Yankees Trade Rumors: New York Should Pursue Cole Hamels Instead of Justin Upton
July 24, 2012 · David Daniels · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
New York doesn’t need more offense.
According to the latest New York Yankees trade rumors (per Jon Heyman of CBS Sports), they could acquire Justin Upton before the deadline.
While Upton would be an obvious upgrade in the outfield and would inject some much-needed youth into the Yankees lineup, a lack of offense isn’t going to prevent them from winning a World Series. A weakness on the mound, however, has the potential to do just that.
And because of that, New York should pursue Cole Hamels, not Upton.
Jack Curry of the YES Network reported on Monday that the Yankees had traded for Ichiro Suzuki.
The Yankees have acquired Ichiro Suzuki for RHPs DJ Mitchell and Danny Fahrquar, a source said. Yanks also get undisclosed cash in deal.
— Jack Curry (@JackCurryYES) July 23, 2012
While Heyman reported that Upton was high on the Yanks’ wish list, with their need for an outfielder eliminated, overpaying for Upton is a waste of resources. Hamels, who Ken Davidoff of the New York Post reported that they’re interested in, wouldn’t be.
According to John Smallwood of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Hamels is in the final year of his contract and will likely return to the Philadelphia Phillies even if they trade him.
Why deal for a rental instead of a long-term solution? Because not only does he fill a greater hole, but he’d cost less too.
While the Bronx Bombers boast one of the best offenses in the majors, their pitching is nothing to write home about.
Sure, their staff has a collective ERA of 3.68—the eighth-best mark in the MLB. But it’s also prone to allowing home runs—it has surrendered 107, the ninth-worst total in the league.
With a playoff pitching rotation featuring CC Sabathia and Hamels, New York would be well on its way to yet another world title. Trading for Upton, though, leaves the Yankees staff susceptible to a letdown.
David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.
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