As we get down to crunch time, here is our final plan of attack:
1. Get Ubaldo
According to MLBTradeRumors.com, the Rockies want three of the following four players: Jesus Montero, Dellin Betances, Manny Banuelos, and Ivan Nova.
Nova, you give away all day. The Yankees have back of the rotation types littered across AAA in guys like Adam Warren, David Phelps, and DJ Mitchell. They even have one rotting away in a mopup role in Hector Noesi.
Montero is finally starting to heat up (.293/.368/.586 in July) and there’s no question that his bat is going to be excellent. If he is moved to another position besides catcher, his value does drop, especially on a team like the Yankees. Regardless, if you want to acquire a premiere MLB pitcher, you have to give up a premiere prospect.
Betances and Banuelos are both top notch prospects, but again…you have to give to get.
Ubaldo is the truth. Jimenez is 27 (will be 28 entering next season) and the only major injury he’s had over the past few seasons was a cuticle issue. He’s locked up for $3 mil this year (pro-rated), $4.2 mil in 2012, $5.75 mil in 2013, and an $8 mil option in 2014. That’s huge value for a pitcher who ranks 10th in WAR among MLB starters since 2009. That ranks ahead of Jon Lester and Clayton Kershaw. Sorting solely by NL pitchers, he’s second only to Tim Lincecum. He would be a rotation centerpiece for the duration of his deal.
His fastball velocity is down this year, and we hope the Yankees would conduct their due diligence and avoid being Feliciano’d — but if everything checks out, this would be a hard deal to pass up. If the Yankees can acquire Ubaldo and still keep one of Betances, Banuelos, or Montero, then that’s a great move for the organization. Let’s try to avoid another Dan Haren for Joba Chamberlain situation.
2. Get Erik Bedard
Yeah, yeah, he’s always hurt. We know. Get some new material.
However, if one of the goals in making a deal is to increase the Yankees’ chances of postseason success, Bedard makes so much sense.
When he’s healthy enough to take the mound, Bedard is a fantastic pitcher — not too mention he’s left-handed, which is great for pitching in Yankee Stadium and against the Red Sox. He’s on a one-year deal, is having an excellent season (3.00 ERA / 3.59 FIP / 3.30 xFIP), and has had no arm problems. He makes his first start on Friday since coming off the DL with a sprained knee.
The whole concept of trading for a pitcher to throw a few games in the playoffs is really weird, since luck plays such a huge role in who wins. After all, you can have one of your pitchers be attacked by bugs. Yet, if you believe in that type of move, why not grab a guy who can dominate? If the Mariners want an arm and a leg, you pass on a rental. But, how much can the Mariners actually be asking for Bedard?
Acquiring both of these pitchers would cause a logjam in the rotation, but who cares…let time sort it out.
So there it is, we want Brian Cashman to get greedy.
*Props to Marshall Seymour and Vizzini for also contributing to this post.
49 Comments
Eduardo Nuñez July 28, 2011 00:17
erik bedard won cost moch and we need plan for future for elitez core new team nuñez montero betances banuelos 2012 baby!
C GUNZ July 28, 2011 00:17
I really don’t see Ubaldo moving. The rox are dumb if they do trade him.
John G July 28, 2011 00:20
Also if someone runs up to you and offers you Carlos Zambrano, run away screaming, even if they offer to eat the entire contract.
TSJC July 28, 2011 00:24
Did a nigga write this column??
Bexy July 28, 2011 14:31
Lick my fat rolls
Negrodamus July 28, 2011 00:30
We’d have to trade an actual living thing for Bedard. I’ll pass based on him being as fragile as Harden and him being on a one-year deal. Ubaldo’s velocity is down, and his GB% is falling for a third year in a row. AJ 2.0. Pass.
C GUNZ July 28, 2011 00:33
John G says:
July 28, 2011 at 12:20 am
“Also if someone runs up to you and offers you Carlos Zambrano, run away screaming, even if they offer to eat the entire contract.”
Zambrano would probably eat the contract himself…literally.
Hot Carl July 28, 2011 00:53
Yo, I would be very happy to get Ubaldo for Montero, Betances, Nova, and a throw-in. In celebration of Ubaldo Day in the Bronx, I would give half-price Hot Carls.
Eduardo Nuñez July 28, 2011 10:39
you want to be like braves gave farm to texas for texera and dey dumb like u , u only wan big name
Hot Carl July 28, 2011 11:37
Except Tex had less than 700 PA’s for the Braves, and Ubaldo is signed for cheap for a few years.
Ki m Last July 28, 2011 14:31
Hot lumps
Brian S. July 28, 2011 01:36
I’d rather we keep our top prospects. I would not mind seeing Kuroda or Bedard for B/C prospects but I would not trade such a large package for Ubaldo. Montero, Banuelos, and Betances are the future, let’s keep and win with them.
R2-D2 July 28, 2011 09:54
Most def this seems to be acquisition fever or trading for the sake of trading. If i am parting with any of the killer B’s it better be for filet mignon not roast beef
Jay Destro's Weenie July 28, 2011 14:32
I can’t stand prospect huggers.
R2-D2 July 28, 2011 15:16
This isn’t prospect hugging Ubaldo isn’t a game changer that i would pay that price which is outrageous for a pitcher while young is not trending right and pitches in a less competitive division. He is a nice piece but not a piece that I am willing to trade my best chips for.
Eric Bedard July 28, 2011 05:52
I just hurt myself reading this article. You guys are insane to think that I’m good!
Joe Páwlikowski July 28, 2011 14:39
I’d give you a handy.
Alpher July 28, 2011 06:38
Have you seen Ubaldo Jimenez splits by stadium? His numbers are a complete illusion favored by pitchers friendly stadium. Horrible due dilligence from NoMaas.
Coors Field July 28, 2011 08:10
Have you been drinking too much of my product??
Swishalicious July 28, 2011 10:03
lolwut?
Here is some due diligence for you: http://espn.go.com/mlb/stats/parkfactor
You crazy! July 28, 2011 08:13
I’m all for trading prospects for a top ace (wanted to pull the trigger two years ago for Felix and also wanted Lee)…but to give up three of those guys for Ubaldo? What has he done ace worthy since his dominating first half last year? The answer is nothing. If I’m giving up three of those four kids, I need a GUARANTEED ace in return…this may be your worst post yet, nomaas!
Steve July 28, 2011 08:35
There has never been a “trigger” to be pulled for Felix.
Sully July 28, 2011 08:44
Ubaldo to the Sawks for a package around Lars Anderson! We could use another Mexican to keep Aceves company!
Hiroki Kuroda July 28, 2011 10:08
HERROOOOOOOOO~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sully July 28, 2011 10:17
The Yankees can have you, we learned our lesson about using Chinamen in the rotation.
Ross in NJ July 28, 2011 14:42
^^THIS
Rich Mahogany July 28, 2011 10:10
While I’m a fan of Jimenez and would accept getting Bedard on the cheap, this is a tricky issue because of the logjam. Since Jimenez would require giving up significant prospects, and the front of the Yankees’ rotation is pretty good, you have to consider who he would replace.
Sabathia and Colon are immovable, literally and figuratively. Colon has given us 100 quality innings this year and there is no reason to assume that Jimeenz would be a significant upgrade. Even Garcia has been effective enough that we can’t assume Jimenez would be much better.
I would love to replace Burnett and Hughes with Jimenez and Bedard, but those moves come with serious problems. Do the Yankees have the balls to give the highly-paid Burnett the Zito treatment? Is it a good idea to give Hughes the Joba treatment? It would be a huge shame to bring in Jimenez and Bedard yet still have Burnett and Hughes in the rotation, but demoting one or both of them would have its own drawbacks.
If the Yankees get Jimenez, they not only have to be sure he’s healthy, they also need to have a plan for the future. They need to see Jimenez as part of the rotation for the next few seasons and know that some combination of Colon, Garcia, Burnett and Hughes will not be.
Ideally, Cashman would find someone to take Burnett and replace him with Jimenez. While that sounds crazy, the Vernon Wells trade shows that anything is possible. And I’m sure the Yankees would kick in lots of salary.
Since Bedard would be a rental and the Mariners have no leverage, the Yankees would do well to trade a warm body for him. He could be the kind of low-risk, high-reward acquisition that Cashman likes to make.
Duh July 28, 2011 10:31
And there’s the big problem … why would we give up three excellent prospects for a guy who doesn’t immediately and obviously replace anyone in the current rotation? You can’t move Hughes … he’s too young and has such great potential, moving him now would be devastating, so you’d be effectively trading Hughes for Jiminez. You can’t move AJ to another team, so where would he go? Long relief? As imbalanced as he is, you might as well just write him off then, because he’d be a mess. And how much better than Garcia is Jimenez? He’s not “better” than Colon RIGHT NOW, but obviously Colon will be gone next year so then he would slot in. And that’s really my point … I’m not saying we don’t want him, but not at that price, not for half a season. If there was a legit ACE available, you’d dump any of the guys I mentioned (except Hughes) in a heartbeat, but do you really do that for a career NL pitcher? Javier Vasquez anyone?
Eduardo Nuñez July 28, 2011 10:42
if the rockies asked for hughes + nova + romine i would do it
Balls July 28, 2011 14:32
That is semantics completely, Jimenez is better than everyone but Sabathia and he would be a great 2 starter for this team. Do not say that they cannot move anyone else so do not acquire him. That is a dumb reason.
Rich Mahogany July 28, 2011 14:49
Tell me what the rotation looks like after we acquire Jimenez and what happens to the person who’s no longer in it, Mr. Balls.
Rich Mahogany July 28, 2011 14:31
Jimenez is not a typical career NL pitcher. He is a career NL pitcher who pitches at Coors. If any NL pitcher can be successful in the AL, it’s a pitcher who has the skills necessary to survive at Coors (good GB/FB rate, good K rate, good control).
Now I see what you’re saying about Vazquez – you’re talking about the first time he played for the Yankees, not the second. But even so, Vazquez is a bit of a unique case because he has been so erratic. He had two decent and one very good season with the White Sox before the Yankees re-acquired him and went from Cy Young candidate to no. 5 starter in the last two seasons. I wouldn’t compare him to Jimenez just because they both pitched in the NL.
Asshat Hero July 28, 2011 15:47
Whoever is doubting Usbaldo clearly hasn’t seen him pitch. He’s an ace, and our only chance at the ALCS this year. All we have now is CC and a question mark.
I agree with NoMaas on this one. Make the trade.
Happy trails Freddy.
rocky dijon July 28, 2011 11:06
Hughes should pay the Yankees to rent a locker at the Stadium
Rex Ryan's Wife's Feet July 28, 2011 11:39
June 23, 2010 at Fenway. 5.2 ip, 10 h, 6 er. Pass.
Rex Ryan's Wife's Feet July 28, 2011 11:40
Actually, the game was at Coors Field. Still pass.
Jay Destro's Weenie July 28, 2011 14:41
So one start makes you pass on a frontline SP? Is this DormantUlcer??
Rex Ryan's Wife's Feet July 28, 2011 19:26
Yes, that’s correct. I thought that was clear from my post. If you have a moment, take a look at his performance against other american league teams. There is a lot of ugly there.
brian cashman July 28, 2011 11:46
the rox aren’t asking for enough….the whole point of our farm system is to NEVER let our prospects play and to trade for NL pitchers that sukk in the AL BEAST…
Steve Balboni's Bastard July 28, 2011 14:33
Even Cashman has to realize this team can’t win a WS with this rotation. Isn’t this why he stocked the farm system? And lets be real. The Yankee track record with talented young pitchers is horrendous. It’s not like Jimenez is 35 here.
Frustrated Fan July 28, 2011 14:35
I guess people haven’t learned from the numerous failures of National League pitchers in the American League. The irony in all of this is A.J. Burnett has actually been durable when the major knock on him was that he’s break down repeatedly and fail to give you enough innings. Now I’m wishing he’d get hurt. Like someone else said, Colon, Sabathia and Garcia haven’t done anything to warrant losing their spot in the rotation, and what do you propose the Yankees do with Burnett if he continues to start every fifth day? I’m an advocate of sending hughes to Scranton for the rest of the season until he removes his head from his ass, but we all know that won’t happen, so this team is stuck with the current five-man rotation as it stands at this very moment. Jiminez isn’t worth all of those players. His diminishing velocity will continue to diminish. Name a Yankee pitcher who hasn’t watched his velocity dip since coming to New York. This guy will look like Jeff Suppan if he pitches in the A.L. East.
Steve Balboni's Bastard July 28, 2011 14:39
Put Hughes in the pen. It needs another power arm anyway.
Steve Balboni's Bastard July 28, 2011 14:42
Also comparing Jimenez to Jeff Freaking Suppan is nuts.
Steve July 28, 2011 15:07
Why are people so concerned with who gets bumped from the rotation?
The Yankees should be focused on upgrading their PLAYOFF rotation. If they can do that for the right price, they should do that.
They are in the driver’s seat for the wildcard. If they want to use a 6 man rotation, put Hughes/Garcia in the pen, send Hughes to AAA, who cares?
Rich Mahogany July 28, 2011 16:43
I care because:
A 6-man rotation means the best pitcher in baseball gets fewer starts for us.
Putting Garcia in the pen means we lose a very good starter while keeping Burnett and Hughes, who are worse, in the rotation. When you give up top prospects to get a pitcher, you want him to replace your worst starter, not arguably your second best starter.
Putting Hughes in the pen or demoting him may screw up his development. I have no idea what kind of potential he has left but the Yankees have to at least consider stuff like this.
I agree with you that the Yankees should improve their playoff rotation and I like the idea of getting Jimenez, but it’s more complicated than just “get the best pitcher out there.”
Shogun of Harlem July 28, 2011 19:03
Dealing even Nova for Kuroda is what scares me. The Yanks should not give up any one player that has had any success already at the major league level especially someone like Nova seeing you have no idea what Kuroda will be here. Plus the guy is 36 I believe and he already made a stink he doesnt wanna come east.
I would also not trade him for Bedard. The only way I trade Nova or a top prospect is a sure hit ACE!
Nick Johnson July 29, 2011 13:15
“Yeah, yeah, he’s always hurt. We know. Get some new material.”
I’m still available!
Lou Brown August 1, 2011 09:03
Thank the heavens the Yankees didn’t waste prospects on either of those guys. Maybe they finally decided to kick the tires on actually using some of our own talent before we trade them off.
Also, being that the Red Sox got Bedard does this mean you guys are high on Boy Wonder’s Hog instead of Cashmans?
Former fan of Nomaas August 4, 2011 21:10
This is such a stupid website