Hank: I'm still in charge

This interview also sounds like George calls all the shots.

Boy there is going to be a HUGE POWER strugle this year between Hank and Hal. This could back fire on the Yankees- I HOPE not but 1 Idiot who wants all the power, and 1 that wants to control the money!!

SHOW DOWN ITN THE BRONX!!!

Todd,
If and when George passes on that may happen. Otherwise, this is just Hank feeding the hungry press!

http://www.nypost.com/seven/10122008/sports/yankees/sabathia__burnett_figure_in_bombers_offs_133256.htm

This guy suggest Kevin Millar another red sox reject at first.

http://www.dugoutcentral.com/blog/?p=1932

The Yankees must consider not only this year's picture but also next year. In that regard, the Yankees need to look out their pitching, entire outfield and first base. Abreu, Damon, Nady and Matsui could all be gone between this year and next. Wang is the only proven started who is signed for the next couple years. Joba is great but we need to see if he can stay healthy for year and therefore cannot currently project him as an ace even if he has ace stuff. Also consider that the Jeter is no longer a good defensive shortstop in any regard and that ARod is mediocre at third. What does this equate to:
1. Either sign Texeira or move ARod to First.
2. If ARod is moved to 1st, move Jeter to 3rd or CF.
3. Trade for Hanley Ramirez for any players not named Joba --the best all around shortstop and a great player who could increase our on base prowess, power, ferocity, and speed at the top of the lineup.
4. Trade for Matt Holliday.
5. Sign Sabathia and acquire either Lincecum, Cain, Peavy, F. Hernandez -- all players who could be available because theri teams and farm systems are that bad -- if not, then sign Burnett.
6. Trade Jason Bay while his stock cannot be any higher and before he asks for unreasonable dollars.
7. Trade Matsui even if it means eating dollars -- he is aging quickly.
8. Re-sign Abreu - two to three years -- his OBP and clutchness is difficult to replace.
9. Give Gardner enough at bats to see if he is worth full-time status in 2010 or sign Baldelli as a fourth option.
Other alternatives: Greinke, Votto, Dejesus, Atkins, Tulowitzki, Dukes

Posted by tlsmlieb | October 12, 2008 14:55 Look at this potential lineup:

Damon - LF/CF/DH
H. Ramirez/Tulowitzki -SS
Jeter - 3B/CF
ARod - 1B/3B
Holliday - LF/Texeiria/Votto 1B
Abreu/Nady - RF
Cano/Hudson - 2B
Posada/Molina - C/DH
Gardner - CF

The top six hitters all have power, speed (except Texieria and Votto) and a high OBP (except Nady). Pitchers will have to pitch to ARod. Seven or eight of the position players have high OBP. ARod would be a solid IB (and better than Giambi) and his health would likely be better long term. (The other IBmen are very good defensively). The all around defense would be improved. Plus, the youth movement would be progressed to a degree.

SP

1-2 Sabathia/Peavy/Cain/Lincecum/F. Hernandez/Burnett
3 Wang
4 Pettite or Mussina
5 Joba

Scary staff and generally young.
This would be a team for the present and future. This team is possible too. Why? The Yankees have enough prospect depth to make to to three significant trades and some combination of the above is likely to be available due to a variety of internal reasons. The other players could be acquired via free agency. Hank, please read my blog. We cannot compete in the east if we do not have at least two aces, something which Boston and Tampa Bay have. Also, when is the last time the Yankees had an exciting and versatile offense. When was the last time the Yankees had a web gem. These changes would make that happen.

I meant trade Nady not Bay.

Hank read your post and decided Jeter will be at short in 09.

I love Derek Jeter, but like Call Ripken, his best defensive days are behind him. I by no means want to jettison him from the team. However, when is the last time any Yankee has been nominated for a great defensive play. I am not suggesting that Jeter be moved so that some scrub can take his place but I do not think anyone could argue that moving Jeter and putting a guy like Ramirez or Tulowitzki at ss would enhance the team and help preserve Jeter's career. No one could argue that Jeter is in his prime anymore while Tulo and Ramirez are top players in all regards and only in their mid-20's. If Jeter is truly a captain then he needs to be realistic about his shortcomings associated with his age and willing to adapt especially if he wants to remain a Yankees once his contract expires. Too many baserunners are getting to first on Derek Jeter's lack of range and arm strength. Hanley Ramirez would be a better pick up than even Holliday and I love Hollidy's abilities. Ramirez is younger, plays at a position where offense is rarer, is a speed demon, is under contract and is a perfect draw for the new stadium. I would love Hollliday too. However, the Yankees have the ammo to make two to no more than three major trades. O/w I would not move Jeter just for the sake of it.

tls, I wish everything you posted were possible. But nor Hanley Ramirez and/or Tulo will ever be available in a trade ( why do you think the Marlins, of all organizations, would actually sign a player to a long term deal? ) and I imagine that, once Troy hits his arbitration years, the Rockies would do the same. Lincecum and Cain are very hard... VERY HARD to pry out of SF. They would want Cano, Melky and the farm system for just one of those two.

On the other hand, Peavy can be had, but at a high price as well. They would want a MLB-ready starter ( Joba and/or Hughes ) and some of the farm as well. As much as I'd love to have Peavy, he's now in his prime, will only get older and has NEVER pitched in the AL and it looks like we have two future aces in Hughes and Joba. It doesn't look that way now, but that's because this organization and city do not have the patience to wait around. Come back to me in mid-2009 and 2010 on this one. If you want a comparison, we can use the aforementioned tandem as an example: Cain and Lincecum. Joba would be Lincecum, Hughes would be Cain, respectfully.

It'll take one more year before this club is FULLY rejuvenated. Now that Giambi, Abreu, Mussina ( he was great, loved him. ), Pudge, Marte and Farnsworth are gone, the team has unloaded the first batch of aging veterans. Pettitte will be back, he will pitch in the new stadium. He sounded like he wanted to be back and mentioned the stadium and his family's fondness of N.Y. as strong points for that discussion.

With the Yankees organization looking to sign two pricey FA starters, that officially leaves them out of the Teixeira sweepstakes. Unless ofcourse they only sign one FA starter, then that leaves enough room for Teixeira and his hundred million dollar salary. ( I wonder how this sets the bar for Jeter? How he'll feel when he hits the FA market and I wonder the Yankees will offer. I CERTAINLY hope to Jehova God that they do not disrespect him like they did Torre. ) That would give us a rotation of Wang, Sabathia, Burnett, Pettitte, Joba and Hughes. Now, remember when Cash said something like spot starting for Joba or opting for a six man rotation to keep his arm fresh? Well I think what'll happen is, if somehow Hughes hits 150 innings in the AFL ( which the org. is monitoring closely ) They would use him as the fifth starter, since he would be on a normal workoad ( 200 innings ) and use Joba sixth or alternate between Hughes and Joba in the fifth spot every other turn. You feel me? That's what's going to happen. Now, if Hughes does NOT hit 150 innings, then you could see a guy like Alfrdo Aceves or a veteran like Paul Byrd spot spot starting for joba every two out three starts. Very interesting variable there, but really, nobody's forcing the org. to do this, it's their own craphole they've dug themselves into. If it were up to me, or any other org., Joba would already have his first full ML season, along with Hughes.

So, IF Teixeira is not signed, what happens is, Fielder will be on the market. Mike Jacobs, the Mets' firstbase prospects way back when, is also available, or we could opt to use Betemit or Miranda at first. I personally would love to have Fielder in pinstripes, he'd have a ball with all the protection around him.

Picture this:

Damon
Jeter
Fielder
A-Rod
Matsui
Nady
Posada
Cano
Gardner/Melky

That team,lsited above, would easily dominate the east. The Red Sox or Rays lineups would not compare, and our defense improves since Gardner or Mlky would be manning center, Nady would go to his natyral RF postion, and Damon would provide some good range in LF. You are right though, when you say that Jeter can no longer field SS, but nobody else is available ( blame Hank and George for this one ). A-Rod can't field the position anymore, he's too muscular, and Betemit's not a full-time player. Fielder would only serve as a glove to catch throws at first base, his defense his average at best;Posada's catching days are numbered. So yeah, besides A-Rod, the IF defense will be bad next year, unless we sign Teix. Cano is one who has a good glove at second, but isn't cnsistent with it.

Bronxkidd, I agree with what you are saying largely. What I was saying above was somewhat pie in the sky but also meant to invoke the Yankees to think outside their usual. I still like Hughes and believe Joba will be great. My concern is more both pitchers' health than their ability. In that regard two aces is a must. In that regard, Sabathia and Burnett would fit the bill. I too believe Joba and Hughes will be rotated as starters. However, I worry about Burnett's health history and he is turning 32 next year. (Lowe will be 36 for those who keep bandying his name.) The Yankees have the arsenal to make a trade. Peavy will be available because the Padres are a bad team with a bad farm system. (So would Cain if not Lincecum). He is one of the top pitchers in baseball and will only be turning 28 next year. He has four years left on his contract at decent price for this market. For the right prospects (e.g. Kennedy, Aceves, Gardner, Miranda, et al), we may be able to swing this type of trade and yet keep our best and most needed prospects. I have no problem acquiring a National League pitcher of Peavy's calibur. Great pitchers are great pitcher irrespective of the league. His ERA may climb because of the DH but he would still be great. Their is a false concept that pervades baseball including the Yankees personnel that acquiring pitchers from the senior circuit is dangerous. Neither the Yankees nor any other team has suffered because of acquiring a pitcher from the National League. The problem with past Yankee acquisitions is bad decision making -- decisions that were bad as a forethought. e.g.
Jarret Wright - one year wonder who never had a healthy full season
Randy Johnson - aging pitcher with balky back who was unhealthy even after returning to the NL
Pavano - another one year wonder with history of injury
Ed Whitson - one year wonder with an otherwise past history of being mediocre to terrible
Kevin Brown - always injured
etc.
David Cone was great in both leagues as was Roger Clemens as was Andy Pettitte as was Schilling (the last of whom spent almost his entire career as a NLer but for coming up as an Oriole and pitching negligible amount of innings).
Pitching is about mental and physical makeup. I would take a Peavy or an Oswalt (if available) over an ALer on the free agent market any day.

Also the Yankees have $88 million coming off the books. Say Sabathia and the other ace cost about $40 million per. That leaves $48 million savings. Re-signing Abreu would cost about $15m bringing that number down to $33. Re-signing Pettitte or Mussina and then signing Texeiria would break the Yankees about even with last year not counting the below said moves. The Yankees need Texeiria because 1B is a hole and there are not a lot of great 1Bmen who will be in the market in the near future. This is especially true because the Yankees already suffered from poor offensive output and consistency last year and many players are on the other side of their prime. Also Giambi leaving means that 30 plus homers and 90+ RBI is about to disappear. No one on the Yankees can replace this needed output. Further, as previously stated, the Yankees will have to deal with the departure of Matsui, Damon and Nady. What is the likelihood of being able to get three quality offensive players in one offseason whether it be from internal promotion (the Yankees are weak in positional players in the upper farm) or from maneuvers not raping the team of its entire farm system. That is why Texeiria is a must. Why would Fielder be available anyway?
The Yankees need to determine Nady's true upside for the upcoming years and decide if her will be worth the dollars Boras is seeking. When they do so, the answer may be no. (Nady has power but last year was his full first season and his avg and OBP with the Yankees as poor.) If no, then trade him at his peak value. With Damon, Abreu and Gardner, the Yankees would be okay anyway. The Yankees could also sign Baldelli as back up. This way the Yankees get even more economic relief.
The Yankees need to trade Matsui because it is prudent in the youth movement under the circumstances. Eat half of his salary and someone will take him (e.g. Seattle who is Japanese owned and could recover his value in merchandizing or the Giants who need offense.)
If the Yankees were to have signed Sabathia, Burnett and Texieria and do the above, the Yankees will still have had a little about $11 million coming off the books this year, plus another $40 million off the books next year. (Pettitte, Damon and Matsui.) If the above said trades are not made, then the Yankees will cost about the same this year as last but with a much better pitching staff, a riper set of minor leaguers and a stud at first and with $51 million coming off the books next year with the ability to then obtain someone like Holliday without making another significant acquisition next year. However, if it is believe that Holliday is going to be moved this year, as there is no better outfielder that will be available next year then the Yankees should put together a package for him now provided they can sign him just like anyone else would likely do before trading top prospects for him. (Holliday had a .405 OBP away from Coors last year. Holliday is a five tool player. Look at his all around numbers over the years.) This year would be costly but next year the Yankees salary would around $180m, not cheap but much better than it is now and in a season when profits should be outstanding. Best of all, the Yankees team would largely be set for years to come as the Yankees from next year on would have most of their core players under contract but for a player here and there.

We are not trading Aceves, I don't understand why people here bring him up.
Magglio Ordonez has emerged as a possible trade candidate.

Giambi would like to go back to Cali but not on a 2 year deal. It appears the handshake agreement will stand, Giambi is likely to agree to a 1 year deal here.

Positives from 08:

Coke has grown an MLB pair, and a lefty.
Garnder is dangerous on the base paths and can defend.
Aceves could be a big pick up for the Yankees, I really like what I saw from this guy.
Bullpen: not BAD, not BAD, these guys are maturing and bringing it. Some slip ups, but these guys will be good.
Joba can start at the MLB level.

I like Aceves. I am not desirous of being rid of him. However, if a superstar could be obtained, I would rather give up Aceves than Hughes or Cano or Joba. If the Yankees could have a Holiday, Peavy or a F. Hernandez, then such a deal should be done. Greatness is not easy to acquire.
Giambi is a .240-.250 hitter who should be a dh right along with Matsui and possibly Posada and Damon, depending on their health. The Yankees need Texeiria. Texeiria equals an answer. Giambi equals more questions. I like Giambi and his power is substantial but the Yankees have to many potential DHs even without Giambi.

The Yankees have a lot of pitching in the minors but only one proven major leaguer on the roster right now, a pitcher coming off the injured list. Not all the pitchers are going to make the Yankee rotation now or in the future. The Yankees have only one major offensive prosect who has played above level A. That prospect, Jackson, is said to have the tools and has shown some flashes, but he has yet to reach stardom at any minor league level and therefore to suggest he is an answer to anything yet is premature. In two years - the Yankees will Cano, Jeter (who will be one year away from FA), ARod, an aging Posada and question marks. Since the Yankees are deficient in near major league ready positional players, the Yankees need to acquire talent when talent is available and not wait until their hands are forced. Otherwise, it is plausible for the Yankees to wind up with a $100m payroll invested in a few players on a team that is reminiscent of the mid to later 80's Yankees -- a couple of stars on a bad team.

The agreement made with Giambi was to bring him back for 1 year as a 1st baseman after declining his option.

BPark, I'll tell you what: if the Yankees can sign CC and Burnett ( or bring in Peavy ) then bringing Giambi back doesn't seem as bad. What would be bad is if he's brought back and we still haven't improved our glaring needs; THAT would PISS me off.

Either way, we still need a quality bat and first baseman, Texeiria. If the Yankees do not obtain Texeiria now, he will sign elsewhere and the Yankees may have to wait years for a solid all around first baseman while Giambi who is just a dh goes elsewhere. No good first baseman, big name or not, will be available via free agency and therefore big prospects would have to be given up to get one, which is a lot worse than merely having to sign Texeiria and lose draft picks. Everyone must remmber this team is too blended and has committed too much money to commit to a complete transition. That is why Texeiria, Sabathia and Peavy/Burnett is needed.

Giambi's salary would in the 5M with the buyout as the same. If you check the defense, Giambi was perhaps the infielder with the fewest errors.

I am leaning towards Peavy. I am very much against Burnett, Pavano's boy. Sabithia just doesn't seem like he is worth Santana money. Lowe is trash. Oswalt is too worn down. Garland was offered to us when he was stinking in Chitown. Sheets is not worth anything unless he is a throw in a Fielder deal. Volquez and Ervin Santana are worth calling about. So is Johan Santana if the Mets really want Sabathia

Wang
Pettitte
Peavy
Chamberlain/
Aceves/Hughes

I have a slash next to Chamberlain because we have to wait and see on Mo.

I am iffy about Burnett too but not Sabathia. No one is worth the money that they are getting in baseball, but Sabathia has had two Cy Young seasons in a row. Oswalt had a very good year and has not had a single bad season in his entire career. He is 31, the same age as Mussina was when the Yankees acquired him but with a better all around track record. Volquez collpased during the end of last year and I am not sure he is the real deal. Santana is very good but why would the Angels trade their second best starter. I love Peavy because he is the closest thing to Johan Santana and could cool the sting of our error in not acquiring him last year.
Lowe is 36 and was mediocre with the Red Sox the last couple years before moving to the NL. Garland stinks. Sheets is an injury always waiting to happen.
The Yankees need two of the following three under 30 pitchers: Peavy, Lincecum, Cain, F. Hernandez, Greinke, Harang (better than his last year stats). All could be available because their teams stink and farm systems too. The price would be worth it as long as Joba and Hughes can be excluded.

What you gonna do if you throw 7 years 150 at Sabathia and he gets to 280?

Why? They have Chamberlain, Aceves and Hughes, they need veterans to anchor the rotation not more kids.

Is there a mailbag this week B?

I'm all for getting Peavy. While we are at it, lets get Adrian Gonzalez also. He fills the first base needs. That trade in itself could save the Yankees millions of dollars. It will probably take Cano, Kennedy, and a few others. Sign Orlando Hudson to play second base. I don't know why people are so down on Garland. Currently he would be like the second best pitcher on this staff. I think Wang, Peavy, Joba, Hughes, and Garland would be a nice staff that would allow the Yankees to contend. By the way, Garland had 10 starts against the AL east this year. Went 6-2 with 2 no decisions in which the Angels did win. If the Yankees are going to continue slowly with Joba and his innings limit, they better have 3 guys who will put in 200 innings. Wang, Garland, and Peavy could all do that. Just my 2 cents.

I see the mailbag now. Bryan, can you explain how the Mets can afford Santana and Sabathia? Would we dare inquire about Santana if the Mets signed Sabathia?

I am ok with Hudson if we get an ace for Cano.

What do you think will happen with Ivan Rodriguez and the Yankees? Should they keep him and move Posada to first base?
-- Gerardo G., San Juan, P.R.

As of now, it appears that Pudge's time in New York was as a two-month rental. Posada will begin a throwing program on Dec. 1 and insists that he will be able to catch the majority of games in 2009, though Jose Molina is preparing for more duty in case that's not realistic. Posada is not interested in the idea of first base, saying that he is a catcher, and given the rehab ahead of him, the Yankees are going to dangle that carrot to move him along.

That was harsh B. The guy is from PR. You could have told him there is a chance of a non roster invite.

Santana has a full no trade clause. If the Mets sign Sabathia, why would Santana wave that? If the Mets sign Sabathia, the two make up the best 1-2 punch in baseball. In fact we haven't seen that type of 1-2 combination since Johnson and Schilling in Arizona. I highly doubt that the Mets will outbid the Yankees.

A guy does not need to be over 30 to be a veteran, he just needs experience. Every pitcher is a proven major leaguer who has proven capable of pitching near 200 innings of quality baseball. I love Adrian Gonzalez, but am not willing to give up on Hughes unless necessary to obtain Peavy. (Remember Hughes is an injury risk - see his past three seasons in the minors and majors). Banking on Aceves is like banking on Ian Kennedy's performance over three games two years ago. Those who think our youth core of pitching is the lone answer must consider this: the Red Sox have three pitchers who have had Cy Young seasons over the past two years. The Rays have two All Star starters plus David Price who is considered the best pitching prospect in baseball, is major league ready and has no history of injury. The Rays also have a couple of other winning pitchers. The Angels have three All Star Starters and some team will win the Central every year. The Yankees best pitchers can only hope to be as good as the above said guys. Let us not forget that the Yankees scouting is not historically as strong as the other said teams and therefore we do not know what the pitchers will translate to. As such, while Hughes and others could be good the Yankees mistakenly sped these players along without allowing for full development. Accordingly, and due to history of injuries of guys like Hughes and Joba (who was also injured in college), the Yankees need pitchers who are ready at the top of the rotation.
Garland is a bad pitcher who has had a few good games.
Sabathia is fat but so was David Wells. I would rather ovepay for Sabathia than overpay for Derek Lowe. At least Sabathia is in his prime, knows the American League and cannot be intimidated.
Pudge is good but declining and is a commodity who could fetch a draft pick if offered arbitration (to be refused.) The Yankees can always find a catcher at Pudge's present skill level if Posada cannot catch. Molina is better defensively anyway and Pudge's offense, while better, is not significant anymore.
Hudson is a good replacement for Cano but I would rather have Cano because his upside is incomparable. Cano should not be traded unless we obtain Peavy or Lincecum. You save your best pawns for your biggest needs.

Johan is going nowhere. Silly talk. The Mets need more pitching, not less.

Santana has a full no trade clause. If the Mets sign Sabathia, why would Santana wave that? If the Mets sign Sabathia, the two make up the best 1-2 punch in baseball. In fact we haven't seen that type of 1-2 combination since Johnson and Schilling in Arizona. I highly doubt that the Mets will outbid the Yankees.

By Rayfe21@yahoo.com on October 13, 2008 6:40 PM

I doubt he would Rayfe:
I would however look into it,
The Mets overworked him and he does have a knee injury,
No way the Mets can pay both of them.

Aceves has beat Boston, can Kennadia claim that? No one is banking on Aceves, he will need to compete with Hughes but I don't think Cash brought him in to trade him.
Pudge is simply a fall back if Posada can't throw, Molina doesn't need to play ever game and Cervelli is not ready.

Future Hall of Famer Pudge Rodriguez, a Scott Boras client, ain't taking a non-roster invite.

Everybody is tradeable in the right deal! But, since we are three years in to a six year plan, no major trades are likely.

tis,

I like your list but unfortunately, it's nothing more than a pipe dream. There's no chance the Yanks will get pitchers like Cain or Lincecum for anything less than major talent. Cain is pretty much better than any pitcher the Yanks currently have, and Lincecum is definitely flat out better than any pitcher the Yanks have, period. Heck you can't even get Cain for Cano straight up. The Yanks just don't have the type of position players the Giants want. I would definitely like to see Sabathia on the team, but it won't come down to money, it will come down to where he feels his family is most comfortable. Money won't be an issue with him because of that. I don't see the Mets paying for both Sabathia and Santana. Mets will have other needs down the road they can't afford both and fill those needs at the same time. Yanks could dump someone like Pudge, he's getting older and his skills are slipping. Yanks should go after the likes of Laird or Salty from Texas and possibly fill a hole for the foreseeable future rather than worry about the same problem year after year. As I've said before the last thing this team needs are pitchers like Paul Byrd who will give you inflated stats lust like John Garland who also has inflated career stats. Both are high risk pitchers.

tis,

Don't forget that Lowe really stunk his last season with the Suks, but still managed to win 14 games. He won 21, and 17 games the two years prior to that. Pettitte has had bad years in the AL himself. Does that mean he stinks? He's nothing but a No.5 starter which is what the Yanks could use.

Future Hall of Famer Pudge Rodriguez, a Scott Boras client, ain't taking a non-roster invite.

By bombersbeat on October 13, 2008 8:01 PM

So, you say he will retire B?

Lowe actually had only one great year in the American League out of his last three. Lowe is 36 years old. Do the Yankees want to dole out a multiple year deal for someone like that. Even if he was great, the Yankees should be hesitant because probability goes against Lowe, the same problem the Yankees have consistently faced with giving players multiple year contracts in their primes. I am fine with keeping Pettitte or Mussina but not both. However, let us be real. The Yankees have no ace. Wang has been a winning pitcher with an ERA hovering near 4.00 and is a groundball pitcher. While being a groundball pitcher does not mean no success, it does mean that more balls are put into play and thus more opportunities for teams to create runs against him. As such, he really is an ideal #3 pitcher. Joba has ace stuff and Hughes might too but if we are worrying about pitch counts and avoiding injuries then we are not looking at aces yet. Lester and Matuszaka do not have pitch counts because their are no durability concerns. The same is true for the other best pitching staffs. So yes, the Yankees need two pitchers like Sabathia (e.g. Peavy, Cain, et al.) As to the availability of the pitcher such as Cain et al., I am aware that we may have to give up a lot but we would be getting the best in a time when we need the best. The Yankees have a lot of minor league pitching talent while probability dictatates that only a small percentage of them will make a dent in the majors. Additionally, many of the Yankees' best prospects are already in the mid-20's a time when they should already have been in the majors and approaching their primes. While some players develop slower than others, do the Yankees really want to chance that every player that is 25 and over is slow developer as opposed to player who is not quite that good. Teams like the Giants, Padres, Mariners and Reds are going nowhere in the foreseeable future because they have no major league talent and minimal minor league talent. Guys like Cain and Peavy will be available for that reason. The Yankees can afford to trade for an ace and will still have depth in its farm. No one can say that the Yankees would rather couple John Garland or Byrd with Kennedy, Aceves and Coke rather than acquire Peavy or Cain. In this day an age, free agency talent is becoming more diluted as teams are smartening up and tying up their studs earliers. As such, star acquisitions must be made when viable. The Yankees won the World Series with a blend of old and new. Cone, Key, Clemens, Wells were all historically winning pitchers of varying degrees. Pettitte did not come up counted on to be the savior of the Yankees nor did Rivera. Posada and Bernie's arrival in the majors were complimented by Tino and O'Neill in their primes not past their primes. If the Yankees have a six year plan than the Yankees are no smarter than the Knicks. By then, every Yankee still on the roster who is a veteran will be past their prime and the entire team will be suspect, just like it was before the mid-90's.
The Yankees should have acquired Santana. They made a mistake. Teams are supposed to learn from its mistakes. Aces are not abundant and are the core of success. The Yankees are not ready to outpitch anyone. They Yankees must land at least Sabathia or Peavy and another top of the rotation starter.
The fact that Aceves beat Boston means that he won a game. Aaron Small was what 10-0 a couple years ago. Where is he now? Rasner started the season strong. How did he finish. I like what Aceves has done thus far and am not desirous of trading him but I would rather trade him that Hughes and would do so to acquire an ace.
If the Yankees are worried about Posada, the Yankees shoudl acquire whichever Indian catcher is available or one of the Rangers three catchers. That way the Yankees are not doing more patchwork in the past. Again, guys like Lowe, Byrd, Pudge, et al., are band aids. The Yankees need to prepare like surgeons. Strategy is not dictated with one year answers (or declining players). If the Yankees want Peavy, Cain or Lincecum for a package from the pool of say Aceves, Jason Jones, Coke, Kennedy, Kroneke, Gardner or Melky (not both), Miranda and Colin Curtis might get it done. Yet the Yankees would still have their best and most needed prospects -- Hughes, Montero, Betances, McAllister, Suttle, Laird, Melancon, Brackman, Jackson, etc.
This is not pipe dreaming; it is reality. Expecting to acquire a guy like Zambrano or Johan Santana is pipe dreaming because the teams have money, good farm systems and are competitive have no reason to make such a trade. The same is not true for the Giants, Padres, Astros, Royals and Mariners.

By the way, no one who needs Peavy or Cain as much as the Yankees do has as much minor league talent as the Yankees do to make this kind of trade happen. If the Giants want Cano then the Yankees should insist on Lincecum. I like Cano but I love Lincecum. The Giants need everything. Cano, Gardner or Melky, Miranda and a couple of pitchers as stated above could land the Yankees Lincecum not because the Giants want to trade him but because they are going nowhere with him and need this type of trade to develop into a competitive team. This way, the Giant gain three position players and a couple of pitchers all of whom are major league ready and integral to the Giants progression but not the Yankees progression.
(I meant innings count, not pitch count.)

tis,

Like I have said before the Giants want power hitters who are major league ready or close to being major league ready, not pitchers. The Giants have a woeful offense and are desperate to get those type of hitters. Hitters like Gardner,Cano, Melky, and Miranda won't even come close to getting the Yanks Lincecum that would be a major pipe dream. The Giants aren't going to deal a pitcher who is capable of being dominant for years, and is a candidate for this year's NL Cy Young for two hitters who are unproven and haven't shown anything at the ML level and two more who are coming off down years. The Giants already have players who can fly around the base paths but can't generate much offense in their lineup (actually a couple of them look to be keepers for the Giants in Burress and Pablo Sandoval at 1B and Fred Lewis in the OF). The Giants want power hitters who can actually scare someone and generate offense, the Yanks don't have anything close to those type of hitters in their system. Also the Giants have better pitching prospects than the Yanks do who are ready to come up in Alderson and Bumgarner, both prospects are far superior in talent to Aceves, Jason Jones, Coke or Kennedy. The only reason the Giants could deal Cain is because of the Giants lack of offense and Alderson and Bumgarner make him expendable. The Giants weren't even interested in a one-for-one deal with the Brewers that would have sent Cain for Fielder, JJ hardy and another player. So the Giants dealing either Cain, or Lincecum is a pipe dream and would make no sense from the Giants standpoint. They can and are getting younger with younger hitters who can run but can't produce offense. Yes, on paper the Yanks have good pitching talent, but that's all it is, on paper. But again, the Giants don't need the Yankee pitching prospects who are nothing but unknowns.

As for Lowe, he has shown that he can pitch successfully in the AL. He did have one great year, but did manage to win 17 games the following season albeit with a very average ERA that year. His numbers with the Dodgers are very good,granted, it's in a pathetic division, but the mere fact that his numbers have gone down at his age indicate that he is far from done. There's also no proof that he can't pitch in the AL either.

As I've said many times, not going after Santana was not a mistake. The fact that the Mets couldn't even get into the playoffs or finish with a better record than the Yanks proves that he is not a difference maker. The Mets are going to find out how much more expensive he is going to be since they already emptied out their minor league system to get him. Now they will have to rely on more expensive FAs for a while to fill whatever holes they have for the next few years.

My point is not that the Yankees must acquire Cain. My point is that they need that type of pitcher. Whether it is Cain, Peavy, F. Hernandez, Harang or even Zach Greinke, the Yankees need someone (or 2) at the top of the rotation. I would not presume as to what package will be needed to acquire a stud. However, there are only a handful of teams that have an arsenal to acquire these type of pitchers and all of the aforesaid teams are looking to deal. The Yankees have to be match for one of these teams and all of the aforesaid pitchers have demonstrated top of the rotation ability. The Padres' GM has acknowledged that Peavy is being floated. Others I am sure are available for the reasons aforesaid. Obviously, Sabathia is the easist solution in that only dollars are really involved. However, another ace is still needed. The Rays rotation next year will be Kazmir, Shields, Garza, Price and either Sonnanstine or Jackson. That rotation is better than the Yankees even if Joba and Hughes reach their potential. The Red Sox have Matsuzaka and Lester and a potentially resurgent Beckett, plus top minor league pitchers. Again the Yankees are still no better than the third best rotation in the east even if Joba and Hughes are as billed. So at least one if not two aces is a must. I agree the Lincecum and Cain are difficult to pry. However, if not them then one of the other said pitchers needs to be obtained if possible. I don't care which ace is acquired as long as it is a true ace type pitcher. I like Lowe just not for the money that is at issue and not when the Yankees already looking to keep another older pitcher. Transition is about getting better and younger. Lowe only makes sense if he will sign for one year.

Matt,

I agree, no chance in hell of the Yanks getting either Cain or Lincecum so I think it's safe to say we can scratch them off the list. Sabathia is still a question mark. His family is the top priority with him, it's more important that he find a place where his family will be safe and comfortable so money is secondary for him, he's going to get a ton of money regardless of where he plays. So that leaves Peavy as the real possible option, this team just needs to be careful not to trade too much of its future away for one player.