WHY CASHMAN BELIEVES IN HIS YANKEES

Yes, so the Yankees may not have made any huge moves this Trade Deadline, but I will tell you one important thing and you need to respect it... Brian Cashman believes in his New York Yankees and because of that, I believe too.

Look, there were guys out there to be traded for, but what was REALLY out there that was better than what we had? Nothing in my opinion. Erik Bedard? Good luck with that. Ubaldo Jimenez? Let's see how he adapts to the American League with his new team, the Indians. All I'm saying is, if we took a chance and it blew up in our faces, you'd be crucifying Cashman. It's a tough game, but Cash believes in the Yankees and he's not going to just go grab guys because it "might" work, he just wants to be sure.
Now, King Felix factor still fascinates me. The Yankees love this kid, I love him, but the Mariners and the Yankees just don't get along since Cliff Lee and it's clear to me, unless the Yankees offered the farm to get Felix, he was staying put. So, what will they do? I say they save their dough and wait. They will wait it out until either the Mariners change their minds, or until King Felix becomes a free agent and then they do everything in their power to get Felix to the Bronx.
Heath Bell was out there and he's a top closer for the Padres, but was he REALLY available? We saw that Mike Adams was untouchable, according the Padres, yet, he was traded to the Rangers at the deadline. Remember when I told you no player is untouchable? I'm right. The Padres saw something they liked better than Adams and suddenly Adams is on a plane to Arlington. It's that simple.

Cashman is a tough guy and while he's saying he's not about to make a move, I believe he will, but only if it's better than what we got. The deadline may have passed, but moves can still be made and if anyone can make them, it's Cash. You can still make trades if a player is on waivers and believe me, if there is someone that works, they'll be snatched up by Cashman.But I'm getting ahead of myself. After the deadline on July 31st, it was revealed that Jesus Montero and Manny Banuelos will be promoted. So, with no big names coming to the Bronx, Cashman demonstrates his patience and calls up the kids. OK, I like this idea. Read about it HERE and HERE. Manny Banuelos is going to Scranton Wilkes Barre and I guarantee you we will see this kid in the Bronx. Not only will he be the lefty specialist in the pen that I predicted, but if shit hit the fan and we needed him for a spot start, I bet you'd see him too. I believe this kid has the stuff.

Then there's Jesus Montero, who's batting .283. Look, Russell Martin, isn't doing too good these days and it makes sense. Reports are Montero will be up in the major leagues this year, after all the talk that he wouldn't be. That's right, Jesus is coming, the question is, when?

So while these moves are smart, my only concern is this; Will these 2 kids lead the charge to win the Playoffs and World Series for the Yankees? No. But it's exciting and if Cashman sticks to his guns, it's clear that he has a reason, a plan, a method to his madness... Let's hope at least.

Then I got to thinking. If it was Game 1 of the Playoffs right now, this is who I would have pitch:1. CC Sabathia
2. Bartolo Colon
3. AJ Burnett

Now, is it what I thought we would have when I looked at our Yankees rotation in April? No, but believe me, it works. The only real issue is, can guys like Colon and Freddy Garcia stay healthy and not fade. That's the big question. Then you need to go further; Say we make it through both rounds and enter the World Series; This is who I would choose:

1. CC Sabathia
2. Bartolo Colon
3. AJ Burnett
4. Freddy Garcia

Now it's starting to be alittle more concerning, but, the good news is we have guys that we may need as long men or spot starters if things fall apart; Ivan Nova, Phil Hughes, Manny Banuelos. If one of the old timers shits the bed, that's our fall back. Again, is it ideal? No, but it works. Now, look at the Phillies:1. Roy Halladay
2. Cliff Lee
3. Cole Hamels
4. Kyle Kendrick

They have an ace in Halladay, but Lee is beatable and so is Hamels. And look at the Giants:
1. Tim Lincecum
2. Matt Cain
3. Madison Bumgarner or Ryan Vogelsong
4. Barry Zito

Lincecum is the ace for sure, and Cain, when on, has great stuff too. But Bumgarner, Vogelsong and Zito are beatable.

Look, this is the hand we're dealt, and while Cashman has dealt it, Cashman is smart not to be hasty. Plus, we can still get guys off waivers until August 31st if it works. So, understand this; What we have now is very possibly what we'll have come the playoffs. One thing you have to realize is there were and may not be any "key" guys out there that could make a difference or that we can get. Would you really take Erik Bedard over Bartolo Colon right now? No way, not me.

Cashman has a plan, he's sticking to his plan and you need to respect his plan. And guess what, if he's wrong, he'll expect to be crucified by the fans, but one thing is for sure, believing in a team because of their talent means something. Cash isn't filling holes for the sake of filling them, that's smart in my mind, but let's hope it works.

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BYB YANKEE TRADE RUMORS: PART 5

The latest from the Trade front, right here at Bleeding Yankee Blue.
(Photo: NY Daily News)
Ubaldo Jimenez: Ken Rosenthal says the Yankees believe that the Rockies may be lowering their demands for Jimenez today. Really? And I'm the Pope. The Rockies aren't going to just give Ubaldo away, although, in fairness to the Rockies, it would be smart to lower demands alittle. It's unrealistic to ask for Dellin Betances, Manny Banuelos, Jesus Montero and Ivan Nova for 1 Ubaldo Jimenez... I mean, this is not Nolan Ryan. He's a 2nd or 3rd starter but in my opinion, not 5 times better than AJ Burnett. Instead, it's my estimation that Jimenez is a talented young pitcher with a few good years under his belt. If he comes to New York, it will be a huge help to the team no doubt, but Jimenez is being billed a Superstar... I'm not jumping on that bandwagon yet. Read HERE.(Photo: Getty)
Heath Bell: The Padres are looking to deal him ,along with Mike Adams and Chad Qualls. All are reliable relief and according to MLB Trade Rumors and Ken Rosenthal, the Yankees are continuing to monitor these guys. The big thing to know here is, Mike Adams is someone the Padres really do not want to part with. As I've said time and time again though, no one is untouchable. Stay tuned on this one. Personally, having a likable and great pitcher like Heath Bell in the Bronx would be alright with me, any day of the week.
(Photo: Getty)
Hiroki Kuroda: The Dodgers would be willing to pick up Ivan Nova and a catching prospect for Hiroki, according to MLB Trade Rumors, and the Yankees are more inclined to go after Kuroda than Erik Bedard. Bedard apparently did horribly last night in his pitching performance. People like Kuroda, I don't think he's anything better than what we have, but if we did get him, I'd use him as our number 3 guy behind AJ Burnett. Read about it HERE.

Updates coming fast and furious, keep checking here at Bleeding Yankee Blue.

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WHY YANKEES HAVE OPTIONS, BUT WHAT WORKS?

What will the Yankee Brass do, if anything to help improve the Yankees. They signed Marcus Thames to a minor league deal today, but in my opinion, that was just a cheap yet, possibly affective bat just in case. There are some ideas, both bats and starters that I have my eye on. Again, I'm not saying we need these guys, I'm saying they should be on the radar, just in case.
Brandon Inge: The Tigers just send veteran Brandon Inge for assignment after he’s only batting .177 this year. He’s accepted a minor league assignment to Toledo. Read HERE. To me, I would think trying to scoop up this guy and seeing how he does in a few minor league games can't hurt. Inge has been a part of the Tigers for so long, maybe he just needs a change of scenery to get recharged and get going again. I’ve never been a huge Inge fan, but the way I see this is, if the Yankees were to trade for someone like Inge, it's an inexpensive veteran that may be able to contribute. You may not like Inge, you may think my idea is stupid, but Inge has been with the Tigers and he has always been apart of their lineup for a long time, plus, he can play third. All I’m suggesting is it’s an idea.

Mike Adams: This is why I love trade rumors, because no one knows what the hell is really going on. It goes down like this. A sports writer knows someone in a team clubhouse and overhears a conversation and they mention that someone "may" be available. Suddenly, the writer connects the dots “Well, he MAY be available and the Yankees are looking for relief. Looks like as match to me.” Next thing you know, Mike Adams is connected to the Yankees because to us, the bloggers and writers, it makes sense. But the reality of this deal is, according to Jeff Moorad, the Padres owner; the Padres aren’t interested in moving Mike Adams. Read HERE. That being said, never say die.

Heath Bell: I love this guy, but if Moorad is unwilling to part with Adams, what makes you think he will with Bell? Yes, the Yankees have a decent relationship with the Padres and yes, Cashman is smart and may be able to get Bell to the Bronx, but I feel like this just won’t happen. I hope I’m wrong.

James Shields: The Yankees would probably love an extra starter and after Shields beat them last night, they may even like James Shields more, but it is highly unlikely and don’t give it another thought. It’s the Rays Ladies and Gentlemen...Why would the Rays ever trade a guy in their own division? Shields is decent, and it is possible they could make a run in the AL east, it's still early, so to me, it doesn’t make sense. I didn’t put Shields in this post to give you hope, just reality, and I am not going to waste your time with it, I’m just trying to keep you informed with my own opinions. Read HERE.

Gio Gonzalez: I like this kid and the Yankees were attached to him at one point. To me, this kid is the future and if Cashman was smart and I know he is, he’s trying to figure out a way to get Gonzalez to the Bronx. This is a smart move in my mind. You could probably unload a minor leaguer or 2 and probably someone like Ivan Nova and suddenly you’d have a reliable lefty in your rotation that would be, in my opinion, a smarter move than Ubaldo Jimenez who’s current employers, the Rockies, want every minor leaguer the Yankees have. That Jimenez rumor is ridiculous if you think about it, the Yankees want to win this year and in the future, they’re not going to unload the farm. To me, Gonzalez makes sense. Read HERE.

Andy Pettitte: Yes, I went there. Why not? The Clemens case is over for now and I tell you what, I’m not the first person to think Andy Pettitte would come back. Now, it’s doubtful but you know the guy has been working out all spring and summer and you know he wants 1 more ring. The question is, will he come back? I say no, but in the back of my mind, I’m hoping he just shows up one day ready to go.

More names to comes, stay tuned right here on Bleeding Yankee Blue.

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WHY YANKEE TRADE RUMORS ARE FLYING

"We aren't going to do anything stupid." -- Brian Cashman

Let the craziness begin. There is no doubt that the Yankees know they can win it all this year. They have the guys and they have the talent and it’s just a matter of picking those few extra pieces of the puzzle and setting them into place to see if they have what it takes to win number 28. Several names have been mentioned. Some are absolutely ridiculous. Others are possibilities. We like to give our opinion here and luckily for us, you like to hear about it. Check these names recently attached to the Yankees. Tell me what you think…comment.

Ty Wigginton: Wigginton’s got pop in his bat no doubt and if the Yankees are looking for an extra bat in the lineup to ensure runs and wins, this could be helpful, plus, he can fill in at third until Alex comes back. Read about it HERE. The other thing you should know is Wigginton is on the Rockies and wow, so is Ubaldo Jimenez. If a deal was going to happen with the Rockies, it could be in 1 swift movement and no doubt the Rockies would want every youngster we have. Would I pull the trigger? Well, My opinion is I like Wigginton’s bat, but not for a Jesus Montero type. Now, according to reports, if the Rockies were to trade someone like Ubaldo Jimenez to the Bronx, Montero wouldn't be the centerpiece of the deal, according to Jon Heyman of SI so there you go. But I see it this way, the Rockies seem to want pitching, Manny Banuelos, Dellin Betances and who knows who else for Jimenez. Now, Cash has already made it clear that certain players aren't going anywhere. But my question is this; if the Rockies were willing to ship Wigginton and Jimenez, what would the Yankees offer? Would Montero be in the cards then? How about a David Phelps, a Ivan Nova and Dellin Betances? Would we keep Montero? Would we keep Austin Romine? Just a question and I'm probably premature, but it is interesting, isn't it? That's where Cashman comes in.

Heath Bell: For a few days around the All-Star break, the Yankees were hot and heavy for Heath Bell, at least that what reports said and why not, he’s incredibly talented, as great rental and so damn likable. The Yankees have also apparently have been connected to Bell’s teammate Mike Adams as well... Read HERE. Both Adams and Bell are equally talented but to be honest, I don’t see how the Padres would part with both. The Pads are looking for a prospect, probably pitching for Adams in return. Again, this rumor is getting a lot of play and we need to keep an eye on it. I personally see the Yankees snatching up a Bell or Adams before a Jimenez merely for the fact that Jimenez, while an affective starter, is about as reliable as an AJ Burnett, some days and the Rockies are asking for way too much.

Ricky Nolasco: Ken Rosenthal says this guys a possibility for New York and we all know the power of Joe Girardi and his connection with former players. Just ask Sergio Mitre, he’ll map it out for you or read THE CURIOUS CASE OF SERGIO MITRE. Also, read about the Rosenthal rumor story HERE. Nolasco pitched for Girardi briefly back when Girardi was manager with the Marlins and if you know Girardi, he remembers talent. Now, I believe this move is more of a possibility than a Ubaldo Jimenez but in this scenario, the Yankees would need to pay alittle and give alittle talent away. It all depends on how smart Cashman is in negotiation, so we shall see. I do believe that Girardi’s connections run deep though, so while it’s not Chicago, it’s still a former player of Joes and we all know he loves to collect.

Slow and steady wins the race here... Cashman's no dope, he won't pull the trigger and unload all our prospects, there is too much talent down there and he knows it. The deal's got to be right... we just have to trust him.

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