WasWatching.com

About Ramirez, I've been keeping tabs on him for a while now - he's def. done very well so far this year and though I wish him success, I can't help but be reminded of Yhency Brazoban who had the same kind of success his first year in the bigs as well (and Brazoban had better minor league numbers before being traded)
http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/B/yhency-brazoban.shtml

I always take the "sources said" stuff about attitude/work ethic with a grain of salt. I'm not saying it isn't true, I'm just not sure it is either.

James, you took the words right out of my mouth. When Brazoban started blowing away those weak NL lineups, Yankee fans went nuts (since he was a throw-in with Weaver in the Kevin Brown deal). But what happened? The league caught up to him and he was soon stinking it up.

Is Ramirez doing well this year? Yes. Does he have closer written all over him based on less than forty innings in the bigs? No. (Apparently his ERA is slightly misleading because he's let in a lot of inherited baserunners). He could just as easily end up being another Brazoban. Actually, Edwardo Sierra was the guy everyone didn't want to see go in the Chacon deal. Both Sierra and Ramierz had regressed for the Yankees and it wasn't a risky trade. Even if Ramirez keeps this up -- which is doubtful -- it was still a good trade. Because he wouldn't have helped us win the division last year AND win a playoff game, which Chacon did.

You think that the Tigers now think that Doyle Alexander for John Smoltz was a good deal?

Steve Philips keeps harping that the Tigers should trade Zumaya for Smoltz. Probably why he's on BBTN, and not in a front office somewhere.

Poor Doyle Alexander. Guy never hears the end of it.

Are you suggesting that Ramirez is as good as Smoltz and that Ramirez will have the same impact on the Rockies that Smoltz had on the Braves? By the way, that was a rhetorical question, because you did just that, and it's totally absurd.

Let this kid pitch an entire season before you get nervous about his prowess as a pitcher.

Scott Proctor looked like a closer earlier this season. How'd that work out? Tanyon Strutze had a brilliant month in the bigs. It's been shown again and again that a short sample size cannot be used with relievers. If he's still good in a year or two -- fine -- the Yankees traded a good pitcher. But guess what? There's no rule that you can only trade crappy players when you make a deal.

If San Fran fans want to cry into their pillows about giving up Liriano and Nathan for an average catcher who left the team anyway, they should go right ahead. I would. But Ramon Ramirez, who's proved nothing yet? I'll save my tears.

The name "Chacon" is now synonymous with getting great production out of a player who was previously unknown/unproductive. People writers, pundits and the like say, "they need to do a Chacon-type trade". I don't see how you can rip Cashman for that trade.

Here's a question - right now, who would you rather have on the Yankees, Ramon Ramirez or Shawn Chacon?

And, I respect what Chacon did last year. I'm happy that he was on the Yankees. But, I wish the Yankees gave up someone else to get him. That's my point.

Yeah, Steve, I wish the Yankees never traded anyone of value either, but the real question is: who would rather have had on the Yankees' roster LAST year: Chacon or Ramirez?

Wilson is starting on Sunday. Chacon in the bullpen. Smith was sent down.

Without Chacon, we do not make the playoffs last year. It's as simple as that. Ripping Cashman b/c Ramon Ramirez is now showing some potential is beyond absurd and indicative of the prospect hysteria now gripping Yankeeland. Trading marginal prospects for players who can help immediately is not a bad thing - and Chacon was such a player.

On another note: Why send Smith down? Of all the AAA guys he's been the most effective.