Alright that’s a bit of an extreme statement, and we really don’t have much time left before the trade deadline, so he would have to be really awful over the next two weeks for this course of action to play out. But, on the chance that does continue to have a poor July, here are some routes the Yankees could go to fill in the DH spot.
1. A straight platoon of and when the former comes back from the disabled list. This would be the most cost-efficient option and probably the most desirable one. It requires no forfeit of assets on the Yankees’ part (except for a roster move; I’m assuming Brandon Laird goes back to AAA), which is what makes it attractive in the first place. The problem is that Chavez is still pretty damn injury prone. If he gets hurt, the Yankees could be stuck with moving Posada back to the vs. RHP DH, which is something they’d want to avoid if the “doomsday” scenario, Jorge edition, happens.
2. A trade could go down. The Yankees say that they’re not in on , but I won’t believe that until he absolutely does not end up in the Bronx this year. I don’t necessarily want them to trade for Beltran, given that the Mets are asking for a “top prospect” since they’re willing to eat all the money left on his deal. Even if they were to eat all the money, why would anyone want to give up a top prospect for Beltran? He’s been healthy this year, but that could change rather quickly. Plus, he’s still just a rental player AND he cannot be offered arbitration over the offseason because of his large salary. I think the Mets can keep asking for a big time prospect in return for Beltran, but I don’t think they’re going to get one.
Another trade possibility (and I know Moshe likes this one) is Minnesota’s . I’ve never been a big Kubel fan, but if he’s going to be available and will only be DHing, he could be a good pick up. He has a career .361 wOBA vs. right handed pitching and has some obvious pop in his bat (.200 IsoP vs. RHP for his career). He’s hurt now, but will be coming off the DL soon. He’s a strict rental as he’s a free agent after this year and that would also help drive his cost down.
There’s one solution that can’t quite happen yet because the player in question is on the disabled list, and will be until after the trade deadline. That solution would be to have taking over the designated hitter’s spot for the rest of the season. That’s not something I’d necessarily like to see because he’s been fielding well this year and even though he’d likely produce well, that’s a lot of money to pay to a guy who’s just a DH. But, there are benefits. It would mean that the Yankees wouldn’t need to platoon a DH and it would, presumably, keep A-Rod healthy going into 2012 and beyond. The big snag, though, which I think would keep it from happening, is the question of who would play third with Rodriguez out. They could rock a platoon of Chavez vs. righties and Eduardo Nunez or Laird against lefties, but that would work only if Chavez is healthy. This is all academic, though, ’cause it’s not going to happen.
Posada really only has June in his favor this month. Despite that, I don’t see the Yankees relegating Posada to bench/PH duties until after the trade deadline, only because that date is so close. If they do wait, though, it could be too late.
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Matt, I have to disagree with the initial premiss and headline of your blog “If Posada completely tanks…” He has tanked, is tanking and will continue to tank. When A-Rod comes back somewhere around the middle of August whats wrong with Chavez and Nunez sharing DH’ing responsibilities? That would only mean that other accommodations would have to be made for the 1st couple of weeks after the trade deadline.
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I don’t think ARod as the DH is off the table at least initially. He is coming back from knee surgery and it may be the best approach to get his bat back in the lineup and not put added stress on his knee until he can rehab fully over the winter. Let Nunez stay at third and if Chavez is healthy and productive he can platoon with him. I think this is the best scenario you presented.
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Dismortologist Reply:
July 21st, 2011 at 1:08 pm
I think a crippled Chavez might be a better option @ 3B than “hands of stone” Nunez.
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Jesus Montero? Its the DH spot, he could have an immediate impact offensively. If he were to be called up as well, he could Russell Marting much needed days off behind the plate while also getting rid of Cervelli’s roster spot as well. This is the perfect opportunity to call him up to the big leagues as there would be no valid excuse as to why he wasn’t called up.
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Mark D. Reply:
July 21st, 2011 at 1:54 pm
*give russell martin
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David, Jr. Reply:
July 21st, 2011 at 2:06 pm
If he starts getting hot, I don’t see why they wouldn’t do that. A mystery to me. DH plus give Martin a break against slow cow teams. Pick up a roster spot. It makes so much sense that you wonder if something else is going on.
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Duh, Innings! Reply:
July 21st, 2011 at 2:08 pm
Word. Let’s say the Yankees win tonight, have a 7-3 homestand to end July, and are eight games ahead of Tampa Bay through July. I say call up Montero for the 7-game roadtrip vs. the Chi-Sox and Bo-Sox 8/1-7 then the series vs. the Angels 8/9-11 and let’s see what he can do at DH. Start Cervelli 7/31 so Martin can start all seven games of the 8/1-7 roadtrip then 8/9-10 at home vs. the Angels since the Yanks have a day off 8/8. Give Montero a start behind the plate 8/11 (day game after a night game.) If he doesn’t hit well on the roadtrip, send him back down to AAA after the Angels series is over and he has his seven-game “cup of coffee” or “taste of the bigs”.
Since Teixiera isn’t hitting much lately, the Yanks could start Posada at 1B two games: the last game vs. the Chi-Sox 8/4 and the day game vs. the Angels 8/11. If Posada pinch-hits for 3 or 4 games as well as spot starts for Teixiera, he’s in 5 or 6 games out of 10 Montero is a Yankee.
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Kent Reply:
July 21st, 2011 at 10:50 pm
preaching to the choir. I agree 110%
Cervelli is a wasted roster spot. It’s almost like Montero sounded off on Cashman in spring training when Cash chose somebody named Gustavo Molina over Montero, now Cash is just leaving him in AAA to show his power.
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Two thoughts:
1) I think the Mets are borderline insane if they’re going to hold out for a top prospect for Beltran. Yes, he’s having a nice season and his bat would certainly be a boon to any contender, but he’s still a rental. Given the team’s financial woes, wouldn’t they be better off not eating the money left on his deal and freeing up whatever extra they can for Reyes’ monster contract?
2) Willingham, Willingham, Willingham! I have no idea if he’s available, and I can only imagine Billy Beane still wouldn’t settle for a fringe-y prospect even with Willingham in the midst of a down year and being a pending free agent, but I’d love it if the Yanks could somehow make this go down.
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