Yankes Check Out Philly OFers?

From the Post, via S.I. -

Yankees scout Jeff Wetherby’s presence around the Phillies over the weekend prompted speculation he was looking at outfielders Pat Burrell and Bobby Abreu. However, the Phillies are looking for starting pitching and that’s the Yankees’ No. 1 priority. — New York Post

Fitting that Mr. “Weatherbee” is sent to check out a couple of Jugheads like Burrell and Abreu.

Don’t the Yankees realize that, now, their outfield is fine, and, if anything, it’s pitching that they should be looking for?

Why are they wasting time looking at outfielders in Philly?

May 30, 2006 | Filed Under Trap Door Items

Comments

8 Responses to “Yankes Check Out Philly OFers?”

DFLNJ on May 30th, 2006 12:02 pm

If the Yankees are going to trade for any Philly outfielders, it should be Shane Victorino. He’s the 4th outfielder/ potential future starter the Yankees think Bubba Crosby is.
festus on May 30th, 2006 12:29 pm

Pray tell, what pitching is available? Tony Armas? Dontrelle Willis? Joel Pineiro? Any of those sound exciting?

I love the Leche, but am not completely sold that this year he’ll keep it up, and think the Yanks can only get by without a better outfield hitter if they get someone who can hit better at DH. I don’t have any confidence that Pena or Durazo is the answer. In short, I don’t mind going after a Phillie OF as long as it doesn’t mean giving up Hughes or Clippard.
RICH on May 30th, 2006 12:56 pm

Looking at the snippet you posted, I see the word “speculation”. Speculation is just speculation.

He could have just as easily been doing some scouting for the June 20 series.

Ah, modern reporting. Plenty of non-specifics or inuendo. Usually The Post writes “an unnamed scout speculated…”
rbj on May 30th, 2006 1:14 pm

Unless Matsui’s injury is worse than reported & he would be out for the season. Or Damon needs a couple weeks on the DL. Or Sheff needs a couple more weeks on the DL. An outfield of Melky and Bubba and ? Bernie? Long? Kevin/Kevin? doesn’t sound good. doesn’t hurt to ask around.
Don on May 30th, 2006 1:51 pm

Due diligence.
Nick from Washington Heights on May 30th, 2006 2:09 pm

I see no harm in the Yanks going for Abreu if the Phils are looking at a salary dump. It’s clear that, for whatever real or imagined reasons, he’s undervalued in Philly. Say, it’s just a matter of being willing to pick up his salary for the next couple of years at a loss of mid-level prospects, why not do it? He’s a good option to have around in the case that Sheff doesn’t return next year.
SMinDC on May 30th, 2006 3:26 pm

They may well have been looking at outfielders, or advancing for the upcoming interleague series, or what I think may be more likely - shopping for pitching.

In that series they saw the following starters:
Chris Capuano
Cory Lidle
Dave Bush
Gavin Floyd
Ryan Madson
Dana Eveland

And if they held on til yesterday
Michael O’Connor
Jon Lieber

Out of that group, hope spring enternal they were checking out the goods on Capuano, Floyd or Madson.
festus on May 30th, 2006 4:33 pm

Don’t know about Madson or Floyd, but Capuano is a 27 year old Cy Young candidate on a contending team. I don’t see him going anywhere.