Yankees Trade Rumors: Brian Cashman Has to Acquire a Pitcher
July 20, 2011 · raul rodriguez · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
I have talked to several Yankees fans online who have told me that they do not agree with a move to acquire Ubaldo Jimenez. I think that concerns about Jimenez are understood, as I have some as well. There is no doubt that Jimenez is the best pitcher on the market right now. The only starting pitcher who comes close is Hiroki Kuroda of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who would reportedly not waive his no-trade clause to go to an east coast team.
We all know how bad the current rotation is. There is CC Sabathia, who is a bona fide ace, and then five No. 4 or No. 5 starters behind him: AJ Burnett, Phil Hughes, Bartolo Colon, Freddy Garcia and Ivan Nova, who is in the minor leagues right now.
If Cashman is satisfied with this rotation, the postseason does not look hopeful at all. Assuming the Yankees would be able to get past the Detroit Tigers, Minnesota Twins or Cleveland Indians in the ALDS, the Yankees would most likely play the Boston Red Sox in the ALCS. This would be the pitching probables:
1. CC Sabathia vs. Josh Beckett
2. Phil Hughes vs. Jon Lester
3. Bartolo Colon vs. Clay Buchholz
4. Freddy Garcia vs. John Lackey
The Yankees might have a slight chance in this series, but I could see them losing every game. Even though Sabathia has been great all season, Josh Beckett has been that much better. Also, Phil Hughes, Bartolo Colon and Freddy Garcia have been inconsistent all season, and they cannot be counted on to make a solid playoff start, especially against two of the most consistent pitchers in Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz.
The Yankees always boast that their main goal is to win a championship. Let us see if the Yankees would beat the Philadelphia Phillies or San Francisco Giants in a possible World Series matchup. Here is the Yankees vs. Phillies pitching probables:
1. CC Sabathia vs. Roy Halladay
2. Phil Hughes vs. Cliff Lee
3. Bartolo Colon vs. Cole Hamels
4. Freddy Garcia vs. Roy Oswalt (currently injured but set to return in August)
I can tell you right now that the Yankees would lose the series. Game 1 slightly favors the Phillies. Again, Phil Hughes, Bartolo Colon and Freddy Garcia would not stand a chance against these No. 1 starters. The Yankees lose the World Series.
Here are the pitching probables for a possible Yankees-Giants World Series:
1. CC Sabathia vs. Tim Lincecum
2. Phil Hughes vs. Matt Cain
3. Bartolo Colon vs. Ryan Vogelsong
4. Freddy Garcia vs. Madison Bumgarner
This is the same type of situation, as the Yankees could lose every game of the series. I would say Game 1 slightly favors the Giants.
The New York Yankees and Brian Cashman have said year after year that their main goal is to win a world championship. If this is true, then the Yankees have to make a move at the trade deadline.
The Yankees would have a better chance of winning Ubaldo Jimenez-Cliff Lee or Ubaldo Jimenez-Matt Cain. If Cashman does not make a move, the Yankees have zero chance of winning it all.
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