« Stein To Torre: "Fix This Mess" | Main | Miguel Batista »

November 14, 2006

Rocks Want Glass Carl?

From Ken Rosenthal -

Believe it or not, teams are contacting the Yankees about trading for right-hander Carl Pavano; the Rockies are one club that might have interest if the Yankees paid a portion of the $21 million that Pavano is owed over the next two seasons.

The Yankees, naturally, say they won't give Pavano away; their public position is that they want him to get healthy and be productive. Still, it's difficult to imagine the Yankees rejecting even a mediocre offer for a pitcher who has been a severe disappointment.

One rotation possibility that the Yankees might consider, with or without Pavano: Right-hander Scott Proctor, who was one of the team's best relievers last season.

If the Rockies offer Aaron Cook for Pavano and cash, the Yankees should jump on it.

As far as Proctor, that's a hard call. I love him out of the pen - but, Torre will kill in him that role again next year. Maybe a move to the rotation is a way to save him from Joe?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at November 14, 2006 08:51 AM

Comments

I'd love Cook for Pavano, even if there's lots of cash.
Proctor was a starter in the minors, and he seems to have the arm strength, maybe Torre will go retro with him, and have Scott come out of the pen on days he's not starting - like pitchers used to to.

Posted by: rbj [TypeKey Profile Page] at November 14, 2006 09:15 AM

As Jerry Seinfeld once said: "Sex...to save the friendship...?"

I don't think inserting Proctor into the rotation to "save him" makes all that much sense. Why mess with a formula that worked? In Proctor, the Yanks had a guy that was super-reliable in the 7th inning and got some big outs for the team. I know Proctor was supposed to have become a starter for the team but, really, has he given anyone the indication that he'd be more than a Jaret Wright/5-inning guy? Isn't getting 3-6 quality outs from a pure fastball pitcher better than watching a guy suffer out there with 1 pitch and asking him to retire at least 15 hitters?

Posted by: MJ [TypeKey Profile Page] at November 14, 2006 09:34 AM

Proctor needs to develop another pitch before the Yanks consider moving him into the rotation.

It would be good if he's able to start and it would be a good in-house solution to the problem, but he hasn't been a full time starter since 2002. Since then, he has started 2 games; @ Columbus & @ YS.

As for Pavano, if the Yanks can get anything for him, do it. Course, I said that last year too...

Posted by: Raf [TypeKey Profile Page] at November 14, 2006 10:49 AM

As much as we can't count on Pavano, I wouldn't advocate trading him quite yet unless the Yanks can get another MLB-caliber starter in return. As Steve pointed out below, the Yanks don't exactly have pitching depth right now beyond the young arms (Wang and Hughes, Sanchez, Clippard) and some old cranky guys in the Bigs (RJ, Moose).

Posted by: Benjamin Kabak [TypeKey Profile Page] at November 14, 2006 10:53 AM

Aaron Cook on the brain, Steve?

Proctor has enough pitches. He has a very good curve and an improving changeup.

Posted by: Don [TypeKey Profile Page] at November 14, 2006 02:37 PM

In reality, if we can get anything for Carl Pavano i'd do it.

Posted by: Yu Hsing Chen [TypeKey Profile Page] at November 14, 2006 09:23 PM