Yankees Keeping Busy

So much for a quiet off season for the New York Yankees. The Yankees have possibly been the most active team, in terms of actual transactions, at the baseball Winter Meetings. They’ve made two trades, one signing and are working on more of both. For everything Brian Cashman has said it looks like the best are trying to stay the best.

First, the Yankees traded Brian Bruney to the Washington Nationals for the first pick in the Rule 5 Draft. Not a major deal but could wind up being very big for the Yankees bullpen. Steven Henson of Yahoo.com says the Yankees are considering drafting Florida Marlins pitcher Arquimedes Carminero, a strong armed reliever who boasts a 10+ strikeout per nine inning ratio. That is if they don’t trade the pick. Jayson Stark of ESPN.com says the Yankees are trying to move that pick themselves. I’d think for another minor league player. The Yankees also needed to clear a little payroll for the moves they want to make so Bruney could save them close to $2 million after his arbitration raise.

Next, the Yankees made a blockbuster trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Detroit Tigers. They gave up a pretty big prospect in Austin Jackson, as well as Phil Coke and Ian Kennedy. In return they got a player they’ve wanted for a long time Curtis Granderson. He’s got power, 30 homers last year, something that a player needs when playing at Yankee Stadium. He’s got speed, 57 triples in 6 seasons (twice league leader) and 20 steals last season, something the Yankees could always use more of with their aging lineup. There are two major knocks thou.

He strikes out a lot, something the Yankees don’t need as this is a team that’s always wanted patience at the plate. Maybe the vets can rub off on the kid. He also can’t hit lefties (.183 with 2 homers in 180 at bats) to save his life and that’s a problem. Teams don’t save their lefties to pitch in Yankees Stadium anymore, but they do face more then their fare share. If this trend continues he could quickly become a platoon player, something someone making his kind of money shouldn’t be.

Regardless, Granderson is going to be a terror in that stadium, especially against right handed pitchers. His swing is perfect for the short porch in right and with his speed he can definitely take advantage of the spacious center field while batting. The question is going to be does he play left, or bump Melky Cabrera and Brett Gardner over there.

And finally today, the Yankees acted on one of their priorities they resigned Andy Pettitte to a one-year deal. You remember those priorities right? Take care of their three free agents first then look elsewhere. Anyone who believed that, I laugh and say its the Yankees and if any GM calls Cashman he’ll talk.

So back to Pettitte he’s been brought back on a one-year deal for $11.75 million, slightly more then what he made last season. The difference is this year its all guaranteed, last season most of his $10+ million was made via incentives. After his performance in the playoffs this year, you knew an incentive laden deal wouldn’t do. I’m glad he’s back, he’s the rock in the middle of that rotation and he’s a Yankee lifer, what Houston? I don’t remember those couple years ever happening.

As a Yankees fan, I’m enjoying the moves they’ve made so far. Dealing Bruney brings in some possible youth, really cheap youth if they keep the Rule 5 pick. They bring back a legit pitcher and bring a big time bat/defensive player. We may one day regret giving up Austin Jackson, just like we will regret losing Jose Tabata but hey if Granderson plays as he always had we won’t care. He gives us a better chance at winning now, and that’s always the Yankees priority.

I just know one thing, Curtis better learn to hit some lefties and FAST!