Martin Prado Should Be The New Kelly Johnson

The other day my colleague and good friend Bryan Van Dusen brought up the possibility of the New York Yankees trading for a Martin Prado to replace Brian Roberts on the club. While I agree that Prado would be a good acquisition I think Bryan was off just a little. Prado should replace Kelly Johnson, not Roberts, and here is why. It is worth mentioning, before we get too deep into this, that Prado is signed through the 2016 season at $11 million annually for the rest of this season and 2015-2016.

The first reason for not wanting Prado to replace Roberts is this is a typical Yankees move signing a veteran guy long term to block a prospect like Rob Refsnyder. The second reason is I do not believe Alex Rodriguez can be effective in 2015 after basically sitting out for two consecutive seasons late into his 30's. The third reason is Kelly Johnson needs to go and go now. Roberts plays adequate defense and is a switch hitter, if worse came to worse for Roberts he could be a pretty damn good bench guy for the Yankees. Johnson is basically a bench guy for the Yankees and is not having a great time at it.

Johnson was brought in because of his versatility and potential for pop and RBI's at the bottom of the order. Johnson has played 810 games at second base, 133 games in left field, 43 games at third base, and 27 games at first base in his career making him a good guy to have around. Prado on the other hand has played 374 games at third base, 252 games in left field and one game in right field, 245 games at second base,  56 games at first base, and 16 games as a shortstop. Losing the versatility of Johnson is not only replaced but improved upon if you add Mr. Prado.

Johnson was brought in to hit home runs and drive runners in. In 2014 Johnson is hitting .222 with four home runs and 16 RBI's and has not exactly instilled fear in opposing pitchers. While Prado has not been great he has been better lately and has a .274 average with three home runs and 34 RBI's on a much worse Arizona Diamondbacks team. Prado also only has 44 strikeouts in 318 plate appearances where Johnson has 40 K's in 160 plate appearances, or once every four at bats.

Johnson's left handed swing may have been made for Yankee Stadium but Prado's right handed swing balances out the lineup and makes the team better. Get it done Cash and DFA Johnson now.

MLBTR: Yankees Could Get David Price In Trade

According to MLB Trade Rumors there is an outside shot the New York Yankees could acquire the Tampa Bay Rays ace starting pitcher David Price. Shut up and take my prospects...

Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner has made it clear that he will provide GM Brian Cashman the resources he needs to make a blockbuster deal at the trade deadline, and the Yankees won't be seeing the postseason if they don't deal for another legitimate starter who doesn't have health or decline questions. The Yankees' system is loaded, and though they would decline the inclusion of Dellin Betances, the Rays' first choice, they would give up what they have to in the minor leagues to acquire Price. The Rays have a long-term need at catcher, and Gary Sanchez would be the perfect acquisition in a Price deal. Sanchez would benefit from being developed behind the Rays' Ryan Hanigan, who did a great job influencing Devin Mesoraco in Cincinnati before his trade to Tampa Bay. The Rays would also need a pitcher back in the deal, with Luis Severino being a top target. The 20-year-old is dominating the South Atlantic League, with a strikeout per inning and an ERA under 3.00. And because the Yankees would have to overpay -- they're in the Rays' division and don't have an Aaron Sanchez to deal -- they also might have to toss in power-hitting prospect Peter O'Brien, who continues to hit towering home runs at an alarming rate (23 already between High A and Double-A).

The Yankees could afford to lose Sanchez, Severino, and O'Brien and still survive with Murphy, Romine, and Cervelli along with Brian McCann signed long term. The Yankees have Yangervis Solarte, Dean Anna, and Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez still signed long term as well. The Yankees pitching is stacked, whether the ESPN's of the world admit it, and could swallow the Severino loss, especially if Manny Banuelos returns from Tommy John surgery better and stronger.

So the question is, would you?

Yankees get David Price

Rays get Gary Sanchez, Peter O'Brien, and Luis Severino

YES PLEASE!

Jeff Samardzija To Be Traded To The Yankees... Right..

Jeff Samardzija to be traded to New York Yankees per sources! #ChicagoCubs #Cubs #TCM
— Kevin Kearney (@Kernel_82) May 3, 2014

Just a little rant before game time this afternoon so please excuse me in advanced. This is exactly why I got into the blogging and media game, morons like this guy flooding the internet with false information. I find it hard to believe that this college football wide receiver know, per "inside sources" that he cannot reveal, that the Cubs are trading their biggest trade piece in early May before say a Buster Olney, Jon Heyman, or MLB Trade Rumors? I call bulls**t and it makes me mad because I am sure there are some out there that actually believe this idiot.

Yankees Have No Interest In Mets Ike Davis

While Ike Davis is a first baseman that's available, Yankees don't appear to be interested.
— Jack Curry (@JackCurryYES) April 5, 2014

Whether the New York Yankees are interested in a first basemen in wake of the Mark Teixeira strained hamstring injury or not remains to be seen but the Yankees were quick to shoot down any rumors or interest in cross town rival Mets backup first basemen Ike Davis. Davis is left handed and as he showed Saturday night with his walk off grand slam has some power. Davis also is a patient hitter that loves to take pitches and walks, two things the Yankees love. Also Davis has a minor league option and could be optioned to AAA Scranton when Teix came back. The 40 man roster spot could easily be opened up with a Ramon Flores DFA, honestly I think the light hitting speedy outfielder would clear waivers at this point. All signs point to this making a ton of sense, so the Yankees are not interested.

Granted I know Davis would not be, nor should he be, option one for the Yankees if they were looking externally for a first basemen but he does make a lot of sense, especially with that option. We all know about the struggles of last season hitting .205/.326/.334 with nine home runs but the 27 year old has a lot of baseball ahead of him. Davis is just two years from a breakout .227/.308.462 with 27 home run campaign in 2012 and would make a ton of sense for depth, so that's why it won't happen.

Yankees Trying To Trade Ichiro With No Luck

According to Jon Heyman on Twitter the New York Yankees have been trying to shop spare outfielder Ichiro Suzuki basically all winter long and have had little to no success. 40 year old Ichiro will start the season with the Yankees unless something drastic changes in the next two or three weeks. Ichiro is making $6.5 million this season as a fifth outfielder if you include Alfonso Soriano spending a lot of time at DH, that's a lot.

Hal Steinbrenner signed Ichiro for two years hoping for the 3,000 hit parade to come to New York and draw in revenue, after a season in which Ichiro hit .262/.297/.342 that obviously did not happen. Now the Yankees will try to unload him and that contract, and I find it unlikely that they do so. Looks like we're stuck with Ichiro for at least a couple more months.

Should The Yankees Be Interested In Juan Francisco?

We all heard and read that the Brewers were among the teams scouting the Yankees excess catching depth recently. Milwaukee is said to be dangling Rickie Weeks or Aramis Ramirez but why not Juan Francisco? I think we could use Francisco more for a plethora of reasons, especially if it only costs Austin Romine or John Ryan Murphy.

Francisco would give us another power hitter in the lineup and a huge bat coming off the bench from the left side of the plate. Francisco split time with the Brewers and the Atlanta Braves last season and hit 18 home runs in 348 at bats, that's a home run every 19 at bats for those without a calculator. Over a 162 game season that ranks 11th best in the American League, who couldn't use that?

Francisco also gives us a legitimate backup at both third base and first base. He won't win a Gold Glove award at either position but he is probably a better candidate than Alfonso Soriano at first and Eduardo Nunez at third base defensively right now.

Francisco also looks like he is the odd man out on the Brewers roster thanks to former Yankees Lyle Overbay and Mark Reynolds signing deals with Milwaukee over the winter. The Brewers have excess infielders and we need infielders, the Brewers need a backup catcher and we have more than a couple. Let's make a deal Brian Cashman.

Brewers, White Sox, & Mariners Scouting Yankees Players

Via George A King the Yankees had a few visitors recently scouting their players for potential trades. The Seattle Mariners recently had a scout at last night's loss against the Baltimore Orioles scouting Yankees starting pitcher David Phelps. Phelps may be expendable with so many arms, Adam Warren, Vidal Nuno, and Michael Pineda to name a few, vying for that last rotation spot and for open spots in the Yankees bullpen. I can't see the Mariners having anything we would necessarily want unless they are willing to give up Tijuan Walker, I'd take that. It's a Nick Franklin for Phelps trade that is more likely to happen but you have to have dreams, right?

The Chicago White Sox were also in attendance last night at George M. Steinbrenner Field keeping their eyes on Yankees players. The White Sox are said to have a few infielders available for young catching depth. The Milwaukee Brewers are also said to be in the backup catcher market making John Ryan Murphy, Francisco Arcia, and Austin Romine especially attractive. The Brewers are said to be dangling Rickie Weeks and Aramis Ramirez while Chicago is willing to part with Gordon Beckham and Jeff Keppinger.

I personally want no part of either Keppinger and Beckham but Weeks and especially Ramirez intrigue the hell out of me. Both are owed a ton of money, so you would think they come cheap in terms of players acquired, and both may be better than what New York currently has. Ramirez has surprisingly been the 6th best third basemen in all the league using wRC+ with his 136 wRC+ over the last three seasons. Even if Ramirez is a shell of his former self he would be a huge upgrade as a right handed platoon over Eduardo Nunez.

Get it done Cash, you have my approval, just make it for Romine and not Murphy, I'd like to keep him a bit longer.

D'Backs Looking To Trade SS's For Young Catching

Diamondbacks want a young catcher in return for one of their young shortstops. But Mets don’t appear to be a fit.
— Marc Carig (@MarcCarig) February 27, 2014

The New York Yankees and the Arizona Diamondbacks look like absolutely perfect trading partners going forward after the word came down that the D Backs are willing to trade away some of their shortstop depth. The Yankees need a shortstop, especially for next season and beyond. The Diamondbacks are said to be looking for young catching in return for their shortstops. The Yankees have an absolute logjam at catcher right now. Let's make a deal?

The Diamondbacks have Didi Gregorius and Chris Owings in the major leagues already and think that both can be major league capable shortstops. Arizona also have three shortstops in their Top 30 prospects list in Nick Ahmed, Sergio Alcantara, and Jose Munoz waiting in the wings. The Yankees have Gary Sanchez down in Trenton, Austin Romine and John Ryan Murphy likely headed to Scranton Wilkes Barre, and Brian McCann and Francisco Cervelli likely headed to the 25 man roster. Would the D Backs give up Gregorius for a package involving Romine, Sanchez, or Murphy?

The Diamondbacks asked for Travis d'Arnaud from the Mets and were turned down and do not see Kevin Plawecki as a suitable option for their shortstops. Plawecki projects to be a .280 hitter with 15 or so home runs per season with an average arm and is solid behind the plate. Plawecki sounds an awful like what Romine is and projects to be so he is likely out. Does Murphy or Sanchez compare to d'Arnaud better? Sure, but I am not entirely sold they will be enough.

Trading Sanchez to Arizona does not help them, they need players now in case Miguel Montero's decline continues and it doesn't help us much either. Trading Sanchez does not help the logjam much as we still have two very suitable catchers in Murphy and Romine down in AAA. It looks like it is John Ryan Murphy to the Diamondbacks or bust, and unfortunately I think it will be a bust. I would absolutely trade Murphy for Gregorius though so let's hope for the best.

Austin Romine Said To Be Available In Trades

The New York Yankees have made Austin Romine available in trades after singing Brian McCann and announcing that Francisco Cervelli would be tendered a contract. JR Murphy is slated to start the season at AAA Scranton even though he may have the most trade value of all the Yankees catchers, including McCann. 

Romine is 25 years old and is coming off of a .205/.255/.296 season and has some troubles behind the dish as Chris Stewart's back up last season. Romine was never given many at bats, 148 plate appearances all season, and was never given consistent at bats so I really think we have not seen all that RoRo has to offer. 

Unless we miss out on Masahiro Tanaka and/or Romine can fetch us either a big piece at the back end of the bullpen or in the rotation I say hold on to the young catcher. Having too much catching depth is not a bad problem to have and I don't wanna see the Yankees give up on yet another prospect, a la Mark Melancon, one or two seasons too soon.

White Sox May Be Targeting JR Murphy In Trade

Other than Rule 5 pick Adrian Nieto, @whitesox haven't addressed catching void. Yankees' J.R. Murphy among targets in potential trades.
— Phil Rogers (@philgrogers) December 22, 2013

According to Phil Rogers from MLB.com the Chicago White Sox may be targeting the Yankees young catcher JR Murphy in a trade. The Sox have added some nice young pieces lately including Jose Abreu (26), Adam Eaton (25), and Matt Davidson (22) and now may be turning their attention to a back stop.

The Yankees are going all in once again for the 2014 season so second basemen Gordon Beckham could be attractive and an upgrade over Brian Roberts or whoever else we plan on throwing out there. Jeff Keppinger could also be a cheap option for third base as well as Alexei Ramirez for shortstop. The White Sox could also always blow it up and make John Danks available after a tough season but that may be a stretch admittedly.

Beckham still has two more years of arbitration and team control before becoming a free agent and would be an attractive option, even with his below average bat. Ramirez is expensive with $19.5 million remaining on the contract for 2014 and 2015 with a $10 million team option for 2016 which could be turned down without a buy out. Keppinger has two years left and $8.5 million left on his three year deal that he signed last year after the Yankees tried to acquire him because of his ability to play both second and third base. Keppinger is coming off of a terrible 2013 campaign but is also coming off a terrible shoulder injury so the Yankees could buy low and get a ton of production.

Danks is owed $42 million through 2016 and has been on the Yankees radar forever so could it finally come to fruition? He may have struggled for two seasons now but he may be better than anyone out there besides the top tier free agents that the Yankees have shown zero interest in and could be used to fill in the rotation. Below average or not he eats innings and has been decent and that may be the best the Yankees get this offseason without Masahiro Tanaka.

Yankees Interested In Nick Franklin?

When Robinson Cano left the Yankees he left New York with a glaring hole at second base. When Cano signed with the Mariners he all but ended the tenure of Nick Franklin in Seattle as he has been blocked for the next ten seasons at second base. Obviously that makes Franklin available but should the Yankees be interested?

Franklin is only 22 years old who hit .225/.303/.382 with 12 home runs in 412 plate appearances for the Mariners in 2013. Franklin owns a career minor league stat line of .287/.360/.459 with 46 home runs and 63 steals in 81 chances in 1756 minor league plate appearances. Franklin also has some experience at shortstop, although not considered to be a wizard defensively there, and would likely be a great option for us at second base for the next few years.

Lots of team control, versatility playing both middle infield positions, can somewhat handle the bat in the majors, and its the Seattle Mariners. They would be luck to not give him away. I think we make the trade.

Yankees Have Discussed Papelbon With Phillies?

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe discussed the possibility of bringing Jonathan Papelbon to the Yankees to replace Mariano Rivera this season. Excuse me while I throw up in my mouth a little bit. No way do I want any part of Papelbon unless he gets thrown into a Cliff Lee or Cole Hamels deal, which is not being discussed right now FYI to our knowledge. Here is the quote from Nick himself on the Boston Glove:

Jonathan Papelbon, RP, Phillies — Papelbon is being shopped pretty hard and the team many scouts believe could use him most is the Yankees. “He fits pretty well there. There’s two years left on the deal. Not sure the Yankees are completely sold on Dave Robertson being their closer. He’s best suited as a setup man, but Papelbon would get hyped up in New York, replacing Mariano [Rivera]. I think it would be a positive thing and a good fit and I would think it’s been explored already.”

Do You Want This Man As Your Closer Next Year?

(Courtesy of Ashley Papelbon's Twitter)

(Originally published at IIATMS/TYA)

That's a difficult question to answer for many Yankee fans for a variety of reasons.  Jonathan Papelbon isn't and has never been very well-liked in Yankeeland.  That will happen when you're wearing a Boston Red Sox uniform and have a brashness and arrogance about you that borders on obnoxious sometimes.  One thing he has been over the course of his career is a very good closer, and like his left-handed starter teammates in Philly he may be available via trade for the right price.  Part of that price may include outfielder Domonic Brown as part of a package deal, which raises more questions about just what the hell the Phillies are doing this offseason.  But with the Yankees looking for veteran bullpen help and with their progress slowed on other fronts, they may want to consider putting a call in to Ruben Amaro about their former nemesis.

Putting aside the previous laundry, there's still some things to like about Papelbon as a player.  He just turned 33, so he's got gas left in the tank, and even though his fastball velocity has started to tail off he's maintained a very good level of performance thanks to some adjustments to his offerings.  Papelbon has started working a 2-seamer in a lot more over the last 3 seasons, along with an improved splitter and the occasional slider he can go to for a swing and miss.  He pitched to a 2.92/3.05/3.51 slash line this past season with 29 saves in 36 chances.  For the 6th straight year, he threw more than 60 innings and while his K rate dropped dramatically (22.4% from 32.4% in 2012), he did cut down on his walks (4.3% BB rate).

On the other side of the coin, the 2013 drop in K rate and the surely related drop in velocity were pretty serious.  According to PITCHf/x, Papelbon lost almost 2 MPH on both his 4-seam and 2-seam fastballs and almost 4 on his slider.  His stuff wasn't close to what it has been and it showed in his peripherals.  His O-Swing rate was way down (31.8% from 36.4% in 2012), his Contact rate was up (78.3% from 74.7% in 2012) and his 10.6% Swinging Strike rate was the lowest of his career.  Now that decline has started to set in for Papelbon and set in in what appears to be a big way, there's reason to be concerned about how much longer he can continue to be effective.

Part of that concern comes from the years and money remaining on his contract.  Papelbon has 2 years remaining on the 4-year/$50 million deal he signed with the Phillies before the 2012 season, at $13 mil per year.  He also has an option for a 5th year at another $13 mil that vests if he finishes 55 games in 2015 or 100 games over the next 2 seasons.  If the Yankees were interested in him, they'd have to assume they were taking him on for 3 years and $39 million and that's a big price tag for a guy showing signs of potentially major decline.

There's also the matter of what Philly would want in return.  The asking price for Papelbon won't be nearly what it would be forCliff Lee, but they're still going to want at least 1 useful, Major League-ready piece and the Yankees' young pitchers who fit that description aren't exactly future top-of-the-rotation studs.  We just saw how much they value Brett Gardner when they declined Cincy's trade proposal for Brandon Phillips.  Do they valueDavid Phelps the same way?

I'm not crazy about bringing in Papelbon personally, but I could get behind it if Philly was willing to pay some of his remaining salary and wasn't asking for too much in return.  He's reliable, he's durable, and he has plenty of experience pitching in big games and in the AL East.  If the Yankees still aren't sold on D-Rob as closer material, Papelbon is probably the best possible option for the job.  He won't come cheap, and it would involve putting some past hatred and bad memories behind us as Yankee fans.  But if we could do it for 28 games of a washed up Kevin Youkilis, I think we could do it for Papelbon.

Being posted as a part of Syndicated Sunday from An A-Blog From A-Rod

Yankees & Cubs Have Discussed Darwin Barney

According to Bruce Levine, I doubt he is related to Randy Levine in case you were wondering, the New York Yankees and the Chicago Cubs have discussed a trade that would bring second basemen Darwin Barney to New York. These talks happened before Robinson Cano and Omar Infante came off the Yankees board so the speculation is that talks may begin again.

Barney is 28 years old and the equivalent of Brendan Ryan at second base, great defense and absolutely no bat. I have to wonder if we are interested in someone like that why don't we just use Ryan there and have Nunez on the roster for insurance purposes? I digress, Barney is a 10 or more runs saved per season kind of guy which would be nice to have around with Derek Jeter's diminishing range but at what cost? I know we cannot replace Cano's offense but we could at least try, this is not even trying. If this is the best we can do just put Kelly Johnson at second base like I said to in September.

Barney is under team control for three more seasons and is projected to earn $2.1 million in his first trip through arbitration.

Tigers, Yankees Talk Gardner, Austin Jackson Swap

The New York Yankees and the Detroit Tigers have recently spoken about an Austin Jackson for Brett Gardner swap bringing A Jax back to the Bronx. Not quite sure why this makes sense for the Tigers as Jackson is two years away from free agency and is projected to make $5.3 million in 2014 while Gardner is in his free agent walk year and is making $4 million this season.

The only thing that could make sense for the Tigers is if they think they cannot resign or extend Jackson and feel better about those prospects with Gardner. I cannot see how they could feel like that when they haven't spoken to Gardner but their mistake could benefit the Yankees. Jackson is 27 years old and is widely considered to be one of the better leadoff men in all of baseball while playing a great center field. Gardner is 29 years old and is also considered to be a great leadoff man that takes a ton of pitches and plays a fantastic defense in center and in left.

This, to me anyway, seems like a trade that makes us spend a little more money but allows us to turn back the block and get one or two more seasons of Brett Gardner, just with Austin Jackson on his baseball card. Gardner is the better base stealer but Jackson has more doubles and gap power and they have very comparable batting lines, defensive metrics, and overall numbers. The problem is I don't think the Yankees move Gardner for a comparable player, they move him for a need or keep him, so I don't see a deal happening.

Yankees Turn Down For Gardner For Phillips Swap

The New York Yankees have reportedly turned down the Cincinnati Reds in a trade that would have sent lead off hitter and center fielder Brett Gardner to the Reds for second basemen Brandon Phillips. A big thank you goes out to the baseball gods for this one as I don't think the Yankees want or need any part of Dat Boy BP.

Phillips is 32 years old and has seen his numbers decline to a .261/.310/.396 with 18 home runs in 2013 in Great American Ball Park. The regression mixed in with the clubhouse issues and the attitude problems will probably keep the Yankees from making a serious run at Phillips.

Yankees Targeting Indians Justin Masterson

The Cleveland Indians have made Justin Masterson available, well they are listening to offers anyway, and the Yankees have popped up as a possible suitor. Bob Nightengale of the USA Today publication states that the deal could possibly include Yankees center fielder Brett Gardner as a starting point. Hard to believe that makes any sense with the Indians already having Michael Bourn, David Murphy, and Michael Brantley in the outfield with Nick Swisher as a fourth option so a three team deal is probably in the works.

Indians General Manager Chris Antonetti stated that he would like to sign Masterson long term to keep him in Cleveland but is willing to listen on any of his players, the whole due diligence thing. The Diamondbacks are also in on Masterson and I am sure a ton of others team will be as well if talks really turn into something. I don't expect us to land Masterson but if we did that would really shape the way things are in the AL East in our favor just a  little bit.

Chase Headley May Or May Not Improve In New York

@GreedyStripes Yo Headley is a beast in SD. Imagine him at Yankee Stadium.
— Sergio Prieto (@elprieto80) December 8, 2013

With all the talks surrounding the Yankees possibly trading Brett Gardner this week at the Winter Meetings on the heels of signing free agent outfielders Carlos Beltran and Jacoby Ellsbury the question has been raised what could we get for Gardner one year from free agency? First and foremost I do not want to trade away Gardner I am a huge advocate for the "speed kills" option and playing "Billy Ball" whenever it is applicable but I understand the premise. Gardner is the only chip we really have to trade that can fetch anything of use for us, I get it, but that doesn't mean that I have to like it. Anyway one name that popped up was long time Yankees target Chase Headley.

The tweets about how he would absolutely rake in Yankee Stadium when moving from Petco Park got me thinking of the new tool that I found on Katron.org where it shows a players balls in play (BIP) locations from one stadium to another. Prepare to be disappointed as we look at Headley's 2013 BIP's from Petco to Yankee Stadium:

The dark blue dots, as usual, are your home run balls and as we see Headley actually benefited from Petco for one additional home run than he would have in Yankee Stadium. The light blue dots are his doubles and as you can see not a single one of those would have left Yankee Stadium, he actually may have lost three of four of them depending on the wind and all those factors that cannot be inputted into a computer. All his fly outs are still fly outs in New York, not even warning track power on a single one, so the reports of Headley destroying the ball in Yankee Stadium may be a bit exaggerated. 

Now I know what you are thinking, or should be thinking anyway, that Headley had a down year in 2013 and we should consider 2012 more so then him most recent season. Fine, here is 2012 which does look a lot better then 2013. Same colors apply and as you can see if we were trading for Headley two seasons ago we would have something to be excited about, but we're not. Granted he could come back to those type of numbers and production as he is still on the right side of 30 years old but I just hate banking on that. See below:

That is more or less what everyone was expecting, right? Headley actually loses another home run that went out of Petco that would not have gone out of Yankee Stadium in 2012 without the help of some wind, elevation, fan interference, or Pedro Cerrano voodoo magic. Six of his doubles leave Yankee Stadium, though he loses another with the foul ball dimensions being different, and even adds a home run with a fly out in the stadium. Adding six home runs or more to Headley's 2012 total of 31 home runs and you have a monster season. 

I want to reiterate that I do not want to trade Brett Gardner but if we can make this trade work with the addition of come prospects that I have barely heard of then I have to say go for it. Headley is 29 years old, and will be 30 in May, and one year away from free agency and so is Gardner while also being in his age 30 season. Both play premium positions, play exceptional defense, and would help the Yankees in 2013. Headley adds another right handed power bat to the lineup and Gardner could replace the disappointing Cameron Maybin in San Diego so the deal makes sense but it doesn't mean I have to like it. I do understand though that we need a starting third basemen right now worse then we need a starting left fielder.  

Yankees Interested In Trading For A's Brett Anderson

The Oakland Athletics have announced that they are likely to trade left handed starting pitcher Brett Anderson next week during the GM Winter Meetings. This is coming off of the A's acquiring $10 million + closer Jim Johnson and starter Scott Kazmir earlier in the week and late last week making Anderson expendable.

Let's start with the bad for Anderson, he is not durable. Brett has only pitched in 163 innings over the last three seasons combined and is three seasons removed from a Tommy John surgery. The Tommy John surgery in 2011 made him miss most of the 2012 season but he was great in his return. Another injury had him miss a good chunk of the 2013 season, this time a stress fracture in his foot.

The good news is he is still a young guy, 25 years old but will turn 26 in February, and his stuff is great when healthy. Also the A's are said to be looking for bullpen depth and prospects in return for Anderson which is something we can provide. A deal of Dellin Betances/Preston Claiborne/ Shawn Kelley could be a good start for Anderson.

The Yankees are not without competition as the Mariners, Indians, Twins, and Blue Jays are also said to be interested in the left hander. The Yankees need to replace three of their starting pitchers with at least two reliable arms and this could be one of them. Anderson is affordable with an $8 million base salary for 2014 and a $12 million club option for the 2015 season. Don't ask me the AAV of the deal because this season and next are both options years from Anderson's original extension of four years and $12.5 million and this is way too confusing for me to figure out but just know that he is affordable, makes us better, makes sense for us, and helps us stay under the $189 million goal.

Chris Stewart Drawing Trade Interest From Teams

Chris Stewart is drawing trade interest from more then one unnamed team before Monday's non tender deadline for the Yankees. Stewart is going through arbitration for the first time and is expected to earn somewhere in the neighborhood of $1 million. The Yankees are also discussing a contract with Stewart to be the backup for Brian McCann so this reports seems to be all over the place.

Stewart is definitely the odd man out on the Yankees 40 man roster it is just whether we will get something for him or not at this point. Personally if we got an A Ball type pitcher to replace Ben Paullus for Stewart I would jump for joy. We have this weekend to send Stewart off so let's hope someone takes him off our hands as a capable backup catcher.