Cashman spoke with reporters during batting practice of the Eastern League All-Star Game in Trenton, home of the Thunder, the Yankees' Double-A affiliate. Seven Thunder players were selected to the Northern Division roster. Cashman came down to watch. He shook hands with prospects. He also chatted with Thunder coach Tony Franklin.Cashman also said at first the Yankees would look within the organization to fill any holes.
But when reporters broached the subject of Halladay, the starter in Tuesday night's MLB All-Star Game and a recent addition to the midsummer trading block, Cashman said little.
"I talk to all 29 clubs all the time," Cashman said in reference to talks with the Blue Jays.
"I'm not really allowed by baseball rules to comment on other team's players -- so I just would have to pass on that," Cashman said about Halladay's availability.
"We try to look from within first to see if we don't have the answer right in front of us before we aggressively go outside," he said. "We're always keeping our eyes and ears open. And we're engaged with the other clubs.He was also asked if anyone is untouchable and basically said no.
"But I can't say that we have an obvious need right now."
"I've traded anybody and everybody, it seems like," Cashman said. "From a high-end prospect to a guy that's performed in the high-end of the major league side like a [Alfonso] Soriano or David Wells. We've done all aspects of us. So, if something makes sense to us, we'll look at it."The more I think about Halladay in pinstripes the more it seems like the move this team might need to make to make it a real world series contender this year. They're probably good enough right now to make the playoffs and maybe get where they want to be, but with Halladay the Yanks would be the clear-cut favorite.
Is it worth trading Joba and Austin Jackson? I don't know. But this is clearly something Cashman is going to have to think long and hard about.
20 Comments:
Sorry. I refuse to watch the team's future burn to ashes for one old man.
The kids are the key to winning not one guy. This is the first time they are really contributing. Cashman has to prove that the Yankees can develop their own players.
Halladay is the best pitcher in the sport, it's not exactly Randy Johnson at 40.
Joba/Montero/Jackson that is what is going to cost you for Roy Halladay. No way would I make that deal.
The yankees are good enough to win a world series. Look at the backend of the Boston rotation they have Wakefield, 42 year old Smoltz and Brad Penny. Tigers got Verlander and Jackson and that is it. Angels only have 1 starter with an under 4 era.
This team should feel embarassed if they dont think they have enough to win a world series. They have a 210 million dollar payroll.
The yanks have an old team these prospects are very important they are finally on the right track building from within.
I wouldn't make that trade either, anon. But the fact that this team is built to win now should make them at least consider doing this kind of deal.
I can understand getting another arm to help like a Bedard, Washburn, Davis or Bannister. But I dont think you need Halladay. Why did they pay Sabathia 160 million and Burnett 80 million. Now they need another ace? I cant name a world series winning team that had 3 aces.
Greg Cohen said...
I wouldn't make that trade either, anon. But the fact that this team is built to win now should make them at least consider doing this kind of deal.
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Yankees had the same built to win now team the last 8 years and could not get it done. I know everyone wants to trade Joba because he struggled his last couple of starts. Even if Joba fails as a starter he will become a great closer replacing Mo. I dont want to trade Chamberlain/Hughes/Montero. I would consider trading Jackson because I think he is overhyped if they need a pitcher.
The three aces thing might be true, I'd have to look it up, but the fact of the matter is that Halladay puts them over the top. It's going to be very tempting for Cashman.
I'd say that the Braves had three aces in the '90's when they won the WS
Great point Mike, in fact they had three hall of famers for several years, and those three carried those teams to October every year... They would have won at least three rings if they didn't run into the buzz saw that was the 1996-2001 Yankees twice.
I agree with both Mikes. I used to argue with other baseball fans that it was the Yankees right to use their resources to better the team. Though now I kind of agree with Lupica for the first time in my life. If the Yankees feel they need Halladay after spending $250 mill on pitching over the winter then the problem is not the players you already have, it's an organizational issue then about not getting the most out of what on paper is pretty damn good. The fault with that lies with the GM, manager, and the coaching staff.
I think one thing the Yankees should consider to get this deal done is taking on Vernon Wells' contract. I know that seems crazy, but think about it. It may be a lot of money, but the Yankees have Damon, Nady and Matsui all coming off the books next year. And while Wells isn't the same player he used to be, he still have 20 HR pop and can play one of the best center fields in baseball.
Now, even with taking on that contract, it will likely take at least one plus plus prospect to get it done. So then I still think it'd be worth it to package one of Joba or Jackson as the center piece. I think Joba will eventually figure it out as a starter, and I think Jackson will be a very solid baseball player for a long time. And I am a big prospects guy. That is my favorite thing in baseball is reading about and learning about prospects. So I get as high on these guys as anyone else.
But I think a Jackson/Romine/McAllister/Melky/one more decent prospect for Wells/Halladay would be worth it. As much as it hurts to part with those guys, gettign Wells and Hallday would put us ovr the hump.
I agree, YP3, taking on Wells' contract would cut out at least one of the big names, plus getting Wells isn't really that bad of a thing. Remember, the Red Sox were "forced" to take Lowell with Beckett, and that worked out pretty well for them. The same thing could happen here.
If it's Joba/Montero/Jackson, I say do it.
You have Hallady for the rest of this season, and 1 more under his current deal, and I could see a 3 yr extention added on.
I really can't remember Cash trading any huge pieces, minus Soriano, in which we got the best player in the game at the time for.
So, IMO, do it...
Obsolutely no Vernon Wells, he's old, overweight and a completely useless player at this point.
He can't field anymore and his hitting has nosedived. His WAR is -1. That's below replacement level. And he's getting 20 million dollars a year. Even as a free agent I wouldn't give Halladay over 30 million dollars per year. Let alone giving up a prospect or two along with it.
I'd prefer not to pony up the prospects for Halladay. I obviously would give up any one of Hughes, Montero, or Joba. However, the Jays will be looking for two of them. If not that, they're going to want at least one of them, Austin Jackson, and another guy, say Bettances. Do you do Joba/Hughes/Montero+A-Jax+Bettances for Halladay? I don't think I would.
No I wouldn't do that deal.
I honestly don't know what I would give up, and I'm very glad I don't have to make that final decision because it's a tough one.
I'd be more willing to take on Alex Rios' contract than Vernon Wells if it came down to something like that.
I agree with you there.
That is a good point. But if it comes down to keeping one of our better prospects for taking Wells versus giving up more for taking Rios (Wells is owed more), just take Wells. Though, at least in taking Rios he wouldn't be able to murder us anymore.
I just made a post on this subject (Rios/Wells)
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