Baseball Musings
Baseball Musings
December 05, 2006
Restrained Yankees

Brian Cashman is more interested in keeping his young talent than trading it:

Of course, Jeffrey Loria, the Marlins' owner, never will completely shut the door on potential Willis suitors. "Not if someone wants to really overwhelm us," is what he says, which, translated, means, "Who's to say if someone is willing to do something really stupid like trading three can't-miss prospects?" Not the Yankees or the Mets.

What's interesting from the Yankees' standpoint is that, for the first time in recent memory, they are actually in a position to put together that sort of package as a result of Brian Cashman's determined restocking of the once-barren farm system with blue-chip prospects such as pitchers Philip Hughes, Humberto Sanchez, Tyler Clippard, Jeff Karstens, Ian Kennedy, Joba Chamberlain, Dellin Betances and Kevin Whelan and outfielders Jose Tabata and Brett Gardner.

The George Steinbrenner of yesteryear would be telling Cashman to call Loria and make precisely that sort of overwhelming offer for Willis. But as Cashman reiterated yesterday, the Yankees are doing business in a different way now.

"We're trying to build from within to the point where we have a lot of choices so we're not forced to go into the free agent market which is typically unproductive," he said.

The scary thing for the rest of the AL is that both the Yankees and Red Sox are pursuing this tactic. The Twins and Athletics showed how you can stay in contention developing young talent. Add a ton of money to that, and you have a chance to build super teams.

Before Cashman made his deal to gain more control of the Yankees, his merits as a GM were hotly debated. I'd say so far he's used his power wisely.


Posted by David Pinto at 09:07 AM | Management | TrackBack (0)
Comments

There ain't no such thing as can't miss.

That said: Cash is being smart. But I'd go get Zito, gambling on solid lefties with a high win pct. is worth it.

Posted by: Juke at December 5, 2006 10:13 AM

"But I'd go get Zito, gambling on solid lefties with a high win pct. is worth it."

No...it isn't. His FB keeps losing velocity, he walks too many guys, and Boston and Toronto both typically hit him pretty well. He belongs in the NL...and though he doesn't deserve it, he'll get a package over $90MM

Posted by: the other josh at December 5, 2006 03:15 PM

Yep, Winning Percentage is DEFINITELY the best metric for measuring how good a pitcher is...

Posted by: Adam B. at December 5, 2006 03:15 PM

Keeping the blue chip prospects will put more fans in the stadium than buying vetrans who turn out to be sour and can't get your team to the W.S. anyway I will pay to see Hughes pitch in Yankee Stadium not Zito.

Posted by: Tony at December 5, 2006 08:45 PM

the yankees will find a way to get your money anyway :)

I think Zito will end up with the Mets. They wont offer the longest contract but will offer the most per year.

Posted by: tony at December 6, 2006 02:16 AM
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