Yankees A Possible Landing Spot For Josh Willingham?

[Parker Hageman]

According to MLBDailyDish.com, the New York Yankees are somewhat keen on Twins' outfielder Josh Willingham:

 

Willingham-to-the-Yankees deal would make plenty of sense. For one, his contract is reasonable; he makes $7 million this season before becoming a free agent this offseason. The Twins are also likely eager to get rid of him given the team's last-place standing in the AL Central and the risk of failing to re-sign him in the offseason.

 

 

The Yankees have been buying low on players that can help once elevated out of their current situations. Third baseman Chase Headley, who was floundering in San Diego, was flipped to New York for a low-A pitcher Rafael DePaula, who profiles will in the bullpen, and rookie third baseman (and former Twins farmhand) Yangervis Solarte. Getting Headley out of the spacious Petco and into the tight-fitting Yankee Stadium should do wonders for his numbers. Before that, Brian Cashman and the Yankees nabbed starting pitcher Brandon McCarthy, who was at 3-10 with a 5.01 ERA, from the Arizona Diamondbacks for marginal pitching prospect Vidal Nuno. Since putting on the pinstripes, McCarthy is 209 with a 1.45 ERA and a 17/3 K/BB ratio in 18.2 innings.   

 

The moral of the story here is that the Yankees are likely to present the Twins will little in return for Willingham. 

[Mike Sixel]

I don't think anyone is offering much for Josh at this point, do you? Teams over value prospects and the future over the more certain present every day. Baltimore should be dealing (not for Josh per se) for sure right now. When will they have another shot like this?

[Parker Hageman]

I don't think anyone is offering much for Josh at this point, do you? Teams over value prospects and the future over the more certain present every day. Baltimore should be dealing (not for Josh per se) for sure right now. When will they have another shot like this?

 

Any reasonable person should realize that Willingham is not going to bring back much in return at this point. I think point is that the Yankees' pursuit indicates how little they think they can trade for a player who can likely contribute for them. 

[Otto von Ballpark]

Hypothetical: would you have accepted Vidal Nuno in return for Willingham?  Or how about Rafael DePaula?

 

I think I would have taken the latter, for sure.  Any comparables?  Sickels had DePaula C+ preseason, most of the Yankee guys in that range are upper minors (or even MLB) at this point...

[Dman]

Any reasonable person should realize that Willingham is not going to bring back much in return at this point. I think point is that the Yankees' pursuit indicates how little they think they can trade for a player who can likely contribute for them. 

 

You always think a guy you value should be valued just as high if not higher by another team.  Typically it doesn't work that way.  The ideal trade is an equal trade where both teams trade something of surplus for something they don't have.  Trades center around value and desperation.  There are too many players out there with Hammer's skill set and not enough buyers.  No one is desperate to get the Hammer unless the price is right. Therefor his value is low.  

 

Will be interesting to see what TR can do.  Looks like he will be waiting until the deadline to drum up desperation and hopes of larger returns.

[Tibs]

Who replaces Willingham if he is traded?

[Shane Wahl]

Who replaces Willingham if he is traded?

What an assortment of players to choose from! Chris Parmelee is the first obvious choice. The Twins could also see Santana out there. The could also see Plouffe out there. They could also bring Hicks back for the spot. They could call up Danny Ortiz in September.

[Shane Wahl]

In all of these trades, the Twins should be focusing on young and very young prospects, and not mid-20s AAA players likely for a years-long AAAA role.

[Jeremy Nygaard]

Who replaces Willingham if he is traded?

 

Pinto comes up and takes a lot of DH at-bats.

[beckmt]

Getting something in return is better than 0.  Twins should not resign him and we must realize this is a buy low.  Get an A prospect that has a chance would be good.  That is about all you can expect.

[drjim]

Jim Bowden's idea:

 

 

 

I would then like to see the Yankees turn around and send shortstop prospect Abiatal Avelino to the Twins for Josh Willingham.

 

http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/the-gms-office/post/_/id/10018&ex_cid=InsiderTwitter_aleastobjectives

[Tibs]

What an assortment of players to choose from! Chris Parmelee is the first obvious choice. The Twins could also see Santana out there. The could also see Plouffe out there. They could also bring Hicks back for the spot. They could call up Danny Ortiz in September.

 

 

Pinto comes up and takes a lot of DH at-bats.

Does that mean Colabello is sent down? I'm assuming Joe Mauer comes back at some point this year. I would think LF consists of Parmelee/Fuld and Arcia stays in RF if Willingham is traded.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Abiatel Avelino, 19 y.o. shortstop.  This is his first year of full-season ball, although he missed 2 months with injury.  His early stats suggest some similarities with Danny Santana offensively: decent average, some speed/SB value, less power although perhaps better contact and patience.

 

Sickels had him C+ on the edge of the Yankees top 20 preseason. Also referenced two other C+ international Yankee farmhands, Thairo Estrada (a year younger) and Avelino's 3B teammate Miguel Andujar (who has more pop).

[Mike Sixel]

Any reasonable person should realize that Willingham is not going to bring back much in return at this point. I think point is that the Yankees' pursuit indicates how little they think they can trade for a player who can likely contribute for them. 

 

got it, misunderstood your point somehow (maybe I shouldn't do work and this........)

 

I'd be happier with someone not on a 40 man roster. Getting another RP on the 40 man would be a bad allocation of that limited resource, imo.

[tobi0040]

According to MLBDailyDish.com, the New York Yankees are somewhat keen on Twins' outfielder Josh Willingham:

 

 

The Yankees have been buying low on players that can help once elevated out of their current situations. Third baseman Chase Headley, who was floundering in San Diego, was flipped to New York for a low-A pitcher Rafael DePaula, who profiles will in the bullpen, and rookie third baseman (and former Twins farmhand) Yangervis Solarte. Getting Headley out of the spacious Petco and into the tight-fitting Yankee Stadium should do wonders for his numbers. Before that, Brian Cashman and the Yankees nabbed starting pitcher Brandon McCarthy, who was at 3-10 with a 5.01 ERA, from the Arizona Diamondbacks for marginal pitching prospect Vidal Nuno. Since putting on the pinstripes, McCarthy is 209 with a 1.45 ERA and a 17/3 K/BB ratio in 18.2 innings.   

 

The moral of the story here is that the Yankees are likely to present the Twins will little in return for Willingham. 

I also think a lot of these types end up in New York because they are owed a ton of money, most teams aren't willing to take on money for a below average player, even one with upside.

[Parker Hageman]

I also think a lot of these types end up in New York because they are owed a ton of money, most teams aren't willing to take on money for a below average player, even one with upside.

 

Mmm. In both cited instances, while Headley ($10M) and McCarthy ($9M) were making a good chunk of change, the Yankees were able to get money back from the Padres ($1M) and Dbacks ($2M) in addition to a prorated salary. So the amount assumed towards their payroll is not that large. 

[nicksaviking]

Jim Bowden's idea:

 

I would then like to see the Yankees turn around and send shortstop prospect Abiatal Avelino to the Twins for Josh Willingham.

 

http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/the-gms-office/post/_/id/10018&ex_cid=InsiderTwitter_aleastobjectives

Sounds good to me.  Too bad Bowden's a crazy old coot who spews ideas like this with no basis or inside information, than his geezer logic gets re-broadcasted as if it's a bonifide possibility.  ESPN should really put a disclaimer up when they use him.

 

I'd be fine with this return.  Really, I'll take any return that doesn't require a 40-man spot.  If a Yangervis Solarte type is the return I tell the Yankees to screw off as I'd rather let Willingham walk at the end of the season and not have to think one second further about dealing with more dead weight on the 40-man.

[RedBull34]

Sounds good to me.  Too bad Bowden's a crazy old coot who spews ideas like this with no basis or inside information, than his geezer logic gets re-broadcasted as if it's a bonifide possibility.  ESPN should really put a disclaimer up when they use him.

 

I'd be fine with this return.  Really, I'll take any return that doesn't require a 40-man spot.  If a Yangervis Solarte type is the return I tell the Yankees to screw off as I'd rather let Willingham walk at the end of the season and not have to think one second further about dealing with more dead weight on the 40-man.

Yes, I don't really listen to Bowden, the last time he had a bunch of "trades" for players like Hammer and better and he was offering non-prospects for MLB players.  No way does Ryan deal Willingham for filler, and I don't blame him.

[Lonestar]

I like Caleb Smith (LHP) now that he has recovered from his June dead arm.

[jorgenswest]

In all of these trades, the Twins should be focusing on young and very young prospects, and not mid-20s AAA players likely for a years-long AAAA role.

I am in 100% agreement. I just don't believe it is a realistic expectation.

 

I don't see why the Yankees would offer that player. They are going to offer someone from the fringe of their 40 that they would need to remove to clear a spot for Willingham.

 

Why offer more? If the Twins hold out for a better deal, go get a better player like Rios or Byrd.

 

Do the Twins take the fringe 40 guy or keep Willingham?

[Shane Wahl]

Well I would honestly probably trade Willingham for Hudson Boyd right now, so . . .

 

I am just saying that there has to be a young fringer in A ball that could be had. This AAAA stuff is really irritating, especially given the presence of people like Pino, Johnson, Darnell, Achter, Tonkin, Beresford, Romero, Ortiz, and then actual prospects.

[Shane Wahl]

Abiatel Avelino, 19 y.o. shortstop.  This is his first year of full-season ball, although he missed 2 months with injury.  His early stats suggest some similarities with Danny Santana offensively: decent average, some speed/SB value, less power although perhaps better contact and patience.

 

Sickels had him C+ on the edge of the Yankees top 20 preseason. Also referenced two other C+ international Yankee farmhands, Thairo Estrada (a year younger) and Avelino's 3B teammate Miguel Andujar (who has more pop).

 

 

That would be perfect.  (not sure how to endquote)