Yankees Moves So Far
December 8, 2004
The Yankees have brought in 5 guys so far. Let’s take a look at the 5.
Traded Kenny Lofton and cash to the Phillies for Felix Rodriguez
Kenny’s not a bad player, he’s valuable in some ways and he had his moments, but he just didn’t fit in and I didn’t care for some of the things he said and did. So, all in all, I think we’re lucky to get rid of him for someone like Felix Rodriguez, who is a 32 year old right handed reliever that has had a solid 9 year career in the majors. He’s got a career record of 37-25 with a 3.41 ERA. He has pitched in at least 43 games for 7 straight years. In that span, he has had an ERA below 4 all but 2 times, including 2 times below 3. This is a small, but helpful deal.
Traded Felix Heredia to the Mets for Mike Stanton and cash
Wow, the Yankees getting cash in a deal! How about that!
This is another small, but helpful deal. Heredia has a career 4.44 ERA. His ERA last year was 6.28. Stanton, however, is 8 years older (37). He’s not the greatest, but he has had a good career. Better yet, he won 3 titles with the Yankees (1998, 1999 and 2000) before going across town in 2003. Although his career regular season ERA is 3.76, he has pitched remarkably well in the postseason – going 10-8 with a 1.97 ERA over 59.3 innings in 53 games. Those are the numbers the Yankees are getting him for and those are numbers that Yankee fans remember and respect. Now, if we can get Steve Kline, we’ll be in really good shape for lefties! :)
Resigned John Flaherty
I like this signing. I like Flaherty, I liked watching him in 2004. Not very good with the bat, but still a pretty solid backup catcher. I also like the fact that he broke up Pedro’s no hitter.
Signed Tony Womack
I have always kind of liked Womack, so I don’t mind this signing. However, I hope that it doesn’t signal the end of the search for a second baseman. Hopefully Womack is a last resort type of thing, as he’d be very useful off of the bench and filling in.
Signed Jaret Wright
This one I am a little iffy on. Before last year, the lowest ERA he had in a season was 4.38. Besides that one, he had 4.70, 4.72, 6.06, 7.35 and 15.71. Not pretty. Last year, he had a great year, going 15-8 with a 3.28. The question is: what does that signal?
If it is a fluke year that means nothing – we’re in trouble. If it is the turning point of his career and he is now a good starting pitcher – we’re good.
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Flaherty is a great catcher. He was the odd man out in the Ben Davis debacle in San Diego. Great, great guy. :)