MLB Trade Rumors: New York Yankees Need to Trade for a Viable DH
January 24, 2012 · Timothy Rapp · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
Suddenly, the Yankees really need a designated hitter.
Jorge Posada is retiring. The Detroit Tigers just seriously bolstered their offense by signing Prince Fielder. The Anaheim Angels already brought in Albert Pujols, the Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays aren’t going anywhere and, oh yeah, the Texas Rangers are still really, really good.
The Yankees made huge waves by signing Hiroki Kuroda and trading for young stud Michael Pineda, and general manager Brian Cashman now has a bit of starting pitching depth he can shop to snag a designated hitter.
From Bryan Hoch of MLB.com:
“Maybe I use our excess pitching to find a bat,” Cashman said. “That’s a possibility. … We stretched the payroll to get [Kuroda] done, so I’m not sure what we have financially. I think we’ll look at the trade market first and foremost and see where that takes us.”
Among the DH options out there, the Yankees have reportedly heard from Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui, Vladimir Guerrero and Raul Ibanez, but are not thought to consider any of them an urgent priority.
“I think [the free agent market] would be secondary,” Cashman said. “Not that any of those players aren’t quality, but I do think it’s probably in our interest to first and foremost see what’s available in the trade market, because we have excess starter. There should be a demand and an interest at the various levels in our starting pitching that might prove beneficial.”
I would stay away from those free agents as well—most have seen better days. And the incumbent at this point, Andruw Jones, isn’t exactly exciting anyone with his bat.
So who exactly might be worth trading for?
Rumors have surrounded the Houston Astros being willing to move Carlos Lee, though he may be hesitant to waive his no-trade clause.
Perhaps they’ll inquire about the San Diego Padres‘ Chase Headley, who several teams showed interest in this offseason. Headley’s excellent defense would offer the Yankees the ability to rest Alex Rodriguez and use him as the DH frequently if they so desired.
And there is always the possibility of a selection we don’t see coming. Still, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Lee in a Yankees uniform before the season starts.
One thing is for certain—the Yankees will be looking. And what they find may determine whether they can represent the stacked American League in the 2012 World Series.
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