Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Got Melky? The Yankees don't

Soooooo ...

The Yankees acquired Javier Vasquez.

Shall we walk again the long and winding road that lead, at one point, to Vasquez coming to the Yankees from the Expos for a pile of players — including Nick Johnson — and then being sent to Arizona for a pile of players and cash for Big Headache Randy Johnson?

Let's not.

Acquiring Vasquez is a good thing. He's seasoned enough now to withstand the rigors of a season in New York. He'll be effective lower in the rotation and benefit from the Yankees powerful offense.

But sending Cabrera away presents several problems:
If creates a hole that wasn't there. The Yankees have sent away their best arm and most versatile outfielder, a switch-hitter to boot. Now they need a leftfielder, who may or may not be Mark DeRosa, a veteran who's a fine, but more expensive option. Not that THAT matters.

More importantly, the Yankees traded Robinson Cano's best friend on the team. Cano is immensely talented, but emotional and sometimes absent-minded. He got himself straight this year after a down season in 2008. One hopes Cabrera's absence doesn't affect Cano's attitude, and thus, his play.

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