The Yanks are a better big league team today than they were yesterday. They have iron plated their bullpen, a unit that had already been bouncing back with solid performances by Heller and Holder and more good work from Green. But, because their manager can only win with a totallly stacked deck, they sacrificed a top prospect for bullpen support last night. I like Rutherford because he's a lefty hitter with walks and a great approach. Now saying that, I think this trade is an overpay, but hurts more because the farm has been sort of injured and static this season. Kap, Torres, Fowler and Schmidt is a lot of talent on the shelf, and, other than Florial, there haven't been a lot of breakout performances down there, yet this year. But they did get the top OF in IFA earlier this month, and the machine will keep churning out Yanks for the forseeable.
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Although I had hoped i I was wrong in my prediction, over-fortifying the pen is what they do. I think Cashman has made a lot of mistakes, particularly overvaluing pitching for too long, which is problematic because of their inherent fragility, getting fixated for too long on big hairy monsters, and most recently not emphasizing OBP in his acquisitions of Castro and Didi.
BUT, he has regularly built strong pens, and both Torre and Girardi owe him both their bank accounts and their undeserved reputations for bp management.
I just looked at the score. I don't think their starting pitching is close to being good enough, and one acquisition (at any price) is probably not going to fix it. Neither will a deep pen.
The dual mandate is an illusory goal.
The White Sox trade should have been for Don Cooper, who in fairness Cashman wanted to hire years ago.
I am sure Cashman will add a SP before the 31st. Whether it will cost a Mateo or Adams remains to be seen.
If someone thinks Clint Frazier should be traded for a starting pitcher you failed one of life's IQ tests
Frazier is going nowhere unless Levine/Hal interfere. It's clear the baseball people love him.
The Yankees haven't won a series since mid June. That is the biggest reason they shouldn't have been buyers. At the same time, I understand it's a business, and they want to send a message to the fans they're competing. After selling last year, I can give them a pass since this doesn't really mortgage the future.
For all we know they already have.
And although I think you are right, Mike, that they want to appease the lowest common denominator fans, It is that strategy that had created this mess and the declining revenues.
As you said, they aren't good enough to do this. If they were then I would look at a differently.
@RailRidersTT
Cashman is on ESPN Radio in NY right now. Just gave a pretty big vote of confidence to Greg Bird as the future of first base for the Yankees
Well, I didn't think the asshole that dused him was Cashman. ;)
I do agree with planning Frazier at third-base, but Clint has to stay, because if they are serious about contending this year I need him here.
*dissed*
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