Maybe Brian Cashman reads Hot Stove, but probably not. Either way he must have figured my idea that the Yankees go out and sign Richie Sexson was a good low risk, high reward situation.
Sexson does add a decent bat against left handed pitching, which the Yankees sorely needed, but don't get over excited. Sexson is not the answer to the Yankees offensive problems. Sure he'll help in certain situations, but he is certainly no difference maker.
Yes, Sexson hits lefties and maybe a change of scenery will do him some good - he had a .523 OPS in Seattle and a .875 OPS on the road - but he's still the same player who hit .205 a year ago. So expecting him to do much better than being part of a strong platoon is a little foolish.
Hideki Matsui is still sidelined and depending on how his visit to the doctor goes today he will be out a long time or a very long time. So the team still needs a DH. Sexson is a strong defender so there will be temptation for manager Joe Girardi to use him at first and shift Giambi to DH, but that would be a mistake.
Another option is using Johnny Damon as the DH while his shoulder returns to 100 percent, but then you would have to have two weaker bats in the lineup every day in Brett Gardner and Melky Cabrera. The answer is another bat.
Everyday that passes the idea of bringing in Barry Bonds becomes more attractive. Initially I was completely against this move. Winning is the bottom line, but how could I bring myself to root for somebody who I've loved rooting against all these years? As each day passes I can't help but think that this lineup is one more bat away from busting loose. They had a tough first half, but I suspect they are primed for a strong second half.
Derek Jeter who was nursing a few injuries early will likely rebound. Robinson Cano is another player who throughout his career has hit everything he can reach after the all-star break. Chien-Ming Wang will return eventually and they will also be getting Brian Bruney back soon. Guys like Ian Kennedy and Phil Hughes may even help this team. Once Jorge Posada begins playing behind the plate everyday that will get Jose Molina's bat out of the lineup, thus strengthening it.
With it looking likely the Bombers will be stronger in the second half the idea of adding an impact bat that could make a big difference in catching the Rays for the wild card is tempting. It doesn't have to be Bonds, but he certainly would be the cheapest. If they fail to trade for a player like Raul Ibanez, who other teams are going to be interested in as well, then Bonds might be their only choice.
A bat like his put them over the top in 1996 when they went out and got Cecil Fielder and again when they went out and got David Justice. A big bat doesn't guarantee success however as the Yankees saw when they went out and got Bobby Abreu two years ago, so why risk trading prospects if you don't have to?
Speaking of Big Cecil, the Brewers might be interested in dealing his son Prince Fielder. At 24-years-old he might be one of the few types of bats available that might be worth the prospects. So he's worth keeping an eye on, but don't hold your breath.
Sexson does add a decent bat against left handed pitching, which the Yankees sorely needed, but don't get over excited. Sexson is not the answer to the Yankees offensive problems. Sure he'll help in certain situations, but he is certainly no difference maker.
Yes, Sexson hits lefties and maybe a change of scenery will do him some good - he had a .523 OPS in Seattle and a .875 OPS on the road - but he's still the same player who hit .205 a year ago. So expecting him to do much better than being part of a strong platoon is a little foolish.
Hideki Matsui is still sidelined and depending on how his visit to the doctor goes today he will be out a long time or a very long time. So the team still needs a DH. Sexson is a strong defender so there will be temptation for manager Joe Girardi to use him at first and shift Giambi to DH, but that would be a mistake.
Another option is using Johnny Damon as the DH while his shoulder returns to 100 percent, but then you would have to have two weaker bats in the lineup every day in Brett Gardner and Melky Cabrera. The answer is another bat.
Everyday that passes the idea of bringing in Barry Bonds becomes more attractive. Initially I was completely against this move. Winning is the bottom line, but how could I bring myself to root for somebody who I've loved rooting against all these years? As each day passes I can't help but think that this lineup is one more bat away from busting loose. They had a tough first half, but I suspect they are primed for a strong second half.
Derek Jeter who was nursing a few injuries early will likely rebound. Robinson Cano is another player who throughout his career has hit everything he can reach after the all-star break. Chien-Ming Wang will return eventually and they will also be getting Brian Bruney back soon. Guys like Ian Kennedy and Phil Hughes may even help this team. Once Jorge Posada begins playing behind the plate everyday that will get Jose Molina's bat out of the lineup, thus strengthening it.
With it looking likely the Bombers will be stronger in the second half the idea of adding an impact bat that could make a big difference in catching the Rays for the wild card is tempting. It doesn't have to be Bonds, but he certainly would be the cheapest. If they fail to trade for a player like Raul Ibanez, who other teams are going to be interested in as well, then Bonds might be their only choice.
A bat like his put them over the top in 1996 when they went out and got Cecil Fielder and again when they went out and got David Justice. A big bat doesn't guarantee success however as the Yankees saw when they went out and got Bobby Abreu two years ago, so why risk trading prospects if you don't have to?
Speaking of Big Cecil, the Brewers might be interested in dealing his son Prince Fielder. At 24-years-old he might be one of the few types of bats available that might be worth the prospects. So he's worth keeping an eye on, but don't hold your breath.
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