New York Yankees Trade Deadline: A Fan’s Plea to Brian Cashman
July 29, 2011 · Rich Stowe · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
Dear Brian Cashman,
With the trade deadline fast approaching I beg you to make smart moves.
I beg you not to mortgage the future on some team’s “ace” when that pitcher would be at best a number three or four starter in the American League East.
I beg you not to overpay for a Japanese pitcher. The Yankees haven’t had much success with that in the past and neither have other teams in the American League East.
I beg you not to overpay for a pitcher who has made more trips to the disabled list than a cheetah has spots.
Of course, I’m referring to Ubaldo Jimenez, Hiroki Kuroda, Rich Harden and Erik Bedard. While the Yankees don’t have a true number two starter to follow C.C. Sabathia, I don’t think any of those four pitchers will be worth the price you will be asked to pay to get them.
The Yankees haven’t had a homegrown starter succeed since Andy Pettitte. Phil Hughes has yet to show he’s the real deal and Joba Chamberlain is better suited coming out of the bullpen.
If free agent pitchers such as Cliff Lee continue to turn down the Yankees in the offseason, you will need to see if Manny Banuelos and Dellin Betances can succeed in Pinstripes, and you can’t do that if they’re pitching for another team.
Also, don’t overreact to any moves the Boston Red Sox may make between now and Sunday. If they’re willing to overpay for Jimenez or Kuroda, let them do so by themselves. If they make a bad move, there’s no reason you should too.
The trade market this year is very thin for hitters and pitchers. Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and not make a move. Sometimes it’s the moves you don’t make that work out for the best.
The Yankees, as they are currently comprised, are one of the best teams in baseball. Yes, “pitching wins championships” but that’s only good pitching. Mediocre pitching doesn’t win championships and that’s all what’s available to be had on this year’s market.
I do believe if you make the right moves, the Yankees can still win the World Series this year and will have the pieces still in place to do so many times in the future.
Signed,
a lifelong die-hard Yankees fan
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