Should we get another pitcher or should we add a bat?

After the AJ signing, do you want another pitcher (Pettitte, Lowe, Sheets, Peavy), or are you content with Hughes as the #5? Would you rather use that cash to pick up another bat (Abreu, Dunn, Man-Ram, Tex)?

 

Right now, we have an AL average offense. Is that enough?

Our front 4 pitchers are composed of 1 legitimate ace, 2 1st starters, and one 2nd starter (though Joba's inning cap might play a role). Are we strong enough to roll the dice on a Kennedy, Hughes, or Aveces? I love giving the young guys chances, so I'm inclined to say a bat.

 

I'm not sure i would trust Kennedy or Hughes. However, we could use an efficient bat in the lineup but Tex is out of reach for us at this point IMO. I guess Manny is a possibility but i don't really know which Manny we'll see in NY and to be truthful, he's getting up in age. So this question could go either way, it just depends on who we have a better chance of getting. I think we'll get one of the pitchers you mentioned before we consider a batter.

 

For the life of Manny's contract, he will be the better hitter than Tex. However, if he can stay motivated... That is another issue.

Keep in mind, even when not fully motivated, he is still better than Tex.

 

And, frankly, A-Rod - Manny is one of the best duos the Yankees have seen since Marris/Mantle. Both are top 3 hitters of our generation (Pujols among them).

 

I agree, if we do go for a batter, we have a much better chance of landing Manny, there aren't really any big contenders to sign him. A-Rod and Manny have a pretty good relationship so that might ease it up. I think Tex is a bit overrated, but still a very good batter.

Do you think there's a chance we can sign a pitcher and a batter? If the Yankees are going for one more player, i still think it'll be a pitcher.

 

Anything is possible. If we trade for Peavy, and don't give him a huge extension...

 

Peavy would definitely round up a very solid rotation. I'm not sure what they would package for him though, but i think this is likely.

 

So you would rather sign a 38 y/o Manny Ramirez who would probly destory the club house then give Jake Peavy a 27 y/o that is imo the best pitcher in baseball a huge extension?

 

I'd give Peavy a raise only if he requires one to waive his no-trade.

 

I'm pretty sure Manny is only 36. And quite frankly...we're the Yankees. If we feel inclined to get both, we could. Money is hardly an object for this team.

Personally, I'm inclined to say both. Like I mentioned, money isn't an issue, so why not try to snag both? Manny or Tex would be huge assets to this team, we could also look in to bringing back Abreu.

I say both though because I'm still HIGHLY intrigued at the thought of bringing in Ben Sheets. Imagine a rotation of: CC/Sheets/Wang/Burnett/Joba. That would be absolutely filthy.

 

The more I think of it, the more I'd rather get the bat, and have Phil pitch the #5. He's not going to get any better in AAA. Both he and Joba will have inning caps of around 140-170, so you can have Alfredo or IPK fill in where needed.

 

I guess we can have Hughes in the rotation, but it feels like he's faded away the past season. I still think he has potential and that's why i'd like him to stay on the team. We'll see how Cashman plays this.

 

He's shown flashes of greatness. I think we're deep enough in the farm to carry both Joba and Hughes.

 

Except unlike Hughes, Joba has had a lot of success in the majors thus far.

 

For me, I'd probably have to go with bat.

No Abrea, big bat missing.

Giambi is gone, he had a great year.

There are two holes gone.

But wait! They signed the guy coming off the best *cough* season of his life in Nick Swisher! Sure he can play both 1B and RF, but he can't do both at the same time.

And of course they released Sexson, so there goes a shot of having Sexson play 1B and Swisher in RF.

 

Obviously. Both are going to be on inning caps, however.


Hughes hasn't had much time up here, and when he has, he's been injured. Give him time, he'll have a fine career.

 

Hughes has been solid since coming up here. We all have to remember when he had a no-no through 6.2 innings just a little over a year ago before he got injured. The kid has shown flashes of brilliance when he's been healthy, so I think he could be good enough for the #5 starter, as long as we don't overwork him or Joba.

And I'm with War Poet, if I can only choose one, I'd probably go with a bat. We lost a couple of key contributors in Giambi and Abreu, so we should try and replace one of them. I know we went out and got Swisher, but I don't know how fond I am of him. I'd be a little more comfortable adding another bat to the offense, that way it doesn't take too much of a step back. Though we should also remember we'll have Matsui and Jorge back healthy this year, and we'll also have Nady full time. A lineup of:

Damon - DH/OF
Jeter - SS
Nady - OF
ARod - 3B
Matsui - DH/OF
Jorge - C
Swish - 1B
Cano - 2B
Cabrera/Gardner (or Cameron, pending that trade) - OF

I don't think that's too bad. It really depends on how well Jorge can come back from injury and if Matsui can stay healthy. Also, if ARod had a monster year like he did back when he was MVP, that would be helpful. And then whatever offense we can get out of our CF would be nice too, because we didn't really have any out of that position last year. So, even if we stand pat, it's not a bad offensive lineup, though it could certainly be better, and adding another big bat for the middle of that lineup would certainly help.

 

I have close to no confidence in Matsui coming back strongly. I think Swish will probably take his ABs. Posada is a different matter, I think he has a chance to do well. Whether he can hit well AND catch is something that we'll just have to see.

IMO, getting Manny and putting him in the 5 hole makes this team instantly the series favorite. I think Cano will rebound extremely well. Tex might play the position with the more pressing need, though

Damon
Jeter
Cano
A-Rod
Manny
Posada (3 righties in a row is a no-no)
Nady
Swisher
Melk/Gardner/Cam

 

After thinking about it some more...i would prefer a batter, preferably Manny. I'd be ok with not getting another pitcher if we can get a batter.