Setting Our Sites On Another Trade Target

Not long ago I said that the Yankees should trade Clint Frazier for a good, young, starter such as Gerrit Cole or Michael Fulmer. The reaction to that piece has been a little mixed. Some thought like me and agreed that Clint Frazier was no longer necessary, and his value should be used to improve the rotation both now and for the future. Others didn't like the idea of trading Frazier at all, as they believe he has a bright future, and the Yankees may need a regular left fielder other than Stanton or Judge after all.

As a follow up to that post I started to write about teams that would like to add Frazier, as their own left fielders leave a lot to be desired. The first team that I started to research was the Kansas City Royals.

Back in January of 2016 Kansas City signed Alex Gordon to a four year deal that would pay him $72 million, and included a mutual option for a fifth year. The average annual value of the deal was a bit high, but certainly not ridiculous seeing that Gordon had been a very good player for the Royals over the previous five seasons.

Unfortunately Alex's offensive productivity took a nosedive right away. While Gordon hit .281/.359/.450 between 2011 and 2015, since then he's hit .214/.302/.346. I'm sure the Royals, and their fans, have gone from thinking left field was covered through the rest of the decade, to thinking "how do we get through this?"

That is where Clint Frazier would fit in very nicely. If they had to, the Royals could pay a chunk of Gordon's contract to trade him away, and pay Clint the league minimum to take over.

Thanks to plenty of talk about him, the name Danny Duffy came to mind. I started thinking, "is this a perfect match?"

Duffy's ERA+ was a very nice 117 last season, his first season in which he started in every appearance. Sure, he may have started 26 games in 2016, but he appeared as a reliever in 16 other games.

Another nice stat I saw on Danny's Baseball Reference page was his home run rate, which actually went down from 1.4 in 2016 to 0.8 in 2017. While that number is nice on it's own, when you realize that there were 495 more home runs hit in 2017 than 2016, that home run rate drop is even more impressive.

So it goes without saying that adding Danny Duffy to the Yankees' rotation would be pretty cool. But here's where it gets better, and ties into the Clint Frazier thing...

The Yankees wouldn't have to include Red Thunder in a trade for Duffy.

Before this past season Kansas City signed Duffy to an extension that pays him $60 million over the next four years (it was originally a five year extension for $65 million, but it only paid him $5 million in 2017). And that's why Frazier would not have to be included in a trade here.

Think about it... the Yankees have discussed using Frazier to get guys like Gerrit Cole, who will make around $7.5 million (his projected salary according to MLB Trade Rumors), while Duffy will get $14 million.

"Okay, you won't give me Clint Frazier. So now what?"

So what would it take to trade for Danny Duffy? Well, let's move on...

Now $15 million a year isn't a ton of money, but when you see that Kansas City had a total payroll just over $140 million in 2017, finished two games under .500, and had the 4th worst offense in the American League, saving that money could make life with Alex Gordon much more livable while allowing them to give somebody else a shot out there.

Furthermore, the Royals have some nice pitching prospects that are ready to debut in the big leagues now or very soon. Their #5 prospect started 19 games for AAA Omaha in 2017, their #6 prospect started 18 games in AA, and their #9 prospect started 15 games at AAA Omaha.

I'm sure the Royals would get a young, controllable starter in return for Duffy, too. No, I don't think it would take somebody like Justus Sheffield, Chance Adams, Domingo Acevedo, or Albert Abreu. But perhaps KC would like to add Dillon Tate, who saw some starts in AA last year. Heck, include another young starter who may be a bit further away from MLB, like Freicer Perez, Matt Sauer, or Clarke Schmidt.

What about a position player to add to the deal? The Royals may very well lose Eric Hosmer to free agency, so what about offering Tyler Austin?

With the Yankees having enough room under the Luxury Tax threshold to pay Duffy $13 million (the AAV of his deal), Danny being under team control through his age 32 season, and being able to hold onto Clint Frazier and other top prospects like Sheffield, Adams, and Esteven Florial, this trade seems like a no-brainer.

The only question remaing is would the Royals do something along the lines of Tyler Austin, Dillon Tate, Matt Sauer, and another small piece for Danny Duffy? sa

Kimbrel to Yankees? Team reportedly contacts Padres about star closer

The phrase "you can never have too much pitching" is alive and well in the Yankees' front office.

The club recently engaged the Padres in talks for closer Craig Kimbrel, CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reports.

Kimbrel, 29-for-30 in save opportunities this year, currently wields a .204 opponents' batting average -- the worst of his six-year career. 

But with his 12.6 K/9 and knack for pitching in big spots, some have speculated Kimbrel would fit well with the Yanks' bullpen -- already one of the best in the league.

From Heyman: 

"The name of superstar closer Craig Kimbrel has at least surfaced in the Padres' talks with the Yankees. The chances for a deal aren't known, but at first blush it would not seem to be the most logical or likely landing spot.

The Yankees have said they have no intention of trading any of their top four prospects -- pitcher Luis Severino, outfielder Aaron Judge, first baseman Greg Bird and shortstop Jorge Mateo -- in any deals. And a person familiar with the Padres' thinking suggested the Yankees' stance would have to change for a deal to have any chance of happening."

ESPN's Buster Olney also contemplated such a trade in an appearance on Sportscenter earlier this month, ultimately reaching the same conclusion. Kimbrel is under contract through 2017, and the Padres are likely to have a high asking price because of it. 

Then again, the thought of Kimbrel joining the likes of Dellin Betances, Andrew Miller and Chasen Shreve is an exciting one to say the least -- and the Yankees would be smart to consider it with the deadline nearing.

What do you think? Is a Kimbrel-Betances-Miller arrangement worth promising youngsters, or should the Yankees stick with what they have? 

Trade Deadline Confusion

Scott Kazmir is now a member of the Houston Astros, Aramis Ramirez was dealt to the Pittsburgh Pirates, and yesterday Johnny Cueto joined the Kansas City Royals. I don't like reacting to what other teams do, but when I see an AL contender like Houston make a big move I can't help but feel like the Yankees can't just stay put.

The problem is I'm really torn on what to do. While the Yankees haven't had a problem scoring runs, they could always score more. The starting rotation has done a pretty good job, but every starter has at least one question surrounding them. The bullpen seems to be the one place we don't have to worry, but imagine building that three-headed monster I talked about before Spring Training?

All is well!

I want to see the Yankees do something to get better, but I need to figure out what that is. Actually, Brian Cashman needs to figure that out, but as a dedicated blogger I need to do my part. Besides, we all know Brian is a regular visitor to The Greedy Pinstripes.

*cough* sorry *cough*

Let's start with the rotation.

Two weeks ago I would have said the Yankees should get a strong starter. Not necessarily an ace like Cueto or Cole Hamels (I've always been afraid of the cost to deal for either of those two), but somebody they could slot into the second or third spot in the postseason rotation. That, or somebody the team could lean on should an injury occur.

What I was thinking is that if the team were to lose Masahiro Tanaka, they could start Michael Pineda in Game 1, then start newly acquired Jeff Samardzija in Game 2, followed by Nathan Eovaldi in Game 3. Or, if nobody is injured, then having Tanaka-Pineda-Samardzija would be incredible. Am I right?

However, while I was originally thinking that Eovaldi would be the odd man out of the rotation, unless a fourth starter was needed, things have certainly changed. In his last seven starts, Nathan is 5-0 with a 2.83 ERA, while opposing hitters have only managed a triple-slash of .245/.295/.265. Now, the problem with trading for a starter is that, unless there's a injury, it's really unnecessary.

So... *throws up his hands*.

Okay, how about a new hitter?

The Yankees are currently ranked 5th in Major League Baseball in team OPS+, and if the season ended today two of the teams in front of them wouldn't even make the postseason (Toronto and Detroit, who are currently ranked first and second in OPS+, respectively). So even with Stephen Drew acting like a black hole, and Didi Gregorius not doing much better, the offense could probably stay put and get the job done from here on out.

There has been a lot of talk about going after Ben Zobrist, and I'm a fan of his. I love players that are not only good hitters, but could play strong defense at a number of positions. It's the same reason why I was big on the Yankees dealing for Martin Prado a year before they actually did just that.

By the way, a number of Yankees fans would like to see a reunion with Prado, and for good reason.

But there's a problem with doing that...

"I'm coming!"

I, and many others, want Rob Refsnyder to be called up for good. It may not be a guarantee, but he wouldn't have to match his AAA batting numbers in order to improve on what Stephen Drew has done. Not only that, but Rob should be the Yankees 2016 Opening Day second baseman. It's not that we see him as the next Robinson Cano, or a perennial All Star, but Ref is somebody that could be a long-term solution at that position. This is why I've been spoken up against Martin Prado, as he has another year on his contract and I don't want to see him block Ref.

And yes... I understand that Refsnyder could still be the Opening Day second baseman next year, while Prado could play right field and the Yankees could release Carlos Beltran. But come on... we all know they aren't going to release Carlos. Besides, since June 1st (108 plate appearances) Beltran has hit .281/.361/.448. I wouldn't mind those numbers sticking around, would you?

So once again...

Alright, let's take another look at building that three-headed monster in the bullpen.

This isn't the first time anybody's mentioned that if a team can't improve their starters, they could always strengthen the bullpen to make up for it. I don't have any stats to prove or disprove that theory, but making your starters only have to go six innings tops, while handing it over to an unstoppable trio of relievers, does sound awfully appealing.

In innings seven through nine, Tanaka's OPS against jumps to .840, Pineda's jumps to .935, and Eovaldi's goes all the way up to .986. Imagine avoiding those three jumps, and handing the ball over to a trio of relievers who could very well not give up a single run. That's pretty awesome, huh?

But there's a problem...

Craig Kimbrel is signed through 2017 for $24 million (his contract has a team option for 2018 for another $13 million, or a $1 million buyout), and that's an awful lot of money to pay a guy to pitch in the 7th inning. I mean, are you really going to move Dellin Betances out of the 8th inning, or Andrew Miller out of the closer spot, with what those two are doing? I sure as heck wouldn't.

Jack Niemuth, on Twitter, brought up a good point about somebody being unhappy going from a great closer to a 7th inning pitcher. Like me, you might initially think "who cares what Kimbrel wants?", and you're right. It's not about any one player, it's about what's best for the Yankees. But if a guy isn't happy with his role, then he might become a detriment to the team.

That's why I'm not sold on the Yankees going after Aroldis Chapman, either. Sure, he wouldn't cost a ton of money next year, due to him being arbitration eligible next season. But how does he react to being the set-up man for the set-up man? And that doesn't factor in what should be a fairly high cost to acquire Chapman.

That's where I'm going to end this... the cost.

In order to land a "big" player by trade, it's likely going to cost quite a bit. You'd likely have to see the Yankees part with top prospects like Luis Severino, Aaron Judge, Greg Bird, and Gary Sanchez. The only two prospects that I really don't want to see the team deal away are Aaron Judge and Jorge Mateo. Judge, because I see him as that big middle-of-the-order bat the team could build around in the future. Mateo, because although I'm a Didi Gregorius fan, Didi may not be the team's long-term solution at shortstop.

That doesn't mean I'd be okay with losing Severino, Bird, Sanchez, or anybody else. Sure, if the Yankees could trade Refsnyder in a package for another good/young second baseman like Jason Kipnis, that would be great. But the chances of that happening are slim, as I haven't heard one word about Cleveland being willing to part with their young star. Furthermore, Greg Bird could take over for Mark Teixeira in a couple of years. Severino could be a strong starter for the team starting in 2016.

I'm just not convinced that the Yankees need to do anything. And when you factor in the cost to make a trade that might be deemed "huge", then I'd be perfectly fine standing pat. However, the way my thinking has gone lately, I may very well change my mind the moment I hit "publish" for this post. So don't be surprised if I change my tune very soon.

"You flip-flopping SOB!"

Mat Latos to the Yankees?

The July 31st trade deadline is just around the corner and the New York Yankees are expected to add at least one player before the deadline closes. New York seemingly wants an upgrade over Stephen Drew at second base, even if that means calling Robert Refsnyder back up, and may also look to upgrade their starting pitching. New York has been linked to just about every starting pitcher on the market including Johnny Cueto, Cole Hamels and David Price but one name we're not hearing enough about is the Miami Marlins RHP Mat Latos. There is probably a good reason for that too.

This weekend the rumors began that New York was scouting and somewhat interested in the Marlins starter Latos. Latos, at the time of this writing, has posted a 4-6 record with a 4.48 ERA while striking out 74 batters in a shade over 84 innings pitched. Keep in mind that Latos pitches in a pretty pitching friendly Marlins Park and also faces the oppoising team's starting pitcher once every time through the order before we start comparing those numbers to current Yankees starters. An old rule that I used to go by, and whether it is really accurate or not is anyone's guess, is that you add a full run to his ERA after going from the National League to the American League with non-ace starting pitchers. If this holds true that would put Latos more closer to a 5.48 ERA than a 4.48 ERA if he was pitching inside Yankee Stadium in 2015.

Latos is not an ace, he is closer to a third starter with the Yankees and maybe a number two starter in the National League even with his struggles and injury history this season, but he would be a nice fall back option for New York. Latos may never start on an Opening Day for New York, and he's a free agent after 2015, but if the Yankees make the playoffs you have to think right now he would start a potential Game Three of Game Four in a seven game series and that at least means something.

The Potential Trade That Buys Brian Cashman ANOTHER Extension

The time of the year where fake Twitter accounts, rumors and "news" is upon us and that was no more evident than last night when I saw a trade rumor "being discussed" between the New York Yankees and the Cincinnati Reds. The deal, and more could be added to a potential deal, would essentially send RHP Johnny Cueto and 2B Brandon Phillips to the New York Yankees for 2B prospect Robert Refsnyder and catching prospect Gary Sanchez. If Brian Cashman can acquire an ace, even a rental ace, like Cueto for any prospect combination not including Aaron Judge or Luis Severino that may warrant an extension for Cashman with two more years left on his deal.

I get it, you see that trade rumor and you instantly scoff. The trade rumor could be completely falsified and likely it probably is but at the same time just because Jon Heyman and Buster Olney isn't reporting it doesn't make it any less true. Our friends over at Bleeding Yankee Blue have had their sources break deals without recognition and we ourselves have broken at least the Curtis Granderson deal with the Mets, again without recognition from anyone, so you cannot completely disregard someone based solely on the fact that they are not an "insider." Remember when Chris Cotillo was just another guy? I do, but I digress.

If the deal ends up being true this is an absolute steal for the Yankees in my opinion. New York could also include a player like Ivan Nova in the deal or a couple lesser known prospects but the fact remains that Cueto would be a Yankee while the team holds onto Judge and Severino, a win-win. New York would gain the inside edge over everyone not named Cincinnati if they chose to pursue Cueto in the offseason by acquiring him now while getting an instant upgrade at second base over Stephen Drew.

Phillips is a clubhouse cancer and on a downward spiral offensively leaving little to be desired by any team that could acquire him. The fact of the matter is that Cincinnati is likely to hold Phillips ransom in either a trade for Cueto or a trade for Aroldis Chapman so if New York can pay less in terms of prospects while paying more in the terms of dollars, i.e. Phillips' contract, then I'm all for it. It's not likely to happen mind you but if it did... wow. I may become a Brian Cashman fan again in New York.

No, The Yankees Should NOT Trade For Hamels

Let me begin by saying that Cole Hamels is a very good pitcher. You don't earn Cy Young Award votes in three of the last four years by being just "okay". 

"I'd say 'thanks for the props', but I have a feeling this is a set-up."

While I could talk about his ERAs, FIPs, WHIPs, and other acronyms that will impress you, let me tell you about a few other things...

1. Last season, Hamels' fastball actually averaged a mile per hour higher than his career mark.
2. His ground ball and fly ball percentages are very respectable, especially to a team that would want a pitcher that gives up more ground balls and less fly balls.
3. Since 2009, Cole has only missed 31 games (that's games... not starts) due to issues involving his throwing arm. Other than that, he missed seven games due to a strained ankle in 2009, and eight games in 2012 for general medical reasons. 

So, in a vacuum, it would be great to have Cole Hamels in the Yankees' rotation. But here are four reasons why I don't believe the Yankees should trade for him...

1. Hamels is overpaid. He will make $22.5 million each season over the next four years (club/vesting option for $20 million in 2019). According to Fangraphs, last season was his highest value dollar wise, and that was $21 million. For comparison, Max Scherzer (who the Yankees could have signed for money only) was worth $32 and $30.7 million in the last two years.
2. He's 31 years old, which means his best days are likely behind him. He's not getting better... he's getting worse. I don't mean to say he'll be the team's next Sidney Ponson, but it's more likely that he's the #3 starter on the team in the near future, rather than the team's ace.
3. Cole's thrown 200+ innings in six out of his last seven seasons. That season he didn't throw 200 was in 2009, when he tossed 193.2. I mentioned he's been healthy throughout his career, but that high a workload is bound to catch up to him. And who wants a guy making over $20 million a year on the sidelines (*cough*Sabathia*cough*).
4. Aaron Judge could be the anchor of the lineup for years to come, Luis Severino could be a top pitcher for years, and... especially being a second baseman... Rob Refsnyder could be very valuable to the team for a long time. And those three names were just the beginning of what Philadelphia apparently wanted in return.

The only way I could even fathom such a trade would be if Hamels was the final piece to a strong World Series contender. As the team stands, even with him, their best bet for the postseason may be one of the two Wild Card berths. And there's no way I would damage the future for the flippin' Wild Card.

Yankees Showing Interest in OF Josh Willingham

Due to the recent struggles of Ichiro Suzuki, the Yankees are now showing interest in Twins' OF Josh Willingham, CBSSports.com's Jon Heyman reports. 

So far this season, Willingham, 35, has hit just .215 with 10 home runs and 29 RBIs, low numbers possibly caused by the fact he missed 41 games earlier this year with a wrist injury.

Either way, the veteran is only getting paid $7 million in 2014, a price tag lower and more preferable than those of Texas' Alex Rios ($12 million) and Philadelphia's Marlon Byrd ($8 million), two other batters the Yanks have also been linked to. 

Nonetheless, you do have to wonder why this news is coming out right now, especially since New York still hasn't gotten another legitamate starting pitcher.

Yes, they just sent cash to the Rockies for then minor leaguer Chris Capuano, although considering Capuano's not someone who will give them much more than six innings in each outing it's unlikely he's the answer to their problems. 

Remember, whether or not the the injured Michael Pineda and Masahiro Tanaka will return in the next month is currently unknown, something that should make acquiring somebody else before the deadline a main priority. 

Brian Cashman is not giving up, but should he?

“We have a small piece that we’re acquiring right now that hasn’t been announced yet, so again going to continue to try to piece things together,” said Cashman during an interview with MLB Network this afternoon.

While I don't ever want to see the Yankees give up, I'm afraid of what could happen should they try too hard to compete this season.

The team has more than one hole to fill in order to truly compete in 2014. The Yanks have lost 4/5 of their starting rotation to injury (mind you, none of the injuries have been minor), so they could use another starter or two depending on how some of the rehabs go. On top of starters the Yankees could use a right fielder, third baseman, and a reliever. To get all or even part of that, the team would likely have to give up some youth. And that youth could help future teams.

If it's not youth the team gives up it would just be money. Which, on it's own, is no big deal. While the Yankees can handle taking on more salary, the problem in doing so is the extra years that a player would have left on his contract. And having that guy around could keep the team from making moves in the offseason which would make the team better.

For example, what if the team traded for John Danks of the White Sox? Sure, it would clearly be a good move for this year's team. Not that Danks is on par with other possible trade targets like David Price or Cliff Lee, but he's a solid starter. But what happens next season, and the season after that, as Danks' contract runs through 2016? The Yankees already have CC Sabathia, Masahiro Tanaka, Michael Pineda, and Ivan Nova as rotation candidates for 2015. Adding Danks into the mix would likely keep the team from possibly going after somebody like Jon Lester, or trading for a better starter. Even if the Yanks didn't want acquire a new starter, having Danks around would block a youngster like Chase Whitley, Shane Greene, or David Phelps from developing further.

The point I'm trying to make is that making moves to help the 2014 Yankees could be detrimental to future teams. One of those types of moves is bad enough, but do that three or four times and we're looking at more heartbreak later on.

Yankees Acquire LHP Francis From A's

The Yankees have acquired Left-handed Pitcher Jeff Francis from the A's in exchange for a player to be named later, MLB.com's Joey Nowak reports. 

In 13 1/3 innings of relief so far this season, Francis has posted a tough-to-look-at 6.08 ERA, the main reason why he was designated for assignment last week.

Still, it's arguable that those numbers are better than Jim Miller's, the pitcher the Bombers cut today in order to make room for their new acquisition.

Francis, 33, won 10+ games for the Rockies from 2005-2007, the last time he really had success, as the veteran hasn't done anything meaningful since then.

In 2009, he never played after undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgury, before struggling in 2010 and recording an above-five ERA with the Royals in 2011.

Despite those bad stats, we do have to remember that this move could work out, something that doesn't actually need to happen anyway, as it's unlikely Francis will appear often for the Pinstripes much less start due to the sudden re-emergence of Chase Whitley.

In other words, while this trade is news it's not exactly Brian Cashman's solution to the team's rotation crisis, but rather a quick-fix to its need for another bullpen arm. 

It's Time For A Nick Swisher In Pinstripes Reunion

The Yankees are down an outfielder with Alfonso Soriano and still lack a true backup first base option, unless you count Kelly Johnson or Brian McCann playing out of position, and New York could solve both of those problems with one phone call. Nick Swisher, it's time to come back to New York and back to Yankee Stadium.

The Indians are under the .500 mark this season and with the losses of injured players Michael Bourn and Justin Masterson that mark looks to worsen over the next couple of weeks. The Indians have their highest payroll in 2014 that they have had since 2001 and Swisher is their highest paid player. Swisher is set to make $15 million this season, roughly $7 million prorated for the remainder of the year, $15 million in each of 2015 and 2016, and a vesting option for 2017 worth $14 million. All Swisher has to do is reach 500 plate appearances in 2016 and pass a physical at the end of the 2016 and the option vests.

The problem with the deal is that Cleveland is a win now team and needs a win now type player(s) in return for Swisher. Swisher's first base replacement could possibly already be on the team with Carlos Santana. If Santana isn't an option the Yankees could always send Kyle Roller and others to Cleveland to make the deal work.

He's batting .198 with six home runs and 20 RBI's but I truly believe would be revitalized if he would return to New York. I truly believe, and admittedly I have been wrong before, that this season is the exception and not the rule for Swisher and his production. Swish is a switch hitter and offers us more versatility than Soriano did or could and we could get him for an absolute salary dump. Take a chance, right a wrong, and bring back Swisher.

Jeff Samardzija & Jason Hammel Come Off The Board

We posted this on Twitter last night but I spent the evening the way it should have been spent, with family, and I am getting caught up now. The Oakland Athletics have sent their top two prospects, Addison Russell included, and pitcher Dan Straily to the Oakland Athletics for both Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel. Hammel and Samardzija will join an already talented pitching staff that includes Scott Kazmir and Sonny Gray. The Athletics just won the American League pennant and the Yankees options are dwindling, fast.

The Martin Prado Fire Is Heating Up & It Started Here

The Martin Prado to the New York Yankees rumors started here when my friend Bryan Van Dusen wrote about in a piece a few weeks back, see HERE and see below:

While Prado's batting line so far in 2014 is not impressive (.274/.318/.377, with only 1 SB in 2 attempts), he's hit pretty well this month (.307/.338/.427). Along with having a solid bat, Martin's versatility would work well in New York, since last season he played over 200 innings at both 2B and LF, while playing almost 900 innings at 3B.

Improving in the infield may not be the Yankees most pressing need, but Yangervis Solarte's fall from grace and Brian Roberts being... well... Brian Roberts, should make Brian Cashman take a hard look at Prado.

I then touched on it and tweaked the idea a little turning my attention to Prado replacing the Yankees Kelly Johnson and not Brian Roberts, seen HERE and below:

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.

Many thought we here at The Greedy Pinstripes were just pulling this awful idea out of our behinds and then Pinstripe Alley, one of the biggest and best Yankee blogs, wrote a piece on it. Now The New York Daily News and Billy Madden wrote about it. Now it's on MLB Trade Rumors. The fire is spreading, remember where you heard it first.

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.

NY Post's Sherman: Yankees Can't Acquire Samardzija or Price

For years, it has been a well-known fact to us all that the Yankees aren't a team with a strong farm system. 

While the recent emergence of Gary Sanchez has helped them a little bit, the Yanks are clearly still a club who'll make their splash in free agency, something some of their fans seem to have a hard time grasping.

Fortunately for us, the New York Post's Joel Sherman isn't one of those people, saying in an article published yesterday that indications are the Yanks likely can't acquire this year's most coveted starting pitchers.

"Indications are they cannot go to the top of the available-starter food chain," Sherman writes when referring to Jeff Samardzija and David Price. "(Therefore) the Yankees might have to shoot lower for pitchers such as the White Sox’s John Danks, the Cubs’ Jason Hammel, or the Padres’ Ian Kennedy."

While Danks and Kennedy are both solid arms who'd likely replace the struggling Vidal Nuno nicely, Chicago's Hammel is probably the best available option, as he is a veteran with experience in the AL East.

In 2012 and 2013, Hammel went 15-14 as a Baltimore Oriole, recording solid ERAs of 3.43 and 4.97 during his two seasons with the team.