Yankee Fans Perspective on Johan Trade..

[JFKDivisionChamps02]

I read this comment on ESPN, and found it very kosher that this one person put it all into perspective for me. Here is what they said

"it's funny how people want the future Johan Santana, rather than Johan Santana himself"

I just looked @ that quote, and it put mostly everything in prospective for me. I say we trade Hughes, Melk, and a Type B Prospect, and get this deal done. I was really opposed to trading anybody for Johan, let alone our big 3, but after a week or so of reading articles and debating, that quote put it all together for me. Granted I know we are giving up Melk, and the other prospect, but it all does make sense. Get It done FAST!

What do you guys think?!

[Carl J. Ironsides]

I also like that quote. Like you, JFK, I've been having some second thoughts vis-a-vis trading Hughes, but that sort of does put things in perspective. Basically, we'd be trading Hughes, Melky and a prospect (Horne or Tabata or whomever) for the best left-handed pitcher in baseball and Aaron Rowand. I'm assuming the Yankees would push hard for Rowand, or even Andruw Jones.

[MeccaOfManhood]

In an ideal world, I'd like to keep Hughes and see him develop into a Johan Santana type player. In reality, that is no sure thing. His numbers in the minors were great, no doubt. This year before he went down with an injury his stuff looked incredible as well. However post-injury he wasn't nearly as impressive (towards the end of the year he did start to look like the early season version of himself to be fair). In baseball, there are guarantees in terms of development and being dominant in the pros. However, Johan Santana is pretty damn close.

Pitching is one area that the Yankees have a surplus of in the minors. It'd be nice to see them all come in and develop together but we aren't a team like the Marlins who can have five young guys pitch the entire season together. The fan base and ownership will not put up with growing pains if that means not winning. Our veterans are all close to retirement (Pettitte if he returns, Moose, and Clemens is done with the Yanks) and Wang is not an ace (in terms of dominance). He does well W-L wise, but in the post-season he is not a difference maker. Having Santana as our number 1, Wang as a two, Moose as a three (sigh), Joba as a 4, and Kennedy as a 5 looks much better to me than Wang, Hughes, Moose, Joba, Kennedy.

Keep in mind, Horne may not be traded and there are other good arms in the minors. I rather not include Hughes in the deal based on potential, but if it gets us Santana I'm in. You can't sell any higher.

The 2nd team in New York just sent away their top prospect from 2006 for Ryan Church and Schneider. It's not fair to compare pitchers and positional players, and Lastings's attitude had a lot to do with him being sent away, but it just goes to show you how far someone's stock can fall that quickly.

[Orange Nation]

My guess is that Kennedy makes it a deal breaker for the Yankees. It was tough enough to get Hughes in the deal, the Yankees will apparently throw a deadline on it once they settle on a prospect. If no deal happens, then they go to Haren.

[BeastMode Deep]

Yankees will still suck

[MeccaOfManhood]

Yankees will still suck

At least back up your rationale with some reasons why.

[JFKDivisionChamps02]

I also like that quote. Like you, JFK, I've been having some second thoughts vis-a-vis trading Hughes, but that sort of does put things in perspective. Basically, we'd be trading Hughes, Melky and a prospect (Horne or Tabata or whomever) for the best left-handed pitcher in baseball and Aaron Rowand. I'm assuming the Yankees would push hard for Rowand, or even Andruw Jones.

I have heard that the Yankee brass is willing to put Johnny Damon back at center field, and not pursue Aaron Rowand. I wouldn't mind Rowand in CF at all, I just don't want to see Johnny back in CF with his arm. I really hope Austin Jackson will hurry up and develop in AA!!!