If you don’t know what a “nugget” is, and I didn’t either
until I started reading and conversing with my friend Robert Casey of Bleeding
Yankee Blue, a nugget is a small piece of information that is usually or
possibly overlooked by many writers and journalists. Without getting too far
off topic and off base I will say that today’s journalism, or lack thereof, is
the reason I got into blogging and writing professionally. It doesn’t matter to
many if it’s right, accurate or well thought out as long as it’s released
first. Why? Views, clicks, and money. I have no issue with people making their
money and earning their paychecks, I just chose to do things differently and
that’s ok. I have never had ads and money-making schemes on my site and I will
vow to keep it that way. With that said, as I digress, let’s get back to this
nugget that isn’t being talked about in many places that I’ve seen. The nugget has
to do with the Arizona Diamondbacks and left-handed pitcher Patrick Corbin.
The Yankees have been linked to Corbin this offseason and
while talks between the two clubs never seemingly went very far I truly believe
that is because of the market and not because the two teams weren’t a great
match in a trade. Reading an article by Steve Gilbert on MLB.com who conducted
an interview with Diamondbacks GM Mike Hazen the subject of potentially trading
either Corbin or Zack Greinke came up which immediately interested me. While I
am not interested in Greinke and his bulky salary I think Corbin would be a
great fit in the Bronx, even with his projected $8.3 million in arbitration
salary according to MLB Trade Rumors.
In the article and interview Gilbert states that the Diamondbacks
are looking for a potential long-term option at the catcher position and
outfield depth in any trade for Corbin, Greinke and any pieces that could
potentially go with those two quality pitchers. It seems to me that the Yankees
have both and are in a position of power to trade from both, especially
considering that Corbin has one-year of team control thus seemingly keeping his
cost down a bit.
In my opinion the Yankees could acquire Corbin and still
hold onto Clint Frazier. Including Austin Romine or Kyle Higashioka along with
a Jake Cave or Billy McKinney plus a lower-level pitching prospect or two could
probably get Corbin alone. If the Yankees also wanted to try and pry away
Brandon Drury in the deal then Frazier could be included to sweeten the deal,
although I have made it very clear my preference is to hold onto Frazier this
offseason. Maybe that’s the fan in me speaking but maybe it is also someone who
has watched baseball for over 20 years speaking as well. I have especially paid
attention to the rise and fall, the triumphs and the fails, of various prospects
coming through the Yankees system and I really just think Frazier has all the
makings of being something special.
I think the fact that we haven’t seen much movement in the
Corbin sweepstakes is not because the Yankees aren’t willing to part with the
pieces needed to acquire the lefty or because the Diamondbacks don’t want to
trade him, I just think everyone is reluctant to make that move with pitchers
like Jake Arrieta and Yu Darvish still on the market. Once these pieces start
to move I think Corbin will ultimately be dealt, Cashman is just lying in the
weeds waiting for his time to strike. There’s more coming Yankees family and New
York’s GM isn’t done. Now is just the time for patience, as hard as that is for
some of us to do. Stay warm, be patient and Go Yankees!!
Oh, and I know. My trade proposal sucks. Leave your “better”
one in the comments section.
Oh, and I know I said I didn't think the Yankees needed another pitcher in a previous post. I stand by that and I still don't think the Yankees NEED another starter. It seems though, if you believe all the rumors you read, that Brian Cashman thinks otherwise hence the idea and trade proposal for Corbin. I'd be just as happy heading into Spring Training camp with what the team already has, although I would never pass up an opportunity to Get Greedy either.
Get Greedy, Get Corbin.
While I generally agree with you, I just don't feel that Patrick Corbin is an upgrade over the current starting rotation. I would only be in favor of acquiring him if the D-Backs were willing to take Jacoby Ellsbury and lots and lots of cash. Otherwise, I'd rather have a starting pitcher that would truly improve the rotation.
ReplyDeleteThe problem is Corbin would knock Montgomery out of the rotation, and Corbin is no better than Monty. It would be a sideways deal. And if you add in the prospect loss and extra cost of Corbin over Monty, then the deal makes less than zero sense.
ReplyDeleteIn my defense, before I get accused of drinking shoe polish or being a Nancy, I did say that I was fine with going with what we currently have. It just seems as though that Brian Cashman is not, hence why I think this deal could still be in play. I wasn't exactly advocating for it.
ReplyDelete