Alex Rios
Ever watch someone who plays for another team and get that feeling that says “Someday, this guy is going to be on the Yankees”?
Sometimes, guys end up playing for the Yankees and it’s someone that you never expected would play for them. Players like John Montefusco, Lee Mazzilli, Mike Easler, Jack Clark, Gaylord Perry, Ken Holtzman, John Olerud, Mark Whiten, Tim Foli, John Mayberry, Darryl Strawberry, Phil Niekro, Tom Brookens, Jesse Barfield, Spike Owen, Aurelio Rodriguez, Rondell White, Tony Fernandez, Rafael Santana, Omar Moreno, Claudell Washington and Steve Sax come to mind. And, such a list can go a lot longer.
But, for me, everyone once in a while, I see someone and think “I don’t know how, or when, but, it just feels like this guy is going to end up in the Bronx someday playing for the Yankees.”
It doesn’t always work out. I used to feel that way about Harold Baines – and it never happened.
Yet, whenever I see Alex Rios, I think he’s going to end up with the Yanks at some point in the future. I know that Rios is not eligible for free agency until after the 2010 season – and that’s three long years from now. And, it’s not like the Yankees and Blue Jays are best trading buddies. So, the “how” part here is a tough nut.
But, who knows? Maybe Rios has a huge 2008 and the Jays decide that dealing with him in salary arbitration is too much and the Yankees, needing a right-fielder after Abreu, make Toronto an offer that they cannot refuse? Stranger things have happened.
I had that same feeling with Johnny Damon. All 2005 I just had a wierd feeling that he would end up with us.
On Rios – He would be an absolute dream to watch for 162+ games.
Along with Teixeira, he has the look, talent and confidence to be a Yankee.
For me it’s Carl Crawford – based on nothing tangible.
Scott Kazmir has Yankee written all over him. Either that or wishful thinking on my part.
A-Jack and Tabata will likely be fixtures for years, so that may leave one spot available.
I had it, or probaly more accurately hoped it, about Johnny Damon since ’96 when he was w/ the Royals.