WHY CASHMAN IS MULTI-TASKING

Make no mistake, while the Yankee world focuses in on this possible A.J. Burnett deal with the Pirates, Brian Cashman is equally as concerned, if not more, in getting Eric Chavez signed and landing a lefty, power hitting DH. I was telling Casey this morning that I think this could be a busy Friday or weekend in Yankeeland because if and when Burnett finally gets traded, the money the Yankees save won't even hit the bank before Chavez and that player-to-be-named DH will have inked deals with the Bronx Bombers.

Now, the question and debate goes back and forth: Who should the Yankees sign as that power hitting left-handed bat that will mainly be a DH, but someone who you could, in a pinch, throw out in the field somewhere? Well our Bleeding Yankee Blue readers certainly made it known in our recent BYB Poll choosing Johnny Damon as the guy they want back in pinstripes as the DH. Although I would not mind having Damon back in the Bronx I am in the minority with who I think would give us the best chance at another World Series run...Raul Ibanez. And here's why...

Over the last 2 seasons here is how Damon and Ibanez match up head-to-head (these numbers are what they averaged over last two seasons):

2010-2011 -- Johnny Damon (2 year avg.)
147 Games Played -- Batting Avg. .266 -- HR's 8 -- RBI 62 -- BB's 60 -- OBP .340 -- 2B 32

2010-2011 -- Raul Ibanez (2year avg)
150 Games Played -- Batting Avg. .260 -- HR's 18 -- RBI 84 -- BB's 51 -- OBP .320 -- 2B 34

Look, just to repeat, I am not opposed to having Johnny Damon back in the Bronx. I love the guy and think he would be a solid DH for the Yankees. But for some reason, I think Ibanez is getting overlooked by fans. A lot of fans have this idea that Ibanez is on a huge decline in his career? Where is that coming from? If you look at his cumulative stats above over the last two years he has averaged 18 HR's and 84 RBI. Meanwhile Damon in those same two years has averaged only 8 HR's and 62 RBI. If we are looking for the most productive DH between Damon and Ibanez, based on those numbers, wouldn't you have to argue Ibanez is the guy? Let me know what you think...

Keep it hear for all your Yankee news and be sure to #BYB on Twitter.

--Mikey Blue, BYB Senior Writer
Email: DonnieBaseball2323@gmail.com
Twitter: @MikeyBlu23

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