Only one MLB team outscored the 2011 Yankees, but manager Joe Girardi wouldn’t object if GM Brian Cashman adds one more bat to the roster before Opening Day. MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch reports that Girardi suggested he’d prefer a left-handed hitter and openly discussed free agents Johnny Damon, Raul Ibanez and Hideki Matsui.
"I think we've had a good offseason; I think Brian has done a really good job this offseason in what he's done,” he said. “But I think it's important to our club that you add that other bat. The American League is going to be tough."
Girardi said he’d prefer to add a left-handed hitter, though the club won't rule out right-handed bats. A lefty hitter would provide Girardi with a complement to Andruw Jones, who has power from the right side. The skipper acknowledged that Damon, Matsui and Ibanez have historically been strong offensive players, but cautioned that it’s too early to say which of those left-handed hitters, if any, are serious targets for the Yankees. Damon and Vladimir Guerrero appear to be seeking $5MM contracts for 2012.
levendis
it be interesting to have Guerrero on the team. The guy can still hit, and hell benefit with playing at Yankee stadium. Hell be a nice change of pace in the yankee lineup, that work counts, and take a bunch of pitches. If the Yankees are dead set on only playing 2 mill, i believe Matsui can be had at that price, i doubt Damon would settle for that little. I’m not sure about Ibanez
Chris
damon is at a point now where he will have to accept 1 million inorder to play. no one wants him, i mean its bad when teams are going after a guy who will have to serve a 50 game suspension over damon,vlad, and lbanez.
levendis
Maybe, but im sure he can get more. Thats b/c Manny has the chance of putting greater offensive numbers then all 3 of those, even without the 50 games.
Too Many Idiots
Yankee Stadium would do nothing for Vlad. He’s not an opposite field HR hitter.
levendis
hes plays well in hitters parks, we all saw what he did in Arlington.
Too Many Idiots
Baltimore is a hitter’s park and his power numbers still dropped.
Joshua Jongsma
In what world does Vlad take pitches?
levendis
i didnt say he did, i said hed be a nice change of pace from a Yankee lineup that works counts
Hoosierdaddy92
Yeah, having four guys hit 20 plus homeruns in your lineup last season is not enough. Cano, Texeira, Swisher, Granderson and Alex Rodriguez (who should hit more than 20 if healthy all season) and they totally need another bat.
ARod's Ring
Sorry that our Front Office is not concerned with being good, but being the best. Jelly?
Chris
i can see them making a trade by the deadline for ethier.
Hoosierdaddy92
I get that argument, I’m just saying it’s not like they “need” another bat. there are better ways for them to improve the team
$3513744
It doesn’t make sense to try to make improvements?
Hoosierdaddy92
no it does, I just think it’s odd that the Yanks think they “need” another bat when they are in really good offensive shape as is and could allocate that money in the draft or other needs. No hate here.
If it becomes evident that they need a bat midway through the season, they could always trade for one at the deadline.
Devon Henry
C’Mon JeDi trade Abreu. Morales is finally looking healthy (knock on wood) not to mention Trumbo and Wells.
User 4245925809
Do they really need a DH added to the mix? Am thinking that Cashman may be thinking a bit about the age of a few of the people already on the roster and they may need that DH spot sometimes.
Not that an Ibanez/Damon type could not happen, but not a FT DH
YanksFanSince78
He’s looking for a part-time, preferably lefty DH to complement Jones. A 1 year deal isn’t going to mean anything. Who, other than Arod, needs to DH and has a bat that MUST be in the lineup? If Jeter needs rest he can just sit on the bench.
User 4245925809
That was what thinking also.. Rotate Jones and Rodriquez back and forth vs lefties and then just a LH guy as a PT guy.. Not someone to get a ton of AB and can’t see someone like Damon agreeable to a situation like that, but perhaps Ibanez would?
Jeter was btw the other person thinking they may want to rest some and also rotate into the DH spot if he makes a comeback with his offense. It could get a little touchy there tho since they may try to DH Rodriquez at least once a week to keep him fresh?
rockfordone
Adam Done is available
two dozen baseballs (Don’t have to be new)???
PS – must pay shipping costs
Yankees420
“Adam Done”
I see what you did there….
James Moose Scott
Russell Branyan
DbacksAreBeast
he’ll put the Yanks over the top!
Sean Proper
Wouldn’t it make sense to sign someone who can play more than OF or DH if needed when Arod or Jeter goes down? Nunez is pretty solid but can’t back up everyone can he?
$3513744
Such as who?
Sean Proper
Wasn’t there talk of Bill Hall to NY?
$3513744
Yes there were rumors, but let’s face it, the guy sucks. He can’t hit.
bayareabeast
haha safe to say bill hall is done, youd be better off bringing back ruths dead corpse.
Yankees420
Chavez can play the field for a little while, if needed. Assuming he’s healthy himself, which I know isn’t necessarily a safe assumption.
kidgto67
Nothing more funny than trading away a guy who will drive in 100 run’s and hit 30 hr’s and than say you need more hitting.
$3513744
Why is that funny? It would make sense if anything. It would even make more sense if that guy has actually ever hit 30/100.
bayareabeast
if anything..ur comment makes no sense.
$3513744
Of course I make no sense, because it makes perfect sense that you would trade away offense and not want to get more. How ridiculous of them to want more offense when they traded away that much.
James Moose Scott
Simple math, if you trade away a DH, you need a DH.
$3513744
Yes, exactly. It’s not funny, it makes perfect sense.
Chris
and they traded away a kid who no one knows for sure will ever hit 30 HR’s. he played what a total of 20 games? lets see how he does in seattle before saying it was a dumb move. for all we know the trade could be a win for the yankees and a loss for the mariners. just like when they traded lee to the rangers and got nothing in return. sorry but smoak has not showing much of anything.
bayareabeast
i agree that it makes sense that it makes no sense
$3513744
Oh no worries, your sound logic was clear the first time.
kidgto67
Yanks have plenty of young pitching. No young hitting. Let’s add another 38-40 year old player.
YanksFanSince78
Even funnier when you use said hitter to acquire a possible stud pitcher. Look, I have a man-crush on Montero but the Yanks used a strength to acquire a need and they got a guy who is young and under team control for 5 years instead of a 30 + year old who might have seen their better days.
Cards_Fanboy
Yankees need Manny.
JacobyWanKenobi
…Banuelos to convert to a 50hr Right Fielder? Surely it wasn’t Ramirez comma Manny. #MLBTradeRumorsHumor
Too Many Idiots
Oh really? Who’s going to DH the first 50 games of the year?
Cards_Fanboy
Posada
Too Many Idiots
Retired and not coming back. Thanks for playing.
Cards_Fanboy
One of my uncle’s friends knows Posada and he is thinking about changing his mind on the retirement and coming back. You’re Welcome.
Too Many Idiots
One of my cousin’s friends cleans his house and he has said it’s not happening. See, I can do that too.
Cards_Fanboy
One of my uncle’s friends knows Posada and he is thinking about changing his mind on the retirement and coming back. You’re Welcome.
tiger313
Richie sexson.
Willjhull
Ankiel…perfect fit for that team…
stevlich
I lke Guerrero because he’s such a high energy player. His power numbers are much better than Damon’s. Matsui is the worst of those four. Too old and too banged up. I don’t want to see them bring back Damon or Matsui. Nobody is ever any good when a team brings them back for a second go around. I think Guerrero would be enough but a Guerrero/Ibanez DH duo could be awesome. Ibanez is in better shape than Damon and Matsui and he corrected a flaw in his swing over the winter. The DH shouldn’t be taken lightly and the Yanks shouldn’t fool around with rotating DHs or Jorge Vasquez with no experience.
Too Many Idiots
Guerrero – .290/.317/.416 ISO – .126
Damon – .261/.326/.418 ISO – .156
Your comparison of Guerrero and Damon is incorrect. Damon put up better power numbers playing in a pitcher’s park, while Guerrero played in a hitter’s park.
Andrew 36
I would would like to see ibanez of vlad they can still hid and with the short porch In right field
Too Many Idiots
Vlad is a RH hitter.