Brian Cashman said the solutions to the Yankees' problems, particularly with their starting rotation, may not lie elsewhere.
The general manager said he didn't have a sense of the trade market yet, with six weeks before the July 31 non-waiver deadline, but he said Sunday that the return of Brian Bruney from the disabled list Tuesday, plus the hoped-for revival of Chien-Ming Wang, would alleviate most of his concerns.
"If we fix ourselves," Cashman said, "there might not be anything we need to do."
He said he would run any proposals by general partner Hal Steinbrenner if it meant adding payroll.
"Clearly, our bullpen and our team can't continue to deal with this issue," Cashman said, "especially when we have someone who can do the job better."There has been some talk over the past few weeks that the Yanks are looking to add a reliever via the trade market, but most of the names mentioned appear to be in situations that make it difficult to trade for them. For example, one of the names mentioned the most is Colorado's Houston Street, but the Rockies have just won 11 in a row and are right in the middle of the NL wild card race, so I don't think they're making a trade any time soon.
Cashman also said that it's very important to see what Chien-Ming Wang can do tomorrow. Fixing him would be a huge addition to this team's rotation, it's like trading for a two time 19-game winner.
"We need Chien-Ming Wang," Cashman said. "This is an important step. We know what he's capable of. The velocity and the sink are there. Maybe his confidence isn't there."
14 Comments:
I'd like the Yanks to get a bat (I don't think Nady's rehab is going well and if he comes back, he won't be 100% throwing) and bullpen help. What about Juan Pierre? He's fast and dangerous
Jaun Pierre and Brett Gardner are practically the same player and Gardner is a better defender. The Yankees are really hamstrung right now because there does not appear to be an easy fit. I still really like Mark DeRosa but with Nady that is going to make it tough to get a ton of at bats.
The Yankees already have Juan Pierre on the bench, his name is Brett Gardner.
Yanks dont need a bat if they can get quality starts out of their pitching. You dont need an all-star lineup 1 through 9 to win games. Better pitching and better coaching/confidence can get the job done.
-G
get a bat? do you watch the yankees? Relievers are what we need.
If they didn't have Gardner I'd love a player like Pierre, but since they do have Gardner the only bat I'd like them to trade for right now is DeRosa.
Their main need is a bullpen arm, though, so I hope they go after that first.
We don't need a bat. We've scored the second-most runs in all of baseball behind only the Rays. We need some 'pen help. Another starting pitcher would be nice, but would really just be a luxury at this point.
Are they going to keep overlooking Melancon until they trade him and he blossoms somewhere else?
Danny,
I agree, i'd really like to see him called up. Honestly, he has nothing left to prove in AAA, and if the Yanks use him more consistently in the bigs, I really think he could thrive. Plus, he's probably as good an 8th inning guy as anyone in the 'pen right now.
DFA Tomko and Veras, and bring up Bruney (returning tomorrow) and Melancon.
I agree that Melancon should be called up again soon.
thats a decision for clueless Joe to not make.
-G
He's gotta do something to improve the team, and so we can figure out how to beat boston beginning in August, a month in which we have 7 games with them. A different wrinkle, a different look to the lineup or pitching, something to get us over the hump because we have 10 more games vs Boston. In '04 boston did something radical, traded Nomar, got cabrera, picked up Roberts, and changed that team going forward as they were chasing the Yankees, so I don;'t think cashman should stand pat and be complacent.
Getting Bruney and Wang "right", is the 1st and 1st most important things that the Yankees need to do. (that's not a typo) To have a solid starter like the Wang of 2006/2007 in that rotation will be a major lift to the rotation & lessens the pressure on the bullpen, and then to add Bruney in the bullpen clinches the deal. I don't think the Yankees need to make a single other move if those two guys are back to normal.
OK I lied. It's time for Veras to go. I'd rather have Melancon up in 'the bigs' at least, learning his craft, than a useless part taking up roster space. Melancon can't be a worse deal Veras hanging around, pulling out splinters from his backside.
Trade Posada.
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