The Yankees always seem to be pursuing pitching, but their front office officials aren’t overly concerned about the rotation, since C.C. Sabathia and Andy Pettitte are expected to return this summer. Instead, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports, the Yankees are looking at the outfield market and have checked in on both Shane Victorino and Justin Upton.
Upton, who can block trades to the Yankees, would be a “major long shot,” Heyman writes. The Yankees believe the asking price for Upton and Victorino is too high, but Victorino may be slightly more realistic than Upton. At least one executive believes Victorino could be traded before any other big-name players.
Brett Gardner is scheduled attempt to return from an elbow injury later this month. In the meantime, Raul Ibanez, and Andruw Jones are playing well in complementary roles. Yet Yankees left fielders have combined for a .233/.303/.426 batting line, so it's no surprise GM Brian Cashman is considering alternatives.
Yankees are fine they really don’t have to make any other moves and have a shot at the title. After all, once you make the playoffs it doesn’t matter how good you are anything can happen.
It does matter how good you are, sure “anything can happen” in short sample sizes but the better you are the better your chances.
The Yankees always love staying at status quo it’s their favorite thing now at least that’s how it seems anyway. Did the same nonsense last year and may have been a reason they got knocked out so early in the playoffs last year well once again anyway.
I don’t think it is anymore than just what it says. Anytime you have any sort of weakness you should “check in” to see what teams want. It doesn’t hurt, and if you think you can get a deal you make the trade.
While it has been a weakness for the yankees, if they can get gardner back they should be fine. Gardner is decent.
At this point I would say Gardner is a long shot after missing so many games. Every time he trys to come back he gets soreness in his elbow.
Span
Well the D-Backs top wants for #1 is a top prospect SS & #2 Outfielder like prospect with the tolls like a Upton.
So IMHO D-Backs would start by asking for something like Williams / Culver + 1 fringe top guy from the Yankees JMHO
The Indians and Red Sox are thought to have also asked about Upton the Problem is Upton has a small no trade that includes 4 teams Yankees / Red Sox / Indians & Cubs are all on Uptons no trade list.
Rumors in Cleveland has the Indians with a offer on the table for Upton + 1st base Prospect Ryan Wheeler that would include their #1 prospect SS Lindor #2 Prospect pitcher Dillion Howard as well as # 15 Prospect Chun Chen and major league ready starter Jeanmar Gomez.
That is if Upton would be willing to waive his no trade clause I do not believe this would happen though since waiving it most likely would come at the cost of Upton wanting his contract reworked and the indians will not do that.
I’m not blaming you… you are the messenger… but that Cleveland package is pretty bad. Lindor is someone I’d want, but just because they are willing to give their #1 and 2 prospects doesn’t mean it’s a good deal. Cleveland has arguably the worst farm system in the game. As much as I like Lindor, they would have to find a way to make that proposal better.
I wouldn’t trade Allen Craig for eithr of those packages. We’re talking about JUSTIN UPTON here!
Take Crawford and his contract!
It’s be nice for the Yankees to get an outfielder that can hit close to .300. They don’t need another home run hitter. Getting Upton would be pretty scary though.
Brace yourselves……….unrealistic trade proposals are coming.
To be honest, the player I want the Yankees to get the most is Martin Prado. I feel likes hes one of the most underrated players in the game. Could play right without Swisher or 3rd when Arod needs a day off.
Nunez and Warren for Prado – I dig it.
I would like to see NY add Prado, but no way Atlanta moves him for those two pieces. He’s more valuable to Atlanta and their needs than Nunez and Warren.
Victorino in the line-up would be great for him. I just don’t see them trading much for him since they really don’t need him.
I also like Victorino and I think he would be a good fit for the Yanks. A switch hitter who makes contact, plays defense and can run. He has post season experience, knows how to play small ball. That’s an element that the Yankees are lacking.
Not quite Bernie Williams in his prime but he shouldn’t cost too much because he is a free agent at the end on the year.
Problem is Phillies aren’t going to give him away. They will want at least one top 10 Prpsoect who is close to ready (like a RP) or a couple of low A guys with high ceilings since they could just keep him and take the extra pick.
Aside from switch-hitting, most of the attributes you’ve described also come from Gardner. It makes more sense to retain the farm pieces and play Gardner than give up something to rent Victorino.
The thing is, the Yankees DO need an OF or two. In all likely hood Swisher, Ibanez, and Jones will be gone after this season. Well, Jones might be welcomed back as a role player since he really has been good in that capacity. With no top flight major league ready OF’s coming from the farm, it makes perfect sense to go after Upton if there is even a remote chance at getting him. His contract is very team friendly which will help in keeping the payroll goal for 2014 intact and he is young enough to transition the team into the next Yankee era.
That said, I’m not sure we have the horses to win that race. I would suspect it will take 4-5 high end prospects.
Tyler Austin and Mason Williams. Enough said.
Great prospects for sure, but won’t be ready for 2013 or maybe even 2014. All the more reason Upton would be a welcome addition.
I 100% agree. The Yanks have a ton of pieces that they can use to make a huge trade. Problem is, the pieces the Yankees have are NOT what Arizona wants. They want Major League ready players so we would have to get a third team involved.
Texas – Nova
Yankees – Upton
Arizona – Ott, Austin, Banuelos
There’s no way nova and banuelos will be traded for upton he’s not that goos and the yankees don need him that bad. Also nova is awesome and if they traded him they would need more pitching. Banuelos they are really excited about so no chance he’s going anywhere.
Yankees should trade for Upton, and let Granderson go after next season. That gives you one year of Grandy and Upton together, and if not the best offense in the league a top 3 no doubt. Upton and Cano 3,4 for the next few years will be insane.
Plus, many of Upton’s deep fly balls would turn into home runs at Yankee Stadium.
Banuelos, Sanchez, Nunez, Gardner for Upton.
Might be too much… take out Gardner.
Dang it. I almost pulled the trigger on that one (w/Gardner in it)! LOL
I’m a Dbacks fan as well and hate the Yanks. I would take that deal with Gardner in it… I just didn’t want to get shredded by NYY fans.
Why would you take out Gardner for? Isn’t like he’s the next coming of Ricky Henderson or anything like that. If you want great players or even very good players you have to give something up they say that Sachez is going to be better then Austin Romine so they could throw Romine in there instead of Sanchez. Stop acting like Gardner is really worth it and is that important. The Yankees have over 50 wins no thanks to Gardner playing his 9 games this year isn’t like they’ve suffered without him. Granderson has to be stealing more if Gardner is out for an even more extended period. Gardner isn’t making the Yankees lose since he was hurt though.
Let me reiterate… I’m a Dbacks fan. And Upton should net a lot. I think the package above with Gardner is pretty close to his current value.
I wouldn’t touch Upton if I’m the Yanks.
I think you are over rating Upton!
I know I am underrating Upton!
Vernon Wells!!!!!
although im sure upton would look nice batting infront of Cano in the middle of that order, i doubt they get that deal done even if the pieces were right for arizona in the prospects they want. they could both agree but in the end will come down to uptons approval. Victorino is the better one to go after, FA at the end of the year will not require a full load of prospects and he has a good arm, speed, plays defense well, could even throw him in at DH when Gardner comes back and give him the occasional start when swisher,granderson, and gardner needs a rest. Chances are anyway that Gardner will prob be playing sparringly due to him coming off the DL, so they could use him cautiously to avoid further DL stints. so thats where Victorino could come in to help.
Justin Upton sucks… Are some of you people half retarded
Denard Span to Yankees for David Phelps – get it done Cashman