05/20: What do the Yankees need to add to make the post season?
Posted by: David
There is still over one hundred games to play but as Yankees fans we feel that getting to the post season is a birth right. With that thought in mind, what do we need to add? About two weeks ago dejected Yankees fans would say we need to add everything but the last eleven games has brought renewed hope and a sense of calming.
I don't think we can continue the season with Tony Womack as a left fielder. His inexperience and lack of arm will come back to haunt us when we play close games against contending teams. Bernie Williams can't play center field on a day to day basis. If the Yankees eat 3/4 to 90% of Jason Giambi's contract would anyone take him? I see our needs as follows in order of preference.
1. A left fielder or a new center fielder so Matsui can return to left on an every day basis. Matsui doesn't throw well either and teams run at will against the Yankees (remember the Red Sox during last year's ALCS). Ken Griffey, Jr. may be available and with the Yankees long lineup he would not have the pressure to produce all the time and may fit in with another lefty bat in the Bronx. Could we get Eric Byrnes from the A's? He is a very high spirited player with a lot of energy. Who else might be available? Someone like Preston Wilson could also be obtained.
2. If Giambi can be dealt than that means we need additional first base help. The Kansas City Royals are awful and a guy like Mike Sweeney who makes some money would be a big right handed bat to fill in or platoon with Tino Martinez.
3. To get anybody we would probably have to use either Cano or Wang as trade bait. I would hate to see either one of them go but if they did would Bret Boone be a possibility at second base.
4. If Bernie Williams becomes a part time role player he would strenghten our bench with Sierra returning this weekend. A bat would be helpful but we would need someone who can probably play several positions, we have too many DH's.
5. You never have enough pitching! The name of Roger Clemens keeps surfacing all the time. If we can get him we need to do so. The Houston Astros would probably want prospects like Cano and Wang and probably a couple more top prospects. I'm not sold on either Buddy Groom or Mike Stanton as a lefty specialist. Groom has probably been the better of two but both have alot of age on them. Is anyone out there that we can think of?
I don't think we can continue the season with Tony Womack as a left fielder. His inexperience and lack of arm will come back to haunt us when we play close games against contending teams. Bernie Williams can't play center field on a day to day basis. If the Yankees eat 3/4 to 90% of Jason Giambi's contract would anyone take him? I see our needs as follows in order of preference.
1. A left fielder or a new center fielder so Matsui can return to left on an every day basis. Matsui doesn't throw well either and teams run at will against the Yankees (remember the Red Sox during last year's ALCS). Ken Griffey, Jr. may be available and with the Yankees long lineup he would not have the pressure to produce all the time and may fit in with another lefty bat in the Bronx. Could we get Eric Byrnes from the A's? He is a very high spirited player with a lot of energy. Who else might be available? Someone like Preston Wilson could also be obtained.
2. If Giambi can be dealt than that means we need additional first base help. The Kansas City Royals are awful and a guy like Mike Sweeney who makes some money would be a big right handed bat to fill in or platoon with Tino Martinez.
3. To get anybody we would probably have to use either Cano or Wang as trade bait. I would hate to see either one of them go but if they did would Bret Boone be a possibility at second base.
4. If Bernie Williams becomes a part time role player he would strenghten our bench with Sierra returning this weekend. A bat would be helpful but we would need someone who can probably play several positions, we have too many DH's.
5. You never have enough pitching! The name of Roger Clemens keeps surfacing all the time. If we can get him we need to do so. The Houston Astros would probably want prospects like Cano and Wang and probably a couple more top prospects. I'm not sold on either Buddy Groom or Mike Stanton as a lefty specialist. Groom has probably been the better of two but both have alot of age on them. Is anyone out there that we can think of?
Michael wrote:
We can not give up on Cano. We need to leave him at second, and give me only a few off days here and there. The kid has raw talent, and it is something the Yanks desperately need. So what do we do? If the Yanks were willing to eat Giambi's contract, and believe me that would be a HUGE meal, they could then find a young stud to play 1st with Tino in a DH role and occassional fielder.
We do not need to be going after older players at the expense of the younger guys. Matsui is our only option in center with Womack in left. That's the way it has to be for now. I don't like it, but thanks to years demanding to be on top, our guys got old or we bought a bunch of old guys.
Unfortunately that means we leave Bernie on the bench for a support role that Ruben has been playing. Perhaps that would be a good bundle, Ruben and Jason for a young, quality 1st Baseman.