Some in the industry are already wondering if the Yankees could be in the market for outfield help soon, writes Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
Both Randy Winn and Marcus Thames have struggled this spring, though Thames officially made the club's Opening Day roster today. The club may find themselves uneasy with the two veterans as starting left fielder Brett Gardner is not yet an established major league hitter. They would be especially thin in the outfield if Curtis Granderson or Nick Swisher are bitten by the injury bug.
Rosenthal writes that the Yankees figure to be more patient with Winn as he is more than four years removed from playing in the AL.
The Yankees investment in Winn and Thames amounts to just $2MM combined. Rosenthal writes that if one or both struggle, and Gardner also stumbles out of the gate, then the team could be seeking an outfielder quickly.
all this really means is that they’ll be shopping for crawford earlier. no need to mention any details
Yes! Either that or they’ll swoop up BJ Upton once he pisses the Rays off with his “lazy” play.
Brandon Moss is available
Brandon Moss
Freddy Lewis.
I think they’ll wait awhile and see if Gardner, Thames, Winn hit but a cheap alternative but with relatively poor defense could be Hank Blalock.
Are you suggesting Blalock play LF? Yikes.
I like Gardner to keep the starting job but like Blalock’s upside & versatility (OF,1B & 3B) over Winn & Thames.
He does have some upside, but he can barely play first base, so there is no way he can play left. Besides Blalock isn’t a starter anymore. He just isn’t that good. The Yanks would be better off filling the void some other way.
Hank Blalock is not an outfielder.
Hank Blalock had a .277 OBP last year…. seriously.
Dude, what are you smoking? Blaylock in the OF? Besides, all he’s good for offensively any more is the occasional HR – and those come infrequently, these days. The Yanks would be better off with Dave Winfield coming out of retirement to play LF.
ELIJAH DUKES!!!!!!!!!!!
A good example of east coast bias on behalf of baseball writers. “What if the Yankees lose two outfielders to injuries?” If any team loses two starting outfielders to injuries, and didn’t have viable minor league options, they would also be shopping for an outfielder.
Yankees camp has been too quiet for media members, they have nothing else to write about. Dont worry, if Gardner goes 0-3 tomorrow then you’ll see more people point to LF as why the Yankees wont win this year.
But the Yankees are clearly going to have difficulty with Winn/Thames, plus Gardner needs more time. Therefore, what they’re saying is if -one- outfielder goes down, Swisher or Granderson, then they will have to scramble. If at that point, Winn and Thames are playing like they did in Spring Training, and they decide Gardner needs more seasoning (or comes up to play, and proves he needed more time by not playing well), then they are definitely going to be looking on the trade market. The reason this is news is because the Yanks are a competitive team, in fact one of (at least) the top three teams in baseball, if not the best, and they are one injury away from seeing their outfield implode. Obviously, barring injury, Granderson and Swisher’s strong production may make LF not as much of an issue even if Winn plays terribly. The point is just that if one of them -does- go down, one of the best teams in baseball will suddenly have two gaping holes in the outfield.
“and they are one injury away from seeing their outfield implode”
What team isnt?
Seriously? Tampa Bay Rays.
Arguably the Baltimore Orioles (because of Luke Scott/Felix Pie/Markakis/Adam Jones depth). and the Mariners.
Ok 3 teams arent screwed, the original statement still misrepresents the situation. Most teams are screwed if they have a major injury to a position.
Okay, now I think you’ve begun nitpicking. My point is that their outfield is more fragile than most contenders, in that if they had an injury they would be having TWO players who are basically reserves starting. That’s not typical of every team. Plus, bebop already named some teams that wouldn’t implode, and I’d add the Rockies to that list. Maybe Red Sox, if it’s only one injury, simply because Hermida is the type of backup who could fill in and become a starter-quality player.
“My point is that their outfield is more fragile than most contenders”
Gardner, Swisher and Granderson are more fragile than JD Drew and 37 year old Mike Cameron? How?
What about BJ Upton being hurt/disappointing the last 2 years, and Desmond Jennings injuring his wrist for the 2nd straight year? (Not major injury right now but still)
Carlos Quentin has a long history of injuries; and Alex Rios has a history of sucking
Josh Hamilton breaks down, and Nelson Cruz never proved he can play a full season.
So tell me how it’s “more fragile”?
What I was trying to point out before is that a competitor (the Rays) don’t have to worry about their outfield depth. Arguably the same with the Red Sox. Why dont they? Because they have minor leaguers that could fill in. Desmond Jennings anyone?
I’m sure there are other teams that have better outfield depth, those are just the competitors that popped into my head. When 3 of the 4 teams in your division can suffer a loss to their outfield and you cant, that just doesnt look good.
Change minor leaguers to DECENT other options with upside.
BJ Upton!!!!!!
Luke Scott could be an option.
I hope Gardy struggles early on. Not that I don’t like him, but that he is best suited as a super-speedy 4th OF/Pinch Runner. Also, if he struggles it becomes more and more likely that the Yankees find the need for one of my favorite players, BJ Upton.
He is no way going to be a 4th OF.
Kind of an obvious point by Rosenthal, but they won’t be making an in season trade with the Rays.
Usually they wouldn’t, but the Rays know that their window of opportunity is closing after this year with the probable losses of both Carlos Pena and Carl Crawford. If they start out a little slow, and the Yankees and Red Sox both jump out of the box well in April, the Rays might realize that they should just restock and get ready for another run in 2 or 3 years, while Evan Longoria is still in his prime years.
Also, if BJ Upton does anything stupid, like gliding nonchalantly to a flyball and then dropping it, the Rays could just give up on him. They have already hinted in the past that they are quite annoyed with Upton’s attitude towards the game, and unless he starts out great, they might be done with him.
Finally, the Yankees have some intriguing relief and catcher prospects that the Rays could really use. Players such as Austin Romine and Brackman, who are loaded with talent and are only 1-2 years away from the Bigs, could really help out the Rays in the future.
The teams really do match up well and with the situation that the Rays are in financially, knowing this is really their last year with Crawford and/or Pena, this deal actually could get done.
What are you on? What potentially competitive team gives up and gets ready to ship out their players after April?!
Do you know who was leading the AL East in early May last season? The Blue Jays. Last year’s World Series champion was in third place in their division at that point.
You don’t consider restocking just over a month into the season if you’ve got the pieces to compete.
I think this is all leading up to a trade for a rays outfielder, one of either Upton or Crawford. I think this also depends on how Johnson starts off the season, if both the DH spot and LF turn into easy outs by mid may, i can see them making a serious push for Upton or Crawford.
Exactly. Thank you.
I’ve been saying this for a while now.
Why would Nick Johnson turn into an easy out? He gets on base 40% of the time he gets up to bat
Him not necesarily becoming an easy out, but if he gets injured or something like that is more of what I meant. I meant easy out in the LF spot.
Rays get:
Gardner
Romine
Melancon/Brackman
Yankees get:
Upton
No thanks.
The Yankees can’t trade Romine until they know whether or not Montero can be an everyday catcher.
Jermaine Dye or Elijah Dukes?
Manny Ramirez by the Trading Deadline?
No thanks.
Wheres Montero going to play? First ? Locked up for 8 more years. DH? A-rod already needs a day off a week. What about Posada ? Maybe right field and make a switch like Willingham did a couple years back. Heres what I think they should do.
Trade Montero and Mccalister for Grady Sizemore. Pop him 2nd in the lineup, make him your center fielder and put granderson in left.
just remember this comment, watch it happen, just watch.
Montero is a DH of the future. He is capable of hitting 40 HRs a season. So, I will not trade the 4th best prospect in baseball and one of our better pitching prospects for Sizemore, because Brett Gardner, might not be able to hit more than 5 HRs.
I completely agree, and I’m not trying to say Sizemore is a bad player, i think he’s one of the best OF in the game, but I don’t think that’s what the yankees would look into.
glad you wont trade him, cashman will. montero has proven nothing. by the allstar break sizemore will have 1 1/2 years of control, so they will look to push him to get maximum value. And Montero to fill their DH or 1st is maximum value. You rarely see 1 for 1 deals anymore. But cleveland does have a history of them CC for Laport straight up.
Will never happen. It is a decent trade, but the Yankees love Montero and truly believe he can succeed as a catcher. They also probably value Montero more than Grady at this point.
You gotta be kidding. Sizemore who is still under control and has proved himself as one of the best 5 outfielders in 2007-08 is worse than Jesus? Don’t get me wrong, I love Montero and his potential but he has not proven anything on ML level. It would problably Joba+Montero to net Sizemore.
I wasn’t saying that Montero is better than Sizemore. It’s just that the Yankees see more potential value in Jesus than the do in Grady Sizemore, who has probably already reached most of his potential. Also, Grady Sizemore is showing some signs of decline over the past year and a half.
That said, Grady is still a great player and probably much better and more proven than Jesus, it’s just that the Yankees love the potential of Montero.
the yankees wouldnt look into the best defensive centerfielder when hes available? At the alstar break he will have 1 1/2 years left on his contract. The yanks will not be able to trade in the division for crawford. And need something now especially a bat if johnson cant stay healthy
Personally i dont think the yankees could get crawford in free agency against boston. Boston will have Ortiz, Lowell, Varitek, possibly beckett and victor martinez contract off the books they will make a huge push for crawford.
just wait and see. when it happens ill tell you i told you so.
Beckett was extended for 4 years at 18MM per, so he gets a raise, Lowell and Ortiz will make up the DH so that will need to be replaced, the Sox probably want to re-sign Victor and he’ll get a raise, plus if Beltre underperforms they may need to get a new 3B, Oh and the most important thing is that they have no where to play Crawford, because Ellsbury, Cameron, and J.D. Drew are all under contract next year.
beckett was not extended yet. They will make a push for crawford and will make cameron their 4th. or make JD their DH. and Martinez said he wont negotiate during the year so you better believe hes gonna be a free agent. And beltres option is 5 million which is so affordable that they will suck up a bad first year.
I won’t dismiss that one so easily. It’s an interesting thought, a Montero for Sizemore deal. We’ll see how things are progressing at midseason, but it doesn’t seem that out there. I certainly wouldn’t be so sure of it as the poster, but it doesn’t sound crazy.
how much longer of control does cleveland have over grady? 2 years right? your gonna see his name pop in trade talks alot.
and no he will not catch for cleveland he will be their first basemen or dh after hafner
But don’t the Indians still have Lou Marson and Carlos Santana?
i dont think he will catch. he will play first or dh after hafner
Dye maybe, not the best defense, but could help.
Dye is kind of similar to Marcus Thames right now. Obviously, he’s a little better offensively, but as you said, he is terrible defensively. Even though the Yankees would be trading because they feel like they need more offense, they probably would still want to get a guy that offers good offensive stats while still playing good defense. That’s why we traded for a guy like Granderson and defense (and obviously SPEED) is really the only reason Gardner is getting a chance.
Yeah agreed, Gardner or Winn could replace Dye late in the game though. Winn is kinda useless now to me, you? Especially if they trade or sign an outfielder.
Jermaine Dye
A washed up guy who can barely play the field. No thanks, I would rather have Yanks give Gardner a chance to prove himself in a full year.
I never said he would replace Gardner. He would replace Marcus Thames or Randy Winn if they struggled. Also dont call him washed up based on only half a season.
Except Dye doesnt want to be a part time player, and he turned down ~3m from the Cubs earlier this offseason. He’s not going to be happy sitting on the bench.
Gabe Kapler’s STILL PLAYING???
I don’t see the need, unless Nick Johnson goes on the DL. With Dye and Dukes still out there as FA’s, no trade will be needed.
Josh Willingham.
The only guys I can think of right now are Nelson Cruz and Shan Hoo Choo. It would take Montero to net Choo but Joba should be enough for Cruz.
Nelson Cruz could be an interesting option. Although he will turn 30 in July, he really hasn’t had that much playing time before last season, so he is kind of a young 29.
Could be a very interesting player in Yankee Stadium, hitting in a lineup with Tex, A-Rod and Jeter. Their great lineup would really give him some good pitches to hit, and he sure has shown some pop.
The problem is that the Rangers probably would ask for Montero. There is no way the Yankees should trade Montero to get Cruz and they probably shouldn’t even trade Hughes or Joba either. If we could get him without using one of those three trade chips it would be a great solution for our lack of offense in LF.
The Yankees would never trade Montero for Choo.
Why wouldn’t they trade Montero for a .300 AVG,489 SLG,.883 OPS player who hit 20 HR with 21 SB and is under team control?
Montero is one of the best prospects in baseball and has 40 homer potential.
..who doesn’t have a position in NY besides DH unless his catching improves. Choo is in his prime and is under a very team friendly deal, arguably the best player on the Indians.
Ill start by saying that Grady Sizemore is the best player on the Indians not Choo. Not even close. Second the Yankees are not going to give up one of the top prospects in baseball for Choo it just isnt going to happen.
potential.
Yeah… and?
You mean they might have to look at other options besides Crawford?! Why, that’s unheard of!
This is more speculative than anything else. Gardner is an ideal 9th hitter as he is the epitome of a second lead-off guy–good OB skills, great speed, and a fantastic fielder. Let him actually “stumble out of the gate” before preemptively sending him off to the guillotine.
Since when has Gardner had good on-base skills. The reason the Yankees could be shopping for outfield help is because they don’t believe in his ability to get ON BASE and use his great speed.
His .389 career OB in 1754 minor league PA’s is pretty good to me. Even his .345 OB for the Yanks last season is nothing to scoff at.
I guess he’s not as bad as I thought. Still, he will definitely not match his .389 minor league OBP and probably won’t even get to .345. I say he stays more around .320-.330 which is not terrible but probably not good enough to satisfy the Yankees’ needs.
Any basis for your projection? Baseball Prospectus projects a .351 OB. I’ll take their projection over the one you pulled out of your backside.
“probably won’t even get to .345. I say he stays more around .320-.330 ”
Why? Your first comment shows that you thinks he sucks and dont like him, but when presented with his stats you ignore them?
While a bit premature, with Colvin making the Cubs starting roster they could have an excess of outfielders, not quality outfielders, but outfielders nonetheless. Perhaps a trade similar to Abreu of a few years back where the Yankees take all of Fukudome’s contract and give the Cubs a middle reliever or a B level, aged prospect? If I was Hendry this would be something I’d consider.
Fukudome in Yankee Stadium II would have increased power numbers and play stellar defense.
Or just take Fukudome’s contract . . .
I dont like his .667 OPS v LHP
Neither do the Cubs, that’s why the Yankees could have him for just the contract. He has good OBP skills that they’d need in a 9 hitter though and good to great defense in a corner spot. Spelling him against tough lefties would help too, perhaps with Thames.
hold on here….all these comments about Montero? I thought Mauer was the future catcher for the Yanks? I’m so confused…….
I’m taking it that you’re absolutely using great sarcasm. If so, lol. But if not you truly have been living under a rock. I really believe and hope that you are being sarcastic, but on the Internet people can sound pretty stupid when they try to be sarcastic.
ok grady seizmore is a beast, however i dont see them trading montero after they just traded austin jackson. Also Brett Gardner is going to have a BREAKOUT season. let him play everyday but make a trade for someone like luke scott or jack cust as a bench play. the also need a player like gardner who can pinch run. maybe bring back freddy guzman?
Jack Cust was DFA’d by the A’s so they’d just have to claim him.
I know I am in the minority, but when I look at all the long term big dollar contracts the yanks have in place right now (and needing to re-sign Jeter and Mo after the season) I don’t see them adding any more for the next few years. ITs ties up too many resources and puts them in the situation they were in for a good chunk of the last decade with Giambi, Mussina, Pavano, etc. It leaves them with little flexibility if one of them gets old or injured. For that reason I don’t see a guy like Crawford being a likely addition. Upton might be more realistic, but I think they will look more for a low cost type guy.
Grady Sizemore
Grady Sizemore