Now Wilkerson makes sense

[longtimeyankeefan]

Brad Wilkerson's name was thrown around by many during our question for Bubba's replacement in CF. To me, he now makes total sense in our quest for bench strength.

Wilkerson could back up all three OF positions and play 1B, giving Torre great flexibility off the bench. With the pop he has, he would be a good bat off the bench.

The Rangers, even after trading Sledge to SD, will have five quality OFers on their roster (Delucci, Nix, Matthews, Wilkerson & Mench). However, they have absolutely no one anyone has heard of in their rotation - Eaton's acquisition will change that dynamic. Still, they continue to work on trying to convince Kevin Millwood to pitch in the Texas heat.

Could we put together a quality package that would pry Wilkerson away from Texas?

[Yankees1962]

Brad Wilkerson's name was thrown around by many during our question for Bubba's replacement in CF. To me, he now makes total sense in our quest for bench strength.

Wilkerson could back up all three OF positions and play 1B, giving Torre great flexibility off the bench. With the pop he has, he would be a good bat off the bench.

The Rangers, even after trading Sledge to SD, will have five quality OFers on their roster (Delucci, Nix, Matthews, Wilkerson & Mench). However, they have absolutely no one anyone has heard of in their rotation - Eaton's acquisition will change that dynamic. Still, they continue to work on trying to convince Kevin Millwood to pitch in the Texas heat.

Could we put together a quality package that would pry Wilkerson away from Texas?

To answer your question, no! Also, Texas has to know that Nix can't hit a lick and Delucci is on the downslide while Matthews is okay, but going into a free agent year. I just don't see the Yankees trading any of their pitchers until late March. Their starting pitching is a question mark and until they know for sure what they have, I don't see them messing with it until they need to do so.

[JDPNYY]

Brad Wilkerson's name was thrown around by many during our question for Bubba's replacement in CF. To me, he now makes total sense in our quest for bench strength.

Wilkerson could back up all three OF positions and play 1B, giving Torre great flexibility off the bench. With the pop he has, he would be a good bat off the bench.

The Rangers, even after trading Sledge to SD, will have five quality OFers on their roster (Delucci, Nix, Matthews, Wilkerson & Mench). However, they have absolutely no one anyone has heard of in their rotation - Eaton's acquisition will change that dynamic. Still, they continue to work on trying to convince Kevin Millwood to pitch in the Texas heat.

Could we put together a quality package that would pry Wilkerson away from Texas?

Wilkerson would be a great addition. He could rotate as you said and still play full time.

The Yankees could trade any combination of Pavano, Sturtze, Proctor, Henn to get him.

[JeterRodriguezSheff]

Wilkerson would be a great addition. He could rotate as you said and still play full time.

The Yankees could trade any combination of Pavano, Sturtze, Proctor, Henn to get him.

Agreed it lets Sheff Dh, WIlkerson could play right field and essentially you replace bernies Horrible bat with Wilkerson and his great OBP

[Jaeho]

I know there are a lot of Wilkerson lovers here, but I believe Kevin Thompson could potentially do the same thing.

Since 2002, his minor league career OBP is .376. He also gives you a lot more speed and is a very good defender. He is much cheaper and wouldn't cost the Yankees anything.

[JeterRodriguezSheff]

I know there are a lot of Wilkerson lovers here, but I believe Kevin Thompson could potentially do the same thing.

Since 2002, his minor league career OBP is .376. He also gives you a lot more speed and is a very good defender. He is much cheaper and wouldn't cost the Yankees anything.

Wilkerson outside of the Nats park and in Yankee stadium would have a lot more power. Also Thompson likely wont put up the same numbers in the Majors.

[panicfan]

Do you guys seriously think offense is that big a deal at this point?

Whoever they use, as long as he can catch and throw the ball will be good enough.

Wilkerson outside of the Nats park and in Yankee stadium would have a lot more power. Also Thompson likely wont put up the same numbers in the Majors.

[AMYanks]

Rangers will probably be asking too much for him.

[JeffWeaverFan]

I would love to get Wilkerson, but it would take an arm and a leg to get him. Pavano + cash would definitely not work. My guess is the package would start with Wang and end with Hughes and I am not willing to do that.

[JavyVazquezIsSick]

Pavano + Cash isn't worth Wilkerson anyway...

[The FUTURE]

Texas aint giving up WIlkerson...He's just the guy they wanted. We could get Nix or Mathews if we wanted them...but we prob. dont want them.

[JeffWeaverFan]

Pavano + Cash isn't worth Wilkerson anyway...

A league average pitcher isn't worth Wilkerson?

[JeterRodriguezSheff]

Do you guys seriously think offense is that big a deal at this point?

Whoever they use, as long as he can catch and throw the ball will be good enough.

Well I like to have as little as blackholes as possible, if were Bernie or thompson were an average hitter id be ok but they are really bad hitters. Wilkerson would also provide better defense than both options.

[JeterRodriguezSheff]

A league average pitcher isn't worth Wilkerson?

For some reason people have got into their heads that Pavano's 2005 was an abberation, when really his 2004 was the abberation and 2005 was the norm for him. Dont ask me why, because I have no clue.

[Smokey]

For some reason people have got into their heads that Pavano's 2005 was an abberation, when really his 2004 was the abberation and 2005 was the norm for him. Dont ask me why, because I have no clue.

This is true and its not only here. On the Yes boards its the same thing. Either way the guy is average at best and injury prone.

[lem]

For some reason people have got into their heads that Pavano's 2005 was an abberation, when really his 2004 was the abberation and 2005 was the norm for him. Dont ask me why, because I have no clue.

Yet you know enough to make a brash assumption based on 100 innings he pitched through injury.

[JeterRodriguezSheff]

Yet you know enough to make a brash assumption based on 100 innings he pitched through injury.

Nope im going by his whole injury plagued and mediocre when healthy career

[Smokey]

Nope im going by his whole injury plagued and mediocre when healthy career

People will never learn.

[JeffWeaverFan]

Yet you know enough to make a brash assumption based on 100 innings he pitched through injury.

He's actually using Pavano's entire career to make his assumption. By the way, it seems like he wasn't injured when he was pitching. As soon as his shoulder got sore, he decided to sit out the rest of the year.

[JavyVazquezIsSick]

A league average pitcher isn't worth Wilkerson?

No, but I believe Pavano's perception as a pitcher around the league is higher than his actual worth...

[lem]

Nope im going by his whole injury plagued and mediocre when healthy career

It's fine if you note that he has been inconsistent, and for the most part, mediocre in his career (98, 84, 151, 73, 79, 94, 137, 94 ERA+), but you can't say based on 100 innings last year that he has completely regressed.

In fact, he's only pitched two seasons of 140+ innings, and had 94 and 137 ERA+ those years, so to make a decision based on 100 innings is even more short-sighted.

[JeffWeaverFan]

People will never learn.

Maybe they will next year. Of course, if he gets hurt again next year, maybe people will use that as an excuse...

[JeffWeaverFan]

It's fine if you note that he has been inconsistent, and for the most part, mediocre in his career (98, 84, 151, 73, 79, 94, 137, 94 ERA+), but you can't say based on 100 innings last year that he has completely regressed.

In fact, he's only pitched two seasons of 140+ innings, and had 94 and 137 ERA+ those years, so to make a decision based on 100 innings is even more short-sighted.

It is short-sighted to make a decision that he is a good pitcher based on his 1 good season. A season that he was pitching in the NL, in a great pitchers park, and a season in which he was very lucky.

He's been an injury prone pitcher that has sat out for extended periods of time with minor injuries and when he has pitched, he has pitched like a league average pitcher. His K/9 and G/F ratio also indicates that he is a league average pitcher.

[lem]

It is short-sighted to make a decision that he is a good pitcher based on his 1 good season. A season that he was pitching in the NL, in a great pitchers park, and a season in which he was very lucky.

He's been an injury prone pitcher that has sat out for extended periods of time with minor injuries and when he has pitched, he has pitched like a league average pitcher. His K/9 and G/F ratio also indicates that he is a league average pitcher.

I'm only refuting the statement that he is worse than a league-average pitcher. In fact, he's been a completely average pitcher throughout his career (100 ERA+).

[shotgun_sam]

Maybe they will next year. Of course, if he gets hurt again next year, maybe people will use that as an excuse...

Or if he pitches ineffectively again, maybe we'll just say he was hurt.


Or maybe he'll say he was hurt.

[Jace]

Do you guys seriously think offense is that big a deal at this point?

Whoever they use, as long as he can catch and throw the ball will be good enough.

We have to trade pitchers. Why would we not try to acquire the best player we can (offense and defense included)? Unless we win every single game, there will be times when more runs can help us.

[nycdoc999]

THe problem is, Wilkerson is attractive to the Red Sox as well, who could use him as a low-cost solution in CF.

If the Sox sign Millwood, they create an even bigger need for pitching in Texas. Now that would be fine for the Yankees if Texas liked Pavano more than say, Matt Clement - but I bet they don't.

Clement has no history of injury, and is at least as good as Pavano when healthy over his career, Pavano's fluke 2004 season notwithstanding.

So Wilkerson for Clement + mid-level prospect is more likely than Wilkerson for Pavano + Henn or Proctor or Sturtze or whomever else.

It gets worse if Bostom offers Arroyo, who is a low cost solution for Texas. If that happens, the Yanks would have to counter with someone like Chacon + prospects for Wilkerson, which I don't think the Yanks want to do. Not sure that would be enough to get it done from the Ranger's standpoint anyway. Pavano has at least had one season where he's won games on a consistent basis - you can't say the same for Chacon, and even though he pitched really well for us last year and we all like him as a pitcher BETTER than Pavano going forward, he doesn't have that same "reputation", for lack of a better word.

Bottom line - Wilkerson is gonna be tough to get. Sox may view him as a fallback option for Crisp (they don't want to deal Marte) or Jeremy Reed (Seattle may not be interested in obtaining Clement or Arroyo now that they have Washburn), and they have better trade chips than the Yanks....

[yankeeman61]

Unless somebody knocks their socks off with an offer for Wilkerson I don't see Texas trading him. I've heard in several places about Mench being the odd man out for pitching trade bait. That makes a lot more sense for Texas, as Wilkerson is a better all around player than Mench. There's a reason why Texas went out to get him: he is an upgrade over what they have so without having yet to play a single inning for them, he would cost too much overall to pry him away.

[StatenIslandYankee]

I think they will ask for too much.

[Iknowcool]

Pavano/Wright in exchange for Laynce Nix.

[flymick24]

Pavano/Wright in exchange for Laynce Nix.

i don't understand everyone's fascination with texas OFers. besides wilkerson, none of them have shown anything that makes them worth trading for.

[Spaceboy88]

Unless you're upgrading pitching, there's no reason right now to dump any of our pitchers. Sheffield's defense isn't hurting us in RF and there are too many question marks with the pitching staff to be trading anything away.

[Spaceboy88]

Pavano/Wright in exchange for Laynce Nix.

I'd rather have Pavano and Wright bat than Nix!

[MTYankee23]

Unless you're upgrading pitching, there's no reason right now to dump any of our pitchers. Sheffield's defense isn't hurting us in RF and there are too many question marks with the pitching staff to be trading anything away.

I don't like Nix at all, and right now the likelihood is that after the Millwood signing the Rangers won't go after high priced pitchers. So a Pavano trade would be out of the question.

That said, this is dangerous thinking. We have a lot of question marks with our pitching staff, but this is not a reason to hang on to a question mark that can be used to improve other areas of our team by trading for a non-question mark in another area.

Sheffield is ideally suited at this point in his career for DH duty, and sparse outfield work. This does 2 things, improves Sheffield's offense, and also improves our pitching by improving the outfield defense.

[Spaceboy88]

Sheffield is ideally suited at this point in his career for DH duty, and sparse outfield work. This does 2 things, improves Sheffield's offense, and also improves our pitching by improving the outfield defense.

I agree with you, but why should we trade our pitchers away when we have a fully capable backup in Bubba Crosby or Bernie Williams that can take RF duties, and allow us to keep our current pitchers?

[MTYankee23]

I agree with you, but why should we trade our pitchers away when we have a fully capable backup in Bubba Crosby or Bernie Williams that can take RF duties, and allow us to keep our current pitchers?

Bernie absolutely cannot play the OF for any extended period of time anymore. He doesn't have the range for LF or CF in Yankee Stadium, and he doesn't have the arm for RF.

While Bubba is a capable defensive option in RF. His offense would be even more of a liability in RF than it was in CF, where he wasn't a viable starting option either.

As always it depends on the value other teams place on our pitchers. At the same time, Boston has 3 starting pitchers that teams may potentially value more than Pavano, and have more holes to fill than us at this time.

[JeffWeaverFan]

Pavano/Wright in exchange for Laynce Nix.

Nix is horrible. He had an OBP last year of .267.

[Spaceboy88]

Bernie absolutely cannot play the OF for any extended period of time anymore. He doesn't have the range for LF or CF in Yankee Stadium, and he doesn't have the arm for RF.

While Bubba is a capable defensive option in RF. His offense would be even more of a liability in RF than it was in CF, where he wasn't a viable starting option either.

As always it depends on the value other teams place on our pitchers. At the same time, Boston has 3 starting pitchers that teams may potentially value more than Pavano, and have more holes to fill than us at this time.

I'm certainly not suggesting that we play Bernie or Bubba for an extended stint in the RF, but those two, mostly Bubba, could fill in should the need arise. All I'm trying to say is that there's no need for Wilkerson now when we already have Giambi/Bernie who can DH. I'm more worried about the starting rotation to start thinking about throwing an albeit questionable Pavano out the door for a non-starting pitcher.

[ShaneTravis]

Nix is horrible. He had an OBP last year of .267.

He has an aversion to getting on base. He is young but so far he is a platoon player.

No way should anything of value (pitching) should be sent to Texas for any of their outfielders not named Wilkerson.

[MTYankee23]

I'm certainly not suggesting that we play Bernie or Bubba for an extended stint in the RF, but those two, mostly Bubba, could fill in should the need arise. All I'm trying to say is that there's no need for Wilkerson now when we already have Giambi/Bernie who can DH. I'm more worried about the starting rotation to start thinking about throwing an albeit questionable Pavano out the door for a non-starting pitcher.

If Bubba and Bernie aren't playing RF for an extended stint, and like I said, Bernie isn't playing there at all. That means Sheffield is. Putting together a team is all about maximizing value. A player like Wilkerson who can put up an .800+ OPS, while effectively rotating between 1B, RF, DH, and sometimes LF and CF and is making a reasonable salary is more valuable to us (or almost any team for that matter) than a pitcher who is grossly overpaid for his ability and likely will in no way solve our pitching problems for next year whether he pitches for us or not.

While Pavano's value isn't at its alltime high (sadly that was when we bought him) it isn't at its all time low...yet. His '04 season is still probably fresh in the minds of some of the teams that were bidding on him last year, and I'm sure some attribute his poor pitching to a sore shoulder last year. I think if we wait to trade him, his value will probably drop even lower and we'll have 2 years of albatross contract on our hands.

[Spaceboy88]

If Bubba and Bernie aren't playing RF for an extended stint, and like I said, Bernie isn't playing there at all. That means Sheffield is. Putting together a team is all about maximizing value. A player like Wilkerson who can put up an .800+ OPS, while effectively rotating between 1B, RF, DH, and sometimes LF and CF and is making a reasonable salary is more valuable to us (or almost any team for that matter) than a pitcher who is grossly overpaid for his ability and likely will in no way solve our pitching problems for next year whether he pitches for us or not.

While Pavano's value isn't at its alltime high (sadly that was when we bought him) it isn't at its all time low...yet. His '04 season is still probably fresh in the minds of some of the teams that were bidding on him last year, and I'm sure some attribute his poor pitching to a sore shoulder last year. I think if we wait to trade him, his value will probably drop even lower and we'll have 2 years of albatross contract on our hands.

And who do we use to fill his spot in the rotation?

[MTYankee23]

And who do we use to fill his spot in the rotation?

Assuming that our 4 best starters last year were Johnson, Mussina, Wang, and Chacon?

We fill the all important 5 spot in the rotation with any combination of the following that's NOT earning 30 million over the next 3 years.

Small, Wright, Henn, Villone, Sturtze, DePaula, Karstens, DeSalvo, etc. And there's absolutely nothing wrong with the above competing for a spot in the rotation vs. just having it handed to them.

[ShaneTravis]

And who do we use to fill his spot in the rotation?

There is alot of pitching, if someone could be moved for DH/OF duties it would make alot of sense.

Randy Johnson
Mike Mussina
Carl Pavano
Shawn Chacon
Chien-Ming Wang
Jaret Wright
Aaron Small

Mariano Rivera
Mike Myers
Octavio Dotel
Kyle Farnsworth
Tanyon Sturtze
Ron Villone

Colter Bean
Matt Smith
Jorge De Paula
T.J. Beam
Jason Anderson
Scott Proctor
Matt DeSalvo
Sean Henn

[BJG]

And who do we use to fill his spot in the rotation?

The same guy you have to use when he's on the DL?

[Spaceboy88]

As much as I love Small, there's no way that we can trade Pavano and expect him to be our #5 guy.

Wright has to be in the bullpen. He only had one successful year as a starter. His shoulder is too delicate to be pitching 6 or 7 innings every 5 games and is much better utilized in the bullpen and in spot starts.

Sturtze can't cut it as a starter, history has proven that to be the case for the most part. He was lights-out last year for a time until Joe overused him.

Villone was brought in to relief in certain situations, certainly not take the #5 spot in the starting rotation.

Henn, Karstens and DeSalvo: Why would we want to let these guys duke it out for the #5 spot when we could leave Pavano in that place who's had proven success.

Pavano had some really great moments last year and had he not been injured, quite possibly could've been a big success. I don't think dumping him for Wilkerson makes any sense now, even with the possibility that his contract may be an albatross down the line. It's too big of a risk to trade away a proven starting pitcher with no sure replacement in your plan, and letting a bunch of relief pitchers and unproven starters compete for a spot in the rotation on a team of this calibur and expectations is just insane.

[Spaceboy88]

The same guy you have to use when he's on the DL?

A lot easier to fill the hole with a spot starter than to go the whole season with a #5 spot by committee.

[Kulish29]

As Yankees1962 and others have posted many times, I dont think the Yankees can afford to trade any of their starting pitching. Not with the injury concerns the starting rotation has.

If the rotation is looking healthy and well nearing the AS Break, that would be the time to trade someone for a need. But until then, the starting pitching should be left alone.

[MTYankee23]

As much as I love Small, there's no way that we can trade Pavano and expect him to be our #5 guy.

Henn, Karstens and DeSalvo: Why would we want to let these guys duke it out for the #5 spot when we could leave Pavano in that place who's had proven success.

Pavano had some really great moments last year and had he not been injured, quite possibly could've been a big success. I don't think dumping him for Wilkerson makes any sense now, even with the possibility that his contract may be an albatross down the line. It's too big of a risk to trade away a proven starting pitcher with no sure replacement in your plan, and letting a bunch of relief pitchers and unproven starters compete for a spot in the rotation on a team of this calibur and expectations is just insane.

We're talking about the 5 starter role on opening day right? Not Game 1 ALDS starter here. I think there's more evidence that Carl Pavano is a decidedly average pitcher who, surprise, surprise, generated a good walk year. His peripherals are mediocre, he gets hurt quite a bit, and he's overpaid.

The problem with forgoing actual competition for "proven starting pitching" is that if Pavano is on the team, he's the 5th starter, whether he has a 5+ Era at the end of April or not.

What's also funny is that Pavano has had about as much Proven Success as Aaron Small, but most people seem to think that Pavano will bounce back, and Small will fall off the face of the Earth.

[BJG]

As Yankees1962 and others have posted many times, I dont think the Yankees can afford to trade any of their starting pitching. Not with the injury concerns the starting rotation has.

If the rotation is looking healthy and well nearing the AS Break, that would be the time to trade someone for a need. But until then, the starting pitching should be left alone.

The Yankees have a need for an everyday outfielder to start against righties now. Until they address that, it is costing the team almost every day. Trading Sturtze or the like, a guy who should be pitching meaningless innings anyway, for someone who will have a real impact seems a no-brainer. Pavano is obviously a bigger issue, but when you get down to it, this is a guy who has been hurt every year since 1998 but 1. He will be hurt again. There is an inherent lack of certainty in his production, and if you can exchange that for something more certain, I think you should.

[Spaceboy88]

What's also funny is that Pavano has had about as much Proven Success as Aaron Small, but most people seem to think that Pavano will bounce back, and Small will fall off the face of the Earth.

I think the reasoning for that is that Aaron Small's career ERA is 4.90 with a 1.57 WHIP over 23 games. Pavano's is 4.27 with a 1.35 WHIP over 184 games.

Pavano's also 29 while Small is 34.