Eight Shopping Days Left?
A week from tomorrow brings a trading deadline that may be unlike any other in recent history. Unlike any other because the economic climate in baseball has drastically changed. July 31st marks the "non-waiver" trading deadline, meaning teams can make a trade without having to pass the player(s) through waivers first. In past years, that was a pretty serious deadline because teams could claim any player put through waivers after July 31st to block that player from being traded. But, the risk that the claiming team always chanced was the possibility that the team putting the player on waivers would simply let the claiming team take him and assume all his salary. This happened to the Yankees with Jose Canseco in 2000.
In today's economic climate, I think a lot of teams will be very, very careful before putting in a waiver claim. While young and inexpensive players will still get claimed, anyone with a higher salary will be a risky bet for the claiming team. Teams could use the waiver process to try and lower their payroll. Take Ron Mahay for example, decent reliever but nothing specia,l earning $4 million this year. Normally, I would expect him to get claimed in waivers because contending teams wouldn't want him traded to a competitor who had a hole in their bullpen. But, with a $4 million salary, I would bet there is a big chance the Royals would let a claiming team take him and walk away from the $1.75 million or so left on his deal.
So, with that out of the way. What do the Yankees need to do between now and the deadline, whenever it truly is?
I think if you honestly assess this team the biggest weakness remains starting pitching. The offense is good enough to win and there are enough spare parts on the bench and in the minors to cover holes that spring up. Ditto that with the bullpen. If the right deal came along, I would totally jump at it, but these areas should not be a prioirty.
The rotation is another story. From what I have read, Wang seems like a longshot to come back this year and even if he does, he wasn't exactly setting the world on fire before he got hurt. Pettitte and Joba looked great their last time out, but I think they are question marks the rest of the way. Mitre is not a guy I want to bet on and even more concerning, what happens if another starter gets hurt? The probable answer is you see Kei Igawa in the rotation and I don't think any of us want that.
That's why it is imperative in my mind that Cashman goes out and gets another starter. We need a guy to who can plug a hole in the back of the rotation and provide 6-7 innings each time out. That should be his focus and his only focus over the next eight days.
Comments
Yep, I agree Peter. We need a starter - or two.
The Hinske pickup helps the bench - so we're sort of set there. Would be nice to be able to bring Pena back and slot him into both the IF and OF - cause Cody Ransom is not scaring anyone (except me maybe) when he takes the field or when he steps into the batters box. We can almost guarantee Pena's back when the rosters expand down the stretch.
The bullpen is, agreed, looking OK and should even improve if Marte can return and be effective and if Bruney can stop throwing cookies. His velocity is up, but so is his location. Joba will hit an innings cap soon and may be moved back to the bullpen which would create a huge hole in the rotation but make for a glut in the bullpen.
If Andy fades again or Joba loses his drive/focus again (or he moves to the bullpen) - if any one of a number of things happen, we're going to be looking for starters in Scranton or Trenton or Staten Island - and we'll be in big trouble.
An innings eater - or two - would be good to get, really good.
Yep, yep, yep.
Posted by: Mitchell![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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July 23, 2009 03:31 PM
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Peter,
Listening to the Cashmoney interview today, it's possible that he's thinking that Marte and Mitre might free up either Aceves or Hughes to join the starting rotation. Do I think that's going to happen? Nope, prob not ... I think a lot of this depends on what Mitre looks like his next start and how Marte does in his MiLB appearnaces.
Posted by: Mitchell![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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July 23, 2009 06:32 PM
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Mitchell- Thanks for the update. I would be willing to put Aceves back in the rotation (I would have preferred to do it after his start against Minny) but I wouldn't move Hughes at this point. I know I am preaching to the choir on that one right now.
Posted by: Peter![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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July 23, 2009 08:04 PM
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Yep, Peter you ** are ** preaching to the choir about Aceves.
It feels like there are still too many unknowns at this point to know what's going to happen but, looking forward, I can see at least $37 mill being up for renegotiation at the end of this season with some guys who may not be back (Matsui, Damon, Nady and Andy being the top four contracts up at season's end). Why do I bring that up so now? Because it means that adding some salary at this halfway point would be only a short burden for the Steins.
As the old neighborhood lady on the corner used to tell me: we'll see what we'll when we see it. But I still think, like you, that we need an arm or two - if it's bullpen help and it frees up Aceves - OK. If it's someone like Washburn to slot in to the rotation right away, that's OK also.
The uh-oh news on Wang today, that he's not improving, makes the need a bit more urgent.
Posted by: Mitchell![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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July 23, 2009 08:20 PM
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If they are going to screw with the bullpen now they are really looking for a disaster, old saying if it's not broke.... we have the hottest bullpen in BB. don't add anyone don't take anyone . if we have break downs then tinker. NOT NOW KATO!!!I'm surprised they even talk about moving guys around, look at the run we been on, Go get Markakis put him in RF. and smoke a big cigar, he would be paul O'niel ,of course without over the top passion, I loved paul in Rf..deadly arm, plays the corner like he be doing it for years at the stadium. He would protect Alex, and will see great pitches to hit, our three four five would be far head of anyone else.
Posted by: born with pinstripes | July 24, 2009 04:39 PM |