Monday, December 10, 2007

Yankees Sign Dan Griese & A Trade Proposal

First, Cashman swapped Tyler Clippard, a pitcher buried on the depth chart for a strike-throwing Jon Albaladejo. Now the Cash Man signed Dan Giese, a minor league journeyman.

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Giese throws strikes (8.25K per 9) and doesn't put runners on base (1.64BB per 9) and has very impressive minor league numbers. The best Cashman can do is to stockpile guys that throw strikes and hope someone sticks.


On another note, the Giants have inquired about the availability of outfielder/DH Hideki Matsui. After losing Bonds, the Giants lack a dangerous hitter and a big draw. Hideki Matsui could potentially fill both those holes. Matsui alone would net the Yankees a pither like flamethrower Jonathan Sanchez or soft-tosser Noah Lowry. But I think the Yankees could add onto just Hideki Matsui and possibly aim higher. The Giants have resisted trading either Matt Cain or Tim Lincecum, but I think they could be enticed with another bat. I'd take Ian Kennedy and Shelley Duncan and add them to Matsui and see if I could pry Lincecum from the Giants. Imagine the future the Yankees rotation could have with Hughes, Chamberlain and Lincecum.

The Giants have a one-for-one deal on the table including Alex Rios from Toronto regarding Lincecum. If I'm Brian Sabean, I don't go anywhere near that deal. With the Yankees deal, they get somewhat weaker in the pitching department — though Kennedy would probably fare rather well at AT&T Park — and add two bats to an anemic lineup. With the Toronto deal, they don't replace their pitching hole and add one bat to that anemic offense. The problem is that Matsui is 34 years old and is coming off knee surgery. Duncan is 28 and has little major league experience. So while their bats will certainly upgrade the Giants lineup, it’s tough to judge to what extent.

Sunday, December 9, 2007

Yankees Sign RP LaTroy Hawkins

At first, I wasn't thrilled with this deal, but after thinking about it, I've changed my mind. Hawkins is basically the same pitcher as Luis Vizcaino. Except for the fact that the Viz was looking for a three or four year contract and Hawkins was willing to take one. He can end up being a valuable inning-eating veteran in a bullpen that looks to be filled with young arms. If he turns out to be reliable, then fantastic, and if not, his contract should make him relatively easy to trade to some National League team for a prospect come July. Someone will have to go to make room for him on the 40-man roster, and most likely that person will be Carl Pavano.

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