MLB Trade Speculation: Hideki Matsui and 5 Potential Trades for the Yankees

Brian Cashman has faith in his team.  He proved it at the July 31st trading deadline when he didn’t make a move, and he’ll likely do the same as the August 31st waiver trade deadline passes. 

He told LoHud’s Brian Heyman that the Yankees will probably stand pat, “I think…what you see is what you’re going to get,” Cahman said. He’s already expressed that he’s happy with his team, and he feels that the Yankees have a talented enough roster to make a run in October.

On top of all that, the Yankees farm system is radiating talent. Prospects like Jesus Montero and Manny Banuelos could prove their worth as September call-ups.

They have been utilizing a six-man rotation and will have a log-jam at DH when A-Rod returns at third base. They’re in a heated race with Boston for the division title, and fans are finding faith in Cashman's Frankenstein rotation.

I don’t see the Yankees making a move, but if they do, these five guys have already cleared waivers. And to make things really interesting...a couple of them have already donned the infamous pinstripes.

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5. Tom Gorzelanny, Washington Nationals

Gorzelanny is an interesting option as a LHP in late innings. He’s struggled as of late for the Nationals, but he’s enduring a transition to the bullpen. The Yankees only left-handed reliever right now is Boone Logan.

Logan’s been improving, but what happens if he struggles late in the season or early on in the playoffs? Is Girardi really going to want to turn to a guy that’s not on top of his game? It’s hypothetical for the time being, but Yankee fans would feel a lot more comfortable with another lefty to turn to during the late innings, even if it’s only to face one batter.

Gorzelanny can strike guys out. His fastball velocity has decreased this season, probably due in part to a demanding workload. If he was only called upon for a batter or two, he could reach the mid-90s, leaving it all on the field.

4. Angel Pagan, New York Mets

Hey Yankees fans, remember what Dave Roberts did for the Red Sox in 2004? Angel Pagan could do the same for your Yankees in 2011.

Having legitimate speed off the bench is oft considered a luxury, in October, it can become a necessity. Pagan has stolen 60-plus bases over the past two seasons in just over 230 games.  If the Yankees are tied in the bottom of the ninth and you have a guy like Posada, Swisher, or Teixeira on first, can you expect them to steal a crucial base? I know I can’t.

Gardner is already one of the fastest guys in the league, but he won’t be coming off the bench. Nunez can also run, but he’s not Angel Pagan, and he’s surprisingly not a guarantee for the playoff roster if Eric Chavez can get things together.

Pagan would join the Yankees to steal a few bases in the postseason. His contract is up at the end of the season, and the Mets could get some value for the speedster from their cross-town rivals. 

3. Chien-Ming Wang, Washington Nationals

Wang to the Yankees probably won't happen. Regardless, the guy was stellar through two seasons for the Yankees, winning 19 games in back-to-back seasons in 2006 and 2007.

He looked great in his last start against Chicago and has posted a 3.80 ERA since returning to the mound for the first time since 2009. He’s a ground ball pitcher which plays into the dimensions of Yankee Stadium. (Fenway too)

He’s already shown that he can handle the New York spotlight as well as the elite hitters of the AL East. Wang would have a lot to prove to have any shot at a spot on the postseason roster, but his trade value should be extremely low.

A lot of Yankee fans would love to see Wang pitch in pinstripes for the principle of sheer nostalgia. There’s probably less than a one percent chance he goes to the Yankees this season, but the chances anyone goes to New York are slim to none.

2. Hideki Matsui, Oakland Athletics

With Alex Rodriguez returning this week, the likelihood of the Yankees acquiring another bat are slim to none. However, if they were going to take a chance and trade for a hitter that’s already cleared waivers, it would be Matsui.

Hideki Matsui is one of the hottest hitters in baseball. He’s hitting .319 in August and has raised his average 52 points since July 17th. A move back to New York would give Godzilla the chance to increase his power numbers at an alarming rate.

The Oakland Coliseum is widely considered a black hole for left-handed hitters due to the ridiculous amount of foul territory down the right field line. The New Yankee Stadium is a launching pad from the left side; the short porch in right is made for a hitter like Hideki.

Yankee fans are fed up with Posada, but he’s not going anywhere. Even in a decreased role, Posada will still see ABs at DH and Chavez, and Nunez will rotate between third base and DH when A-Rod returns.

If you ask Yankee fans who they want at DH heading into the playoffs, AAA Catcher Jesus Montero would get the nod. He’ll have a chance to prove his worth this September. And then there’s Andruw Jones...

Ultimately, Matsui just makes more sense than any other bat available. It’s still a complete stretch.

1. Jason Vargas, Seattle Mariners

There’s no question that Vargas is a streaky pitcher, but he’s probably the best arm on the market. After refusing to make a deal before the July 31st deadline, Cashman might take a long hard look at the Mariners lefty.

He has a 2.08 ERA in just two starts this month and posted a 2.82 ERA in the month of June. Sandwiched between these two impressive numbers comes a brutal month of July at 5.09. If Vargas can remain on point, he’d be a better option than Burnett or Hughes.

Colon and Garcia have been impressive, but a few bad starts could have the Bombers searching for a third starter as they head into October.

Personally, I think Ivan Nova is the second-best pitcher on the Yankees. A three-man rotation of Sabathia, Nova and either Garcia or Colon could get it done. But to quote every successful GM in baseball history, “there’s no such thing as too much pitching.”

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