New York Yankees: Revisiting an Old Trade Rumor, Robinson Cano or Matt Kemp?
April 29, 2012 · Kenny DeJohn · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
Way back in December of 2008, numerous sources rumored a trade that would send Robinson Cano to the Dodgers in exchange for Matt Kemp.
Obviously, the deal never materialized and each young superstar is still with their original club.
There were mixed feelings about the deal at the time, as both players flashed signs of potential.
Cano, a powerful second baseman with a strong arm, was coming off of a down 2008 season that saw him benched by manager Joe Girardi in September.
Kemp, on the other hand, was showing signs of improvement in his first full season in the league. He flashed all five tools and put together a .290/.340/.459 line.
Now that each player has been given several seasons to improve and establish themselves as superstars in this league, I thought it would be interesting to revisit this trade rumor.
The Yankees ended up winning the World Series in 2009 after deciding to keep Cano, while the Dodgers haven’t been to the playoffs since that same season.
From a fan’s perspective, I’m curious to see what many of you think about that potential swap at this point in time.
Both Cano and Kemp had fantastic seasons in 2012. Each received MVP consideration—Kemp finished second in the NL MVP while Cano finished sixth in the AL MVP—and each had arguably the best season of their respective careers.
Cano has been in the majors just one season longer than Kemp, but their numbers are actually pretty similar.
Through seven full seasons and the early part of 2012, Cano owns a career line of .307/.346/.494 with 145 home runs and 624 RBI. He has been worth 28.5 wins above replacement.
Kemp, through six full seasons and a few games in 2012, owns a line of .297/.354/.507 with 139 home runs and 481 RBI. He has been worth 21.7 wins above replacement.
A second baseman of Cano’s caliber may be harder to come by then a five-tool outfielder, but it goes without saying that each player is a superstar in his own right.
If you could change the future, now that you are aware of the statistics, would you have agreed to acquire Kemp for Cano?
It’s an interesting question, and one that I can’t wait to debate with everyone.
Read more New York Yankees news on BleacherReport.com
Yankee Tickets
Shop Yankee
