No thanks, Cleveland…
July 24, 2009, 12:23 pm
According to Jon Heyman, the Yankees inquired about Cliff Lee, but were told by Mark Shapiro and Co. that they would have to “surrender Joba or Hughes plus more.” Now, I like Cliff Lee, however, the Yankees basically can’t trade Joba or Hughes because it would be counterproductive to their cause. The whole reason they’re looking for another arm, like Lee’s, is because they have lost Wang for an indefinite period and chose to go with Hughes in the bullpen—a move that helps their bullpen, but hurts their rotation depth. Such a trade would actually hurt the Yankees this season, rather than help them (it’s not happening). The same can be said if they try to trade for Roy Halladay. Currently, with Wang out, possibly until next year, they need all the arms they can get, and that includes Hughes and Joba. The severity of Wang’s injury makes them bulletproof.
In the end, the Indians will ask for the moon and stars for Lee—that’s what a team does when trading a valuable pitcher. But, unless they’re willing to accept a package built on the backs of minor-leaguers like Austin Jackson, then I doubt that they’ll be trading Cliff Lee to the Yankees anytime soon.
(props to MLBTR)
if shapiro thru in grady sizemore along with clifee would the yankees a be little more open? do you think
Oh, most definitely, but I doubt they would offer up Grady. He’s a franchise player. Also, if the Indians were to offer Lee and Sizemore, you can bet that the Yankees would have to give up Joba AND Hughes (plus, I think Sizemore has an elbow problem that may require surgery at the end of the year).
I completely agree.
I think Grady would be great for the Yankees and especially for OUR outfield which is ..lackluster at best as far as field/range.
we got some great hitters on our team too…but we may not look for Grady until 2012 when his contract is up.
do you think he’ll be too old by then for the Yanks?
If and when Grady Sizemore is available, he’ll definitely be courted by the Yankees.
[...] Joba Chamberlain and more. As Chris at iYankees said, a trade involving either of those two would defeat the purpose of acquiring a replacement for Chien-Ming Wang. That Mark Shapiro, he’s quite the joker. [...]