Cano & Melky To Dodgers?
Via Ken Rosenthal with a hat tip to WasWatching.com reader TurnTwo:
As the Dodgers try to resolve their infield, they are again talking to the Yankees about a trade for second baseman Robinson Cano. The teams have resumed their discussions about Cano at the winter meetings, according to one source.
The Dodgers also are interested in Yankees center fielder Melky Cabrera, and the Yankees likely would want outfielder Matt Kemp and pitching in return. The Dodgers’ interest in Cabrera is a sign that they might not be confident of Andruw Jones making a strong return in 2009. The Dodgers also need to find a match for Juan Pierre, who has requested a trade.
Well, if anyone knows Cano and Cabrera, it’s Joe Torre.
Somewhat related, am I the only one out there who would sorta/kinda prefer to get Andre Ethier over Matt Kemp in a deal with the Dodgers?
To me, Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier are six of one, half-dozen of the other. Kemp’s faster and younger (23 years old), Ethier probably has a touch more raw power and is entering his prime as a 26 year old.
Kemp: .299/.342/.474 109 OPS+ in 1052 AB
Ethier: .299/.364/.482 116 OPS+ in 1368 AB
To me, it’s all about the pitcher the Yanks can get. I salivate over Clayton Kershaw but I know there’s no way in hell the Yanks can get him.
The move to acquire Cano is a good fit for the Dodgers, but I don’t think the Yankees should be giving up on Cano right now. He’s right at that age where many hitters start to breakout and I’d hate to see him do that for another team.
I would not yet give up on Cano. His natural talent is scary. He has the potential to be a perennial all star. Yes, I know the downside, but it’s too early to decide the upside will never happen.
Of course, in exchange for a solid front of the rotation pitcher, I would buy him the one way airfare.
I’m also assuming they won’t get one of the Dodgers young pitchers back for him either…if they do then I wouldn’t mind trading him.
I just see a lot of Paul O’Neill in Andre Ethier…but, I should add that I have not seen that much of Either.
If I were the GM, I’d look at it like this:
It’s either Cano with an outfield of Damon/Gardner/Nady or it’s an outfield of Nady/Damon/Kemp and, potentially, Orlando Hudson.
I’m not a big Orlando Hudson fan but if the Yanks sign him to a reasonable deal (2Y/$16.5M, team/player option for 3rd year)*, then the Yanks would address the 2B position, improve their lineup, get younger and more athletic.
*Hudson made $6.25M in 2008 so this would be a 32% increase and the kind of substantial raise that might get him to take fewer years.
I just see a lot of Paul O’Neill in Andre Ethier
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Based on what? Personality wise? Batting stance? Skill-set? Poofy mini-afro/mullet?
Ethier would probably benefit from playing in YS too with the short porch as compared to Dodger Stadium. I think he is a good hitter, but the fact he can’t play CF makes me lean a little towards Kemp. Of course with Kemp, he walks less than Ethier and might not be the best CF, but is probably adequate.
Ethier is more Bobby Abreu minus the walks and speed to me.
i still dont get why people think that trading Cano is automatically giving up on him.
if you are trading a good player for another good player, it has more to do with potential upside and need than just simply giving up on a player.
now, i havent watched enough of Matt Kemp to know myself… but from what you read about the type of player he can become, he has more upside potential than Cano does at a premium position.
so you can understand the thought of trading a good young player for another good young player even if there is a little bit of a risk initially.
“if you are trading a good player for another good player, it has more to do with potential upside and need than just simply giving up on a player.”
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Turn Two i could not agree more. Trading Value for Value is not “giving up” on the player.
What about Cano and Cabrerra and Hughes for, Billingsly and Kemp?
Ned Coletti denied this rumor. According to MLB.com’s Ken Gurnick, Coletti is saying he and the Yankees haven’t talked.
What about Cano and Cabrerra and Hughes for, Billingsly and Kemp?
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I can’t see the Dodgers trading away their #1/#2 pitcher for Hughes right now.
~~Based on what? Personality wise? Batting stance? Skill-set? Poofy mini-afro/mullet? ~~
All that.