Yankees Trade Deadline Targets : Justin Upton

UPDATE:

Justin Upton has told us that the New York Yankees are one of the four teams that are on his no trade list that he can block a trade to. So much for wishful thinking...

Do not get me wrong... In no shape or form do I think we will have the best offer nor do I do think we will have the MLB ready prospects that Arizona wants in order to make a trade. This is more of an obligatory posting since Arizona seems to be willing and ready to trade 24 year old outfielder Justin Upton. 

Justin Upton, as stated earlier, is only 24 years old and has a very team friendly contract. He also plays right field where we will have a big hole after this season. If we could replace Nick Swisher with a younger, better, and cheaper alternative then we could improve the team AND keep on track for the 2014 goal of an $189 million payroll. Here are Upton's payroll obligations for the remainder of his contract:

12:$6.75M, 13:$9.75M, 14:$14.25M, 15:$14.5M

It needs to be said that Upton has limited no trade protection which allows him to block a trade to four teams, four teams that we do not know about. Justin Upton has put up some very nice batting numbers in what is widely considered a pitchers park down in Arizona. Not including the small sample size of the 2012 season Upton has averaged nearly 28 home runs in the last three seasons, averages 20 stolen bases, a .285 average, with nearly a 5.0 WAR.  There is a concern of Upton being lazy though, similar to the same concerns put on his brother BJ Upton, and his sometimes unwillingness to play hard in the field and on the base paths.  For some reason, maybe it is guys like Derek Jeter and CC Sabathia and company, I do not see that being a problem in New York. 

Kevin Towers worked with the Yankees for a season not too long ago so he knows the Yankees prospects quite well. He also has a great relationship with Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman, which cannot hurt in the negotiation process. This is one guy that I think, to an extent, I would empty the farm for. The only way it happens is if we get a third team involved... but I can hope. I am TOTALLY for this trade if we can make it work and not get totally taken in the trade. This is the perfect example of GETTING GREEDY in Yankees land by getting the best guy available and sticking him on an already stacked team... I love it. Not to mention we may see the return of this...

Chad Qualls Future In Our Bullpen

Hey Chad... do you hear those footsteps?

I think you may have sealed your fate for good in the Yankees bullpen this afternoon after giving up hit after hit after hit. I was on the guys side but enough is enough for Qualls. Joba cannot come back soon enough to lock down that bullpen. 

Angels @ Yankees 7/15/12

UPDATE:

After Nova allows two solo home runs in the first inning Alex Rodriguez comes up after a Curtis Granderson single and knocks one out to tie the game. 2-2 Tie

Cano extends his hitting streak to 18 straight games.

Derek Jeter gives the Yankees a 3-2 lead with an rbi single

Nova getting home run happy. He finds himself down 5-3 in the 6th

If the Yankees lose this game they have no one to blame but themselves. The base running mistakes and doubles plays we worked ourselves into made it hard. 

The Grandy Man Can! 5-4 Angels!

Eric Chavez is 3-3 today after hitting his 8th home run of the season, which chased Jered Weaver, and pulled the Yankees within 1 to 6-5. 

Yankees 9th inning comeback falls short.

Yankees lose 10-8

Wow July is already half way over and the Yankees have done nothing , much like their June, but win win win. It is too bad the World Series is not played in June or July because I think the Yankees would probably have about 57 World Series Titles instead of 27. I digress...

The Yankee will look for the sweep today against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim this afternoon in the Bronx. This will be no easy task, as it never is an easy win against the Angels, with Jered Weaver on the mound for the Angels. We remember the last time that Weaver saw the Yankees and I am sure he does too. He gave up 5 runs in the first inning and did not make it out of the first before being placed on the DL. The Yankees will send Ivan Nova to the mound who has already beaten the Angels once this season. The game will be televised at 1:05 pm ET on YES and TBS.

Lineups

Derek Jeter SS
Curtis Granderson CF
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Robinson Cano 2B
Mark Teixeira 1B
Nick Swisher RF
Raul Ibanez LF
Eric Chavez DH
Russell Martin C

Go Yankees!!