up trading for Preston Wilson this season and it's so great to hear that the front office has finally wised up. Hopefully.

[chanman7483]

Originally Posted by brndnclaussen'sghost

I know he's young and he definitely has tools and upside, but the fact is Melky hit .267/310/413 in AA this year. He wasn't ready for AA, clearly wasn't ready for AAA, and may or may not be anything real as a prospect.

I'd trade him for a proven player in a heartbeat, though not a proven player with a bad contract like Griffey. Let's wait a few weeks of AAA stats before we throw out his AA mediocrity.

..............................he's 20 years old

give him some time.

[Fenrir]

Melky is a better prospect than Duncan. The truth.

[27IsNext]

Originally Posted by brndnclaussen'sghost

I know he's young and he definitely has tools and upside, but the fact is Melky hit .267/310/413 in AA this year. He wasn't ready for AA, clearly wasn't ready for AAA, and may or may not be anything real as a prospect.

I'd trade him for a proven player in a heartbeat, though not a proven player with a bad contract like Griffey. Let's wait a few weeks of AAA stats before we throw out his AA mediocrity.

He was tearing up AA from what I hear--his downside was that he wouldn't take walks. Read any of ICEBERG18's posts about Latinos and walking, it's like a foreign language to them. You have to give them time to learn how to walk (he's only 20 years old). Cano is a good example of this, and already he's improving.

I wouldn't mind calling Melky up if we were out of contention, where there's no pressure, unless he absolutely shows he's not ready.

[27IsNext]

Originally Posted by Fenrir

Melky is a better prospect than Duncan. The truth.

Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Duncan is already taking walks at age 20. He's also one of the best power prospects in the league.

[Shadowblade225]

Originally Posted by Fenrir

Melky is a better prospect than Duncan. The truth.

Completley wrong.

[27IsNext]

This was posted in the Kotsay topic, from Replacement Level Yankees Weblog:

Read this (don't remember where), don't know if it's true: He's [Cabrera] being rushed because Steinbrenner wants him in CF this year. Apparently he was convinced by Cano and Wang's success that the minor leaguers were the answer, and wanted to call up Cabrera immediately. He was convinced to give him some time at AAA.

Apparantly instead of veterans, minor leaguers are the answer now. So we're going to rush them on through. I'm happy that we're done trading away youth for veterans, but let's not get ahead of ourselves. I would absolutely not promote Melky to the bigs unless we are for sure out of contention, where there's no pressure. And if he stinks it up, I'd immediately send him back down so it doesn't affect his confidence.

[Babe Rules]

Originally Posted by Fenrir

Melky is a better prospect than Duncan. The truth.

He plays in a more premiun position (CF) then Duncan (with A-Rod here, he'll probably play 1b or a corner OF), but Duncan is better then Melky.