From Ken Rosenthal –
The Yankees are understandably reluctant to move [Phil] Hughes, who was eight outs away from a no-hitter in his second major-league start.
But no player is untouchable, especially not an unproven pitching prospect, talented though he might be.
Likewise, no prospect is so valuable that a deal can not be completed without him.
If the Rangers trade Teixeira, they will need to involve the Yankees, whose needs and resources make them an ideal match.
The Rangers’ plan should be to hold out for Hughes, then accept other prospects from the Yankees’ improved farm system, if necessary.
The Yankees, in turn, should demand one of the Rangers’ veteran relievers and perhaps a lower-level pitching prospect in any deal for Hughes.
For now, the Yankees say they do not want to compromise their farm system or significantly increase their payroll in a trade for a first baseman.
They are as protective of Hughes, who turns 21 on Sunday, as they were of right-hander Chien-Ming Wang, who proved to be their ace.
Makes sense. The Yankees are in the same position they were in the past few seasons, needing consistency from their rotation more than the acquisition of another slugger.
Hughes and Wang could be the Yanks’ only 35-and-under starting pitchers when Hughes returns from that sprained left ankle, most likely in August.
In the Yankees’ perfect world, Hughes will be their Justin Verlander or Matt Cain.
But prospects can be overvalued, too.
One rival GM projects Hughes as only a No. 3 or No. 4 starter, saying, “I’m not as high as the hype.”
Would you trade such a pitcher for Teixeira? How could you not?
Teixeira, 27, is a perfect fit for the Yankees, a switch-hitter with power who plays Gold Glove defense at a position of need.
He not only would be a major upgrade over the team’s current platoon of Josh Phelps and Miguel Cairo, but also is vastly better than the Angels’ Shea Hillenbrand, Mariners’ Ben Broussard or any other first-base option the Yankees are considering.
Teixeira can hit. But, is he more of a Rocky Colavito type player than a Jim Thome type player? Is he more of a Willie Horton type player than a Manny Ramirez type player?
That’s a question the Yankees would need to answer. You can trade a blue-chip pitching prospect for a future Hall-of-Famer…because, even if the prospect turns out good, you’re still offsetting it. But, if Teixeira is just going to be a very good, but not all-time great, player, then you better be sure that the pitching prospect is not a sure thing…because young, cheap, and highly effective pitchers are worth ten times their weight in gold these days.
I’m sure that most Yankees fans would scream if the team traded Hughes.
I’m not that bad about it…if the Yankees get something great in return. But, it has to be great. I’m not sure that Teixeira is great.