Yanks Need Outfield Help

The trade rumor question on everyone's mind today: who are the Yankees getting to replace Hideki Matsui?

Buster Olney ran through seven options in his blog today.  Let's assess these first.

1. Bobby Abreu was the headliner today.  Olney reiterated Gillick's aggressive attempts to deal him this winter.  But as a few commenters on this site have mentioned, why would the Phillies trade Abreu to the Yanks when their team is contending?  New York doesn't have an equitable starting pitcher to offer in return (unless Carl Pavano gets a visit from the 2003 fairy again).  Dealing Abreu for Philip Hughes and another prospect just isn't sensible for the Phillies.

2. With a projection of .273/.335/.406, Shannon Stewart ain't replacing Matsui's offense.  Matsui is a 5-6 win player, Stewart is a two win player. 

3. Torii Hunter is a better option, though his defense is not what it once was.  If the Twins could wrangle Hughes for Hunter, it would be a killer move for them.  It seems likely that the Yankees will at least inquire, and Hunter would be happy on the big stage.

4. Olney rightfully questions Aubrey Huff as a poor fit because of a slow start, poor defense, and no good match among Yankee pitching prospects.

5. Alfonso Soriano is sounding less crazy each time I think about it.  But again, could this happen without Hughes? Wouldn't be worth that price.

6. Mike Cameron...not sure why he is on this list.

7. Austin Kearns...see Mike Cameron.

Now to add a few others:

A couple of mid-tier options I mentioned in conjunction with St. Louis still could apply: Reggie Sanders, David Dellucci, and Craig Wilson would all come at a lesser cost. 

Some more large salaried possibilities: Carlos Lee, Shawn Green, Luis Gonzalez, Raul Ibanez, Jim Edmonds, Mark Kotsay, and Juan Pierre.  These guys are admittedly less likely for various reasons, but it's always fun to speculate.  I was surprised to hear that the Brewers are trying to work out a contract extension for Lee.

I really could see Hunter as the guy, especially since the Twins are already in fourth place, 8.5 games out. If the Yanks want a player comparable to Matsui, it should cost them Hughes and perhaps Jose Tabata or another younger prospect.

Comments

[bulsworth]

With Cashman in charge, the Yankees are not going to deal away Hughes or any of their big name prospects unless it was for a young stud type player. They will most likely deal for an OF, I don't doubt that, but it will be a salary dump type trade (Hunter) or a lower level player (Stewart).

[Ghostwheel]

What about Ken Griffey jr. or as mentioned on YES/My9 Ichiro?

[ptk420biatch]

So the yankees can add to a list of teams in need of help. IMO if they make a trade they would be better suited getting a good defensive OF since they are stacked on offense.I kinda get the feeling they will take care of there problem in house since they are also on the list of teams that need help but will have to give a lot to get some help till matsui comes back.

[Kyle]

I dont think the Yankees need to make a trade. Sheff will be back in like two weeks, and when that happpens they will have plenty of offense. I would guess they let either Bubba Crosby or Melky Cabrera play left for the rest of the year. They are both good defensively and wont be lost at the plate

[TheHall]

I would only trade away Hughes/Duncan for Miguel Cabrera but I don't think he is available. If Cashman could pry Griffey away for cheap, I'll take that, he can still hit the hell outta the ball. He could DH and play left 2 or 3 times a week. Keep him and Bernie fresh that way.

[YankeeBaseball]

Trade Henn for David Delucci. The guy is decent defensively, can provide a little pop (he hit 29hr last year) and can handle NY. Plus he a good club house guy and does well with "small ball" that the Yankees need. He's not playing hardly at all in Philly so he's probably available cheap. Henn is expendable. He'll never amount to anything as a Yankee.

[Drew Pesak]

Dellucci makes sense for the Yankess but why would the Phillies make a deal like that?

First off Sean Henn is injured and hasn't pitched in about a month. And even when he is healthy he's not better than what the Phillies have right now. More likely than not, Henn won't amount to be more than a career AAAA pitcher.

[huskies10x10]

Gillick was shopping Abreu last offseason but couldn't find any takers. Now with the recent impressive performances by Shane Victorino it seems as though Abreu's day are about over as a Phillie. But it doesn't make sense why the Yankees would want him because of his lack of effort in right field.

[YankeeBaseball]

Why would the Yankees want Abreu??? 'Cause he's an ALLSTAR and we are currently starting both sourMelky and career minor leaguer bubbles crosby. That's why. And when Sheff and Matsui are both back, Sheff can DH.

[Paul AKA twinsfan]

The Twins will want someone major league ready At either OF ss, or 3b for hunter and more and no duncan isn't that.

[thegogglesdonothing]

It seems to me that any potential trade partner is going to hold the Yanks' feet to the fire unless they can show that they are at least willing to go with Bubba and Melky if no deal can be reached. If they really think they're as screwed as some fans seem to, then why wouldn't teams demand top prospects for middling talent?

Also, wasn't Abreu only being shopped because Gillick wanted to improve his starting pitching for 2006? Are the Yanks going to be able to help them in that regard?

Plus, going based on recent history, Cashman seems like he'd prefer to use a stopgap option - see Aaron Small, John Olerud, Tony Clark, Shawn Chacon, and Al Leiter. Thinking along those lines, doesn't Garret Anderson seem like a guy who looks washed up now but then puts on the pinstripes and gets magically rejuvenated? Call him Olerud 2.0.

[wpb1310]

It is funny that Hunter name keeps comming up. It is strange that 45 days into the season you are asking a team to fold up the season because the Yankees can only compete by going to one of the other 29 "minor" league teams the play in MLB. If this same situation comes 45 days from now, yes go after Hunter. For Stewart being called a lower level player ... He is much better than anything the Yankees currently have in Ohio. The Twins are not going to tell their players and fans the the 2006 season is over 2 weeks into May. Please tell me how Twins Inc. saves face closing the season on May 13th?

[RotoAuthority]

Given that Stewart is probably not even league average at his position and the Twins have Kubel in the minors, I don't think they would be folding anything in by replacing him with the superior player.

[wpb1310]

Jason Kubel is a better "D" player yes, however he was hurt all of last year and to take away a .300 avg. and lead off man with a rookie that didnt play last year is folding the season.

[Karatedude]

You guys make me sick. This is what sucks about the Yankee$. They think they can just go around and try to sacrifice other team's seasons so they can try and stay mediocre. Develop your own friggin farm season, you egocentric losers.

[desturbd1]

"You guys make me sick. This is what sucks about the Yankee$. They think they can just go around and try to sacrifice other team's seasons so they can try and stay mediocre. Develop your own friggin farm season, you egocentric losers."

And the award for most inane and bitter comment goes to...

In case you weren't aware, trades don't take place unless both teams want them to. If other teams wind up sacrificing their seasons to help NY, which is unlikely given that most trade partners would be out of contention anyway, blame them for making a stupid move. And a side note, NY is trying to build its farm. That's why a trade is going to be tough to make.

[Karatedude]

OK, ok sorry about that last one. I take it back. I just wish people wouldn't get on the Twins backs just for failing to produce in the first month. How would you feel if a team, like the Yankees, started inquiring about players, assuming that team will just sacrifice their season, and roll over and just play dead?

[RotoAuthority]

I don't think teams are offended by trade inquiries. Stewart, and Hunter to a lesser extent, both have inflated salaries, are impending free agents, and are on the decline. Even a contending team would want to cash them for prospects. Only difference is that they'd want more Major League ready ones.

[bobo]

I can't see Hughes going unless it's for a top starter (Schmidt, please please please not Zito), or Cabrera. I could see Duncan being dealt for an overpaid $8 million, .800 OPS type of guy.

I'd gladly deal him for Ibanez, for example.

[RotoAuthority]

Ibanez is fairly cheap at 4.25 mil this year and 5.5 each of the next two seasons.

[bobo]

Wow, I didn't realize. Thought it was $21M for 3 or something like that. Also I thought he was a FA after this year? Could have sworn he signed a 3 year deal in 04. Or did he sign an extension?

Anyway, I take it back (not that I'd gladly deal Duncan for Ibanez, but that it's no longer realistic).

Is there any chance the Royals would trade Sanders now? If they do, it just shows there was no point in signing him in the first place. But they obviously won't hold onto him all year, and they'll presumably get less in July than they would from the Yankees now. Why are teams so stupid?

[Batgirl]

I would be very surprised if the Twins trade Hunter while they're trying to get a new stadium. He's the face of the team and the most popular player. Perhaps when it's all said and done, but even so I'd be surprised if they did it before July. It would be very difficult for the Yankees to trade with the Twins--they can't afford anyone worth trading.