Outfielder?

[Eva]

Well, with Matsui out for 2-3 months or maybe the season. Nobody really know at this point. LF is being man by the likes of Bernie, Bubba and Melky. Lol, in short, young players and a player pasted his prime. We all know if Bubba and Melky don't prove themselves in a short period of time, then they're out. Bernie done, so question is who you like to see the Yankees get for LF?

At this point, I can see them dealing for a LF. Names like Torii Hunter and Stewart of the Twins have been brought up. Arbeu of Phillies have also been brought up. Even Ichiro been brought up. Who would you like to see? Who's possible to deal for?

At the moment, Arbeu is no go. Phillies in the race, but if they drop out. They might want to dump him and his contract. Seattle fans will chase the GM out of town if they trade Ichiro. I highly doubt Ichiro will up in pinstripes this year. So, unless the Twins get back into this race. I can see them dealing Hunter or Stewart to the Yankees. Both would be good addition. I think most people would want to see Hunter out there.

[milky_way]

Let's think long-term. Youth and Melk :)

I definitely don't think we could get a big name OFer without giving up Robi, Duncan, or Hughes. I want the Yanks to keep all three of them, so I'm all for MELKY in left :)

And considering how well Robi did last year, I think there's a legit chance the Yanks will stick it out with Melky, even through extended slumps.

[Royce]

Everyone just says Melky sucks because he can't catch a pop-up. Okay, that's true. But he's a really good hitter. And Crosby has always been great in his few chances to play. But, I wouldn't mind someone like...Soriano coming to play left. :D

Sori was my favorite Yankee. I'd be so happy to get him back. But like MIlky said, I Think we need to plat for the future for once.

[Yankeesfan27]

Do.Not.Trade.Period

Keep Melky and Bubba I really like them. Bernie has been alright, IMO.

[Eva]

Everyone just says Melky sucks because he can't catch a pop-up.
Typical Yankee and Sox fan like jumping the gun far too early.

I just wonder if George and Cashman going to stick with Melky and Bubba. I know Cashman would, but George sticking with Melky and Bubba if they produce like Robi did last year? I doubt he'll stick with them. Honestly, Soriano coming back is very possible. He's only 30 and I don't think he would object to coming back and playing the OF.

I'll just say I'll be shocked if no move is made if Matsui out for the season, unless Melky and Bubba come through like Robi did last year.

[milky_way]

Well, I don't have high expectations for Bubba. He's a 4th outfielder at best. Melky could be more, so I think he should be given LF outright the way Robi was given 2B last year. And I know its quite unfathomable that the Yanks may stick with Melky through the inevitable downs, but I think they will for three reasons:

1. We just went through a year with a rookie who struggled for a month before succeeding. Robi's success will extend the Yanks' patience with Melky.

2. We seem to be embracing this "youth movement" concept that Robi and Wang popularized. If we traded for a short-term OF solution, we'd have to give up one or more of our prized kiddies Robi/Wang/Hughes/Duncan. Cashman doesn't want to do that, and that leads to #3...

3. Cashman seems to have more power than ever before. We didn't pull the trigger on a major deal last year when our rotation was absolute crap, and we really haven't foolishly overreacted in a while. Might we actually be thinking long-term?? :eek:

What we should do though, is give Kevin Thompson a try in RF if Sheff is out longer than expected. Bernie in the OF is disastrous...as we've already seen :ugh:. Bubba really can't hit. If Thompson's AAA numbers translate to anything, Thompson, Melky, and Damon would be an adequate OF both offensively and defensively. And most importantly, that trio would keep Bernie out of the field and would keep Robi/Wang/Hughes/Duncan with the Yankees.

But if the Yanks do panic and feel an urgent, franchise-threatening need to make a trade, they should trade for a Joey Gathright type player, not a Torii Hunter or a Shannon Stewart. Youth is good; if we're going to have to give up one of our blue chips, it should be for someone who can fit into our 10-year plan too. That said, I really don't see us making any huge trade.

[RollingWave]

I'm not sure, wait a bit and see...

Seriously though, unless your willing to deal Wang / Cano / Huges your not going to get anything significantly better than Bubba Crosby .... the problem is the Yankee's cards are very limited, and the few they do have, they most likely would want to keep...

Unless Sheff is out for a longer time (say over a month ) and/or Melky an Bubba both suck to the inifinty and beyond (say significantly lower than .300 OBP ) I say don't trade, if anything we learned from this is that our farm is way too shallow, we don't have enough call ups to fill all positions and not enough chips to make emergency trade (something we knew.. just not as badly needed ) keep ur bullets and try to strengthen ur farm by end of season... by throwing away garbage for lower prospects

[milky_way]

I don't think our farm is being exposed by this...

Any team would have a b!tch of a time trying to replace two, all-star starting OFers with minor leaguers. We have Melky and Thompson, so if needed we could replace Sheff and Matsui for an extended period of time from within...can't really ask for more than that out of our farm...

We have chips that we could use to trade for an emergency OF replacement, but they're good chips so like you said, we'd rather keep them. It's not that the option isn't there, it's that it isn't worth it.

[RollingWave]

Well your right in the sense that if other teams lost stars of this caliber (say Boston lose Ortiz and Manny ) they are a lot more screwed than the Yankees are. but still...

Fact doesn't change that the Yankees really don't have much of a farm system to deal with... it's better than a lot of the media are giving it credit for.. but it's still nothing incrediable.

[milky_way]

Yeah, we're definitely not as deep as say, the Braves.

A lot of our talent is in the lower levels. They'll come up one day, unless we go back to gutting the farm to make emergency trades....

...like the ones we could possibly make now...:wedgie:

[Eva]

Bubba a good number 4 OF. He should not be starting.

Melky getting LF full time? I won't disagree with that option. Let Melky try to prove himself. Platoon him with Bubba doesn't help him all that much. Let Melky win or lose the job. Bubba can't hit. Even if he's a full timer. He'll flash the leather, not the bat, until I see Bubba prove me wrong.

We'll see what the Yankees do. Honestly, I don't think they need a replacement. Bubba and Melky will be fine for LF. The Sheffield should be back later this month the earliest. The offense still being led by Damon, Jeter, A-Rod, Giambi and Cano. Sheffield when he's back with the team.

If Cashman in complete control. I don't expect a move. George might pressure a move if say the Yankees are falling out of the race. You know, I think George would desire to have Soriano back. You know, Soriano wouldn't be terrible. Even when he become a FA, the Yankees can bring him back next year. He can play LF, play 2B when Cano need a day-off and you can shift him, Matsui and Sheffield for the DH spot come next season. It wouldn't be awful move. It's just they have nothing much to offer from him.

[milky_way]

I love Sori. From what he's said in previous interviews, he'd definitely love to come back here...

But he's not worth what it would take to acquire him.

[Yankeesfan27]

We'd have to pick him up as a FA.

[Eva]

If there's a spot for him on the next year team, I can honestly see him back on the Yankees. Like I suggest in my last post, that's what they would do with Soriano, Matsui and Sheffield if they're on the team. Man, what does Tom Hicks have to show now for the A-Rod and Soriano deal? He'll still paying a good amount of A-Rod's contract.

[beachgirl]

Soriano would be great to have again, but I doubt we'll see that. I think all this trade talk is a bit early. I would not be surprised if Matsui came back early. His work ethic is incredible.

[RollingWave]

If we could get Soriano for trash and bag of balls (which is possible if we eat contracts) it would be nice... but still that's not a hard offer to beat for other teams...

[Cyberlibrarian]

Well, now Bubba is out of commission. They're saying "day to day," but who knows?

[redsfan]

I think if they are going to trade it should be for better pitching. They have a potent enough offense without Matsui. Put a servicable player in LF. Sheff is coming back soon to play RF. They can score enough runs. The game the other day should prove they are never out of a scoring fest. They should never be in that position if they have better pitching.

[Yankeesfan27]

You said it, Reds. :)

[Eva]

Susan Waldman did make a good point on Mike and Mad-dog Show today. You don't need an All-Star at every position. While Soriano an excellent fit. They won't be able to get him for nothing from the Nationals. Bubba should be back, so Bernie and Melky can handle the OF until Sheffield back. Once Bubba back, Torre can decide what to do with LF.

[Yankeesfan27]

Oh and look we are CURRENTLY ONE GAME out of FIRST place!!!

[Eva]

Oh and look we are CURRENTLY ONE GAME out of FIRST place!!!
Matsui only went down two weeks ago. More Yankees are going down since then. Look at the bottom of the batting order. It's not that much or even worse than Red Sox and other MLB teams at this point. Not like you're going to lose every game after an injury. Since the Matsui injury, you lost a series to Sox and Mets, who should have swept the Yankees. You spilt with Texas and you beat a beat up Oakland team.

Anyway, Sheffield begin his rehab assignment tomorrow. Odd little situation with him, but as expected, he probably be returning around the end of May or early June.

Bad news for Yankee fans. Chacon, who's been one of the better starter, going on the DL. Don't look too much into his last outing against Texas since he was injuried against the Sox by Loretta before that start. So, Small going to take his spot in the rotation until then.

Not sure what's up with Posada. Torre said he be back up for pinch hitting in tonight Sox and Yankee game.

Yankees also picked up Terrance Long. So, you might expect him on the team at some point playing some LF. I believe Long's defense is pretty good, if I remember correctly. He won't bring much with the bat, but you never know.

Lol, another former A in Erubiel Durazo was also picked up.

[Yankeesfan27]

Matsui only went down two weeks ago. More Yankees are going down since then. Look at the bottom of the batting order. It's not that much or even worse than Red Sox and other MLB teams at this point. Not like you're going to lose every game after an injury. Since the Matsui injury, you lost a series to Sox and Mets, who should have swept the Yankees. You spilt with Texas and you beat a beat up Oakland team.



So, uh what exactly are you trying to say? I'm confused.

[Royce]

The Mets shouldn't have swept the Yankees. The Yankees should have won 2 out of 3 if it wasn't for freakin' Randy Johnson and Damon playing so shallow. Not to mention the fact that we had 19 men on base and 15 left on base. The Yankees could have easily swept if 1 person could have come through once in 10 billion chances and Randy Johnson didn't suck balls. We played like shit and could have taken each game.

[skineg]

Isn't Sheffield due back soon?

[Eva]

So, uh what exactly are you trying to say? I'm confused.
Add more to discussion and back up your statements, because you rarely ever type more than a sentence, which does nothing for a conversation or discussion.

The Mets shouldn't have swept the Yankees. The Yankees should have won 2 out of 3 if it wasn't for freakin' Randy Johnson and Damon playing so shallow. Not to mention the fact that we had 19 men on base and 15 left on base. The Yankees could have easily swept if 1 person could have come through once in 10 billion chances and Randy Johnson didn't suck balls. We played like shit and could have taken each game.
Mets should have swept the series if Wagner did not meltdown that badly. Wagner wasn't total lights out this series, but that was a meltdown nobody saw coming.

Randy Johnson? He's been struggling and looking old in recent starts. Why were you thinking he get younger and stop struggling? Though, it was Damon's fault for playing so shallow when a runner was on 2B, not 3B. Still, that game could have went either way. Though, it was a game the Yankees were expected to win with Gonzalez pitching for the Mets.

Leaving runners on? Look at the bottom of the line-up after Damon, Jeter, Giambi, A-Rod and Cano. Sorry, but Posado big clutch home run a few nights ago doesn't make him that great of hitter that he use to be.

Royce, you're basically saying any team can win on any day, which is true, but in this case. Reviewing this series, the Mets should have swept the series if it wasn't for Wagner's meltdown.

Yes, Sheffield started his rehab assignment today with Treton.

[Royce]

When, once, did I say that Randy Johnson was not struggling and not old? Right...

PosadA wasn't playing in one game of that series minus one at-bat. One clutch hit would have won that game. And decent pitching would have won the previous game.

[Yankeesfan27]

Add more to discussion and back up your statements, because you rarely ever type more than a sentence, which does nothing for a conversation or discussion.

Why type more then a sentence if you don't need to? You knew exactly what I was saying. So why say more then I did?

When, once, did I say that Randy Johnson was not struggling and not old? Right...

PosadA wasn't playing in one game of that series minus one at-bat. One clutch hit would have won that game. And decent pitching would have won the previous game.

This is very true. The Yankees should have only lost the second game. Which ironicly is the only game they won.

Randy Johnson kept blowing leads and keeps blowing them and will continue to blow them until he realizes how to pitch with his stuff. Yes, the man is old and I'm damn sure he knows that but he still has better stuff then ALOT of lefties in the game today.

The third game like Royce said, the Yankees had plenty of chances. They just kept choking with runners on base. Plan and simple.

[Eva]

Just a rhetorical question, Royce. I should have left "you" out of the question.

One clutch hit would have won that game. And decent pitching would have won the previous game.
Err... That could be said for any game, any team loses.

I'm not sure why the Yankees were expected to beat Tom Glavine, who's has been the second best pitcher in MLB since the All-Star break of last year next Contreras, before the start, I sure hope most Yankees fans thought that. Yankees were expected to win the first game, lose the next two, once Chacon was removed from his start on Sunday due to injury. Glavine didn't have his best stuff, but he kept getting out of trouble. Glavine was having trouble finding the strike zone and still beat the Yankees. Not sure why it must be "Yankees blew all their chances on Sunday." When your team struggling, this is what happens, especially with the final 4 batters of your current line-up. You can't even beat Glavine, who did not have that good of stuff last night.

Why type more then a sentence if you don't need to? You knew exactly what I was saying. So why say more then I did?
Because you add nothing to discuss to back-up your broad statement. Then you were confused when I decide to comment on your broad statement.

I said why. Back-up what you say. If you don't want to do it, then don't. I will still call you out for making broad statements and not backing them up.

[Yankeesfan27]

I see. But what I said isn't even debatable that's the thing. I don't need stats to show that we are 2.5 games out of first place on May 23rd.

[Royce]

All I'm saying is that if one out of +15 chances had resulted in a hit, which is a good chance, the game would have been totally different. I could go 1-15 facing Tom Glavine or even hit a sac fly or a ground ball to score at least one runner, which in the end would result in a tie game. Let's stretch our luck just a little bit more and say I come through TWICE. Omg, then we might even have the lead!!

I'm just saying, all those games were winnable for either team. I'd say for the most part, games 1 and 3 should have been won by the Yankees. But obviously, it's baseball

[milky_way]

I don't think we're STRUGGLING. Struggling is getting 4 hits every game. As Royce has been saying, the Yanks have been getting men on base, they're just stranding them. The timely hits will come, they just didn't come in that series.

Our offense really hasn't been that big of a problem. The lineup does indeed fall off a massive cliff after Cano, but that's what happens when you suddenly lose two all-stars. Since Matsui's injury we've been 6-6 while scoring an average of 4.58 runs per game. Those aren't the great numbers we were putting up earlier in the season, but they're still decent, and again, such a dropoff is expected when you lose a Matsui and a Sheffield. Looking at the POSITIVE side, we've been hella lucky that the five offensive studs we still had were going strong. Had one of them fallen into a slump, THEN we'd have seen what 'struggling' is.

The Mets series was Johnson/Gonzalez, Mussina/Pedro, Small/Glavine. Can't really expect to win a Small/Glavine matchup much, and we can't really expect to win any Johnson start the way he's pitching now. The way I see it, we won the one game we should have won. We probably should have been murdered in the Small/Glavine game, and the fact that we came so close to winning is really a testament to how un-crappy our crappy lineup can be :)

Silver lining: we lost two big bats in the middle of our lineup, we lost Chacon to the DL, Randy is still in la-la land, and over the past five days we've had Melky Cabrera, Kelly Stinnett, Andy Phillips, and Terrence Long in the lineup. We should have been HORRIBLE. Fortunately, Damon, Jeter, Giambi, ARod, and Cano were a-okay and gave us a chance to win every game. We came out 6-6 against some pretty tough opponents.

Can't ask for more than that. And Sheff's back, so look for those RPG to jump a bit.

[Yankeesfan27]

Man, I just can't believe how well Jeter is doing. He's hitting .352 with 62 hits and 30+ RBI. And he's a #2 hitter. Johnny Damon has helped us alot. Boston isn't hurting without him. But he's helped us tremendously, IMHO.

And is it just me or is, Cano in alittle bit of a slump?

[Royce]

Yeah Cano has been struggling. Also, I'm starting to like Melky. He's a good hitter.

[Yankeesfan27]

I already did like him. He dropped a pop up. Big deal.

[skineg]

That Melky Cabrera is hitting a ton. He's getting on base and scoring runs for the Yanks. Basically he's doing what Johnny Damn does, only for less money.

PEACE
Brett