Yankees Trade Rumors

[jacksonianmarch]

Ever since the beginning of the year, we heard about how NY needs a starting pitcher. When JMont went down, it became ever more deafening. That being said, a supposed weakness is actually a strength.

 

Our rotation, even with 2 rookies in there and a struggling Sonny Gray, is fourth in starters ERA in the AL. We’re only 0.06 away from the “vaunted” Sox rotation. Our June ERA as a staff is far and away the #1 in the AL. Our team ERA for June is 2.35, with the second lowest being Cleveland at 3.10. While an addition on the starting front seems logical when looking at the cast of character, the numbers don’t bear it out.

 

Now, we aren’t without our warts, but I’m not sure the warts we have will be fixed by any trades. We’re 17-8 in June. We’ve got the best ERA in the AL in June, and it ain’t close. But our hitting has fallen off. We’re only 9th in the AL in scoring. There’s not much we can do to upgrade that except maybe upgrade over Bird. Our 1b spot has been a graveyard beyond a hot month from Austin. Maybe that’s where we look?

 

So for trade targets, the sexy idea is to get DeGrom or Thor, but I am not sure either will be able to fix what ails is. We need our offense to start pitching up the slack. Tanaka should be back soon. But we will see which way Cash goes. He’s stated that the pitching market is where he’s looking. I’m sure we’ll get someone

[Bellhorn04]

J. A. Happ seems like a plausible target.

[Slasher9]

yankees dont need to do a thing. they are the best team ever.

best gm

best owner

best stadium

best players

best starting pitchers

best relief pitchers

best closer

best utility players

best batboy

best beer vendors

best defensive outfield

best 2 strike hitters

best bullpen catcher

best team plane

best manager

best clubhouse attendant

 

no trades are necessary. what's the word on the yankees forums?

[Kimmi]

Oddly enough, the Yankees have bigger trade needs than the Red Sox do.

[Slasher9]

Oddly enough, the Yankees have bigger trade needs than the Red Sox do.

 

i dont find it odd at all.

Red Sox > Yankees

[bkzwhitestrican]

Oddly enough, the Yankees have bigger trade needs than the Red Sox do.

 

Not sure I agree with that. We could use one starter.. And it's not a great need since you only need 4 starters in the playoffs. The Sox could use an upgraded 2b, C, and reliever. Both teams would be on pace to win 100+ games with whatever perceived holes their rosters have, so talk of either team NEEDING to make a trade is a little overblown.

[Kimmi]

i dont find it odd at all.

Red Sox > Yankees

 

I stand corrected.

[Kimmi]

Not sure I agree with that. We could use one starter.. And it's not a great need since you only need 4 starters in the playoffs. The Sox could use an upgraded 2b, C, and reliever. Both teams would be on pace to win 100+ games with whatever perceived holes their rosters have, so talk of either team NEEDING to make a trade is a little overblown.

 

I agree with you that neither team NEEDS to make a trade.

 

IMO, which I fully admit might be clouded by Jacko-like bias, is that the Sox are good to go as is, even for the playoff run. That's provided that they stay healthy, of course. I could see adding a reliever. I can understand why people think we need an upgrade at 2B, but I think we're fine there. I completely disagree with you about the Sox needing a catcher.

 

I really think the Yankees' need for a starter is greater than any of our needs, with the word 'need' being used lightly. Both teams would make the playoffs even if they stand pat.

[jacksonianmarch]

A need for a starter would be much higher if there was a fight to make the playoffs. The Sox and Yanks are making the playoffs. The idea of a new starter isn’t born out in the stats, though. Our rotation has been every bit as good as yours. Our pen has been better. Your offense has been a touch better on the whole. There’s no real singular upgrade on our side that needs to happen. Either the guys we have play well or they don’t. On your side, there are clear spots of upgrade. 2b and CF are clear spots of upgrade. 3b and C are possible spots

[moonslav59]

A need for a starter would be much higher if there was a fight to make the playoffs. The Sox and Yanks are making the playoffs. The idea of a new starter isn’t born out in the stats, though. Our rotation has been every bit as good as yours. Our pen has been better. Your offense has been a touch better on the whole. There’s no real singular upgrade on our side that needs to happen. Either the guys we have play well or they don’t. On your side, there are clear spots of upgrade. 2b and CF are clear spots of upgrade. 3b and C are possible spots

 

I know you don't think too highly of our starters, especially our 3-6 slot starters, but we've had better numbers than the Yankee starters, to date.

 

ERA-

5. BOS 87

7. NYY 91

 

SIERA

5. BOS 3.65

7. NYY 3.75

 

WHIP

6. NYY 1.19

7. BOS 1.21

 

xFIP-

6. NYY 90

8. BOS 91

 

K/BB

3.39 BOS

3.24 NYY

 

ERA-

50 Severino

60 Sale

76 Sabathia

84 Porcello

86 Price

90 ERod

 

110 Tanaka

118 Gray

141 German (not counted on for playoffs)

159 Pom (not counted on for playoffs)

 

Looks to me like our 3-6 starters have been our strength, and I didn't include Wright or our other starters on this list, and they have done a very good job as 6-9 slot starters).

Edited June 28, 2018 by moonslav59

[Bellhorn04]

I know you don't think too highly of our starters, especially our 3-6 slot starters, but we've had better numbers than the Yankee starters, to date.

 

ERA-

5. BOS 87

7. NYY 91

 

SIERA

5. BOS 3.65

7. NYY 3.75

 

WHIP

6. NYY 1.19

7. BOS 1.21

 

xFIP-

6. NYY 90

8. BOS 91

 

K/BB

3.39 BOS

3.24 NYY

 

 

Those are some close numbers.

[moonslav59]

Those are some close numbers.

 

The ERA- differential is pretty significant, and our top 4 starters needed in the playoffs seem much better than the Yankees.

 

ERA-

50 Severino

60 Sale

76 Sabathia

84 Porcello

86 Price

90 ERod

110 Tanaka

118 Gray

 

Their 1 & 2 have better numbers, so far, but I'm guessing Price or Porcello pass CC by season's end.

 

Our 3 & 4 blow NY's away... so far.

 

 

[dgalehouse]

I am surprised the Yankees have not considered moving Stanton to first base. They have an abundance of outfielders and the highly regarded Bird looks like a bust. You are welcome.

[bkzwhitestrican]

I am surprised the Yankees have not considered moving Stanton to first base. They have an abundance of outfielders and the highly regarded Bird looks like a bust. You are welcome.

 

They're just giving Bird the JBJ treatment. Let him keep sucking until he stops sucking.

[Slasher9]

They're just giving Bird the JBJ treatment. Let him keep sucking until he stops sucking.

 

oh yeah? bird is a huge + defensively? didnt realize that......

1b is a 9 hitter slot? didn't realize that.....

1b is a no power slot? didn't realize that.....

 

good comparison using JBj......

[Spudboy]

I agree with you that neither team NEEDS to make a trade.

 

IMO, which I fully admit might be clouded by Jacko-like bias, is that the Sox are good to go as is, even for the playoff run. That's provided that they stay healthy, of course. I could see adding a reliever. I can understand why people think we need an upgrade at 2B, but I think we're fine there. I completely disagree with you about the Sox needing a catcher.

 

I really think the Yankees' need for a starter is greater than any of our needs, with the word 'need' being used lightly. Both teams would make the playoffs even if they stand pat.

 

I endorse this post.

 

I think reliever and spot starting help can be had from AAA and AA. Second base is not ideal . But the Sox can live with the combo of Holt - Nunez. Our bench is weak after that as Swi has not shown much. Not that it is entirely his fault with such limited playing time.

 

Catcher remains a strength. Especially now that both Vasquez and Leon appear to be getting better wood on the ball. If anything, the Yankees have a weakness at catcher.

 

Especially now with Sanchez out. Looks like the Yankees will have to resort to a glove first type behind the plate. Which, ironically, is a defensive upgrade at the position.

 

Still a long way to go this season.

 

Health will likely be a determining factor in this race.

[bkzwhitestrican]

oh yeah? bird is a huge + defensively? didnt realize that......

1b is a 9 hitter slot? didn't realize that.....

1b is a no power slot? didn't realize that.....

 

good comparison using JBj......

 

None of those things negate what I said. Despite his s***** offensive production the Red Sox continued to run JBJ out there because there was an expectation that he'd improve at the plate (and he has lately). If all they were looking for is a defensive CF then you can bet your ass they'd find someone who didn't cost $6M. If the comparison is lost on you then oh well.

[moonslav59]

None of those things negate what I said. Despite his s***** offensive production the Red Sox continued to run JBJ out there because there was an expectation that he'd improve at the plate (and he has lately). If all they were looking for is a defensive CF then you can bet your ass they'd find someone who didn't cost $6M. If the comparison is lost on you then oh well.

 

I get your point, but there was a strong reason for us to expect JBJ to get hot: he's done it 3 years in a row (maybe 4, if this is truly a hot streak we are seeing now).

 

Why is there a strong expectation for Bird to not only get hot, but to improve to a level point expected of 1Bmen?

 

What is his history?

 

2014: .869 in A+/AA

2015: .871 OPS in just 178 PAs (.825 in AA/AAA)

2016: .700 in fall league (78 PAs)

2017: .710 OPS in just 170 PAs (.99a in AA/A+)

 

His minor league numbers look very nice, despite just 54 HRs in 1628 PAs.

 

There are oddles and oodles of players who did great on the farm and ended up at below .770 in the bigs (his current career OPS) or .690 (his current OPS). Bird has a very limited window of ML success and that was way back in 2015 (46 games).

 

Looks like apples and oranges in many ways, but yes, both JBJ and Bird had fans hoping they'd improve.

 

[Kimmi]

A need for a starter would be much higher if there was a fight to make the playoffs. The Sox and Yanks are making the playoffs. The idea of a new starter isn’t born out in the stats, though. Our rotation has been every bit as good as yours. Our pen has been better. Your offense has been a touch better on the whole. There’s no real singular upgrade on our side that needs to happen. Either the guys we have play well or they don’t. On your side, there are clear spots of upgrade. 2b and CF are clear spots of upgrade. 3b and C are possible spots

 

We have spots where we can upgrade, and yet we are doing every bit as well as the Yankees. In other words, we have no real areas of need.

[Kimmi]

I endorse this post.

 

I think reliever and spot starting help can be had from AAA and AA. Second base is not ideal . But the Sox can live with the combo of Holt - Nunez. Our bench is weak after that as Swi has not shown much. Not that it is entirely his fault with such limited playing time.

 

Catcher remains a strength. Especially now that both Vasquez and Leon appear to be getting better wood on the ball. If anything, the Yankees have a weakness at catcher.

 

Especially now with Sanchez out. Looks like the Yankees will have to resort to a glove first type behind the plate. Which, ironically, is a defensive upgrade at the position.

 

Still a long way to go this season.

 

Health will likely be a determining factor in this race.

 

I'm with you Spud.

 

As long as our team stays relatively healthy, we are good to go.

[bkzwhitestrican]

I get your point, but there was a strong reason for us to expect JBJ to get hot: he's done it 3 years in a row (maybe 4, if this is truly a hot streak we are seeing now).

 

Why is there a strong expectation for Bird to not only get hot, but to improve to a level point expected of 1Bmen?

 

What is his history?

 

2014: .869 in A+/AA

2015: .871 OPS in just 178 PAs (.825 in AA/AAA)

2016: .700 in fall league (78 PAs)

2017: .710 OPS in just 170 PAs (.99a in AA/A+)

 

His minor league numbers look very nice, despite just 54 HRs in 1628 PAs.

 

There are oddles and oodles of players who did great on the farm and ended up at below .770 in the bigs (his current career OPS) or .690 (his current OPS). Bird has a very limited window of ML success and that was way back in 2015 (46 games).

 

Looks like apples and oranges in many ways, but yes, both JBJ and Bird had fans hoping they'd improve.

 

 

Had Bird come back in the 2nd half of last season and sucked I would agree with you. But we only need to look back to after the 2017 ASB (when Bird was finally playing without any injury) to see Bird's upside:

 

Aug - Oct 2017: .253/.316/.575/.891

 

I'm not advocating Bird as the next great Yankee. But you don't have to look THAT hard to see that he could be end up as a good player.

[moonslav59]

Had Bird come back in the 2nd half of last season and sucked I would agree with you. But we only need to look back to after the 2017 ASB (when Bird was finally playing without any injury) to see Bird's upside:

 

Aug - Oct 2017: .253/.316/.575/.891

 

I'm not advocating Bird as the next great Yankee. But you don't have to look THAT hard to see that he could be end up as a good player.

 

I'm not arguing against Bird's upside potential. His minor league numbers show a lot of promise. His brief time in 2015 showed promise.

 

My point was that JBJ had proven numerous times that he can put together long and good enough streaks to get his seasonal numbers to respectability. Bird has never played even close to a full MLB season. All bets are off. We can't "expect" anything.

[jacksonianmarch]

Bird showed some upside tonight, now didn't he?

[moonslav59]

Bird showed some upside tonight, now didn't he?

 

I said that same word myself, "potential."

[OH FOY]

Minaya a crazy but I feel a good GM. He built that Pitching staff for the Mets. I could see him talking to the Yanks about a deal for a couple of their Top Pitching Prospects, and a Major leaguer. Torres?

I could see a Blockbuster coming between these two. Minaya holds no grudges, he will deal if it helps the Mets.

Edited June 30, 2018 by OH FOY!

[bkzwhitestrican]

Bird must have read this thread before the game

[Divinity]

Would you guys prefer they sign Happ or Hamels?

 

I think Happ makes more sense, He’s having the better season, he’s always had success against the Red Sox and he won’t cost multiple top prospects because he’ll be a free agent at season’s end.

Edited June 30, 2018 by Divinity

[jacksonianmarch]

I want nothing to do with Hamels. His ERA is deceiving. His FIP is over 5.

[jacksonianmarch]

Happ hasn’t been great of late as well. We have a top 3 that can rival anyone sans Houston (nobody will rival them no matter what we do). We’ve got a ton of talent and right now have Loiasiga going well and German going so-so. Sheff is lighting it up in AAA as well. I’d look at dealing off Gray plus for another pitcher of consequence, but getting a #4 for playoff time isn’t really all that intriguing.

[Carpin]

Call me crazy, but I like Wheeler

 

I love deGrom but his cost will be crazy, I don't see Cashman paying the price for him or Thor