Yankees' Hill is Trade Bait

#1Coneyfan · 02-09-01, 05:46 PM

By KEN DAVIDOFF
Staff Writer

While corporate infighting and Steinbrenner-esque power plays have impacted their primary tasks, the Yankees continue to try to improve their 2001 team. Lately, they have looked into trading one of the most surprising players on their 2000 team.

According to an American League source, the Yankees have shopped designated hitter Glenallen Hill extensively around baseball. Hill, who will turn 36 during spring training, had his $1.5 million team option for this year exercised by the Yanks in November.

Acquired July 21 in a trade with the Cubs, Hill was a virtual afterthought in the wake of the arrivals of David Justice and Denny Neagle. Yet the eccentric veteran responded with the best stretch of his career, slamming 16 homers in 132 at-bats, including 10 homers in his first 51 at-bats.

With veteran Henry Rodriguez expected to join the Yankees as a free agent, the world champions have some surplus in the outfield-designated hitter department. If they carried Rodriguez, Paul O'Neill, Bernie Williams, Justice, Shane Spencer, and Hill, they wouldn't have room for a defensive replacement such as Clay Bellinger.

Hill wouldn't get much in return, but would clear some salary in the Yankees' attempt to avoid having the top payroll. He could bring back a candidate for the openings in the bullpen, or could bring back a prospect, giving the Yanks depth in case they need to deal youngsters for an
established reliever.

Butnud · 02-09-01, 07:20 PM

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

He is a good power slugger!

Neila1215 · 02-09-01, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Butnud
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

He is a good power slugger!

OMG! I agree with Butnud! Who'd have thunk it?

artemis · 02-09-01, 09:16 PM

Yes, but he kind of tailed off end of the season. No knowing how he’s going to do this year, & he’s a lousy fielder.

seahorse · 02-09-01, 09:42 PM

It kills me how everything is dictated by not wanting to be the "team with the highest payroll" label. Let's be "the team with highest payroll". Who cares.

CASEY BODE · 02-09-01, 10:53 PM

Who are we to second quess the front office with there past track record, but I will anyway. I think Hill is very valuable to us, and not worth much on the market. If the reason is for O'Henry to have a spot, I think it is a big mistake. We do need an outfielder who hits with power and can play center field, but this is not the answer. I say we stay will Hill,forget O'Henry and look to do something else. Hill doesn't cost that much and will be of more value.

JeanC · 02-09-01, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by seahorse
It kills me how everything is dictated by not wanting to be the "team with the highest payroll" label. Let's be "the team with highest payroll". Who cares.

RIGHT ON SEAHORSE!!!!!

I was like 10 feet away from Hill in the second row left field level watching the intent & concentration of this guy and "hearing" his intensity last August!! In fact I saw him wince when his shoulder went out and they replaced him with Justice! I thought he was worth every ounce a Yankee cause he was right back in left field the next night!!!! But he wasnt batting I dont think cause of the pulled shoulder!

I think its sad they have to use Hill as Trade Bait!
I could suggest Johnson as trade bait cause I still think Tino Is The MAN for 1st!! In My Own Humble Opinion that is!

Smiles & Hugs!
Jeanne

jg2 · 02-09-01, 11:52 PM

Don't trade him! He's a very powerful hitter and we need that!

-jg2

madforyanks · 02-10-01, 08:49 AM

I guess I'm in a minority, but I think that shopping Hill is a good idea. Michael Kay described him last night as the Yankees' "most replaceable" player, and I tend to agree.

I am deeply appreciative of what he did for the Yankees last year, and there might not have been a 26th World Championship without his August (in particular) contributions. But Hill's a one-tool (hits for power) player who gave the Yankees a hot streak. He cooled down in September and in post-season, and I wouldn't expect to see a sustained power streak again, and certainly not for the whole year; it's not consistent with his history.

Also the Yankees have plenty of OF/DH types. And I cringe at the thought of Glenallen in the outfield (particularly left field at Yankee Stadium). If Spencer is healthy, he can provide a right-handed punch and play a pretty good defensive game to boot. If Spencer's not healthy, the Yankees need someone who can replace him in the field as well as at the plate--and that someone is definitely not named Glenallen Hill.

So I'd rather see Hill go for more pitching or minor league outfielders who might be able to come up in the next year or two, when the Yankees will need them. If the Yankees need an extra bat in July, Cashman will find one.

#1Coneyfan · 02-10-01, 08:59 AM

Kay made an observation last night that if the Yanks are shopping Hill around they must feel Spencer is ok.

**patrick.o** · 02-10-01, 03:47 PM

I'm with ya, mfy. If the Yanks can something useful for Hill, do it. He's even more one dimensional than Canseco.

Bluesexy's daddy · 02-12-01, 08:47 PM

I like Hill but If I could get good talent in return I would trade him.

Cashman et al are geniouses. They will do something smart I am sure. They almost always do. I wish I had a dolar for every trade rumor ever floated. I would buy the YANKEES.

02-10-01, 03:47 PM	#11
patrick.o B-B.com Bench Coach Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: off the path...	I'm with ya, mfy. If the Yanks can something useful for Hill, do it. He's even more one dimensional than Canseco.
	__________________ Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds - Robert Nesta Marley

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

02-09-01, 05:46 PM	#1
#1Coneyfan NYYF Cy Young Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Kew Gardens, NY	By KEN DAVIDOFF Staff Writer While corporate infighting and Steinbrenner-esque power plays have impacted their primary tasks, the Yankees continue to try to improve their 2001 team. Lately, they have looked into trading one of the most surprising players on their 2000 team. According to an American League source, the Yankees have shopped designated hitter Glenallen Hill extensively around baseball. Hill, who will turn 36 during spring training, had his $1.5 million team option for this year exercised by the Yanks in November. Acquired July 21 in a trade with the Cubs, Hill was a virtual afterthought in the wake of the arrivals of David Justice and Denny Neagle. Yet the eccentric veteran responded with the best stretch of his career, slamming 16 homers in 132 at-bats, including 10 homers in his first 51 at-bats. With veteran Henry Rodriguez expected to join the Yankees as a free agent, the world champions have some surplus in the outfield-designated hitter department. If they carried Rodriguez, Paul O'Neill, Bernie Williams, Justice, Shane Spencer, and Hill, they wouldn't have room for a defensive replacement such as Clay Bellinger. Hill wouldn't get much in return, but would clear some salary in the Yankees' attempt to avoid having the top payroll. He could bring back a candidate for the openings in the bullpen, or could bring back a prospect, giving the Yanks depth in case they need to deal youngsters for an established reliever.

02-09-01, 07:20 PM	#2
Butnud Butnud-Bombers.com Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Carmel, NY, USA	NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! He is a good power slugger!

02-09-01, 09:16 PM	#4
artemis Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 2000	Yes, but he kind of tailed off end of the season. No knowing how he’s going to do this year, & he’s a lousy fielder.

02-09-01, 09:42 PM	#5
seahorse Suspended Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Hilltop Park	It kills me how everything is dictated by not wanting to be the "team with the highest payroll" label. Let's be "the team with highest payroll". Who cares.

02-09-01, 10:53 PM	#6
CASEY BODE Charter Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Kinderhook N.Y. USA	Who are we to second quess the front office with there past track record, but I will anyway. I think Hill is very valuable to us, and not worth much on the market. If the reason is for O'Henry to have a spot, I think it is a big mistake. We do need an outfielder who hits with power and can play center field, but this is not the answer. I say we stay will Hill,forget O'Henry and look to do something else. Hill doesn't cost that much and will be of more value.

02-09-01, 11:52 PM	#8
jg2 Released Outright Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Washington State	Don't trade him! He's a very powerful hitter and we need that! -jg2

02-10-01, 08:49 AM	#9
madforyanks NYYF Cy Young Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Brooklyn, NEW YORK CITY, New York, USA	I guess I'm in a minority, but I think that shopping Hill is a good idea. Michael Kay described him last night as the Yankees' "most replaceable" player, and I tend to agree. I am deeply appreciative of what he did for the Yankees last year, and there might not have been a 26th World Championship without his August (in particular) contributions. But Hill's a one-tool (hits for power) player who gave the Yankees a hot streak. He cooled down in September and in post-season, and I wouldn't expect to see a sustained power streak again, and certainly not for the whole year; it's not consistent with his history. Also the Yankees have plenty of OF/DH types. And I cringe at the thought of Glenallen in the outfield (particularly left field at Yankee Stadium). If Spencer is healthy, he can provide a right-handed punch and play a pretty good defensive game to boot. If Spencer's not healthy, the Yankees need someone who can replace him in the field as well as at the plate--and that someone is definitely not named Glenallen Hill. So I'd rather see Hill go for more pitching or minor league outfielders who might be able to come up in the next year or two, when the Yankees will need them. If the Yankees need an extra bat in July, Cashman will find one.

02-10-01, 08:59 AM	#10
#1Coneyfan NYYF Cy Young Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Kew Gardens, NY	Kay made an observation last night that if the Yanks are shopping Hill around they must feel Spencer is ok.

02-12-01, 08:47 PM	#12
Bluesexy's daddy NYYF Triple Crown Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Albuquerque,NM,USA	I like Hill but If I could get good talent in return I would trade him. Cashman et al are geniouses. They will do something smart I am sure. They almost always do. I wish I had a dolar for every trade rumor ever floated. I would buy the YANKEES.


			Our 11th Season!