The Yankees did not make a move before the trade deadline yesterday. Did Brian Cashman blow it? Or was he wise to not panic?
Here’s Joel Sherman in the Post:
Cashman said he never got close to a trade. Not for Ubaldo Jimenez. Not for Hiroki Kuroda. Not for Heath Bell. Not for anyone.
Instead, Cashman decided a 106-game sample size was significant. The Yanks are 64-42 after trouble was forecasted following Cliff Lee’s decision to go to Philadelphia and Andy Pettitte’s retirement. The Yankees have the majors’ third-best record, are sitting on Boston’s doorstep and are 6½ games up in the wild-card race.
So Cashman did not feel desperation, though he knew his trade-deadline inactivity would trigger a new round of “the Yankees are doomed.” Cashman, in fact, feels sure the Yankees have enough depth, even in pitching, to weather the rest of the season.
And over at The Yankee Analysts, Larry Koeslter writes:
Bottom line, Brian Cashman and company didn’t like any of the hypothetical deals they were mulling enough to pull the trigger, and that’s OK. The Rockies were asking for a Cliff Lee-type package for Ubaldo Jimenez, and Ubaldo is not Cliff Lee. NL Central lifer Wandy Rodriguez wasn’t exciting anyone enough to surrender anything worthwhile, and Hiroki Kuroda decided he likes being on a losing team too much to leave Los Angeles. I personally wouldn’t have minded seeing Erik Bedard come to the Bronx instead of Boston, but he’s not exactly a sure thing either.
One thing seems almost certain now — Jesus Montero will be making his Major League debut for the Yankees soon; it’s really just a matter of when. And with the news that Manny Banuelos was promoted to AAA today, it’s not out of the question that we could see the Yankees’ prize pitching prospect pitching important innings in another month as well.
Oh, and Alex Rodriguez comes back in roughly two weeks. So for those upset that the team didn’t make a trade, it’s probably best to keep in mind that help is still on the way, only this time it isn’t costing the Yankees anything except time.
[Photo Credit: Magritte via todayandtomorrow]
For what it's worth, I'm happy. We got Ivan Nova and a Hughes Fix-it Project in the works.
Maybe yous guys are savvy, but I just noticed that Melky Cabrera, yes I'm talkin' 'bout the Melk Man, has more hits that Robby Cano, Ichiro, Dusty Smurf, and the REAL Cabrera, Miguel. What gives? WTF gives?
yeah i'm fine with the way things went.
i think you make in season trades for damn near sure things or for obvious needs.
an upgrade to the non cc starters wasn't readily available.
beltran was the only real hitter available that would have led to an upgrade at dh.
so, not much to pick from this deadline.
I would've liked Ubaldo, but only if the price came down. If the rumors about Colorado refusing to let the Yankees see his medical records is true, then EFF THAT. Not worth the risk.
I think The Jesus' inevitable debut is going to end up creating more of a buzz than any deal they could have made.
Agree -- if Montero, and maybe even Banuelos, debuts this year, that's plenty of buzz for me.
[1] Yeah, Melky is a .720 OPS guy having an .800 OPS year. Hey, it happens! (You're not saying you wish we had unloaded Brett instead, are you?)
[4] No, ain't saying nutin', just sayin'.
I was surprised. That's all.
No doubt, I love Brett at the top of the line up.
Yankees rotation is
CC ('nuff said)
A.J. (drives me crazy, but can be good, and who's going to trade for him and his contract?)
Hughes (did win 18 last year, is low cost with big upside potential)
Colon (a pleasant surprise)
Garcia (another pleasant surprise)
And if any of them falter, we've got Nova. I honestly don't see a need to trade for another starter, who are you going to get rid of, and what's the cost?
Middle reliever or utility player I can see (and no one has a good BUC, good BUCs get flipped and turned into starters,) but the rotation is set and the starting lineup, once A-Rod comes back, is set. Really, what needs to be done is get rid of one of the relievers and have another infielder.
Have no fear boys, Jesus saves!
And he's coming soon, according to the latest ...