WasWatching.com

We'd need a full time second sacker. I like Cairo, but he's not a full time replacement, even if it is just for the rest of the season.

That's like the "Knicks are better without Ewing" theory from 1999-2000. I don't think there's any correlation between the Yankees going 13-6 and Cano being out. You'd have to chalk it up to very good starting pitching over the past few weeks.

FWIW, when you look at Cano's WPA to date this year, it can allow you to question what he's adding.

You really want a full year of Cairo? Ugh. The Yankees have absolutely no real infield prospects at the upper levels (except Duncan, who's learning first base this year). You would be stuck with Cairo and Green -- and I don't care what metrics or what have you that you throw out, I can't imagine Cairo and Green help this team win more than Cano.

Depends on the deal, Steve. I would only include Cano in a trade that netted a top-of-the-line outfielder or starting pitcher. Otherwise the risk-reward is just too marginal. Cano's not the second coming of Rod Carew but he ain't bad at his salary at all. Can't think of anyone who needs a 2nd baseman with anything decent to give the Yankees in return though. Certainly not the Phillies with Utley or the Nationals with Vidro. KC would take Cano for Sanders. Uh...no.

Just thinking out loud: how about Cano and Steven White for Soriano and Vidro?

I don't necessarily like that deal, but I would have to consider it. Washington gets two good young players + salary relief.

Steve, FWIW, you should trade Randy Johnson in any Cano package then. Unless I'm dyslexic (actually, I am), his WPA is fairly awful.

I guess I'm either not smart enough to understand your stats or just too stubborn to accept them but I just don't see Cano as being a negative on this team.

Agreed MJ. Cano is 23 years old, and is still improving. He has very little patience, and seems to tense up when there are men on base, but he hits. It's just a matter of time before he relaxes enough to drive runners in rather than be driven in.

I would hate to see him go, but if it brings us a top tier player and a 2B that isn't Cairo/Green, then I suppose it would be for the better of the club. Hughes, Cano, and someone for Castillo and Santana? I'd prefer Liriano, but the Twins aren't moving him. I don't know who the "someone" would have to be, but I bet the Twins can find someone who the Yanks feel isn't valuable as a "throw in" that makes it big in a few years. That trade probably favors the Yanks, but it IS Phillip Hughes...

Hughes and Cano for Santana? I think Cashman would strap Hughes and Robbie to his back and run to Minnesota.

I think Hughes is going to be a future ace -- he has full command of three secondary pitches and throws 95 miles an hour (he's like a young Moose) -- but putting Santana on this pitching staff would make it one of the best in baseball, and in the best position it has been in to win in the playoffs since the late '90s.

And as good as Liriano is, I'll take the guy who's been getting it done for the past few years over the new guy. Prior, Sheets, Oliver Perez -- they all seemed to be the Next Greatest Pitcher, but they got hurt or fell apart.

Steve,

You are "Mr. God forbid the Yanks trade any decent prospects" and now you want to ship out Cano, a legit. young star? In the words of Baileywalk, this be insane. Santana isn't going anywhere, so you might as well propose a trade for Ted Williams' frozen head. Let's stay in the real world here people.

And wasn't the WPA put in place by FDR?