Yankees Sell??? It's a Good Idea

by user J Platt

As the summer begins and the baseball season heats up, the Yankees find themselves in third place in the American League East, eleven games behind the Boston Red Sox.  While they opened the month of June on fire, they have since cooled and are playing closer to how they began the season.  The return of Roger Clemens to New York was a savior to a Yankees fan.  Clemens has experience and he’s a leader who can help motivate this team.  In reality, as a leader he might be, he looks like an aging pitcher who doesn’t have what he used to.  As we ponder our independence and every paper in the nation has their opinion on what’s wrong with the Yankees and how to fix it, there’s one area that no one is addressing.  Instead of trading away some prospects to bring in Mark Teixeira, Adam Dunn, or Mark Buehrle for a stretch run, what about selling off pieces of the team, and look to next season?

This obviously isn’t the popular route for Yankee fans that refuse to believe they are out of it, but probably the best thing in the long run for this franchise.  With the Tigers and Indians fighting it out in the AL Central, and the Twins always finding a way to win, it’s looking less and less likely that the Wild Card will come out of the AL East.  The only way the Yankees are making the playoffs is to catch Boston, which means they'll need to play at least .680 ball in the second half.  The Yankees have potential free agents who can put a playoff contender over the top and in return the Yankees can get some young players who can make an impact on this team next season.

Bobby Abreu - Abreu has started the season off slow, and some Yankee fans have to question his acquisition and Gary Sheffield’s departure.  Abreu is a good defender in right field.  He isn’t a power threat he was once considered, but has good speed and puts the ball in the gap.  The Padres would love some offense, and have some good relievers they'd probably part with.

Jorge Posada - Posada is again putting up All-Star numbers.  Currently Top 5 in the AL in batting average, Posada has been a consistent spark for the Yankees this season.  Posada will be a free agent at the end of the season, and he’ll also be 36.  The Yankees will need to start to look for a replacement for the Posada, who has been the daily backstop for over a decade.  An AL team looking for an additional bat to possibly DH, or a farm rich team like the Brewers could use a catching upgrade.

Mariano Rivera - Another fan favorite and the greatest closer in the history of the game.  Though he has appeared to slow down, Rivera would have a lot of value on the summer trade market.  Teams like the Indians and Tigers who are battling it out in the AL Central could both use a closer upgrade.  Rivera coming in the 9 th to close the game out is an obvious upgrade over Todd Jones of Joe Borowski.

Alex Rodriguez - Rodriguez has been raking the ball this season, again proving why he’s one of the best players in the game.  He’s on pace to establish a career high in home runs, RBI’s, and runs scored, and has an option at the end of the season to become a free agent.  Whether Rodriguez plans to leave or not we will not know until seasons end.  A team like the Los Angeles Angels have some young players and top prospects, who would definitely be shipped to New York, for ARod’s services.

Look, I know the Yankee fans have a never say die attitude, and I'm sure it's "possible" for a huge second half and a playoff run, but why would it be better next season?  Mussina, Pettitte, Damon, & Giambi will all be another year older and with age follows nagging injuries.  I’m sure it would upset the fan base to deal away fan favorites like Rivera and Posada, who were part of the dynamic Yankee teams in the late 90’s, but sometimes you need to look past things like that, and see how it could benefit the club as a whole. Babe Ruth was also a fan favorite, and the Yankees send him to the Braves for the good of the team.  The good thing about the Yankees is a few trades will only really sacrifice this season.  They still have strong pieces in place, that with some young talent, the Yankees could have a contending team for years to come.

RomiezzoLegend

894 days ago

Score 1

This is a pretty good post and you have some very good opinions here, such as Jorge Posada. Guys might want a good catcher, and you could probably trade with a team whose catcher is rather young, especially with the numbers that he's having right now; you want him to stay strong before making a trade with someone, so my advice is to trade him now, so that you're secure with a good catcher for the next couple of seasons for you guys.

Also, you make a good point about Abreu. Abreu has some good offense. He's not going to have the speed that he had in the early 00's when he stole 20+ bases/season, but he'll definitely put good offensive numbers out there. The Padres is a really good team to trade with cuz they got pitching, which the Yanks need.

I disagree with you on the A-Rod and Mariano issue. A-Rod is THE, not one of, THE best player in MLB and has been for years. Why would you even think about trading him? That would be like the Rangers' with Alfy Soriano issue. Sure, Alfy's a good player, but compared to A-Rod, he's probably half of what A-Rod is. Keep him, until he's around his late 30s. The Yanks aren't THAT desperate. And as far as Mariano Rivera goes, Mariano is still a good closer. Have him finish out his career in NY. He can still get the job done. The yanks really need pitching. Unless you're gonna trade Mariano for someone like Putz or Papelbon or K-Rod, in my opinion, you should never trade him, especially when you've seen him get better since the first two months after opening season.

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RomiezzoLegend

894 days ago

Score 2

Oh, yeah, I also forgot to mention this. Don't quit on this season yet. Just like your great catcher, Yogi Berra said: It ain't over 'til it's over. The Yankees were 11 games behind the Sox last season. You guys still got a chance to win this. I personally hope you don't, cuz... you know <--- (points at pic), but if the GM makes good trades soon, which he probaby will cuz he's smart, you guys will come back. I'll be sitting here at home in the summer worrying until the Sox get that division clinch, or at least the Wild Card clinch. Other than that, I'm still not counting you guys out.

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Tyrone BriggsHall of Famer

894 days ago

Score -1

Maybe the Yankee diehard fans won't ever admit defeat but their beloved ball players quit on this season a long time ago.

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DNLLegend

894 days ago

Score 3

I was listening to WFAN yesterday and, I the host argued that the Yankees can't sell because the contracts are too big. That's, well, moronic. But I think the Yankees won't be sellers for another reason: There's really nothing they can get in return for most of their guys.

What's that you say?

First, the Yankees don't benefit by "freeing up salary" like the Phillies (see Lidle/Abreu) and others do. Second, even though you point out that four of their key players are going to be older and busted, the Yanks are a good team. They're six games behind their Pythagorean W-L (they "should" be 45-35), which is in striking distance of the Red Sox and just 1.5 out of the wild card. Sure, Pythag isn't actual, and there's a reason for the discrepancy other than luck, but the Yanks can still perform.

So I think that the Yanks are going to have a hard time finding good reason to make trades. However:

• Abreu is due $15MM this year (or about $7.5MM pro-rated) and has a club option for next year at $16MM or a $2MM buyout. The Yanks have to ask themselves if they want Abreu for 2008. They're almost certainly going to take a shot at Torii Hunter and/or Kosuke Fukudome, but Hunter is a CF and Fukudome a RF who wants to play CF. So, I don't know if the Bombers trade Abreu, unless they are OK with Damon in right -- which I doubt they are.

• Posada is a free agent at the end of the year, and is due about $6MM this year, and it looks like he gets $2MM next year due to some weird option. As a 10-and-5 player, he has a no-trade clause. I can't see him agreeing to being traded, and even if he does, I think the Yankees will want him back on a 2 year deal. Because of draft pick compensation rules, the Yankees would be giving up more than they'd get if they had to go after a FA catcher.

• Rivera: Basically the same analysis as Posada, although cheaper (about $5.5MM for the rest of the year). More importantly, though -- the Yankees bullpen is going to need a LOT of work over the off-season, and it'd be better for them to extend him than trade him.

• A-Rod: The most complicated of the bunch. I think he'll opt out of the contract for a few reasons, which I may outline in another article. If the Yankees agree, they have incentive to trade him, because the draft pick compensation they'll get is minimal compared to the the bounty of players they can acquire. However, the murkiness is probably reason enough to avoid trading him, especially considering that he's the best player in the game.

After that, you have guys like Mike Mussina, Kyle Farnsworth, and Johnny Damon, who aren't performing well enough to make them tradeable for value; and guys like Andy Pettitte and Roger Clemens who are really expensive rentals.

I just don't see them getting anything good out of a trade other than a roster spot.

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Ron Sen, MDRed-Shirting

894 days ago

Score 1

Good post. Doesn't it become 'The Psychology of Investing'? Can Cashman

with the blessings of Steinbrenner change course of the ship? Small children in NY haven't experienced a Yankee title. Can their parents wait yet another year?

Here's to betting they're buyers.

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DNLLegend

894 days ago

Score 2

I think they're neither. The off-season holds the pearls they seek -- a center fielder (Hunter/Fukudome), relievers (every year has a few RPs), and even a few starters (Koji Uehara being a big name tied to NYY). If Giambi comes back, they have 1B nailed down; if not, *then* they make a trade. Right now, the market is too hot and they're not close enough.

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InsanMajor Leaguer

893 days ago

Score 0

I don't think Giambi will ever play 1B with the Yanks again. When he comes back he'll occupy the DH spot until he gets traded (which is starting to look inevitable now).

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Niteowl049AAA-er

894 days ago

Score 1

Yankees can still get back in this but the Red Sox have to have a long losing streak while Yankees have a long winning streak for it to happen. If Yankees are this far behind by the end of August it is over and the Blue Jays are close enough to have a chance to finish ahead of the Yankees.

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RomiezzoLegend

894 days ago

Score 0

Hey, it's happened before, and it's happened recently. I'm not satisfied until I see that symbol that symbolizes that the Red Sox have clinched the division...

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Kwitt11Varsity Captain

894 days ago

Score 0

Sorry, these don't make sense. You can't get anything in return for Abreu at this point. Posada's still got a couple years left in him, and he obviously wants to remain a Yankee, so re-sign him in the offseason and you're set at catcher for the next 2-3 years. Rivera's actually an interesting one, but you already have nobody in your bullpen as it is. And there's no way a trade for A-Rod will work. And, besides, the Yankees are far from done.

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J PlattPee Wee

894 days ago

Score 1

Does Posada want to remain a Yankee? I think that's a question that needs to be addressed. He's been a quiet guy throughout his career, and now he's even talking tothe media about players quitting and just collecting a paycheck. If he sees no change on the horizon, he might see it a better option to move on. He also wasn't thrilled about not getting an extension before the season starts.

Abreu has some trade value, though not what he would have gotten if he was the player a couple years ago, even prospects in return will help the Yankees in the futre. Reports out of the Yankees are the Abreu is a cancer in the clubhouse. Getting rid of him would be worth while.

The Yankees are done. Not that the talent isn't there,it's the players have already quit.

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DNLLegend

894 days ago

Score 1

I think you'd get a lot for Abreu if you sent a wheelbarrow of money with him.

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I am a cpcpMajor Leaguer

894 days ago

Score 0

This makes sense and works for other teams, but even if the fans were ready for it, The Boss would never let it happen.

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Anonymous Fanatic #1

894 days ago

Score 0

Keep in mind Abreu had similiar #s last year before the change of scenary at the deadline did him any good, i still dont think hes a lost cause especially because he still supplies plus defense in rightfield including and above average arm..what ever happened to the Dye for Abrue deal, have those talks ended? The yanks still have a shot to make a run, especially since the schedule favors them heavily the first 30 games back from the break...also i cant see the sox keeping up this leevlofplay the second half,to many guys had career first halfs..lowells avg has dropped 20 sum what points the past 2 weeks AND his power numbers wont continue at the rate they were at during the first half...Also is Kevin YOukilis REALLY a 330 hitter? is dustin pedroia capable of staying upwards of 300 all year? Papi and Manny will eventually be themselves, but they have in past years and the yankees have always won, yea Lugo and Crisp stealbases but neither of them are on baseenough to really matter..VAritek is a leader and imsure sox fans will b more the happy with a 280,15 and 60 campaign, but like most cathers his avg will drop from its current 272 during the 2nd half..Beckets still winning but has looked hittable as of late, although its definatly a possibility hes just finally put everything together..Schilling is already out, tavarez is a reliable 5 guy, although you cant expect his era to stay in the low 4s all year...Dice K has been absolutely filthy as of late, but even off him opposing hitters are hitting over 300...And like most knuckleballers wakefield gets shelled every 2 or 3 starts...Its always been hit or miss with him..my knock on knuckleballers is that if the pitch isnt working, or the wind is blowing the wrong way there more or less throwing 70mph lobs towards major league hitters with nothing else to work with...The redsox real stregnth is there bullpen, Okajima is lights out vs righties and lefties, papelbon is ridiculous, Donnely, Romero, Kyle Snyder and EVENTUALLY Craig Hanson will round out the pen that is top 3 in % of runners stranded.. I just dont see them having as many leads to hold in the 2nd half, in my mind they peaked way to early...But at this point the yankees may not peak at all..There last chance is the first 30 games after the allstar break..after that,there done..

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YanksAgainIn07Soccer Kid

894 days ago

Score 1

JUST REPOSTED THIS CAUSE I FORGOT TO SIGN IN EARLIER............................................................................ Keep in mind Abreu had similiar #s last year before the change of scenary at the deadline did him any good, i still dont think hes a lost cause especially because he still supplies plus defense in rightfield including and above average arm..what ever happened to the Dye for Abrue deal, have those talks ended? The yanks still have a shot to make a run, especially since the schedule favors them heavily the first 30 games back from the break...also i cant see the sox keeping up this leevlofplay the second half,to many guys had career first halfs..lowells avg has dropped 20 sum what points the past 2 weeks AND his power numbers wont continue at the rate they were at during the first half...Also is Kevin YOukilis REALLY a 330 hitter? is dustin pedroia capable of staying upwards of 300 all year? Papi and Manny will eventually be themselves, but they have in past years and the yankees have always won, yea Lugo and Crisp stealbases but neither of them are on baseenough to really matter..VAritek is a leader and imsure sox fans will b more the happy with a 280,15 and 60 campaign, but like most cathers his avg will drop from its current 272 during the 2nd half..Beckets still winning but has looked hittable as of late, although its definatly a possibility hes just finally put everything together..Schilling is already out, tavarez is a reliable 5 guy, although you cant expect his era to stay in the low 4s all year...Dice K has been absolutely filthy as of late, but even off him opposing hitters are hitting over 300...And like most knuckleballers wakefield gets shelled every 2 or 3 starts...Its always been hit or miss with him..my knock on knuckleballers is that if the pitch isnt working, or the wind is blowing the wrong way there more or less throwing 70mph lobs towards major league hitters with nothing else to work with...The redsox real stregnth is there bullpen, Okajima is lights out vs righties and lefties, papelbon is ridiculous, Donnely, Romero, Kyle Snyder and EVENTUALLY Craig Hanson will round out the pen that is top 3 in % of runners stranded.. I just dont see them having as many leads to hold in the 2nd half, in my mind they peaked way to early...But at this point the yankees may not peak at all..There last chance is the first 30 games after the allstar break..after that,there done..

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InsanMajor Leaguer

893 days ago

Score 0

Very good points. Yhe only hope the Yankees have lft is the fact that Boston usually slumps in the second half and the Yanks heat up. We'll all see if the Yanks are done within the first 30 games after the break. As far as that Abreu trade for Dye, that doesn't look too realistic. The Yanks have to give up a little more to get Dye. Plus, I personally don't think Dye is good for the Yanks, he's the same age as Abreu and his numbers have significantly dropped since his MVP performance last year. I would prefer Hunter who is the best defensive center fielder in the game (which is really what the Yanks need) and his offensive numbers are pretty good as well. He will be expensive though.

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ApriscoWaterboy

894 days ago

Score 0

Posada and Rivera are Yankee lifers so forget it. Posada is getting better, somehow, they are staying. A-Rod has a no trade clause and my god how the Yankees wil blow without him. Abreu could be dealt with money but don't expect a lot in return. I think an NL team would take a shot with him because so many of the contenders need outfielders..the Dodgers, Mets, Padres, etc. Maybe you can get some more pitching prospects, lower level. BTW, those of you who think Abreu is good defensively please tell me exactly which games you watched. This guy is horrible on any difficult play, won't dive, slide or crash into the wall. The only thing he does well is throw.

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InsanMajor Leaguer

893 days ago

Score 0

The Yanks are not done, they go through this situation pretty much every year. It wasn't as bad as this season before but it's pretty much the same. They always heat up in the second half. Same thing with Abreu; last season he hit well below .300 with the Phillies. When he was traded to the Yankees in the second half of the season, he hit somewhere around .330. The only trades I would want to see is getting some relief help from Texas. They have a couple of guys who can help out the bullpen.

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ChristofMVP

893 days ago

Score 0

But what is Bobby Abreu doing this year?

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ChristofMVP

893 days ago

Score 0

Yankees will never sell as long as George is alive.

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