IT'S YANKEE "HOLE FILLING" TIME AGAIN

In the past, the Yankees made moves to offer alittle pop, defense and bullpen help.  The names are familiar, usually popular, but at the end of their careers... plus, the result was always the same... an early exit from the playoffs.  It's been that way since we won the whole damn thing in 2009.

It's what I call "Yankee hole filling", and as of late, I feel like we're always doing it just to get by. Think about it... back in 2011, we had Lance Berkman who was convinced by friend Andy Pettitte to make a stop in the Bronx.  We have Kerry Wood, who I loved in New York and did a great job.  We also had Austin Kearns... that's about it with Austin Kearns.

Last year, we needed someone like Ichiro Suzuki and in July, I predicted him being a nice fit.  Read ICHIRO TO THE YANKS IS MY PIPE DREAM. Suddenly, he was a Yankee and has been a great one ever since.  There was also the addition of Casey McGehee... yup, Casey McGehee. 

So what will happen now in 2013? Luckily for us, Derek Jeter has returned and hasn't skipped a beat.  Curtis Granderson is almost back, Michael Pineda is "close" and you have to wonder if the Yankees, who are 7.5 games back in the American League East can get the parts they need to win.

Sure, Alfonso Soriano could prove to be a brilliant move by Cashman, but even though yesterday was glorious, it's 1 game... and it's just to early to tell.

Brian Cashman stated recently, "We've wanted to improve things for some time... I think all Yankee fans have seen this team -- we're fighting, we've got a lot of guys who are professionals and they're competing their tail off, but on the offensive side we've been limited due to injury, so we have had an interest for quite some time to upgrade when we could."

I hope he also sees that we're frustrated.  And for the record, working hard is very different from getting results.  I hate when people say they are working hard or "working their tail off", because at the end of the day, if they aren't proving results, it doesn't mean a thing. We Yankee fans want action...we wants results... championships... made up with the best players to put on the field. Why? Because we're the Yankees. 

We will make moves. Who knows if Michael Young or Cliff Lee or anyone else is on the Yankees "hole" list.  Who knows if Phil Hughes stock has dropped or if Joba Chamberlain is appealing to teams anymore.  I do know this... we need a shake up... and now, with the trade deadline just a few days away... we need to make moves... WE MUST, or we are never making the playoffs in 2013. That I know.

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WHY I SMELL A TREND

Quick, what do Ivan Rodriguez, Jerry Hairston Jr., Eric Hinske, Austin Kearns, Kerry Wood, and Lance Berkman all have in common? If you guessed that they are former Yankees, you're correct. If you guessed that all of those guys were acquired by the Yankees near the trade deadline over the last three years you would be correct as well. But, there's one thing you may not have guessed, and that is all of those acquired players were on their respective final years of their contracts when they got traded. With the trade deadline just over a week away, I smell a trend. The Yankees like to trade for players who are free agents to be. In other words, they like to get rental players.

With that in mind, let's take a look at the upcoming Free Agents HERE.

Now, most of you can agree that the Yankees will look into starting pitching, although they have six major league starters (with Ivan Nova in AAA), but like the old saying goes, you can never have enough pitching. So, let’s look at the starting pitchers who are free agents to be, here are some intriguing names that would make sense:(Photo: SI)

Mark Buerhle and Edwin Jackson (Chicago White Sox)

Right now the White Sox have six major league starters with Buerhle and Jackson along with Phillip Humber, John Danks, Gavin Floyd, and Jake Peavy--but they're currently 4.5 games behind Cleveland and Detroit in the AL Central. The White Sox rank 10th in the American League in runs scored, so that's an area they do need to improve on if they want to make the playoffs. They'll be looking for a good bat in return for one of their starters. Both Buerhle and Jackson would be a good fit but I would take Buerhle over Jackson because he is a veteran, and has pitched in big games before. Jackson doesn’t have quite as much experience, although he's younger and he has nastier stuff.
(Photo: Getty)

Hiroki Kuroda(Los Angeles Dodgers) and Jason Marquis (Washington Nationals)

Realistically, both the Dodgers and Nationals are out of their respective races, and are already looking forward to Spring Training next year. The Dodgers have Hiroki Kuroda, and the Nats have Jason Marquis. Both of these guys are veterans and can get the job done, but personally, I like Hiroki Kuroda because he throws harder. His average fastball is about 92 mph, whereas Marquis throws a fastball averaging around 89mph. You can check out Kuroda's stats HERE here: and Marquis' stats HERE.

Ultimately, I think the Yankees really need an elite number two starter, like Ubaldo Jimenez, but the price is too high for him. Cashman is always a little reluctant to part with his prospects in a blockbuster trade. We'll see.

Now, most of you believe that the Yankees may need a reliever. Personally, I think the Yankees only need another lefty, and they probably have that guy in their organization with J.C. Romero. But, for kicks and giggles let's take a look at some of the upcoming free agent middle relievers who could be intriguing:

• John Grabow- Chicago Cubs

• Kerry Wood- Chicago Cubs

• Michael Wuertz- Oakland A's

This season, Grabow hasn't had a very good year he has a 5.36 ERA in 42 games, but he's been solid against lefties--holding them to a .238 batting average. Boone Logan has a .250 opponent batting average against lefties this year, and this used to be a lot higher. However, if used correctly Grabow could be a nice addition. Kerry Wood and Michael Wuertz are both quality setup men, but they're not better than what the Yankees have right now. Everyone remembers Wood last year with the Yankees, 0.69 ERA in 24 games and Michael Wuertz has 437 career strikeouts in 408 innings pitched.

All three of these guys aren't significantly better than what the Yankees have right now. Luis Ayala and Cory Wade both have ERA's in the 1's right now, and the Yankees have the second best bullpen ERA in the American League behind Oakland, with a 3.09 ERA. They also have David Robertson, who has been tough as nails, and Rafael Soriano (remember him?) who should be back in the near future.

What I really think the Yankees could use is a versatile bat off the bench. Eric Chavez may be coming back soon, but he's always injury prone and one more injury could very well finish his career. So with that in mind, let's take a look at some intriguing names:

• Juan Rivera (Los Angeles Dodgers)

• Jerry Hairston (Washington Nationals)

• Scott Hairston (New York Mets)

• Omar Infante (Florida Marlins)

I wouldn't mind having any of these guys. Obviously, none of these players stand out, but what bench player does? Juan Rivera and Jerry Hairston are both former Yankees, so it would be easy for them to be reintroduced with the team. Rivera can play corner outfield and first with some pop, while Hairston can play just about every position except catcher and pitcher, and he provides speed. Scott Hairston and Omar Infante are both very versatile options as well.

More to follow, stay tuned to Bleeding Yankee Blue.



--Jesse Schindler, BYB Staff Writer






--Jeana Bellezza, BYB Associate Editor




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WHY I’LL NEVER FORGET KERRY WOOD

I had always been a Kerry Wood fan. Any pitcher that can fan 20 is a gamer in my book. To me, He and Mark Prior, while they were hammered with injury after injury were so money with the Cubs, when they were healthy. So while I was looking through my Bleeding Yankee Blue archives, I could help but stop and reminisce about the good times of Kerry Wood in the Yankees bullpen. It made me smile thinking about it.

I just remember that we wanted to see Wood in the game any chance we could. Not only was he dominant, he was healthy and off the field, his happiness flowed through the bullpen and clubhouse. I remember pitchers like Joba Chamberlain were in awe of him, complimenting him as getting all the bullpen pitchers into a rthyhm. Read that great piece HERE. It was a great marriage even though it was brief.

I remember when the Yankees picked him up at the deadline. It was he, Austin Kearns, and Lance Berkman. While Kearns fell out of favor for me with his terrible stint in the Bronx. Berkman too was larger than life for me and it’s always cool to see veterans that you like in baseball who have worn certain uniforms for so long, the Cubs (Wood) and the Astros (Berkman) to then suddenly see them in pinstripes. It basically means the Yankees think they were good enough to contribute in some way. Some players can’t hack it. Wood could and he did it with grace. Berkman handled it the best he could, I think he was dealing with the shock that Houston was willing to part with him and he was dealing with abandonment issues. Frankly, the reality is, he rose above it and did what he could to contribute. He’s over it now, not sure if you've checked in on Berkman but he's batting .336 right now and he’s kicking ass in St. Louis. I'd say, good for him.

But, back to Kerry Wood. He’s over in Chicago again, his home town and he’s happy and that’s all you ask for these guys. When they come over the the Bronx, some want to latch on, some need it as a stepping stone. The Yankees needed them for a championship. It didn’t happen, but it’s not the fault of Wood or Berkman, it’s just life in baseball.

So, if you get a chance,watch a Cubs game or a Cardinals game and check those guys out. They’ve moved on and they’re doing alright. The Yankees moved on too. I guess I haven’t. I guess I just miss those guys. I guess I just love baseball, that’s all.

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WHY I CAN WHEEL & DEAL TOO

The Yankees so far this season have not disappointed, and have exceeded expectations pitching wise for sure. We currently are in 1st place and nothing seems wrong in Yankeeland, and quite frankly, nothing is really wrong...nothing that is, except for the fact that we rely too much on home runs and that will come back to bite us in the ass. Plus, we could really use one more great starter to bring us to the next step.

Since the season has began, we have been wondering what moves Brian Cashman will make since he had a terrible offseason in Yankees terms. I say that because at the time, we had no idea what pitchers like Colon and Garcia would do and Russell Martin was a mystery too because of his injury history. So, now we're at the point where fans wonder, will he get Felix Hernandez? For who? Who else will he get?

As you know, Cashman seems to almost always make a splash with trades in general, whether during the season or during the offseason, something always happens with the man. Some of the players Cashman has acquired in the recent past via trade are:1. Alex Rodriguez
2. Curtis Granderson
3. Bobby Abreu
4. Lance Berkman
5. Kerry Wood
6. Austin Kearns

Just to name a few. My point is, I think there is at least 1 trade that should be made for sure, and others that we should consider, although truth be told, It's tough to decide who I'd give up for certain players. At any rate, check out my trade scenarios:(photo: AP)
Yankees get: Felix Hernandez

Mariners get: Jesus Montero and any one of these 3 pitchers: Ivan Nova, Dellin Betances, and Andrew Brackman.

Other players I think the Yanks could use:

Juan Pierre: Great speed, great table setter if Gardner's struggles continue.

Justin Upton: Good pop, good speed, good all around player.

Andre Eithier: If someone were to break Joe D's streak, shouldn't it be a Yankee?
Shin Soo-Choo: Great hitter for average, one of the most underrated players in the game.

These are just guys I think can help the Yanks, especially come the trade deadline. But, enough about my thought, what about you? Who do you think the Yanks should trade for? Do you think that my Felix trade proposal is a good one? Let me know, send me an email at wjcohen119@aol.com or by just adding me on Facebook. Search the BYB group for my name:
Will Cohen, BYB Staff Writer and let me know what you think.



--Will Cohen, BYB Staff Writer

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WHY FANS ARE WORRIED

I can sit here all day and talk about how the season is far from over and the Yankees are fine. But the truth is I'm worried. The Rays are overpowering and in the past, that was the Yankees. No matter how late in the game it was, the Yankees always game back. The truth is, they're not that team right now and after the upcoming Baltimore series, I'm concerned that if they don't get ahead early in games, they won't have the spark in the late innings to get the win.

A-Rods strikeout on 3 pitches last night looked like a little leaguer overpowered by the best pitcher in the league. Everyone knew where Soriano was going to throw it, but Alex looked uncomfortable and like, dare I say, Austin Kearns.

Which brings me to my next point. Attitude is key and I've always believed that pumping the fist after you strike out your opponent or even showing frustration when you don't get your hit is a key element to the game and it puts a fire in the belly of your team. Austin Kearns, while I loved him on the Indians, it was the Indians. He doesn't fit on the Yankees. He's the Craig Wilson of 2010 (remember him?). No emotion. He walks up to the plate with no confidence. It looks like he's expecting to get struck out. It looks like he's mad for getting traded to the Yankees and he's trying to get back at them. (Just kidding on that point, no conspiracies here.)

And let's analyze Lance Berkman. To me, Berkman looks like he's 53 years old out there. While he's been hitting as of late, Cashman brought him to New York for his big bat and defense to give Teixeria a day off. Well, last time I checked, Tex was playing with a broken toe which shows me they have no faith in Berkman.

I don't mean to sound doom and gloom. At the end of the day, I'm confident in my Yankees and I will root for them every single game until the end. But what we have here is a team trying to repeat after a magical 2009 where everything went right.

Maybe if I stop trying to compare the 2 years in my head, I'll be ok, but until then I'm noticing some cracks and wondering if they will ever be mended in time for some big end of the year series games against the Rays and Sox before the playoffs... And beyond.

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