WHY RUMORS ARE FLYING

If there was an opportunity to trade Nick Swisher for a starter better than what we already have competing for the 4th and 5th rotation spots, would you do it? No? What if it was the Cardinals starter Chris Carpenter?

I know, it's a tough call. Many are totally against it. Some may love it. But several would rather deal with what we have in Colon, Garcia and the youngsters than trade the "Bronx Elvis" for a reliable starter. It's funny what happens when tough options are presented.

The Bleacher Report raises the Carpenter for Swisher trade question and I found it to be interesting actually. You can read it HERE.

I'm not saying I'd make the trade, No. You know I love Swish and I'd hate to see him leave the Bronx, but I did hear rumblings about him being on the trade block last October and I wouldn't be surprised if his name is coming up again with the Yankees brass. All I'm saying is the idea, according to The Bleacher Report makes sense. They say this of the Cards:

"Having Dave Duncan would make trading Carpenter easier." This basically means Duncan the pitching coach is a wizard and can make any pitcher great in the Cardinals organization, so losing Carpenter would be no big deal.
They went on the say: "The Cardinals might look into trading Carpenter is to start to immediately retool a team that seems destined to lose the best player in baseball at season's end in Albert Pujols."

This means, in a nutshell that if Pujols doesn't come back to St. Louis, Lance Berkman, who is their left fielder could be moved to first and there would be a hole in the outfield for the Cards.

You see what they mean? Yanks need pitching and the Cards can need outfield help if the above scenerio was to happen.

Look, this theory, while brilliant, I just can't get behind. Yes, you heard it here first! "The Mighty Casey" said it! I have preached pitching for years... Pitching wins Championships, blah blah blah. Yes, it does... but I'd rather not part with Nick Swisher. I know, many would say that outfielders are replaceable. That may be true, but Swisher's not based on his heart and production alone. Add energy to the mix and he's the player you most likely DON'T want to part with.

Yes, The Bleacher Report is smart to float this idea, but fame in New York is hard to part with if your a Yankee fan and it would be damn hard to cut Swish loose. I just don't want to see it happen. Tell me what you think.

By the way, check this out: WE WANT NICK SWISHER TO HOST SNL

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WHY DOESN'T CASH LIKE SPENDING CASH?

It seems like the only off season move that Cashman disagreed with this year is the one that has the most impact on the Yankees upcoming season. It's Rafael Soriano. He insisted on not giving up a first round pick, and of course Hal, with the George genes in full effect, decides to make the team better by picking up Soriano. Great player, great move as far as I'm concerned. Cashman is trying to preach patience, but at the end of the day, he forgets one thing...We are the New York Yankees, the team with the highest payroll for 10+ years running. We aren't the Pirates and we damn sure aren't the Royals. We go after the best talent and we don't wait for the after thoughts to approach us.

Look, New York has the smartest and most active fans of any city in the world. We expect a winner on the field every single year. It seems to me that since the beginning of 2009 when King George really started to lose it, there haven't been any major deals. Think about this for a moment; After the 2008 off season spending extravaganza of CC, AJ and Tex, the Yankees have traded for or signed Jerry Hairston Jr., Javy Vazquez, Boone Logan, Curtis Granderson, Austin Kearns, Kerry Wood, Lance Berkman, Rafael Soriano, Pedro Feliciano, and Russell Martin. 5 of these players are no longer with the team as a result of struggling teams getting rid of expiring contracts, and 3 of the 5 left on the Yankees are relief pitchers. Don't forget, a relief pitcher position is the position with the poorest contracts. That leaves us with Curtis Granderson, who we traded our top prospect Austin Jackson for, and Russell Martin. The Yankees have made no Free Agent or trading splashes since George left us mentally. And that is not meant to be disrespectful, that is fact. It doesn't look like the Yankees will be making any "splashes" this off season after losing out on Cliff Lee. Cashman is preaching patience, but with patience here are some potential moves that can be made mid-season, and in my opinion, should be made:

• Mark Buehrle: Chicago White Sox- He's getting up there in age and nearing the end of his prime, but is still one of the best in the game when his command is right and his pitches break.
• Chris Carpenter: St. Louis Cardinals- Former Cy Young award winner. Carpenter could bring some veteran leadership to the Yankees. 39 years old, but has not shown much of a decline since his Cy Young Season.
• Oliver Perez: New York Mets- Once one of the best prospects in the game. Looked great as a young Pirate, but the Mets ended up destroying another up-and-coming pitcher. Could seek a revival by hopping on the subway over to the Bronx. (I know The Mighty Casey disagrees.)
• Jose Valverde: Detroit Tigers- His windup and pitching style pisses me off as an opposing fan, but boy would I love to see those evil Red Sox look like little leaguers against his nasty change up. If we need some more help in the bullpen, he is the man to turn to.
• Juan Pierre: Chicago White Sox- "I used to run base like Juan Pierre, now I run the base high hat in the snare". Good line by our very own Jay-Z. Looks like other than Brett Gardner, the Yankees have been running the base high hat in the snare. We need speed.
• Jose Bautista: Toronto Blue Jays- Wow, would this be a splash! Last years MLB Home Run leader in the huge Rogers Center. Would he hit 60 in a year in the new Yankee Stadium? Perhaps.

These are some of the acquisitions I would recommend to the Steinbrenner's if I were the GM. This is based on the upcoming expiring contracts in the 2011-2012 off season. I like them, but of course I do, I picked them. What do you think?


Will Cohen BYB Freelance Writer




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