New York Yankees: Analyzing Why This Will Be a Quiet Deadline in the Bronx
July 19, 2011 · Rich Stowe · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
With the July 31 trade deadline fast approaching, many New York Yankees fans have to be wondering if the Yankees will be making a big splash in the market. The answer to that query is a resounding no.
Before you get all up in arms and start yelling from the rooftops, there are several factors to consider regarding whether the Yankees will make a big deal at the deadline.
First, there’s the trade market itself. Who is available? Based on what is being reported, the only big names available are players like Carlos Beltran, Jose Reyes and Ubaldo Jimenez. Not exactly names like Cliff Lee, Randy Johnson or Manny Ramirez from years past. While players like Beltran and Reyes would instantly help any team, they come with big question marks, be it age or free agency status.
Second, you have to look at the cost of acquiring these players. In the case of Jimenez, the price may be really high according to Sports Illustrated’s Jon Heyman. Most of the time, when the Yankees talk trades with any team, the other team always asks for the world. It happened when the Yankees tried to acquire Johan Santana from the Twins years ago and it happened last year when the Mariners and Yankees were talking about Cliff Lee (trade fell apart when one of the prospects offered couldn’t pass a physical and the Mariners kept upping their asking price). No player currently on the trade market is worth that kind of price and as a Yankees fan, I’d hate to see them overpay for any player.
Finally, you need to look at actual need. Where do the Yankees need help? Do they really need a right fielder? Do they really need a free-agent-to-be shortstop? The answer is no to both of those questions. The Yankees main need is pitching, both starting and relieving, and there simply isn’t a got-to-have-him type pitcher out there right now. If a pitcher like Felix Hernandez or Tim Lincecum were available, it would be completely different but that level of pitcher isn’t available this year.
The only big name splash I can see the Yankees considering would be to try to bring in Aramis Ramirez from the Cubs to play third base during Alex Rodriguez’ absence, then A-Rod would be moved to DH (which would also pretty much force Jorge Posada’s retirement). I really don’t see this move happening though and I see this option as a less than five percent chance of actually occurring.
I do believe the Yankees will make a lot of moves, but it will be for role-players or lesser known players that come relatively cheap (whether in terms of prospects or cash).
The Yankees are currently sitting in second place in the American League East and only appear to be one or two pieces away from being unstoppable. Sadly, those one or two pieces simply aren’t available this year, so Yankees fans will have to live with minor moves geared to shoring up the roster not dramatically changing it.
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