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Peter,

Agreed -- this was a no-brainer, and I, too, would personally prefer to trade him for some *young*, promising position players. How much do you really think we can get for him? He'll be 34 in March, and his terrible start has to make clubs at least wonder if he might be entering the start of his decline phase. Add in the fact that he's average defensively, at best, if not downright shaky at times (especially if he knows there's a wall lurking about), and also add in the fact that good left-handers can throw him into prolonged, brutal slumps, and you have to wonder how much he could fetch in a trade, especially in the off-season. The Yankees could, of course, help to sweeten the deal by offering to eat a fair share of his salary. I suspect the Yanks are more likely to get a better deal as the waiver deadline looms, rather than in the off-season. But that might smell of giving up on the season, something the Yanks are generally loath to do. I think that recent history (2005, 2007) will only reinforce that aversion. The Yanks are in tough spot now. From the perspective of the starting pitching, 2008 is clearly shaping up to be a transition year. It would not be reasonable to expect that Hughes *and* Chamberlain *and* Kennedy will, collectively, be prepared to mount a serious pennant drive. They could, of course, but it's not likely. They realistically need a year of seasoning under their belts. On the other hand, from the perspective of the position players, the Yankees are aging, and hence, need to win now. By the time the "Big Three" (Oakland had their Big Three, why not us, too?) are ready to help mount a serious pennant run, the position players may be too far past their prime. Do you know if Abreu's contract has a partial/full no-trade clause?

Greg-

Well reasoned and I agree, the Yankees need to get the bluk of the starting lineup in the 27-32 range (or below). Right now only two guys fill that range.

I think the Yankees face a choice, rebuild now while the young pitchers are breaking in, or do it later when the pitchers are established. Doing it now makes the most sense to me. Now that A-Rod is gone, why not mix some younger guys into the lineup? Even if you re-sign Posada, I can think of nothing better than having him mentor a young catcher the way Girardi did with him. Same thing with Jeter. Get some more young guys in here who can learn from these great Yankees and maybe the pitching surprises you in 2008. But if it doesn't and struggles like it can be expected to struggle, you haven't wasted a year.

And, Abreu has a full no-trade in his contract.

Peter,

Thinking about the corners, 1B and 3B - how do you think we fill them next season?

Phillips at 1B (with Giambi the part time DH (heck of a lot of money to pay for a part time DH)? Or perhaps Miranda is the next rookie to make the team as a position player? Can Matsui or Damon play 1B?

Betemit or Gonzales at 3B?

And Minky? What happens with Minky, if anything?

Thoughts?

Mitchell

I think you have to go into 2008 assuming that Giambi will not hold up for an entire season, especially if he plays the field. That's why I would like to see him traded.

Matsui or Damon at first is a great idea to me, Damon did play there in parts of five games this past season. I think Matsui's days in the outfield are coming to an end and getting him to first would be a good way to increase his usefulness. Posada could also get a look there and if the Yankees ever got a real replacement for him, moving him there permanently would be smart.

I think you let Minky walk. He is a great glove, but no bat. Phillips is pretty similar and with A-Rod gone, the Yankees are going to need a firstbaseman who can hit a bunch. Assuming they don't move Matsui, best option on the team right now would be a platoon for Betemit and Duncan. I don't think Miranda is ready yet since he hasn't played above AA and I am very worried that he is older than 24.

This would be the perfect spot for Eric Duncan to step in, but a .389 slugging % in Scranton doesn't make him ready.

I hate the FA's available, so a trade may be the way to go. If I were the Yankees, I would make a strong push with Texas and see if they would trade Salty. He could play 1b most days and spell Posada behind the plate. Would Texas bite on Ian Kennedy in return?

HEY- i already laid claim on Salty...for the Sox...

Latest (rational) rumor is Joe Crede for Johnny Damon in a 1 for 1 trade.

Melky to LF, Hunter in CF and Abreu in RF? Then Crede, Jeter, Cano and Who's On First.

Matsui, by the way, doesn't seem to have the fielding instincts or foot work to play 1B.

Crede for Damon? That seems like a no-brainer for the Yankees. I don't want to touch Tori Hunter, Melky is fine in CF and Matsui would stick in LF for now.

And BL, until Theo or Cashman really lay claim to him, we will have to keep debating this in cyberspace!

Remember, whoever trades for Abreu gets 2 picks in the draft as compensation when he does leave so I think Abreu has very good value as trade bait. I don't think he's going to bring a major league ready player for us at 1B,C,3B but I would not hang the phone up on anyone.