Yanks Interested In Hillenbrand

Don't ask me why, but the Yankees are interested in trading for benched Angels DH Shea Hillenbrand.  At $6.5MM with attitude issues and little defensive (plus questionable offensive) value, Hillenbrand is not exactly a hot commodity.  I imagine the Angels would not be asking for much and would probably eat some salary.

The Yankees tossed around the idea of signing Hillenbrand last winter, but ultimately decided to go with Josh Phelps and Doug Mientkiewicz.  Mientkiewicz may not return until August after wrist surgery.  The Yankees have actually been using Miguel Cairo at first base.  I don't care what kind of defense he plays, that ain't right. 

Acquiring Hillenbrand would be odd, because Phelps pretty much is Hillenbrand but cheaper.  The Yankees' offense has been very good, ranking first in the AL in OBP and second in SLG.  But upgrading first base would still result in even more runs scored, never a bad thing. 

That's why the Yankees should pursue an actual upgrade.  Carlos Pena, Mark Teixeira, Todd Helton, and Dmitri Young could all be options.  The expensive guys are obviously long shots.  The Yanks could also go after Rich Aurilia or Mark DeRosa as mentioned here.  Underachievers/bench guys like Jorge Cantu, Aubrey Huff, Kevin Millar, and Ben Broussard may be possibilities as well.

Comments

[Not Joe Morgan]

No. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.

This has to be one of those newspaper created rumors where the reporter decides A to B would 'make sense' so he floats it without a source.

[Kramerica Industries]

Kevin Millar to the Yankees is unallowed...

[waldosis]

How about Andy Phillips with an OBP of .381 and a slugging percentage of .500 at AAA? Why not give him another shot before exploring marginal outside options?

[jfish26101]

Yeah this doesn't make to much sense. What ever happened to Eric Duncan? Didn't he play 1st and 3rd? Why not give him a call up and see what he can do. I know he hasn't hit well as of late but he will be much cheaper and perhaps they will strike lightning. It wouldn't be the first time a team called up a struggling minor leaguer who tore it up; McCann for the Braves (to name one) who was hitting .260 in AA before getting called up and hitting .278 to finish that year and then .330 the following . I'd rather give that kid a shot then sign Hillenbrand. All the other names make more sense as well, I just don't see this...

[Mr_Punch]

The Red Sox should kick in a prospect to get Hillenband in pinstripes.

[Beau Phillips]

Dmitri Young to me makes the most sense for the Yankees...the Nationals might sell high to pick up more prospects and to give Nick Johnson an extended look before they decide what they want to do in the off-season, moving to the new ball park

[Not Joe Morgan]

I'd be surprised to see any Young/Hillenbrand/Millar type come to NY. Based on the Mientkiewicz signing and the use of Cairo over Phelps, it looks like Cashman and Torre have decided to go defense at 1B for this year. As someone above pointed out, they have a non-confrontational version of Hillenbrand already on their bench. Lets hope they either pickup a bat that would more than make up for a bad glove (Dunn), a two way guy (Sexson if the M's fall) or just stand pat; its not like Mientkiewicz was a loss for the lineup anyway.

[nrmax88]

Joe Morgan I agree, but since Giambi went down, maybe they are looking for a guy who can just fill in for a little bit til he comes back and give them a little bit of offensive production. I agree though, Shea's not that guy I dont think. Sexson makes sense, but the M's are competing right now so who knows. Not that the Yankees really need a bat right now, they will be fine until Giambi comes back, but they're on fire right now, and they will cool off a little. Still outslug a lot of teams even without Giambi, I dont know, no matter how I think about it, I dont know why they would want Hillenbrand

[nrmax88]

Also, anybody know about the 2 Chinese pitchers the Yankees just signed to minor league deals? They supposed to be any good?

[nrmax88]

Meant to say 1 pitcher and 1 catcher**

[Yu Hsing Chen]

i have to agree that if your going to try marignal losers with no upside you might as well try Andy Phillips and/or Shelley Ducan or even Eric Duncan first.

Cantu and Johnny Gomes make more sense for the Yankees as do Carlos Pena, but the D-rays can't be that stupid in trading away Gomes for nothing could they?

[Yu Hsing Chen]

i have to agree that if your going to try marignal losers with no upside you might as well try Andy Phillips and/or Shelley Ducan or even Eric Duncan first.

Cantu and Johnny Gomes make more sense for the Yankees as do Carlos Pena, but the D-rays can't be that stupid in trading away Gomes for nothing could they?