Just as it seemed that Brian Cashman had once again seized control of baseball operations in New York, "Jabbering" Hank is at it again...
In an interview with the Star Ledger's Ed Price, Steinbrenner indicated that the Yankees have not completely shut the door on Johan Santana. "We haven't ruled it out completely. We're still considering it. I haven't closed the door completely on Santana."
Speculation is that the Yankees will look to move Hideki Matsui or Mike Mussina before they actively pursue a trade for the left-handed ace. It is unclear if there are any takers for either player. The SF Giants reportedly showed interest in Matsui; however, their signing of free agent center fielder Aaron Rowand may have eliminated the possibility of a deal. Reports also indicated that the Phillies have shown interest in Mike Mussina, who has a full no trade clause.
I think the Yanks will be looking to unload Matsui rather than Moose. With Phil Hughes as the likely center piece in any deal, I'd be hard pressed to see the Yanks give up two (or more if Kennedy is included in the deal) pitchers off of their roster, as they generally try to secure as much depth as possible.
It is highly unlikely that Bedard or Kazmir will be traded anywhere in the AL East. Dontrelle Willis and Dan Haren have already been traded. The free agent class of pitching is so thin that the non-tendered Mark Prior, who will not be available to throw a MLB pitch until mid-season, has a dozen teams interested. The only viable option to bolster the '08 rotation is Johan Santana - and you can bet your bottom dollar that the Haren trade will only increase Minnesota's trade demands.
This also brings us back to the question of whether the Yanks want to include Hughes in this, or any deal. The Yanks have made some terrible deals for pitching, both in free agent deals or in trades. Seriously though, what have Nick Johnson, Brad Halsey, Yhency Brazoban, and Ruben Rivera done since they were traded? Did Nick Johnson even play last year? List the prospects the Yanks have traded who have come back to bite them in the ass...
Bottom line is simple. The Yanks need to decide what they'd regret more. They trade Hughes (this is about Hughes, not money or other prospects) and he becomes the equivalent of Santana; and Santana disappoints in NY -- OR -- they don't make the deal, Santana gets traded or signs elsewhere after this season and continues his dominance, while Hughes becomes the #3 or #4 pitcher some project him to be.
If they don't pull the trigger, they are putting a huge amount of faith in the 21 year-old phenom. In the aftermath of the Mitchell report, there are question marks surrounding Andy Pettitte's future and it appears that Hankenstein is ready to eat his words again in Tampa.
In an interview with the Star Ledger's Ed Price, Steinbrenner indicated that the Yankees have not completely shut the door on Johan Santana. "We haven't ruled it out completely. We're still considering it. I haven't closed the door completely on Santana."
Speculation is that the Yankees will look to move Hideki Matsui or Mike Mussina before they actively pursue a trade for the left-handed ace. It is unclear if there are any takers for either player. The SF Giants reportedly showed interest in Matsui; however, their signing of free agent center fielder Aaron Rowand may have eliminated the possibility of a deal. Reports also indicated that the Phillies have shown interest in Mike Mussina, who has a full no trade clause.
I think the Yanks will be looking to unload Matsui rather than Moose. With Phil Hughes as the likely center piece in any deal, I'd be hard pressed to see the Yanks give up two (or more if Kennedy is included in the deal) pitchers off of their roster, as they generally try to secure as much depth as possible.
It is highly unlikely that Bedard or Kazmir will be traded anywhere in the AL East. Dontrelle Willis and Dan Haren have already been traded. The free agent class of pitching is so thin that the non-tendered Mark Prior, who will not be available to throw a MLB pitch until mid-season, has a dozen teams interested. The only viable option to bolster the '08 rotation is Johan Santana - and you can bet your bottom dollar that the Haren trade will only increase Minnesota's trade demands.
This also brings us back to the question of whether the Yanks want to include Hughes in this, or any deal. The Yanks have made some terrible deals for pitching, both in free agent deals or in trades. Seriously though, what have Nick Johnson, Brad Halsey, Yhency Brazoban, and Ruben Rivera done since they were traded? Did Nick Johnson even play last year? List the prospects the Yanks have traded who have come back to bite them in the ass...
Bottom line is simple. The Yanks need to decide what they'd regret more. They trade Hughes (this is about Hughes, not money or other prospects) and he becomes the equivalent of Santana; and Santana disappoints in NY -- OR -- they don't make the deal, Santana gets traded or signs elsewhere after this season and continues his dominance, while Hughes becomes the #3 or #4 pitcher some project him to be.
If they don't pull the trigger, they are putting a huge amount of faith in the 21 year-old phenom. In the aftermath of the Mitchell report, there are question marks surrounding Andy Pettitte's future and it appears that Hankenstein is ready to eat his words again in Tampa.
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