The Yankees don't have nearly as many impact bats in the minors, as they do impact arms.
First of all, how many "impact" arms hold up in MLB? "Not many"? Exactly. Having a lot of pitching depth in minor league baseball means nearly nothing to whether the team will have pitching depth at the MLB level in the future.
By the way, the Yankees need to fill 5 starter spots, and 7 spots in the bullpen. So although the Yankees have five pitchers in AAA that could possibly help the big club this season, in 3 or so years that current depth may not be there.
Moving on, how much more offense do they need? Here's what the Yankee offense could look like in the future -
C - Gary Sanchez
1B - Mark Teixeira
2B - Robinson Cano (I see no way he's not re-signed/extended by the Yankees)
3B - Dante Bichette Jr (I'm not 100% sure about Dante, but it's a good possibility)
SS - Derek Jeter (I'm fairly certain 2014 is his last year, especially as a regular)
LF - Brett Gardner
CF - Curtis Granderson (not as sure of his return as Cano, but either him or Swisher will be back)
RF - Mason Williams
DH - Alex Rodriguez
So the only real question mark on the offensive side of things in the future is SS, and Jesus Montero was not going to fill that spot anyway. And since the Yankees were not going to get a great pitcher to combine with Sabathia atop the rotation, without including Montero, then what is the problem?
Dante Bichette doesn't play shortstop. I think you make a solid point though.
ReplyDeleteThat's what I get for writing too fast and not thinking things all the way though. Thanks, Rob.
DeleteThe post has been edited to correct the issue.
DeleteThanks again, Rob.
I think the point is that the impact bats in the system are far away from the majors, which equates to a lower probability of success. The impact arms are in AAA, and there are even a couple more in AA, AND we have impact arms in the low minors to boot. The point is we have far fewer hitting prospects, and the ones we do have are too far away.
ReplyDeleteNow, the other point to be made is that Cashman may be betting on the fact that high end pitching is going to be more expensive than high end pitching in the near future. I'm not so sure I agree, but I can understand taking the gamble on this trade if that's how he feels. If he's right, it could end up paying large dividends.
It seems like the better gamble to me. I see more good to great hitters hit free agency than I see good to great pitchers. Not that I expect young ones to come around as often as in the past, but if I had to gamble on one than the other I'd go with Cashman.
DeleteAnd you're right, the Yankees have more talent in the high minors. My point also showed that the team has the hitting to carry them for years already. They didn't "need" Montero, as some fans would lead you to believe.
I would hope 2014 is Jeters last year. He couldn't DH so no other role would fit him well.
ReplyDeleteYour not one of those trying to convince yourself that we could move him to lf and he can play into his 50's so he can pass Pete rose on the hits record? Lol
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