Official

Ok, now its official. 6pound8ouncebabyjoba.com from now on!

Maybe not...

So we were up and running for like, 20 min? Unfortunately, we had additional technical difficulties, so we WILL be up soon. I promise.

Up and Running

From now on, Kevin and I will be posting on 6pound8ouncebabyjoba.com. Check back here for archives and what not. We are so excited to have our new site launched! We hope you all enjoy it.

Update

Hey All,

I'm sorry for the lack of posts over the last few days. There has been a lot of news to go over, but Kevin and I have been more focused on trying to launch a new and improved 6P8OBJ. As you can probably imagine, we are having some issues getting the new layout designed and launched. Please bear with us, as we will hopefully have a great new "version" of our blog available to you in the coming days.

Ok, so. Here's a quick recap of the last 4 days (in no particular order)...

• Xavier Nady suffered a serious set back in his rehab from his elbow injury. Nady walked off the feild during his AAA appearance with "significant discomfort". As yankees.com said, "Nady's bid to avoid Tommy John surgery may have ended...".
• Derek Jeter turned 35. I don't know if any of you feel the same way as I do, but I find that very very strange. I still feel like he's 25...
• Jose Veras was traded to the Cleveland Indians for "cash considerations". Veras was having a rough season, having a 5.96 ERA and 1.44 WHIP. Ugly... Kevin was calling for him to be DFA'd for a long time, and this was obviously the result of his DFA.
• The Yankees experienced a serious power outage from the 17th to the 23rd, but have bounced back nicely with an 8-4 W over ATL, an 11-7 W over ATL, and a 9-1 W over NY.
• Mariano Rivera recorded his 498 and 499th save

That's about all I have for now. Again, bear with us. We are very excited for the new site, and we hope that you are as well.

Technical Issues

Conor and I are working on updating the format of 6P8OBJ so the site will be under construction for the next day or two, or maybe three. Bare with us and we'll have the improved site up and running as soon as we can.

Thanks,

Kevin

If you have any questions or concerns feel free to email me at kevinseefried (at) ymail.com

Protesting

In the bottom of the 7th inning in today's game Florida manager Fredi Gonzalez sent Alejandro De Aza to pinch hit for pitcher/9 hole hitter Renyel Pinto. When the 8th inning started Gonzalez called in Leo Nunez to pitch, while being slotted for the leadoff spot. However, Chris Coghlan, the original left fielder, remained in the game for one pitch. Girardi then protested the lineup moves and de Aza was sent out to left, only to be replaced by Jeremy Hermida. The game was played under protest and the umps filed a report, so we may end up resumig the game from the top of the eighth on a return trip to Miami to replay the last two innings. This is all pending a decision by majore league baseball.

Sabathia Update

CC Sabathia left today's game in the second inning with what was originally called "biceps tightness." Later we learned via PeteAbe that CC actually has "biceps tendinitis," however CC plans to make his next start (Friday against the Mets). Apparently this has bothered CC between starts for years and he asked to remain in the game. PeteAbe says CC will recieve treatment in Atlanta on Monday, throw a bullpen session on Wednesday, and start Friday. Hopefully CC will be fine and ready for Friday, otherwise the Yanks may have a big hole to fill, a hole which I don't see Phil Hughes filling on his own. If CC's out for an extended period of time I think a call to Ben Sheets would be in order.

Could use a win today

The Yanks haven't been puttin up many W's recently, we're 9-9 in June. Tonight CC takes the mound, and he'll also hit in the nine spot.

The lineup

SS The Captain
RF SuperSwisher
1B Mark Teixeira
3B A-Rod (Returning after 2 rest days)
2B Robby "I swing at everything" Cano
C "Hip Hip" Jorge Posada
LF The Melkman Cabrera
CF Brett "I wanna go fast" Gardner
P CC Sabathia

Both Damon and Matsui are available as pinch hitters off the bench (Berroa, Pena, Cervelli are there too, but who would you want as a pinch hitter?)

Update: CC Sabathia was taken out of the game in the bottom of the second inning, and very mysteriously I might add. He really didn't appear to be injured, but you know something is wrong if he comes out. Michael Kay has been discussing the heat, and how that may have been the problem. We will update you as we find out information.

Update: The Yankees are calling it "tightness in his left biceps".

The Value of Angel Berroa

Angel Berroa has a .136/.174/.182 line in 22 at bats this year. He hasn't drawn a walk, only has one extra base hit( a double), and has struck out 6 times. Obviously his bat does nothing for us. So perhaps we have him for his speed? No. Berroa hasn't even attempted to steal a base this year. Hmm. Well his value has to be with his glove then right? Nope. In Berroa's 63 innings in the field his UZR is -2.5. He's allowed 2.5 runs more than the average thirdbaseman. (Over 150 games he would lose us 34.5 runs).So Berroa has no value with his bat, his feet, or his glove. Why is he on the roster then?

Well Joe Girardi says he prefers to carry 2 backup infielders rather than a 5th outfielder. I understand that, but why not use Kevin Russo then? Russo, a 24 year old second baseman, is having a fine season in Scranton, sporting a .355/.439/.398 line. Sure he has very little power (his 4 doubles are his only extra base hits for the year). But, at least he can get on base both by hitting himself on and drawing a walk. Russo won't be called up (he should have been long ago), because Cody Ransom should be back within a week or two. Ransom has played 11 games in Scranton on his rehab assignment with a .286/.381/.571 line. He has smacked two home runs and it seems like he is back to near full health. Hopefully we shall see him in the Bronx within the next week and Angel Berroa will hopefully be DFA'd and we won't see him on a Yankees roster again.

The Last 6...

Well, the Yankees are 4-7 over their last 11, and 3-3 in their last six. They aren't the hottest of teams right now. The most frustrating thing though is the 3-3 record over the last six games. They have lost 3 games to poor teams (2 to the Nats and 1 to the Fish), and their pitching has really been stellar. The bullpen has not given up a run in the last 6 games, while the starters have given up a mere 11 runs in the same span. I suppose the Yankees just haven't been hitting. The loss to the Fish is somewhat tolerable, considering Josh Johnson has been fantastic this year. He has a 2.66 ERA and an unbelievable 1.05 WHIP through 15 starts and 105 innings. But two losses to the Nationals? They undoubtedly have the worst pitching staff in all of baseball, especially their bullpen. The offense really needs to start showing up...

5 O'Clock game today. Enjoy your Father's Day.

You have to be kidding me

AJ Burnett goes out there, pitches 6 and a third innings, allowing 2 runs, only one of which was earned, while he strikes out 8. Phil Coke gives us two straight outs and Phil Hughes pitches a perfect ninth. Sounds nice and dandy no? No. The Yankees' offense could only manage to score one run. We managed only 5 hits, one from Burnett himself. I know we were up against Josh Johnson, who is a phenomenal pitcher, but one run and five hits is unacceptable. Look at the top of the ninth inning to see why we lost.

Florida brings in closer Matt Lindstrom, the proud owner of a 5.37 ERA and Mark Teixeira singles to right. Good start. Then Jorge Posada comes up to the plate. Jorge takes a strike, swings and misses, and then pops up to Hanley Ramirez. On an 0-2 count you have to swing and he was just under it. Then Robby Cano comes up to the plate. I know Robby has been hot ever since I wrote that we should trade him. He's 11/23 with 2 homers, 6 ribbies, 5 runs scored, and only one strikeout since I posted that article. However, he also has grounded into 2 game ending double plays off of bad pitchers (MacDougal and Lindstrom). Tonight it was typical Robby Cano, swing at the first pitch no matter where it is. Lindstrom delivers a 98 mph fastball on the inside edge of the plate and Cano hits it in the dirt at second base. In a situation like that you have to get the ball out of the infield Robby, and most importantly you have to not hit it right at the second baseman. Very dissapointed with the offense and Cano tonight. You need to give AJ the win he deserves there.

Daddy Says No No Pedro

According to George King the Yanks won't sign Pedro Martinez. Thank God. Apparently we only watched him pitch out of "courtesy" to Mariano Rivera's agent Fern Cuza.

Pedro wants $3mm, a salary he most certainly does not deserve. According to King, Pedro's fastball is only in the 86-90 range, a huge decrease from his days as a flamethrower back in Boston. In '08 Pedro only made 20 starts and with a 5.61 ERA, and a 1.57 WHIP while opposing hitter walked all over him (.294 average) he was anything but impressive. Pedro's agent claims he is two weeks away from being big league ready, but big league ready Pedro won't be as effective an effective Chien-Ming Wang or Phil Hughes. Not nowadays.

For those of you that miss seeing Pedro's ugly mug, don't worry. He's pondering the idea of becoming a swimsuit model...

Note: Sports Ill, if Pedro is EVER in a swimsuit issue I will cancel my subscription immediately.

Couple of Links...

Jorge Arangue says that the Yanks most likely won't sign Miguel Angel Sano, but also says the Yanks will certainly make a big splash during the international signing period.

Hideki Matsui didn't want to discuss interest from the Hanshin Tigers, but appreciated their interest because he grew up rooting for them. He also said he'd like to finish his career in the MLB.

The Yanks aren't planning any big deadline deals.

These links via MLBTR,the best baseball rumor site on the web.

This is just an idea. Not one I necessarily love or hate, but should the Yanks think about signing Ben Sheets? I know Wang needs to pitch major league innings, and Hughes is a servicable replacement, but with Pettitte having a rough year, and Wang and Hughsie not exactly reliable would Sheets be $10mm (my guess on his cost) well spent? Thoughts in the comments.

Bad idea...or the worst idea.

Finally the Yanks have a clubhouse of guys I like to root for. Good natured guys. Talented athletes. Grinders. Good Sportsmen. Then I see this bit of news... The Yanks are going to watch Pedro Martinez work out. Now granted the Rays, Cubs, and Angels will all watch him too, and the Yanks most likely won't make a play for him, but still I don't like this. Pedro and Jorge Posada hate eachother. I mean they loathe one another. Pedro trash talks from the dugout (least he did while in Boston) and he isn't currentyl talented enough to be brought in. I'd rather have Wang or Hughsie in the rotation any day. Don't think too much of this as it most likely won't amount to anything, but if somehow he becomes a Yankee expect a rant on the site.

Derek Jeter

Derek Jeter was taken out of last night's game after his inning ending ground out in the bottom of the 6th. The injury is being called "left ankle stiffness". According to Joe Girardi, Jeter "woke up a little sore yesterday, and it was sore to run today. We noticed for the first time when he was running tonight that the had a little hitch, and it seemed to get worse and worse, and that's why we got him out of there" (yankees.com). Girardi seems to be looking to keep Jeter out of the lineup tonight, but as PeteAbe said, Jeter is a tough guy to keep out of the lineup. The strange thing is that Jeter wasn't available to talk to the media after the game. I'm no doctor, but he didn't look that injured. Then again, Jeter has downplayed rather serious injuries before so he can play. My guess is that he won't be out for more than a couple days...

The Constant Question of the 'Pen

Brian Bruney is back. Jose Veras is out. The Yankee bullpen, the 7th worst in baseball with a 4.75 ERA, has been a big issue for the team, and a major discussion topic here at 6P8OBJ. Currently our bullpen is as follows...

RHP Mariano Rivera 3.38 ERA, 1.13 WHIP
RHP Brian Bruney 3.00 ERA, 0.56 WHIP
RHP Alfredo Aceves 2.70 ERA, 1.13 WHIP
RHP David Robertson 2.25 ERA, 1.17 WHIP
LHP Phil Coke 3.76 ERA, 1.10 WHIP
RHP Phil Hughes 5.13 ERA, 1.44 WHIP
RHP Brett Tomko 5.56 ERA, 1.59 WHIP

Bare in mind that Tomko had a horrendous two-out, four run appearance against the Mets on the 12th. Before that game is ERA was an impressive 2.53 and his WHIP was a decent 1.27. While you need to count all his stats, I don't think we should release a guy based on one very poor outing.

Hughsie has made 3 relief appearances this year (June 8th against Tampa, June 10th in Boston, June 12th against the Mets). He was pushed to the 'pen after Wang reclaimed his rotation spot, which he could lose depending on tomorrow's start. Hughes will be groomed as a starter however, and is the most likely player to take Andy Pettitte's rotation slot in 2010. In his short relief career Hughes has pitched well, striking out 8 in his 5.2 innings of work to the tune of a 3.18 ERA, walking 2 and allowing 4 hits. For those of you who say Joba should be in the 'pen, maybe you should have suggested Hughes. It is a small sample size, obviously, so don't bank on him being a huge part of the 'pen, although who knows, anything can happen in baseball. What I like about that short sample, however, is to think he pitched that well against the three teams that are arguably the Yankees' three biggest rivals. If he pitches like that against everyone, I'd love to see him stay in the 'pen for this year, if he can't perform there then he should be sent to Scranton to start. Hughes's future rests on Chien-Ming Wang's start tomorrow, because a solid start will win Wang his rotation spot until he proves he can't handle it.

That bullpen looks pretty solid now, with Jon Albaladejo, Edwar Ramirez, and Jose Veras out of there and Alf Aceves, David Robertson, and Brian Bruney in the team has vastly improved itself. However things change. Bruney's health is always in question. Robertson only has 12 big league innings under his belt this year.Tomko might very well be as bad as he was against the Mets. A poor appearance by Wang tomorrow would most likely send Chien Ming to Scranton and Hughsie to the rotation. With those risks, the Yanks may need to ponder promoting Zack Kroenke or Mark Melancon, although both of them are risky as well. The Yanks' might also need to look outside of the organization...

There are any number of relievers that could be traded before July 31st including Danys Baez, George Sherrill, Takashi Saito, Huston Street, Chad Qualls, and Jose Valverde. I think Valverde is too expensive ($8mm with an ugly 4.82 ERA). Saito is unlikely, as the Red Sox won't help out their main competition. Huston Street isn't likely to be traded soon with the Rockies trying to extend their win streak to twelve and currently standing only 3 games out of the wildcard. While Sherrill and Baez play for the O's in our division, that wouldn't stop Baltimore from dealing with the Yanks. If we offer the best package, they'll take it since Sherrill and Baez would be helping our team now, while the O's have no chance at making the playoffs, and our package would most likely include prospects that could help them as they look to the future.

Baez, a 31 year old righty, has a 3.31 ERA, a 1.04 WHIP, and has struck out 23 in his 32.2 innings of work this year. Baez makes $5.5mm this year, plus $500 thousand if he is traded. He'll be a free agent after the season.

Sherrill, a 32 year old lefty, sports a 2.55 ERA, a 1.18 WHIP, and has struck out 23 in his 24.2 innings of work. he'll make $2.75mm this year, and won't hit free agency until after the 2011 season.

Both are appealing candidates, but I prefer Baez. As Baez is more expensive, a free agent after the season, and not currently holding down the closer's role (Sherrill's job) he should cost less in terms of prospects. We've seen how Mo pitches when he isn't in a save opportunity, and perhaps moving Sherrill out of a closer's role would have the same poor effect. We have Phil Coke and once he recovers from injury Damaso Marte will be back in the 'pen, so we aren't in dire need of a lefty either. I don't think a package for Baez would have to blow anyone away. Maybe John Rodriguez and his stellar offensive season, fallen prospect Eric Duncan, and Casey Fossum to hold a rotation spot for the remainder of the year? Perhaps they'd be interested in another fallen Yankee prospect, Alan Horne? Or maybe they'd like the Yanks 26 year old righty Josh Schmidt who has torn up double A with 1.96 ERA through 33 innings. A timespan in which he has struck out 39 hitters. Some mix and match combination of Rodriguez, Duncan, Fossum, Horne, and Schmidt ought to be able to net the Yanks Baez. As an Oriole, Baez has experience pitching in the AL East, a definite benefit of acquiring him. Baez isn't one of the best in the game, but he could really help the club if we were to lose an effective reliever due to health, inconsistency, or ineffectiveness. The players I mentioned aren't very important to the future of the Yankees, but could have value to Baltimore. So a deal seems to make perfect sense.

Notes

Chien Ming Wang's first son was born today. J. J. Wang was born at 9:30 am today, 7 pounds 12 ounces. I was kind of hoping he'd be a pound 4 ounces less. Chien Ming starts tomorrow in a start that could determine his future in pinstripes. He has to be glad that its against the Nationals rather than anyone else. You might recall that in spring training Brett Gardner hit a home run while his son was at his first game; maybe Wang's newborn son will give him similar luck.

The Times is reporting that Sammy Sosa tested positive in that 2003 PED test, the same one that A-Rod tested positive in. That's 2 names out of 104. Expect the names to keep on leaking to the press over the next year or two.

The Hanshin Tigers may sign Hideki Matsui and bring him back to Japan after this year if we don't resign him. Matsui has been successful in his tenure in the Bronx, but with Melky, Gardner, and Swisher under contract for next year, Austin Jackson and Shelley Duncan on the farm, Matt Holliday and Jason Bay on the free agent market, and Matsui's inability to play the field, it seems like Hideki is destined to leave the Bronx after this year. I'd love to see him return to Japan as it's tough to root against Hideki, which we would have to do if he signed elsewhere.

Slade Heathcott took BP at the stadium, wore a Yankees uni, and set up shop at a locker next to Mariano Rivera. Let's hope our first round pick has been convinced to sign.

Jump for Joy

Jose Veras, who I've been pleading for the Yanks to rid themselves of, was designated for assignment today as Brian Bruney came off the DL. Finally! Veras was horrible all year long. His 5.96 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, and 5 BB/9 were all horrendous. Zack Kroenke, Mark Melancon, Edwar Ramirez, Anthony Claggett, or almost anyone from Scranton,. maybe even some folks from Trenton, could hav epitched better. Luckily returning is Brian Bruney, and while he may make some unprovoked unneccesary remarks about Francisco Rodriguez, he is fine pitcher in his own right. Alf Aceves, Bruney, and Mariano should make a reliable 7-8-9 team if Bruney can keep himself off the DL for the rest of the year. With his designation Veras will be put on irrevocable waivers, and if he passes through he can refuse to be sent to the minors, he can be released, or he can be traded. I don't think he'll pass through waivers. He is young enough and cheap enough that someone will take him at his current salary($432,975).

Big Game

The Yanks are dominating today, already boasting a 13-0 lead through 6. In case you forgot the legendary Johan Santana started for the Mets today. He got through 3 innings, and then pitched to 5 batters in the 4th with out recording an out. During that time he let in 9 runs, the most he has ever allowed in a game. He walked 2 and allowed 9 hits, including a 2 run bomb from Hideki Matsui to center. Brian Stokes then came in, allowing 4 runs before finishing the inning. He pitched another inning before Jon Switzer was brought in for the 6th. Mets' pitching has already thrown 141 pitches through 6 innings. Through one batter in the 6th, AJ Burnett has hurled a 4 hit, 3 walk shutout, and struck out 8. His pitch count is at 103 as I write while he faces Daniel Murphy. Talk about defying the odds both by the offense and Burnett. Let's keep this lead safe.
Update: The Mets have basically waived their white flag, as Carlos Beltran, David Wright, and Luis Castillo are all sitting on the bench now. Why waste injury in a game you don't think you can win?
Update: Sheffield on second, Murphy at first, Brian Schneider at the plate. Burnett has no outs in the 7th, a little double play ball here would be nice.
Update: Schneider flies out to Melky. Reed grounds into a double play. Inning over. 7 shutout innings for Burnett. 4 hits, 4 walks, 8 K's. 111 pitches, 66 for strikes. I wonder if Girardi sends him back out there for the 8th to face Alex Cora, Fernando Martinez, and Wilson Valdez. Cora and F-Mart are a combined 0-6 with 3 K's, and Valdez hasn't had an AB yet. Seems like sending AJ out for another inning wouldn't be the worst thing. Keep him out there until he reahes 125-130 or gets himself into trouble, then give the game to the 'pen.
Update: Forgot to mention, Pena came in to replace A-Rod in the 6th, then in the 7th Berroa came in, taking Jeter's lineup spot and playing third while Pena moved to short. Gardner took Tex's batting spot, playing center while Swisher moved to first. Melky moved over from center to right. This is a good day for all of them to get a rest with such a big lead.
Update: After a Frankie Cervelli fly out Angel Berroa was hit by a pitch. Johnny Damon drew a walk. Brett Gardner drew a walk. Now Ramiro Pena is at the plate...and a liner up the middle hits second base! Berroa scores and the bases are still loaded as Robby Cano steps up to the plate. After my last post suggesting we trade Robby, he has gone 3 for 4 with two doubles and a home run. I love it. The Mets are wisely calling the 'pen, and Ken Takahashi will replace Switzer.
Update: Robby Cano deep fly ball caught at the track. 15-0 as Damon scores. 2 outs. Runners on first and second. Swisher at the plate.
Update: Swisher grounds out to short. Inning over. 15-0.
Update: Over in Philly Pedro Feliz just hit a two run double to give the Phillies a four run lead over Boston. Beckett pitched terribly for six innings, but he did hit a home run to his credit.
Update: Girardi brought in Robertson for the eighth.
Update: Robertson gets Cora to pop up. Then he strikes out F-Mart and Fernando Tatis. I though Valdez was up, but miscounted the lineup.
Update: Hughes closes out the game in the ninth. Yankees win 15-0. Boston loses to Philly, 11-6, and the Yanks are now just 2 games back.

Thinking Defense and Trade

Check the Yankees UZR/150(Thanks to Fangraphs). That calculates the number of runs above average a player should save over 150 games.

Mark Teixeira 1.5
Robinson Cano 1.3
Derek Jeter 6.4 (Fangraphs goes back to 2002, and this is the first year Derek has a positive defensive value).
Alex Rodriguez -18.8 (A-Rod's coming back from injury, but wow is that bad! He was at -3.2 last year, 2.3 the year before, and -12.4 in 06. Hopefully he can be a positive defender rather than costing us 18.8 runs this year.
Johnny Damon -2.9 (as a leftfielder he saved had a 37.4 rating in 07 in 32 games, and last year he had a rating of 11.6 in 87 games. Hopefully he can turn back to that form).
Melky Cabrera 13.3 (That's in center. He's at 9.8 in right, 10.9 in left, and 11.9 as an outfielder in general).
Brett Gardner 21.8
Nick Swisher -2.2 (That's in right. He's -36.3 as a firstbaseman, Yikes!, and -9.1 in left.)

Basically our defense has some strong points (Gardner, Melky, and Derek Jeter (yes Derek Jeter!) Then we don't have great defense coming from a lot of other areas, although I expect Tex's UZR to improve, as well as Damon's and A-Rod's. Defense can save, or cost you, a lot of runs over the course of a season (ask Luis Castillo). However, its usually not as obvious as that play. When the Red Sox made their big mid-season trade in '04 that sent away Nomar Garciaparra and brought back Orlando Cabrera and Doug Mientkiewicz it was completely for defensive reasons. I think the Yanks might need to consider such a deal this year. Although I'm talking about trading Robby Cano.

Cano is a great, extremely talented player, but sometimes you have to make a sacrifice. You might not know it, but Cano's WPA is the second worst among qualified second baseman, ahead of only Felipe Lopez. WPA calculates the probability of a win added from the beginning of an at bat to the end of an at bat. This year Cano's WPA is -0.76. I found two candidates I'd like to see replace Robby.

Placido Polanco and Brian Roberts

Let's look at some stats.

While Cano only saves 1.3 runs above average over 150 games, Polanco saves 18.6 and Roberts saves 6.2.

During a Cano at-bat, the Yankees' win expectancy drops by 0.76. During Polanco's at bats win expectancy rises only 0.05 and during Roberts' at bats it lowers 0.10, leaving a better shot at winning than when Cano bats.

62.5% of the time the first pitch of a Cano at bat is a strike. The first pitch is a strike in only 57.8% of Polanco's at bats and 54.9% of Roberts' at bats.

Cano swings at pitches outside of the zone 30.5% of the time, while Polanco only swings at outside pitches 26.9% of the time, and Roberts swings 20.3% of the time.

Polanco and Roberts are better in the field, help their teams win more, and are more disciplined at the plate than Cano is. The thing is...Cano is only 26, while Polanco is 33 and Roberts is 31. Cano is also under contract through '11, with club options for '12 and '13. Polanco is a free agent after the season, while Roberts recently signed a 4 year $40mm extension, starting next year. Roberts makes $10mm in each year of the extension and Polanco is set to make $4.6mm this year. Robby Cano is making $6mm this year, but makes $9mm next year, and $10mm in 2011. His club options are for $14mm and $15mm in '12 and '13 respectively, with a $2mm buyout each year. Of the three only Roberts has no-trade protection, but I'm sure he'd waive that right to play for a contender. (These contract facts via Cot's).

Polanco's okay, but he'd just be a rental, unless the Yanks signed him to an extension. Roberts is a good pick as well, but we'd have him for his age 32, 33, 34, and 35 seasons. The years where he is very likely to start declining. Meanwhile, Cano should just be hitting his peak years. The question is which is more valuable Cano's peak, Roberts' decline, or a Polanco rental, possibly with a contract at the end.

I say we go for Roberts. Sure, Polanco is a better defender (by 12.4 runs over 150 games), but Roberts is a more patient hitter, a bigger threat on the basepaths, secured for 4 more years, and has a much better line (Roberts .296/.361/.460, Polanco .262, .312, .362, Cano .291/.325/.469). His contract matches pretty evenly with Cano's, making just $1mm more next year and having equal salaries in 2011. Cano's club options are $4mm and $5mm more in the two subsequent years however. So, how can we get B-Rob?

Well my proposed swap is this...Robinson Cano, Ramiro Pena, and George Kontos for Danys Baez, Brian Roberts, and Robert Andino.

Now before you start the "We should send Berroa not Pena!" chants, think. Would the O's want Berroa? No. No one wants Berroa. Here's why both sides make this deal...

The Yankees: Defense is upgraded at second. They get more speed and plate discipline from their secondbaseman. They drastically upgrade the defense of their backup infielder. (Pena's UZR/150 is 5.1 at third and -21.4 at short while Andino's was 49.1 at second last year, in 89 innings, compared to 5 innings of 0.00 this year, and he's at 43.5 in 159 innings at short.). They add an efficient, AL-East tested, arm to the bullpen. They win in all three exchanges.

The Orioles: They shed Danys Baez's $5.5mm salary. The young Cano will be improving as the club improves, rather than declining like Roberts will inevitably do. Kontos has a 3.00 ERA through 8 starts at triple A, holding hitters to a .215 average. With a rotation that includes Jeremy Guthrie's inflated ERA of 5.52, an average righty at best in Koji Uehara, a Brad Bergesen who is letting hitters bat .281 against him, and Rich Hill and Jason Berken who really haven't done much of anything right, Kontos would be a welcome presence trying out for a big league spot. The O's have pitchers that aren't effective in the bigs right now, but could be a presence in the next year or two, and Kontos would fit in with that group. By bringing in youth the O's set themselves up for success in future years, as they have no shot at contending this year with the Yanks, BoSox, Jays, and Tampa boasting stronger teams.

This trade would improve the Yanks as a team, and while yes, we would be trading some youthful players for older players, we need to win this year after the spending spree last winter. This trade isn't going to kill the Yankees' future, and it will help a lot this year. By replacing the free swinging Cano with Roberts the Yanks will wear down opposing starters more easily and we should reap the benefits. We can't keep seeing the bullpen be as ineffective as it has been, and a Danys Baez type, someone who is effective and knows the division, would be a nice bride to Mariano. George Kontos isn't essential to the Yankees' future rotation, while he could be an important player in Baltimore. Now will this trade happen? Probably not. Why? Because a blockbuster like this won't be accepted by division rivals. Would it be a smart move for both teams? Yes. The O's should shed Baez's salary to sign free agents at the international free agent signing period, and they need to get younger (the Roberts extension doesn't fit into their plans). What do you guys think? Is it the right move for the Yanks and the O's? Let's hear it in the comments.