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November 06, 2007
Damon For Rolen?
How about a trade of Johnny Damon for Scott Rolen?
Don't get me wrong. I still value Johnny Damon. I think he should be the Yankees full-time LF next year - with Matsui at DH - and Giambi should ride the pines. Damon can cover the big ground in left at Yankee Stadium. And, he's still useful with the bat. Plus, he's a stand-up guy and the Yankees need players who are willing to be accountable.
But, the fact of the matter is that Damon is one of the few players the Yankees can trade, contractually.
Now, I don't know if St. Louis is on Johnny's list of teams that he can be traded to...so, this might be moot.
And, sure, Rolen is injury-prone and a bit of a hard-head at times. But, it's all a risk that I would be willing to take for now. Or, at the least, Brian Cashman should kick the tires on this one, if, indeed, Rolen becomes available.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at November 6, 2007 07:13 AM
Comments
Damon is too much of a spark plug to get rid of now.He's someone who is a winner and he's a popular clubhouse guy to boot.The problem with trading any pitching for a third baseman is that Andy opted out.In essence,the Yanks have to be more concerned with keeping whatever pitching they have intact.If it means having Betemit and Phillips at third,that would be better than giving up Kennedy or Hughes.If they can sign Lowell, which is still very possible that might be the way to go.It's only giving up money and not talent.
Posted by: butchie22 ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.waswatching.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at November 6, 2007 08:50 AM
Not that I necessarily want Lowell on this team but I certainly don't want Scott Rolen. The last thing the Yankees need is another aging player with a history of major injuries. Scott Rolen will be 33 on Opening Day. He's averaged 113 games played over the past four seasons. I don't see how trading Damon for him makes any sense. Just sign Lowell and keep Damon. Why give up something for next to nothing?
Scott Rolen is owed $36M over the next three years. You could get Mike Lowell for a little over that. I can't imagine that Scott Rolen will be a good investment in 2009 or 2010, let alone in 2008...
Posted by: MJ at November 6, 2007 08:57 AM
~~Scott Rolen is owed $36M over the next three years.~~
And, how much is Damon due over the next two?
The swap only costs the Yankees $13 mill, for 2010, IIRC.
Posted by: Steve Lombardi at November 6, 2007 11:17 AM
For a far more broken down player Steve. Rolen looks like he's just about finished.
Posted by: MJ at November 6, 2007 12:04 PM
--He's someone who is a winner--
Really? He didn't win in KC. Didn't win in Oakland. Didn't win in NY. But he's a winner? How do you decide who's a winner and who isn't?
You have remarkable insights and I'd like to subscribe to your craaaazy news letter.
Posted by: jakes at November 6, 2007 06:18 PM
So if Giambi is healthy next year, you want him riding the pine? Considering how much money the Yankees have tied up in him, if Giambi can walk, Girardi needs to figure out how to get him as many PAs as possible next year.
Tricky, what with the whole, Matsui, Damon situation, but letting Giambi rot on the bench is stupid.
Posted by: SteveB at November 7, 2007 01:39 AM