Official Trade Thread

[Soxfan1]

I'll Start this off:

 

 

 

NEW YORK -- The New York Yankees began reshaping their roster Friday, sending outfielder Kenny Lofton and more than $1.5 million to the Philadelphia Phillies for setup man Felix Rodriguez and also reacquiring Mike Stanton from the Mets.

 

 

 

Stunned by Boston in the AL Championship Series, the Yankees are expected to make bigger moves later in the offseason, with free-agent center fielder Carlos Beltran and Arizona ace Randy Johnson figuring to be their top targets.

 

 

 

Rodriguez

 

 

Stanton

 

 

 

"The winter is not complete yet," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said.

 

 

 

The Yankees got Stanton and $975,000 from the Mets for Felix Heredia in a swap of left-handed relievers. Stanton waived his no-trade clause to rejoin his former team.

 

 

 

"Everybody wants to play for the Yankees," Rodriguez said.

 

 

 

Lofton, 37, will be going to his ninth major league team. A six-time All-Star earlier in his career, he hit .275 with seven stolen bases in 83 games in his only season with New York.

 

 

 

"It's been very tough. I'm the type of guy that likes to be settled down," he said on a conference call. "It's been very tough the last three or four years.

 

 

"Everybody in New York understood I wanted to play. I just wanted to have an opportunity to perform and be part of the team," he said. "I didn't feel as much a part of the team."

 

 

 

Phillies general manager Ed Wade envisioned Lofton starting ahead of Marlon Byrd and Jason Michaels.

 

 

 

"A player like Kenny is a big step forward for us," Wade said. "Going into spring training, we believe Kenny is our center fielder and will be a catalyst for this club."

 

 

The Yankees still have Bernie Williams to play center, though he could wind up as the designated hitter -- or even perhaps their first baseman -- if they're able to sign Beltran.

 

 

 

Rodriguez, 32, was 5-8 with one save in 76 games for San Francisco and Philadelphia last season. The Giants traded him to the Phillies for outfielder Ricky Ledee and a minor league pitcher in late July.

 

 

 

Rodriguez joins a deep bullpen, but one that struggled after the Yankees won the first three games of the ALCS. The righty went 25-9 from 2001-03, and helped pitch the Giants into the 2002 World Series.

 

 

 

"It didn't surprise me that much. I heard they were interested," Rodriguez said.

 

 

 

In fact, Cashman said he tried to get Rodriguez from the Giants last season for Lofton.

 

 

 

Lofton will make $3.1 million next year and Rodriguez is due $3.15 million. The Yankees gave $1,525,000 to the Phillies.

 

 

 

Stanton was a dependable setup man in the Yankees' bullpen during their World Series years from 1998-2001.

 

 

 

After the 2002 season, Yankees management made similar contract offers to Stanton and free-agent relievers Chris Hammond and Mark Guthrie -- the first one to accept got the job.

 

 

 

Stanton was given about 15 minutes to make his decision. Hammond took the deal, and Stanton wound up signing with the Mets.

 

 

 

Stanton spoke to Cashman this week before agreeing to the trade.

 

 

 

"I've always said it could have been handled maybe a little better, a bit differently," Stanton said. "Bottom line was they felt like they needed to make a move then and they did.

 

 

 

"There's no extra baggage that comes with that. I understand the business of baseball. People change their minds," he said. "It's obviously not going to be a huge change for me. There's not going to be a whole lot over there that I haven't seen or been through."

 

 

 

Stanton went 2-7 in his first year with the Mets. At 37, he went 2-6 with a 3.16 ERA in 83 games last season.

 

 

 

"I don't think he's the same pitcher as he was in 2002, but we hope he can give us a better result than Felix," Cashman said.

 

 

 

Stanton will make $4 million next year. Heredia will make $1.85 million.

 

 

 

"It's really about financial flexibility," Mets GM Omar Minaya said. "The arm is still there. It's worth taking a chance."

 

 

 

Heredia, 29, was 1-1 with a 6.28 ERA in 47 games this year. The Yankees got him in the middle of the 2003 season in a trade with Cincinnati, but he never found his rhythm in New York.

[empireII]

don't forget milton.

[Soxfan1]

Milton Wasn't traded.

[empireII]

All he has to do is pass the physical unfortunatly. I really don't want him.

[Gertie]

He's a free agent, not trade bait.

[CalvnHobs6]

I believe Milton is a free agent, so it wouldn't go in the trades thread anyway. Milton had a ridiculous ERA in the Nat'l league, but with run support he did well. You can guarantee a higher ERA in the AL, but the Yankees are the kings of run support. I believe he'll be a 15 game winner next year.

[elsrbueno]

That's 2 awesome trade for the Yankees, crappy for the Red Sox.

 

They trade Lofton for Rodriguez (HUGE advantage Yankees)

 

And Heredia for Stanton (Advantage Yankees)

 

These trades probably won't get a lot of press, but WILL help the Yankees win games.

[sarasoxfan]

i was thinking the same thing.

 

I wont get the some watm and fuizzy feeling seeing satanton come in as I did seeing tanyon sturtze or whatever the hell his name is.

 

The bullpen was a problem for them particularly in the middle and i think now with stanton and gordon there is a real solid pen taking shape for the yankees.

 

we better stop foolin' around with all these contracts a and get things set.

[CrespoBlows]

I'll bet you Herida has a better ERA then Stanton this year. Stanton isn't the same pitcher he was 2 years ago, and Felix Rodriguez played at cozy SBC park for half the year.

 

Anyone remember how dominate Herida was in 2003? I expect him to pick that back up in the national league. Don't forget Lofton is a great ball player, who will help the Phillies in CF.

 

Will they help the Yankees? Sure. Are they huge advanteges? No not really.

[empireII]

I don't care how bad stanton is, he COULD NOT be as bad as felix horridia was. The worst of the worst. I wouldn't be freaking out that much about these trades. F rod is trade bait for RJ. And stanton just won't have a big impact. I also wouldn't underestimate sturtz. He did pretty well against the sox.

[schillingouttheks]

he did pretty well takin on papi, kapler and nixon too

 

anyway, is it just me or did stanton play for the yanks before?

[Soxfan1]

yea he did

[CrespoBlows]

Originally posted by schillingouttheks@Dec 6 2004, 06:00 PM

he did pretty well takin on papi, kapler and nixon too

 

anyway, is it just me or did stanton play for the yanks before?

Herida didn't let up a run in the ALCS..

[ahhchon]

it seems as if the yankees are finally addressing some of their problems. these were good moves by the yankees. with the addition of a few SP's they'll be a very scary team.

 

john

 

p.s.- when is K-rod a free agent, him in a sox uniform would be awsome.

[CrespoBlows]

I'd love to see K-Rod in Boston, but Anaheim will throw all kinds of money to keep him.

[ahhchon]

well now that i'm in a dreaming state. here is my fantasy red sox team:

 

this is not a team where i need the best players at every position, this is a team that i can put out there everyday that will grind away opposing pitchers and opposing batters, a team of guys that i like and guys that are just awsome to cheer for.

 

Position player: lineup order

 

CF - damon

SS - OC / Nomahh (before the a-rod trade fuss)

RF - manny

DH - DO

C - i-rod

LF - nixon

3b - mueller

1b - meinky / millar

2B - pokey

 

bench:

util - roberts

util - millar

C - mirabelli

INF - youk

OF - kapler

 

SP:

 

Pedro - R

Schilling - R

Pavano - R

Arroyo - R

kim - L

 

Bullpen:

 

Wakefield - R

k-rod - R

king - L

kim - R

nathan - R

kazmir - L

 

fantasy....

 

john

[schillingouttheks]

Originally posted by CrespoBlows+Dec 6 2004, 06:42 PM-->

QUOTE (CrespoBlows @ Dec 6 2004, 06:42 PM)

[Soxfan1]

The Braves traded Jose Capoellin to Milwaukee for closer Danny Kolb

[Soxfan1]

The A's traded Tim Hudson to the dodgers for right handed pitcher edwin Jackson and a minor leaguer.

[Soxfan1]

The pirates traded Arthur Rhodes (who the got in a deal with the a's) to the Guardians for Matt Lawton.

[Soxfan1]

The yankees are in talks with the marlins to trade Javy for A.J Burnett.

[Gertie]

Originally posted by Soxfan#1@Dec 12 2004, 10:22 AM

The A's traded Tim Hudson to the dodgers for right handed pitcher edwin Jackson and a minor leaguer.

Um, no they haven't. Not yet.

[Gertie]

Originally posted by Soxfan#1@Dec 12 2004, 10:32 AM

The yankees are in talks with the marlins to trade Javy for A.J Burnett.

Give sources for these sorts of things.

[stocker323]

Originally posted by Gertie+Dec 12 2004, 11:25 AM-->

QUOTE (Gertie @ Dec 12 2004, 11:25 AM)

[Zenny]

It looks like the Hudson to L.A. deal is going to be announced today. It's for Edwin Jackson and Antonio Perez.

[Soxfan1]

I'll do links from now on.

[stocker323]

Brewers have traded Scott Podsednik, Luis Vizcaino and a player to be named to the White Sox for Carlos Lee

 

FYI, Podsednik won't be traded that easily in the sim league.

[Soxfan1]

Who got th best of that deal. I know podsendnik is really fast.

[elsrbueno]

Originally posted by stocker323@Dec 13 2004, 06:04 PM

Brewers have traded Scott Podsednik, Luis Vizcaino and a player to be named to the White Sox for Carlos Lee

 

FYI, Podsednik won't be traded that easily in the sim league.

I say both clubs got a decent deal.

 

Lee's a very consistent power and RBI man, but Podsednik is very fast.

 

I like what Chicago did here.... I say they got the advantage.

[Soxfan1]

Aneheim-The Marlins had meetings with six teams, batting around possible trade scenarios.

 

According to numerous league sources, the Marlins are exploring interest in power pitcher A.J. Burnett, who is fifth-year arbitration-eligible and could file for free agency after the 2005 season.

 

It is believed the Marlins aren't confident they will be able to sign Burnett long-term. So they are measuring interest.

 

An American League source said Sunday the Marlins are shopping Burnett, but want high value in return. The Marlins have had at least one conversation with the Yankees regarding a possible deal involving Burnett and right-hander Javier Vazquez. At this point, the Yankees say they are not interested in making trades.

 

Two American League sources say the Marlins have inquired about the Tigers' interest in Burnett. Florida representatives also talked with the A's about right-hander Tim Hudson, a free agent after the 2005 season. The A's are believed to be interested in a top minor league pitching prospect for Hudson, who made $5 million in 2004. Hudson is the subject of trade talks with several teams.

 

On Saturday, Hudson was believed to be close to being dealt to the Dodgers for promising right-hander Edwin Jackson and minor-league infielder Antonio Perez.

 

As speculation ran rampant Sunday regarding possible moves involving Burnett and Hudson, Beinfest said nothing is imminent either for Sunday night or Monday.

 

"We're definitely looking in the market and exploring," Beinfest said. "I don't get a sense that anything is close."

 

The Winter Meetings wrap up Monday after the Rule 5 Draft.

 

With the 16th pick, Beinfest said the Marlins anticipate being active.