Sweeny At Winter Meetings: Should Yankees Trade Gardner?
By Sweeny Murti
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I guess after the flurry of activity last week, we should expect a slower trickle of news this week.
But it is, after all, the winter meetings. Hoping for big things to happen.
Meanwhile:
-- The Yankees might be listening to offers for Brett Gardner, but they certainly don't need to move him. Several people from other teams I've spoken to think the Yankees need Gardner as insurance for an older and injury-prone outfield that now includes Jacoby Ellsbury and Carlos Beltran. But at a cost of $4-5 million for next season (and as a free agent after next season), he makes more sense as either a starting outfielder or as trade bait for a starting pitcher.
The Yankees probably won't get the type of pitcher they want for only Gardner, but throw in a live arm and that might change.
-- The Mets are shopping for pitching like it's 2005. Bartolo Colon? Johan Santana? Unfortunately the names aren't quite as attractive in 2014, but Colon had an outstanding season for the A's and made 30 starts. Santana is a MUCH bigger risk after missing two of the last three years completely, but pursuing teams understand that and are still interested.
The Orioles have some interest in Santana as well, hoping to provide some veteran leadership for a young staff. They hoped to take a shot at Roy Halladay for the same reason before he officially retired on Monday.
-- Speaking of Halladay, his retirement Monday means that he will be on the Hall of Fame ballot for the first time in 2018. So there is a good chance he will enter Cooperstown the same year as Mariano Rivera.
-- The Twins are very happy with their signing of Phil Hughes to a three-year deal. He might have familiar company in the AL Central. I've heard Cleveland and Detroit are teams that have interest in Joba Chamberlain. Would be interesting to see both guys competing in that division against Royals pitching coach (and former Yankee pitching coach) Dave Eiland.
-- Waiting for the blockbuster this week? David Price and Matt Kemp would certainly qualify if traded, although I'm not hearing from many people who think they will be moved this week. Doesn't mean it won't happen before Christmas, though. Either way, either of those players changing hands would be the defining deal of these winter meetings.
Sweeny Murti
@YankeesWFAN
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