Are Yanks Looking To Trade For Help While A-Rod Is Out?
Brian Cashman says he has not contacted any teams about trading for a third baseman. Meanwhile, via the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, another G.M. thinks a call from Cashman may be coming:
Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said he hadn’t heard from the New York Yankees, who are looking around at third-base candidates after losing Alex Rodriguez for at least two months to hip surgery.
“They’re probably still making their list (of possible replacements),” Melvin said. “They probably don’t want to seem too anxious.”
If the Yankees are looking for teams with an excess at third base, the Brewers would fit the bill. They still expect Bill Hall to recover from his calf injury in time to open the season at third, and have others there in camp such as Mike Lamb, Casey McGehee and Craig Counsell.
Third-base prospect Mat Gamel is out of the picture while recovering from a shoulder problem.
Currently, the Yankees have journeyman Cody Ransom to play third, so they’re bound to be looking. They probably wouldn’t be interested in Hall because he has $15.4 million and two years left on his contract, and Rodriguez is expected to be back before the all-star break.
The Yankees might have some interest in McGehee, a right-handed hitter who could have a difficult time making the Brewers’ roster out of camp. Melvin said New York probably would seek a right-handed hitter.
Who knows? Maybe the Yankees are nervous about having Cody Ransom play third for them over the first 40 games of the season – and they do want to pick someone up to sub for A-Rod while he’s out? But, is Casey McGehee really the answer? I…don’t…think…so…
Maybe someone like Greg Dobbs would become available because of a numbers game? I’d rather see the Yankees take a stab at picking up Dobbs, over McGehee, and then platoon Dobbs with Ransom until Rodriguez returns.
Maybe the Phillies would consider someone like J.B. Cox or Anthony Claggett in exchange for Greg Dobbs? It seems to be a trade that could be in the best interests of both teams, at this point.
Good question; depends on what the Phils want to do. If they can find consistent AB’s for Donald (after Utley & Feliz return), then they’ll keep him around. Otherwise, they’ll send him to LV where he can play everyday.
Dobbs would be a decent pickup, but I wouldn’t expect too much out of him. Not sure of defensive metrics, but I don’t think he can offer much more than Ransom at this point.
But if it were a case between Dobbs and Berroa. Dobbs, hands down