I don't believe the Yankees will be able to acquire Roy Halladay, but this belief stems from the stubbornness of the front office and refusal to admit past mistakes rather than a lack of working parts. This is a shame, because acquiring Halladay would likely propel the Yankees to the next two World Series - not just this one due to Halladay being under contract through 2010. Without Halladay, I don't feel the Yankees have enough starting pitching to make it past the Red Sox in the playoffs - if they can even hold on to their wildcard lead.
From all reports, Toronto is looking for a package of 3-4 young players with plus potential. They currently have a young outfield that could use depth and an old infield with only one player that may still be on the team in two years (Aaron Hill). The Blue Jays also are said to be looking to receive starting pitching in return.
The trade: Joba Chamberlain, Melky Cabrera and either Juan Miranda and/or Eric Duncan for Halladay.
I feel the Yankees should trade Chamberlain while he still has some cache in the league and they can still get more for him than maybe he deserves. The back and forth between the bullpen and starting rotation has appeared to mess with his emotional makeup, his mechanics and his health and the "Joba rules" from the last couple of years has turned him soft and into a 5-inning pitcher. If he is to become a front-line starter (or closer) I don't think it can be in a Yankee uniform. This season, the velocity on his fastball has averaged 92 miles an hour - down considerably from the 96/97 he averaged as a reliever AND the 94/95 he averaged as a starter before leaving a start last August with a sore shoulder. This is not a coincidence, and Chamberlain had shoulder issues when he was younger. Knowing this, would the Jays still take him as the headliner in a trade? Chamberlain still has a plus slider and a decent curveball. He also has shown flashes this year that could be encouraging for a team thinking a change of scenery could be the trick. If you are still not convinced that that Yankees should move on and get something for Joba while they can - RHB are hitting .301 against him this season with a .878 OPS. This is very troubling for a RHP. The more you look into his numbers and the more you know about him (weight issues, DUI, conditioning questions) the more you want to get WHATEVER YOU CAN for him. Hopefully, it's not too late.
As for the other players in the deal, Cabrera is often the odd man out in the Yankees' crowded outfield - especially with Eric Hinske now a member of the Yankees. He has played well enough this year to rebuild the interest in him that made him an "untouchable" for most of the past few years.
Juan Miranda and Eric Duncan are two prospects who are starting to age (26 and 24 respectively) but are blocked at their respective positions - 1B and 3B/1B - by Rodriguez and Teixeira. Miranda has a good eye and good power and has done well in 1 1/2 seasons of AAA and performed very well in the Arizona Fall League last season. Duncan's stock has dropped over the last couple of seasons but that could be partially due to learning a new position - 1B - and the ceiling that has been dropped on him due to the Yankees' stars at the corners. His batting average has dropped 3 years running at AAA, but he was the #2 Yankee prospect (Baseball America) as recently as 2006 after being #1 in 2005.
This is where I would start. If they ask for Brett Gardner (instead of Cabrera), Francisco Cervelli or Ian Kennedy - I would go with it. I would keep Phillip Hughes off-limits. The only reason I would be willing to deal Cervelli (who I think will be an above-average MLB catcher for a long time) is because the Yankees have Jesus Montero tearing up AA who is an even higher-rated prospect than Cervelli.
The known quantity of Roy Halladay would put the Yankees over the edge and make them the favorite to win the AL and possibly bring a title back to the Bronx. All it should take is the silent admission that their previously untouchable prospect is better off pitching for another team in the division for a long time... if it's not too late.
2 comments:
No offense, but the trade scenarios you're presenting are beyond lame.
26 year-old prospects? Joba? Melky?
You're talking about the #1 rated player in baseball according to Elias Sport Bureau. Don't think your spare parts or diminishing assets are enough to land him.
Keep in mind: The Jays don't have to trade Halladay.
Three of these players were untouchable at various points within the last 24 months. Cabrera is better than Wells and the point of the blog is if the Jays think Joba has the potential he had in the past - the Yanks need to jump on it. There are those who thinks the YANKS would be nuts to do this trade. I'm not one of them obviously. Also, instead of Pena, throw in Cervelli. Beyond lame is really pushing it, though. Thanks for the feedback!
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