When Jeff Flecther (AOL Fanhouse) inaccurately reported that the Yankees were working on a Bronson Arroyo deal with the Reds, just prior to the trade deadline, I wrote the following:
I think this would be a terrible trade for the Yankees. Arroyo has been bad on the road and at home for the Reds. However, before condemning, let me try and understand the Yankees’ thinking for a moment. Over the past 3 seasons in particular, Arroyo has become a second-half performer. His post-AS splits include a 3.90 ERA, a 1.28 WHIP and a .254 BAA. Last season, he posted a 5.97 ERA prior to the All-Star break, and then put together a 3.47 ERA after the All-Star break. The Yankees are probably interested in those numbers.
Soon after Fletcher’s report, it was reported that the Yankees were never truly interested in Arroyo, as there were a few payroll and performance-related concerns. The team has since added Chad Gaudin, Russ Ortiz and Jason Hirsh for depth, while Sergio Mitre remains in the rotation. However, in hindsight, maybe trading for Arroyo would have helped solidify the Yankee rotation.
Since the break, Arroyo has delivered on his second-half status, tossing 41 2/3 innings of very solid baseball. In fact, last night, he pitched a complete game (against the Nationals, but still, it’s a CG), lowering his second-half ERA to 3.02 (1.15 WHIP). Of course, Arroyo has pitched against the Padres, Giants and Nationals since the break, which explains some of his success, but against teams like Oakland, Baltimore and Toronto—teams which Sergio Mitre has faced—I think he could have been as effective.
The Yankees could still make a move for Arroyo since he has cleared waivers, however, his contract is sizeable (he’s owed $11 million in 2010 and has a $2 million buyout for 2011). If they were going to trade for him, it probably would have been best to do it prior to his noticable resurgence so that Cincinnati would have taken on a chunk of his salary and settled for a middling prospect (or prospects). His value has risen, though (although not significantly so), and with that I ask would he be a worthwhile target—given his history—or should Mitre (with Gaudin in tow) continue to get the nod?
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7 Responses to Did the Yankees miss out on Arroyo?
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TIQ IQ
Nah, that is a bad contract, and he is signed for next year. We knew he was streaky.
Yea, I was kind of shocked that he was actually given a 3rd year, too. 2011 = $11 million for him. Obviously, any team he’s on will buy it out, but still, that’s bad.
Yes, it is a bad contract. But the Yankees, as we all know, are the only team that can really afford to take on bad contracts. Aquiring Arroyo, would be for predominately solidifying the 5th spot on the rotation for THIS year (2009)…He can also fill a rotation spot IF Andy Pettitte decides to retire in 2010. (If the Yankees win it all in 2009, this seems like a logical assumption).
Thus, Arroyo could fill the 4th or 5th spot in 2010, and then be bought out for 2011.
So, take on the contract for this year and next. Buy out in 2011.
Terrible decision… the guy has a big ERA in Cincinnati in the NL, let him come to our band box and get blown out every game and you’ll beg for Mitre and cry because of the contract. Just because we have money doesn’t mean we HAVE to spend it.
It’s an awful contract. 11 million for a RH flyball pitcher coming from the NL Central to the AL East? Yeesh, the fans in RF would have to wear helmets.
Just because the Yanks COULD afford to take on the contract doesn’t mean they SHOULD. Granted, it’s an extreme, but I COULD go kill someone, but it doesn’t mean I SHOULD go kill someone. And if the Yanks picked up Arroyo for $11 million next year, I’d be tempted to go kill someone.
You say he could replace Pettitte, but I’d much rather have Pettitte for just about any amount (he’s not going to make much more than $11 million, if he even gets that) than Arroyo. Plus, with the way that the free agent market was depressed last year, there will be better alternatives than Arroyo.
Yea, I figure you could have Pettitte for the same dollars in 2010 and he’d be a better pitcher.
If we did “miss out” I’m really glad we did! The Reds can take him and his “supplements” and everything else he has.