WasWatching.com

I venture to repeat myself, we have the perfect backup in Bubba; move forward and no more experiments. I have heard that the only way we would get Torii Hunter is to give up Cano, but I'm sure that can be worked around. No more experiments, get a good CF. The right person could galvanize this team, and some of Hunter's grumbling might mean he has some guts.

Steve, a name that hasn't been mentioned (yet...I'll prob. do a post eventually or something) is Randy Winn. Contracutally, there is an option that SF holds on him for next year (most people think that they will pick it up). I was wondering when the organization will have to let people know their decision (becuase if they decline it...again, probably wishful thinking...Winn is a very good fit for what the Yankees need and won't cost nearly as much as the overhyped Damon & Hunter. We shall see.

(And I maintain that we have the guy who can start over Bubba in Kevin Thompson)

James - from most reports that I've seen, Winn is a sub-par fielding CF. I'm not sure he's the answer.

I don't mean to be a pest but I have had another thought. After injuries abate, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays will have 2 CFs in Carl Crawford and Rocco Baldelli. I think either could play CF for the Yankees quite well. Baldelli should come cheap because of his injury but I might actually like Crawford better. Unlike some previous posts, this is not an experiment. These are proven players for whom we could trade and have good success.

Rocco Baldelli....maybe, and better than what the Yanks have. (Remember when Karl Ravech kept calling him the second coming of Joe D. on BBTN 2 years ago? That was a hoot)

Crawford...Way too expensive. The Yanks would have to give up too much for his wheels.

Also, I'm not inclined to get Hunter if Cano is involved. RC is going to have a huge year in 06.

I agree too much for TH if RC is involved. I'm not sure where you're coming from when you say it would take too much to get Carl Crawford. The two players are held in the same esteem by the TBDR. More info, please?

Steve,
I'm not really sure about his defensive woes. The last time he played CF on a regular basis was 04 and he had a pretty decent year in the field (don't know what his throwing arm is like though).
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/dt/winnra01.shtml

And surprise! it looks like it compares with Torii Hunter's 04 season.
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/dt/hunteto01.shtml

Course, I'm not sure as to how reliable defensive metrics are.

James, see: http://ussmariner.com/?p=1827

Oh good lord, there goes that idea. I can't imagine another year with a Bernie type arm in center (hence why I am so opposed to any talk of Damon signing).

RC is going to have a huge year in 06.
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Based on?

I hope it happens, but he needs to learn the strike zone, maybe take a pitch or two. As is, it looks like Ricky Ledee playing 2b.

The upside is that he's 22, so there is plenty of room for improvement.

Speaking of the USS Mariner, did you see the analysis they had on Kevin Brown? Interesting, to say the least. Yanks have no use for him (they've already have 7 starters)

didn't complete the thought...

Yanks have no use for him (they've already have 7 starters), but he could be a low risk, high return investment for a team out there.