August Waiver-Deal Possibilities for the New York Yankees
August 4, 2009 · Doug Rush · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
You thought the possibility for the Yankees to make a deal might have been done as of last Friday.
You thought wrong.
There is the waiver deals that teams can make until August 31. A team has to put a player through waivers, he must clear waivers, then a team can make a deal to trade for him. Last year, Greg Maddux and Adam Dunn were waiver-wire type deals made.
This year, it may be the Yankees adding an extra starting pitcher or even a position player.
Lets go through the possibilities of potential pitchers who might be put through waivers.
Aaron Harang, Cincinnati Reds:
How teams have not made an attempt for Harang is beyond me, because he has been extremely durable. Sice becoming a full-time starter in 2004, he’s pitched over 160-plus innings and has pitched over 200 innings three times for the Reds.
He pitched over 180 innings for the Reds, so he is an inning-eaters. His record this season (5-12) isn’t the most attractive, but he’s also on a young Reds team that is trapped in a good division that loses games. Also, he strikes out a lot of batters, (115) while his walks are kept down (34). Harang could be a possibility.
Bronson Arroyo, Cincinnati Reds:
I was very vocal in the Yankees getting Arroyo, as was one of our other top writers, “Heartbeat of the Bronx” Stephen Meyer, who did an entire feature on the Yankees getting Arroyo, yet it did not happen because Yankees general manager Brian Cashman did not want to pay the rest of the $17 million owed to him.
He’s 10-10 and has logged in 137 innings this year for Cincinnati and he’s been very durable in the past. Plus, he’s also playoff tested with his days with the Red Sox. However, Cashman would probably want Reds general manager Walt Jocketty to pay some of Arroyo’s remaining deal.
Miguel Batista, Seattle Mariners:
He’s got experience as both a starter and reliever. He’s 38, but is a very smart pitcher and knows how to get people out. He won a World Series with the Diamondbacks in 2001, so he’s pitched in big games before, especially since that World Series was against the Yankees in a series that’s still considered a classic.
In 2007, he was 16-11 wit ha 4.29 ERA. Last season, he was 4-14, but Seattle was such a mess, none of the pitchers had a great season. As a reliever, Batista is 6-3 with a 4.44 ERA. He might not be the most obvious choice, but should be considered.
Gil Meche, Kansas City Royals:
Meche’s $11 million-dollar contract is what could land him on the waivers by the Royals, who are in last place and out of the race at 41-64. In his first two seasons with Kansas City, he’s pitched over 200 innings. Last seaosn, he was 14-11 with a 3.98 ERA in 34 starts with 183 strikeouts.
This year hasn’t been too kind for Meche; 4-9 with a 4.50 ERA in 19 starts with 87 strikeouts, but playing for this year’s dreadful Royals team will get you a lot of defeats and no-decisions. Meche is only 30 years old, so he’s still in the prime of his career and can still be durable.
However, his contract may be a concern for the Yankee management if they are trying to stick to a budget.
Now aside from pitching, position players also could get placed on waivers and the Yankees might be interested for the right price.
Alex Rios, Toronto Blue Jays:
This may be a longshot considering Rios plays in the AL East, but this isn’t Roy Halladay.
Rios is in the second year of a seven year, $69.8 million-dollar deal, but the people in Toronto feel like Rios isn’t living up to the deal. He’s only hitting .260 with 12 home runs and 56 RBI, but has been a great outfielder and has a strong arm in the field, so defensively, he would be a plus.
Also, being able to come to the hitter-friendly Yankee Stadium could help his numbers boost. Rios is also 28 years old, so he’s just entering the prime of his career as well. It’s a longshot because of a divisional rival, but if J.P. Ricciardi is looking to shed payroll, Rios is an option.
Adam Dunn, Washington Nationals:
I really thought the Yankees should have pursued Dunn’s bat in the winter, but Dunn sat on free agency until February and Washington scooped him up. He’s hitting .275 this season, which is high for Dunn considering he’s known for striking out a lot per season (118 in 2009).
His powerful lefty swing seems like a perfect fit for the new Yankee Stadium, which was built for left-handed power hitters. He’s got 26 home runs and 75 RBI, which are outstanding numbers on a pitiful Nationals team.
Dunn signed a two-year, $20 million-dollar deal with Washington, which is affordable considering what type of offense Dunn could bring. He’s a defensive liability in the field, but as a DH, could be a great weapon.
Now, whether the Yankees and Cashman actually have interest and pursue these players is just pure speculation on my part, but with teams falling out of the race and looking to shed some payroll, the Yankees could look to add this month, especially since they were unable to strike a deal for a starting pitcher before July 31.
The Red Sox are a half game behind and the Rays are 5 1/2 behind, so the Yankees are far from having this season wrapped up. Adding depth to their roster can only benefit their team for a possible playoff run.
This week’s four game series with Boston might be seen as a measuring stick as to where their team is and if they need any extra help.
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