I was away this weekend and found out about the Lance Berkman trade via the radio Friday night while on the way to my girlfriend’s from a softball game (20-3 W, I was 0-3 with a sac fly–two balls, including the sac fly were ripped right at the right-center fielder…bad BABIP luck).
Anyway, my thoughts on the three trades the Yankees pulled off…
I know Berkman’s been having an iffy season and is likely in his decline phase, but I love this trade. I’m not a fan of the rotating DH because it means that a replacement level player–Ramiro Pena or Francisco Cervelli–has to play and that hurts the team. With Nick Johnson out, presumably for the year now, this is a good move. Berkman presents a similar skill set (15.5% walk rate) to Johnson, but with a ton more power (.253 IsoP, though it’s at “only” .198 this season). Fat Elvis can slot into literally any slot in the lineup and be right at home. The price, though, is what really sold me on this deal.
I always had high hopes for Mark Melancon, but he stumbled this season and it appeared he wasn’t going to get much of an extended shot at the big league level with the Yankees. Paredes is still in A ball and while he’s demonstrated good contact skills (.280 BA), he still looks like he has some work to do and has a ways to go before reaching the majors. I loev this price because it is so not what I thought it would be. I thought Houston would at least want Ivan Nova and Eduardo Nunez to start. I would have done that deal, and I’m definitely happy with trading a reliever and a Low A infielder for a guy of Berkman’s caliber.
Austin Kearns for a player to be named later? Cool. Kearns may not be the sexiest of the sexy, but he’s a useful piece. As a right handed batter, he helps the Yankees with one of their few offensive problems: hitting left handers (.353 wOBA vs. LHP). And as a bench OF, he provides a little more than Colin Curtis. Curtis was fine in his role, but getting him more reps at Scranton could be beneficial to him.
Kerry Wood for a PTBNL is also good. He may’ve struggled a bit this year with a 5.04 xFIP, but I’ll always gamble on an arm like his, especially for a player to be named later. At best, he’s a rock-sold set-up man for Mariano Rivera. At worst, he’s a guy with a good arm who can miss bats.
One hole that wasn’t filled was the bench infielder spot that I think could be upgraded, but that’s not a huge deal and there’s still the waiver wire to fill that hole. But, the Yankees filled three holes out of four this past weekend for relatively small costs. I’m happy with Brian Cashman and his team for the moves they made at the trade deadline. I look forward to what they’ll do in August.
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15 Responses to Delayed Reaction to the Trades
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TIQ IQ
Good analysis. Agree with everything. Cashman picked up 3 useful veteran pieces for a very, very low cost. We didn’t have to give up any vital minor league pieces, just a little money. Good job, Brian.
But, I’m just a little disappointed that he didn’t acquire a better lock down reliever for the 7th/8th inning. Someone who we could say, “Yeah! he’ll cover the 8th, and be here next year, too.”
Yeah, I know that the better relievers were priced way high this year. But, I wouldn’t have minded to give up some chips to get a more lock down late inning guy.
Now we’ll be watching all these tense playoff games, where Joba, Wood, Robertson, Marte,etc. will be coming in, and we will be saying “Will he be on today, or not?”. It’s still a weakness for this team, and other teams know it, and it gives them hope.
I can’t blame Cashman because 30 teams were looking for this and nobody really found it. Nobody like this changed hands, even though numerous good names were floated.
Maybe the plan is to bring up a hot arm and/or use Hughes for late inning relief in late Sept.
I like the Berkman trade.
I actually suggested it, on this site, 6 to 8 weeks ago. (I figured he was the high OBP with power guy that the Yankees like, plus his long pedigree, plus the Astros were going nowhere, and he could be available, maybe cheap-since his stats were down).
I believe this acquisition will work out.
I’d like to comment on his play yesterday. Let’s be honest–he didn’t look too good.
But, I don’t think it’s something to worry about, if we are patient for a few weeks. I just read his comments, and he was spot on and real honest about it. This is good. It’s like someone changing jobs–everything is different and like a blur at first, then things crystalize and it’s not so different after all.
His body language was all out of kilter yesterday and didn’t have that winning, pennant race tension and sense of urgency. This comes with playing out the schedule with the going-nowhere ‘stros. He is a smart, honest, laid back, good ‘ole Texas boy who didn’t have to reach down deep into his talents for some time now. I think his hitting will come, but I’m not sure about his fielding. He may have gotten out of shape with his winter operation. Also, with his body type, I was always surprised he was such a good fielder, in his prime and early years.
Let’s be patient with him.
Think of the tear he will go on for us in Sept.
thats right…the guys that need the DH spot for some rest are blocked out.. the only tear he will go on is his pants .. with all those nice traits, austin seems a nice place for him..laid back and being in NY is not going to work NYers are not used to their ball players being laid back..after the season lay back all you like.. so what you are saying is he played this year with out effort? he didn’t play to his potential? so he robbed his salary.. he dogged it.. and has gotten out of shape..so much for honesty and intelligence. so now we have to motivate him to dig down and get back in shape.. if that is what he did , i like him less..i just thought he lost his top talent skills..which happens.. but if the good ol boy dogged it..he belongs in SD.. not NY..he will melt/. please don’t be offended..i am only going by what you said..
lol, boy you are a tough customer, BWP. lol
He hit 25 homers last yr. Had an off season operation. I heard that the Yanks determined that his slow start was due to his recovery from the operation, and were confident in his steadily improving numbers.
Lots of laid back good ‘ole boys have made it in NY for the Yankees. Andy Pettitte is a laid back type (Louisiana boy) who rises to the occasion when he pitches. Mattingly was a good ‘ole Indiana boy. Bobby Murcer was a good ‘ole Oklahoma boy.. Mantle was a laid back starry-eyed Oklahoma boy who took to Gotham quite well, thank you. There are dozens and dozens of these types who excelled for the Yanks. One can even make the case that Gehrig was a laid back type, even though he was born and raised in the city, and went to school in the East.
So, being a laid back type is not a precurser to being a bust in NYC.
Also, it is a fact of life that being on bad, losing teams playing out the schedule is demoralizing for anyone, even (or maybe, espicially) tough demanding personality types, so this shouldn’t be a knock on Berkman. Give him points for being honest and articulate about it.
But, the demanding fans and press cause any new Yankee to quickly stand at attention and produce, but it still a transition for even the best of them. God knows it was for Reggie Jackson and Arod, among many others. Berkman, too, will go thru a transition in NY.
Listen, we got him for almost nothing, he is expected to be a cog, not the team leader, give the man a chance.
A couple of key hits from Berkman, and I’ll bet you will be back here singing his praises like a canary. lol
So, relax and enjoy the drama. Cheers.
well said Old fan.. i can our definition of laid back was the problem..the great players you named were not laid back at game time .intense hard nosed competitors,,but mantle took Ny by storm on and off the field..mantle was out all night drinking and doing all that good stuff..i remember some great stories about him at night..can you compare any of those guys you mention in the same class as berkman? they never laid back or got out of shape..we are talking game time..my laid back type..ed whitson et.al. like him that passed through.. me i like the paul oniel type.. nettles..scott broscias .sparky..pinnella..you can see what i mean..jeter looks laid back ..but intense..so i like i mis understood what you meant.. but the cop out of him playing on a bad team makes it ok to slack off or not be motivated..i can never ever agree with ..never..he gets multi millions to put on a baseball uniform and play… play ball..how many millions did he make in his baseball life? fans come to see their home town hero.. little kids use him for an idol.. if felt that way quit..give your spot to a kid who will break his ass to play in the major leagues,,last place team or not..he is paid to give it his best all the time.. hmmm would billy martin or earl weaver go for a berkman laying down.. come on old school..we come from the same school don’t we..or not.. but i will root for the guy..we own him now..i want to be wrong about him and the Dh spot that is now gone for our vets to take a rest…andf we now have hands of stone behind the dish all the time..and he will hit less now that he catches more.. Thank you for the cheers it was classy of you…i like red wine or vodka what to you prefer? we can toast to berkman.. thank you old fan for your opinion..even though i disagree ,my ears are open to change..
Thanks, BWP.
I like all of those super-competitive Paul O’neill types, too. But, he (Paul) didn’t just get that way overnight. I watched him come up thru the Reds. He was a laid back, big, dumb (excuse me) Ohio boy, and he had long vicious battles with Pete Rose (manager at the time). He was benched, taken out of games, chewed out, and critizised in the press numerous times.
Also, read about Mantle’s early struggles as an 18 yr old with the Yanks. Casey Stengle played mean, tough old Grandpa to him. Mantle was benched, chewed out, bawled in the locker rooms, sent back to minors, he had a brutal early time. He was booed a lot early on in Yankee Stadium.
Berkman could not have accomplished what he has in his career if he was not intense and bearing down, a strong competitor—at the plate. All reports on him are of him being an outstanding individual, too.
Yesterday, he just seemed a fish out of water to me, but this is to be expected-it was probably a whirlwind couple of days for him. He has spent his whole life in Texas—He’s in a big transition. I hope he succeeds for the Yanks. We are all Yankee fans here-wanting our team to win.
I like red wine, espicially lumbrusco. I haven’t drank Vodka, since 1970, when I got sick on it. lol
I’ll tell you what, we’ll toast each other long distance–when Berkman gets his first game winning hit. lol
we have a deal…just one more but…you gave examples of guys first coming up…lance is a big time veteran. he is seasoned big games playoffs.. for me it don’t equate..what i do agree with you on is his switch to the big stage at a time when he is at the bottom of his game. not to be sarcastic, i’m not …but texas boys are supposed to have strong metal, tough , rough ..chest out confident.. does this not apply to this texan? lol.. well our fish better get back in the water and start breast stroking ..we don’t need him and choke rod continuing having stage fright.. by the way are you watching this game? morrow should have given up five runs by now ..he is hanging every pitch..40 pitches 2 innings..he should not make it beyond five .before getting pulled.. nice exchanging views with you..
Sadly, you are still going to see more of Pena and Cervelli than you want, Matt. A-Rod’s hip requires more rest, as does Posada’s knee. They may simply sit out more often, rather than DH. But adding Berkman does nothing about their health woes.
What are we to make of those late reports on the Sox and Yanks trying, but failing, to hook up on Mike Lowell? This can’t be true.
Who would be cut for Lowell?
Couldn’t be Pena—no backup 2B or SS.
Can’t see it being Thames, as he has much greater power, and the Yankees always like having a benchman who can hit a PH HR, plus the useful platoon roles of Thames.
Can’t have been true (unless the Yanks planned to keep him in Scanton for injury insurance, and why would the Sox help us there?–and Lowell would have hated this.)
Maybe the Yanks would use him when the rosters expanded in Sept to rest Arod?
It all seems strange to me.
Even though the Sox are paying him a awfully high salary for doing about nothing, I think they have treated Lowell badly this year. The man wanted to play and could have gotten 300+ AB’s with somebody, between his injuries. They give his job to Beltre, keep him on the bench in case Ortiz didn’t come around, then don’t play him when Ortiz does start hitting, and seemingly are reluctant to release him so he could hook on with somebody else. I can’t see the Yankees treating someone like this.
berkman in the seven hole…girardi must have gotten my message.
wow…what should have happened to morrow…happens to burnett..,boy is he flat..girardi will wait for 7 8 runs to take him out…then he should rest everyone..i don’t know how this guy sits on the bench watching this disaster..
thats girardi, now he is happy at least 7 runs by the starter maybe 8..joe torre school of punishment…i think he is a massacist. did i spell it right..hey Moshe nah sounds like someone from boston .arod looks…wait OK 8 runs now ..back to arod he has to be hurting.. well he can Dh…
hey old fan ..your man got a big hit…don’t forget i am rooting for you.. now joe should have a guy ready for mitre..
pin this loss on girardi…what was he thinking…
It’s Girardi’s fault that A.J. Burnett gave up 8 runs?