WHY I SMELL A TREND

Quick, what do Ivan Rodriguez, Jerry Hairston Jr., Eric Hinske, Austin Kearns, Kerry Wood, and Lance Berkman all have in common? If you guessed that they are former Yankees, you're correct. If you guessed that all of those guys were acquired by the Yankees near the trade deadline over the last three years you would be correct as well. But, there's one thing you may not have guessed, and that is all of those acquired players were on their respective final years of their contracts when they got traded. With the trade deadline just over a week away, I smell a trend. The Yankees like to trade for players who are free agents to be. In other words, they like to get rental players.

With that in mind, let's take a look at the upcoming Free Agents HERE.

Now, most of you can agree that the Yankees will look into starting pitching, although they have six major league starters (with Ivan Nova in AAA), but like the old saying goes, you can never have enough pitching. So, let’s look at the starting pitchers who are free agents to be, here are some intriguing names that would make sense:(Photo: SI)

Mark Buerhle and Edwin Jackson (Chicago White Sox)

Right now the White Sox have six major league starters with Buerhle and Jackson along with Phillip Humber, John Danks, Gavin Floyd, and Jake Peavy--but they're currently 4.5 games behind Cleveland and Detroit in the AL Central. The White Sox rank 10th in the American League in runs scored, so that's an area they do need to improve on if they want to make the playoffs. They'll be looking for a good bat in return for one of their starters. Both Buerhle and Jackson would be a good fit but I would take Buerhle over Jackson because he is a veteran, and has pitched in big games before. Jackson doesn’t have quite as much experience, although he's younger and he has nastier stuff.
(Photo: Getty)

Hiroki Kuroda(Los Angeles Dodgers) and Jason Marquis (Washington Nationals)

Realistically, both the Dodgers and Nationals are out of their respective races, and are already looking forward to Spring Training next year. The Dodgers have Hiroki Kuroda, and the Nats have Jason Marquis. Both of these guys are veterans and can get the job done, but personally, I like Hiroki Kuroda because he throws harder. His average fastball is about 92 mph, whereas Marquis throws a fastball averaging around 89mph. You can check out Kuroda's stats HERE here: and Marquis' stats HERE.

Ultimately, I think the Yankees really need an elite number two starter, like Ubaldo Jimenez, but the price is too high for him. Cashman is always a little reluctant to part with his prospects in a blockbuster trade. We'll see.

Now, most of you believe that the Yankees may need a reliever. Personally, I think the Yankees only need another lefty, and they probably have that guy in their organization with J.C. Romero. But, for kicks and giggles let's take a look at some of the upcoming free agent middle relievers who could be intriguing:

• John Grabow- Chicago Cubs

• Kerry Wood- Chicago Cubs

• Michael Wuertz- Oakland A's

This season, Grabow hasn't had a very good year he has a 5.36 ERA in 42 games, but he's been solid against lefties--holding them to a .238 batting average. Boone Logan has a .250 opponent batting average against lefties this year, and this used to be a lot higher. However, if used correctly Grabow could be a nice addition. Kerry Wood and Michael Wuertz are both quality setup men, but they're not better than what the Yankees have right now. Everyone remembers Wood last year with the Yankees, 0.69 ERA in 24 games and Michael Wuertz has 437 career strikeouts in 408 innings pitched.

All three of these guys aren't significantly better than what the Yankees have right now. Luis Ayala and Cory Wade both have ERA's in the 1's right now, and the Yankees have the second best bullpen ERA in the American League behind Oakland, with a 3.09 ERA. They also have David Robertson, who has been tough as nails, and Rafael Soriano (remember him?) who should be back in the near future.

What I really think the Yankees could use is a versatile bat off the bench. Eric Chavez may be coming back soon, but he's always injury prone and one more injury could very well finish his career. So with that in mind, let's take a look at some intriguing names:

• Juan Rivera (Los Angeles Dodgers)

• Jerry Hairston (Washington Nationals)

• Scott Hairston (New York Mets)

• Omar Infante (Florida Marlins)

I wouldn't mind having any of these guys. Obviously, none of these players stand out, but what bench player does? Juan Rivera and Jerry Hairston are both former Yankees, so it would be easy for them to be reintroduced with the team. Rivera can play corner outfield and first with some pop, while Hairston can play just about every position except catcher and pitcher, and he provides speed. Scott Hairston and Omar Infante are both very versatile options as well.

More to follow, stay tuned to Bleeding Yankee Blue.



--Jesse Schindler, BYB Staff Writer






--Jeana Bellezza, BYB Associate Editor




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WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE YANKEES?

Now that the All-Star break is over, what should the Yankees do to bring them to the next level?
Our Crosstown Rival, The Mets just traded away their closer Francisco Rodriguez for prospects to make the first deadline deal. The Mets are clearly in a rebuilding stage, and are trying to dump salary, but our Yankees are trying to figure out what it will take to bring them to the next championship.Let's take a look at which areas we need help with, and which possible candidates could be used to fill these voids:

• RELIEF: We are missing a solid 6th inning reliever. Joba Chamberlain went down with an injury earlier in the year, and David Robertson stepped up to take the 8th inning spot until RaSo comes back. Then, I think DRob will probably be moved back to the 7th inning spot, but who will be used to pitch in the 6th inning? I say call up someone from AAA or AA such as, Andrew Brackman, Lance Pendleton, or maybe even Mark Prior among others.

• TOP FLIGHT PITCHER: We are it and it could carry us through the playoffs if we had one. I say trade for someone such as Mark Buehrle or "Pretty Boy" CJ Wilson.

• EXTRA HITTING: Any team could always need another bat. I think having another person for some power or average is a threat in the lineup could really spice things up. I say trade for a 3 month rental and see how it pays out. My few candidates to trade for are Lance Berkman, Prince Fielder, Carlos Pena, or if a miracle were to happen, Albert Pujols.
  

IMAGINE this lineup:

1. Jeter SS
2. Granderson CF
3. Pujols/ Prince Fielder DH
4. A-Rod 3B
5. Cano 2B
6. Teixeira 1B
7. Swisher RF
8. Martin C
9. Gardner LF

seems like Murderers Row 2.0, right?

Let me know what you think by commenting on this post or hitting me on Facebook. Or, if you have a blackberry you can add the Bleeding Yankee Blue group on BBM and we can converse in there. Thanks.



--Will Cohen, BYB Staff Writer

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WHY JETER GETS A PASS

(Photo: Getty)
Derek Jeter is a 3000 hit machine fresh off a calf injury. After being selected by the fans to be a part of the All-Star game, he’s respectively declined and will rest up in preparation for the second half of the season. Guess what? I’m OK with that.

Let me ask you a question, why are “anonymous” Major League Baseball officials speaking out saying how unhappy they are that Derek Jeter didn’t attend the All-Star game tonight? If they’re that upset about it, reveal yourself, for 1. (Photo: Getty)

For 2, there is so much more Major League Baseball should be upset about, like, for instance, trying to figure out a way 23 year old Christian Lopez doesn’t get screwed into paying taxes all because he happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time at Yankee Stadium on Saturday at 2pm when Jeter‘s 3000^th hit sailed into his hands.

Here’s a great idea, reach out to Lopez, and let him know you are about to give him a gift. And if it’s not only going to come from you, split it with Jeter and the Yankees. Pay this kid for this mess he’s in. All he did was show up to Yankee Stadium, a Major League Baseball club, and buy a ticket that pays the salary of Derek Jeter, a Major Leaguer and watch him hit his 3000^th hit. Would it kill you to stop being so damn greedy and rather channel your energy in the direction of poor Christian Lopez? Give Jeter a pass this time. For the record, Bug Selig has stated that he understands why Jeter has declined. So I’m not going to go after Bud here, but whoever is speaking out of turn and turning this All-Star game into a circus should be reprimanded.

Derek Jeter is getting hammered from selected ballplayers too, who, may I suggest should do what Jeter does when asked about other players, say nothing. Shame on someone like Lance Berkman who said this “I don’t think it’s my place to speak for others, But for me personally, if you get selected to be here, you have an obligation. You gotta be here.” Lance, I like you, I respect you but you should have stopped at “I don’t think it’s my place to speak for others.” You have it wrong. Yes, players have an obligation, but you also have a choice. Can you imagine if Derek Jeter opened his mouth about a player not showing up to an All-Star Game? Well, you wouldn’t because there’s something called class and Jeter has it.

(Photo: Getty)

Many Yankee fans, me included, could care less if Jeter plays or even shows up in Phoenix tonight. Why? Because we got what we wanted…3000 hits. Yes, the fans voted him in, and next year, maybe this “incident” could affect the voting for him, but let’s be honest, while it’s exciting to watch the All-Star game, it’s downright dangerous to have your players play hard for a team they are voted in for and not officially signed to. If those elites get hurt, they screw their own team the second half and I worry a lot about that.

Now, the Yankees are representing tonight with Curtis Granderson, David Robertson, Russell Martin, Robinson Cano and Mariano Rivera and to me, while I’d love to see Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter there, I’m fine with them taking the night off. Why? Well, because the second half of the season is way more important than a meaningless All-Star game.

Sorry you “anonymous” MLB official, you got it dead wrong and you’re speaking out of turn. Keep your mouth shut and play your game, and at the end of the day you can still honor Derek Jeter and you should, because that’s what you’re supposed to do, or better yet, make an announcement tonight that Christian Lopez will be rescued for his tax trouble. Refocus your negative energy on that mess, and make it a positive, won’t you? It’s the least you can do.

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