BBTF's Newsblog Discussion :: FOX: Rosenthal - Yanks strike deal for Pirates’ Nady

Baseball Primer Newsblog
— The Best News Links from the Baseball Newsstand

Friday, July 25, 2008

FOX: Rosenthal - Yanks strike deal for Pirates’ Nady

The Yankees are on the verge of acquiring outfielder Xavier Nady and left-hander Damaso Marte from the Pirates, according to major-league sources.

The deal is pending a review of medical records, sources say. The Pirates will receive a package of four minor-league players, expected to be Class AAA right-hander Ross Ohlendorf, Class AA right-handers Phil Coke and George Kontos and Class AA outfielder Jose Tabata.

The deal with the Pirates might not be the Yankees’ last before Thursday’s unrestricted trade deadline. The team also is pursuing Mariners left-hander Jarrod Washburn for its rotation, and the Mariners spoke with Washburn on Friday about waiving his no-trade clause to the Yankees, according to a major-league source.

NTNgod Posted: July 25, 2008 at 08:17 PM | 159 comment(s)
Related News: General, NY Yankees, Pittsburgh

Reader Comments and Retorts

Go to end of page

Statements posted here are those of our readers and do not represent the BaseballThinkFactory. Names are provided by the poster and are not verified. We ask that posters follow our submission policy. Please report any inappropriate comments.

Page 1 of 2 pages 1 2 >

1. Howie Menckel Posted: July 25, 2008 at 08:22 PM (#2873764)

I believe Jon Heyman had this 1st, but I could be wrong.

Nady and Marte definitely were just traded somewhere, no question there.

2. Sean McNally Posted: July 25, 2008 at 08:22 PM (#2873766)

Pete Abraham is reporting in his game blog that the Yanks got Nady and Marte for a package of Jose Tabata, Ross Ohlendorf, Phil Coke and George Kontos.

3. The Ghost of Sox Fans Past Posted: July 25, 2008 at 08:23 PM (#2873770)

Yep, that's just what ESPN says: link

4. Crispix Attacks Posted: July 25, 2008 at 08:23 PM (#2873773)

Wow, this story is ahead of every story in Google News, including the one I just posted a link to. They all say the Pirates are going to receive one or the other of the Kennedy/Hughes better-than-Santana twins.

I know Tabata has been widely hyped, so this should make Yankees fans unhappy in the short term while making them happy in the long term as he turns out to be another Ricky Ledee.

"Ohlendorf" is an unwieldy name that can't help but remind me of "Vogelsong" and "Van Benschoten". And I see that both he and Coke are in AAA right now, following Littlefield's strategy for acquiring "prospects" who had about two more weeks left before they had definitely proven that they would not reach their potential and were in fact stopgaps not unlike the veterans they were traded for.

5. Crispix Attacks Posted: July 25, 2008 at 08:24 PM (#2873775)

Nady left the game after the first inning, and at the same time they showed Marte walking around the dugout hugging everyone.

Damn, I almost went to tonight's game, but my friend bailed at the last minute. I could have seen a trade in real time!

6. Sean McNally Posted: July 25, 2008 at 08:26 PM (#2873787)

And the circle is complete... I send you back to June 13, 2001.

LHP Damaso Marte traded by the New York Yankees to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Enrique Wilson.

7. NTNgod Posted: July 25, 2008 at 08:31 PM (#2873812)

Wow, this story is ahead of every story in Google News, including the one I just posted a link to.

It didn't long for the details to filter out on this one. The first three minutes I had this up, I had three different articles in the intro (which is why the first few comments are going to seem odd to people who read this later) as I went around various pages, and kept changing it as I found more informative articles.

1st version --> I see SportTicker headline - story says "Nady/Marte traded, but we don't know where"
2nd version --> go to PIT Post-Gazette blog - story says "Nady/Marte traded to Yankees, but we don't know for who"
3rd version --> check out Robo - current version, story says "Nady/Marte traded to Yankees for these players"

8. Master of Karate and Friendship (Kyle C) Posted: July 25, 2008 at 08:33 PM (#2873815)

Tabata still could put it together, but he's been suspended twice this year for behavioral problems and has had conditioning issues this year and last (ie likes fast food too much).

Maybe he just needs a change of scenery, but I can't say I'm worried about losing him. Very nice trade for the Yankees, and some more insurance if/when some of the bullpen regresses.

9. IronChef Chris Wok Posted: July 25, 2008 at 08:33 PM (#2873820)

This trade is a joke.

I can't believe the Mets coudln't come up with anything better.

10. Cowboy Popup Posted: July 25, 2008 at 08:34 PM (#2873830)

Cross post:

Goldstein on Tabata in his midseason top 100 update:

Eligible Next Year? Yes
Production: .241/.319/.298 at Double-A (66 G)
Stock Report: Down considerably. Beyond the poor performance is a swing that no longer looks good, and questions are being asked about his conditioning and makeup.

The other guys are not really players worth being concerned about losing IMO.

11. Crispix Attacks Posted: July 25, 2008 at 08:35 PM (#2873834)

I guess the new regime is setting itself one important test, and that is to acquire Jose Tabata and turn him back into a superprospect. Since the team has virtually no high-level prospects, and the farm system has produced about four good players in the last decade, they can spend a lot of effort on that, and if they can pull it off it will be proof of something good. But I'm not confident yet. And...are these players even better than the draft picks would be?

So was Nady the Plan B after the Barry Bonds deal fell apart, or was Barry Bonds the Plan B to Xavier Nady?

12. APNY Posted: July 25, 2008 at 08:38 PM (#2873847)

Will Nady be a Type A? The two picks would immediately be better prospects than any of the 3 pitchers.

13. OCD SS Posted: July 25, 2008 at 08:38 PM (#2873848)

This trade is a steal for the Yankees. Did the Bucs let Littlefield come back to guest GM for a day?

14. Crispix Attacks Posted: July 25, 2008 at 08:40 PM (#2873858)

This trade is a steal for the Yankees. Did the Buc let Littlefield come back to guest GM for a day?

Yeah, I wouldn't care if the AL East was once again a battle between the two evil empires that everyone hates. But with the Rays in the picture now, this is depressing.

15. snapper Posted: July 25, 2008 at 08:42 PM (#2873867)

Will Nady be a Type A? The two picks would immediately be better prospects than any of the 3 pitchers.

Nady is under Yankee control for 2009. Marte has an option.

16. David Concepcion de la Desviacion Estandar (Dan R) Posted: July 25, 2008 at 08:44 PM (#2873877)

Who closes for Pittsburgh now?

17. Best Regards, Larry Mahnken Posted: July 25, 2008 at 08:44 PM (#2873879)

I don't see Nady being anything special for the Yanks, but he should at least give them acceptable production out there compared to Gardner.

18. Cowboy Popup Posted: July 25, 2008 at 08:45 PM (#2873885)

I don't see Nady being anything special for the Yanks, but he should at least give them acceptable production out there compared to Gardner.

Could get Abreu out of the field sometimes too.

19. Vegas Watch Posted: July 25, 2008 at 08:47 PM (#2873897)

Who closes for Pittsburgh now?

I was told Grabow, so I picked him up.

20. Crispix Attacks Posted: July 25, 2008 at 08:49 PM (#2873907)

Who closes for Pittsburgh now?

Begone with your fantasy nonsense!

21. Toolsy McClutch Posted: July 25, 2008 at 08:51 PM (#2873916)

If Nady stays hot, this could indeed help the Yankees some. That said, it's seems like 4 failed/never were prospects for two helpful, but not star players.

I wonder if Hughes was discussed, because I still think he could be great. I'd rather have him than all 6 players dealt.

22. OCD SS Posted: July 25, 2008 at 08:51 PM (#2873918)

I don't see Nady being anything special for the Yanks, but he should at least give them acceptable production out there compared to Gardner.

Not to mention limiting the options of every other team looking for OF help.

23. Master of Karate and Friendship (Kyle C) Posted: July 25, 2008 at 08:53 PM (#2873925)

I wonder if Hughes was discussed, because I still think he could be great. I'd rather have him than all 6 players dealt.

I'm sure the Pirates asked, and I'm sure it was never an option.

24. Crispix Attacks Posted: July 25, 2008 at 08:55 PM (#2873935)

You can't trade someone on the major-league DL, right? (Hughes)

25. IronChef Chris Wok Posted: July 25, 2008 at 08:55 PM (#2873937)

Btw, cna the Pirates turn down Marte's option while offering him arbitration? because i'd rather have draft picks.

26. Harveys Wallbangers Posted: July 25, 2008 at 08:57 PM (#2873944)

Nady has holes in his swing. The AL will eat him up.

27. Ray DiPerna Posted: July 25, 2008 at 08:58 PM (#2873947)

Marte will help, but there's only so much value a reliever can be expected to give a team in 20-25 semi-unpredictable innings.

Nady's a big improvement over Gardner, obviously, but he ain't a .330 hitter.

28. snapper Posted: July 25, 2008 at 08:59 PM (#2873953)

Why on earth would the Yanks trade Hughes? He was the top pitching prospect in baseball 1 year ago, and is 22 years old.
He's not being traded.

29. Esoteric can feel Strasburg slowly slipping away Posted: July 25, 2008 at 09:01 PM (#2873961)

Why on earth would the Yanks trade Hughes? He was the top pitching prospect in baseball 1 year ago, and is 22 years old.

Because, ultimately, he's not that good.

30. Crispix Attacks Posted: July 25, 2008 at 09:01 PM (#2873963)

They could trade him in order to, for example, acquire players who would help them win this year, unlike Hughes. That is, if he wasn't on the DL they could trade him.

I know he's more valuable than Johan Santana, especially to a cost-conscious team like the Yankees, but it could happen that he might become less valuable than SOME player, or combination of players, at some point.

31. snapper Posted: July 25, 2008 at 09:03 PM (#2873971)

Because, ultimately, he's not that good.

There's absolutely no way of knowing that at this point.

The Yankees have no need to sell low on Hughes. They've just shown they can patch the team fine for this year w/o given up any premier prospects.

32. NJ likes the people, the books, hates the format. Posted: July 25, 2008 at 09:04 PM (#2873976)

I know he's more valuable than Johan Santana, especially to a cost-conscious team like the Yankees, but it could happen that he might become less valuable than SOME player, or combination of players, at some point.

Can people on this site please shut the #### up with this #### already?

33. Crispix Attacks Posted: July 25, 2008 at 09:04 PM (#2873980)

34. Crispix Attacks Posted: July 25, 2008 at 09:05 PM (#2873986)

Can people on this site please shut the #### up with this #### already?

Not while people are still saying this guy should never be traded for any reason whatsoever.

35. Cowboy Popup Posted: July 25, 2008 at 09:06 PM (#2873990)

Not while people are still saying this guy should never be traded for any reason whatsoever.

No one is saying that, so get over it.

36. Crispix Attacks Posted: July 25, 2008 at 09:08 PM (#2874001)

I think writing a comment whose only sentiments are "He's not being traded" and "Why on earth would they trade him?" implies that the writer believes there could be no good trade involving him.

Enough of this. The rich get richer; the Pirates can't develop prospects so Jose Tabata will be traded for Matt Morris in three years; the Pirates don't have any prospects so this Coke guy is now probably the Pirates' best pitching prospect; this is a bit disappointing given that they were supposed to be "selling high" on both Nady and Marte, but the concerns about the holes in Nady's swing are quite real; and that's about it.

37. McCoy Posted: July 25, 2008 at 09:11 PM (#2874016)

Xavier with this change of scenery probably just added several million dollars to next years contract and probably 20 million dollars to his long term pay.

38. snapper Posted: July 25, 2008 at 09:11 PM (#2874020)

I think writing a comment whose only sentiments are "He's not being traded" and "Why on earth would they trade him?" implies that the writer believes there could be no good trade involving him.

There's no good trade for a one-time #1 prospect when he's on the DL after a crappy 20 IP. To trade Hughes as a PTBNL now would be assinine. There are plenty of live arms the Yankees can trade now, and let Hughes rebuild his value, either as a starter for NY or as trade bait.

39. BeanoCook Posted: July 25, 2008 at 09:12 PM (#2874022)

This trade is a steal for the Yankees. Did the Bucs let Littlefield come back to guest GM for a day?

This is certainly one of those trades that looks like a blowout initially but can turn 180 degress in the other direction 1 year from now. We will see. Scouts get paid money to ID sleepers and guys that can make an adjustment to get back on track. I wouldn't crap on the Bucs yet.

40. Cowboy Popup Posted: July 25, 2008 at 09:12 PM (#2874023)

I think writing a comment whose only sentiments are "He's not being traded" and "Why on earth would they trade him?" implies that the writer believes there could be no good trade involving him.

Well, I think he's saying that since Hughes' value was so high as recently as this offseason, it would a total waste to trade him now when his value is at it's lowest point in at least three years. In fact, the notion that no good trade could be involved in giving up Hughes is so absurd that I would think you would dismiss it as a possible interpretation given that Snapper just isn't that kind of poster.

41. snapper Posted: July 25, 2008 at 09:15 PM (#2874034)

Well, I think he's saying that since Hughes' value was so high as recently as this offseason, it would a total waste to trade him now when his value is at it's lowest point in at least three years. In fact, the notion that no good trade could be involved in giving up Hughes is so absurd that I would think you would dismiss it as a possible interpretation given that Snapper just isn't that kind of poster.

Thanks CP, you explained it better.

42. Crispix Attacks Posted: July 25, 2008 at 09:15 PM (#2874038)

There's no good trade for a one-time #1 prospect when he's on the DL after a crappy 20 IP. To trade Hughes as a PTBNL now would be assinine.

Everyone still has a high opinion of him, as you show. And the PTBNL thing would just be a technicality because he's on the DL, not as a throw-in, of course.

comment #40: good point, I apologize. Didn't know he meant "why would they trade Hughes NOW?" I thought it was the "his potential is as unlimited as it ever was" argument.

43. whoisalhedges Posted: July 25, 2008 at 09:20 PM (#2874076)

So, a little off-topic... Dave Littlefield or Cam Bonifay? Who was the worse Pirates GM?

A little on-topic: if the effin' Yankees chose Xavier freakin' Nady over Barry ####ING Bonds to solve their offensive woes, is that proof enough of collusion?

44. Please don't tell Phil Coorey to do the math Posted: July 25, 2008 at 09:25 PM (#2874102)

Jesus - this trade is a joke - Well done Pittsburgh

45. snapper Posted: July 25, 2008 at 09:25 PM (#2874108)

Didn't know he meant "why would they trade Hughes NOW?"

That's what I meant, sorry for any misunderstanding.

46. Orange and Blue Velvet Posted: July 25, 2008 at 09:36 PM (#2874148)

I just hope Vlad didn't get an anger stroke. This is a pretty brutal trade.

47. Justin Zeth Posted: July 25, 2008 at 09:38 PM (#2874163)

So... the Pirates gave Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte to the Yankees for free.

Yes, friends: The Pirates are still losing on purpose.

48. Crispix Attacks Posted: July 25, 2008 at 09:39 PM (#2874166)

A little on-topic: if the effin' Yankees chose Xavier freakin' Nady over Barry ####ING Bonds to solve their offensive woes, is that proof enough of collusion?

Maybe they don't think Bonds can play the outfield, and they have enough DHs already.

49. OCD SS Posted: July 25, 2008 at 09:40 PM (#2874170)

A little on-topic: if the effin' Yankees chose Xavier freakin' Nady over Barry ####ING Bonds to solve their offensive woes, is that proof enough of collusion?

Not if they expect to play Nady in the OF with regularity.

50. Shut the #### up, Plaschke Posted: July 25, 2008 at 09:40 PM (#2874171)

This showed up on my RSS as "Yanks strike deal for Pirates' ..." And I thought Oh man, the Yankees got Bay.

Oh, Nady. He's having a fluke year. Whatever.

51. Cowboy Popup Posted: July 25, 2008 at 09:41 PM (#2874193)

Whoops wrong thread.

52. Chase Utley, America's Favorite Robot (Joey Belle) Posted: July 25, 2008 at 09:43 PM (#2874212)

Jose Tabata will make Pirates fans forget about Tike Redman. You can bank on it.

53. Justin Zeth Posted: July 25, 2008 at 09:44 PM (#2874217)

This is just... I shouldn't be stunned, because it's exactly what the Pirates do, but it's shameful. It bugs me most that the Yankees are the beneficiary of the Pirates' need to rid themselves of good players and make sure they don't get any good players in return. Couldn't they have given them away to the White Sox or something?

54. NJ likes the people, the books, hates the format. Posted: July 25, 2008 at 09:48 PM (#2874241)

This is just... I shouldn't be stunned, because it's exactly what the Pirates do, but it's shameful. It bugs me most that the Yankees are the beneficiary of the Pirates' need to rid themselves of good players and make sure they don't get any good players in return. Couldn't they have given them away to the White Sox or something?

The only GOOD player the Pirates gave up was a relief pitcher. Get off it.

55. Crispix Attacks Posted: July 25, 2008 at 09:49 PM (#2874253)

The thing is, because the Pirates are unable to develop prospects, we'll never know whether Tabata and Kontos are out of baseball 5 years from now because the Yankees astutely predicted their future performance, or because they were actual good prospects who had the misfortune of ending up with the Pirates. But #53 gets it right as far as I'm concerned.

It's really amazing how the new Royals management got the benefit of the doubt, the new D-Rays management got the benefit of the doubt, the new Reds and Rangers and Brewers management got the benefit of the doubt...some showed they deserved it, and some (Rangers) have showed they probably didn't...but absolutely nobody had any notion that Huntington would change anything about the Pirates, even though we know that a whole lot of Littlefield's dumb decisions were his own and were not made by ownership.

Probably not all this pessimism is justified. I mean, not ALL this pessimism. There's a lot of pessimism here, people. And as I said, they're testing themselves with this Tabata thing. The other three guys are low-risk low-reward. Tabata is the important player and he's high-risk high-reward.

56. robinred Posted: July 25, 2008 at 09:50 PM (#2874255)

This is certainly one of those trades that looks like a blowout initially but can turn 180 degress in the other direction 1 year from now. We will see. Scouts get paid money to ID sleepers and guys that can make an adjustment to get back on track. I wouldn't crap on the Bucs yet.

I am with Beano here. I think the trade is reasonable for both sides--unless you think Nady will hit like he is now for the next three years. The Yankees bolster their shot at a post-season position by adding a decent RHB and LHRP. The Pirates add some organizational depth at P and a guy who could still be a good player. I think it is too early to say the Pirates got screwed.

I can see why fans of the Red Sox, Rays, White Sox and Twins would be pissed off about it in terms of the next 60 games, but from the Pirates' standpoint, I think it might turn out just fine, long-term. No one is going to give up a LaPorta-type-prospect for Nady and Marte, or even give up Phil Hughes.

57. Justin T Posted: July 25, 2008 at 09:51 PM (#2874269)

58. zonk Posted: July 25, 2008 at 10:00 PM (#2874312)

Who closes for Pittsburgh now?

Begone with your fantasy nonsense!

Bah... beats the sudden turning of Xavier Nady into a player that matters or that isn't going to come crashing down to his replaceable average self.

I personally grabbed Grabow, too -- but even money that the Pirates turn to Tyler Yates because he was a one-time "closer prospect", completely ignoring his splits and the fact he's been awful.

The smart team here would give Grabow the job, hope he snags half a dozen saves in the next month -- then who knows... maybe he even slides through waivers and turns into a 'B' prospect before September.

59. snapper Posted: July 25, 2008 at 10:00 PM (#2874314)

I think everyone is jumping ship on Tabata as a bust a bit too soon. When he's been on the field, he's been a 19 year old in AA with some idea about the strike zone. There's a lot of time for things to go right for him, and if they do this trade will be a big time win for the Pirates.

I agree with you. He was Baseball America's #37 prospect before this season, and has shown nice OBP skills. I think he needs a change of scenery, but he could really become something. Struggling in AA at 19 is no big deal.

60. Crispix Attacks Posted: July 25, 2008 at 10:01 PM (#2874323)

Grabow has been talked about as another trade target, though entirely by sportswriters who mistakenly think he's a situational lefty instead of someone with no particular platoon split.

61. Sidd [bleeping] Finch (SuperBaes) Posted: July 25, 2008 at 10:03 PM (#2874332)

Wow, this story is ahead of every story in Google News, including the one I just posted a link to.

What else did you expect out of Robo?

Thanks to shock and NJASDJDH. The Pirates don't lose anything involved in their future plans. They're giving up a very good reliever who's 31 and not going to be around past next season. Nady's having a flukish season; he's got a .363 BABIP in his age 29 season and has just one more season of arbitration before someone else pays him. Yeah, Coke and Kontas are organizational depth, and I was never high on Ohlendorf, but the Pirates need live arms in their system. I still like Tabata, and this is the cheapest he's been in years. This deal may not work out, but it seems like a reasonable chance for this regime.

62. Barry`s_Lazy_Boy Posted: July 25, 2008 at 10:04 PM (#2874340)

The Pirates bought a lottery ticket in Tabata. Could've done worse for Nady/Marte.

63. Crispix Attacks Posted: July 25, 2008 at 10:08 PM (#2874357)

BucsDugout likes Kontos a lot. And the comment thread is about 400 times as happy as the Phillies fan threads after the Blanton trade.

This was the time to sell high on both Marte and Nady. Hopefully the Pirates did that successfully; we have to take it on faith, since we don't know how the minor leaguers are viewed in MLB front offices. But they were quite likely to do worse if they had made a deal at most other times.

64. zonk Posted: July 25, 2008 at 10:13 PM (#2874391)

65. Justin T Posted: July 25, 2008 at 10:14 PM (#2874393)

This just in:

The Yankees have acquired an additional 12 inches of width on home plate for cash considerations.

66. rLr Shouldn't Have Drunk The Hot Mountain Dew Posted: July 25, 2008 at 10:14 PM (#2874398)

I wonder if going to Pittsburgh is likely to be a good thing for a guy who still needs to develop a lot. Who is the last good position player to come out of the Pirates' system?

67. Crispix Attacks Posted: July 25, 2008 at 10:18 PM (#2874406)

Even if the 3 pitchers are marginal bets to make the majors -- you have to think that's worthwhile to the Bucs.... you see the arms they're trotting out to fill middle relief and the back of the rotation... well... they need new organizational flotsam. The existing flotsam is getting rather tired and worn.

Yeah...Barthmaier, Yoslan Herrera, Taubenheim, Van Duns Scotus...this is sadder still than even the Astros, and the Pirates don't even have the "injured Oswalt" excuse.

Who is the last good position player to come out of the Pirates' system.

Glad you asked! Well, they've got two this season, McLouth and Doumit...or so we hope.

Before that...Aramis Ramirez, I guess.

68. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Griffin (Vlad) Posted: July 25, 2008 at 10:18 PM (#2874407)

Yuck.

69. JC in DC Posted: July 25, 2008 at 10:19 PM (#2874410)

Can I get some decent analysis? Why is Nady not a good pickup for NY? Doesn't he have a career OPS of near 800? Isn't that better than Christian or Gardner? How can that not be good?

And sure, the Pirates might've gotten more, but Coke seems like a good SP prospect and Tabata's always been a high reward guy. Why isn't this a solid deal for both teams?

70. rLr Shouldn't Have Drunk The Hot Mountain Dew Posted: July 25, 2008 at 10:20 PM (#2874412)

Well, they've got two this season, McLouth and Doumit...or so we hope.

I rather like McLouth, I must admit. Those guys need to build a bit more of a track record, though.

Before that...Aramis Ramirez, I guess.

That team has sucked for a very long time. Good Lord.

71. Best Regards, Larry Mahnken Posted: July 25, 2008 at 10:21 PM (#2874414)

The Yankees have acquired an additional 12 inches of width on home plate for cash considerations.

Foster was calling the strike zone wide all night for both teams. There were several strike threes that were off the plate, and at least three strikes called that were ridiculously high.

72. Pirate Joe Posted: July 25, 2008 at 10:24 PM (#2874416)

Scouts get paid money to ID sleepers and guys that can make an adjustment to get back on track.

You do know this is the Pirates we are talking about, right?

73. Darren Posted: July 25, 2008 at 10:25 PM (#2874417)

Why do teams agree to throw both of their tradeable commodities into one deal for the Yankees? I recall that in the Abreu/Lidle deal, Cashman was crowing afterwards about how he said it had to be both players or there was no deal. Somehow the Phillies buckled so that they could get the 4 non-prospects in return.

This deal at least has 1 interesting player, but it seems like they certainly could have gotten more by dealing these guys separately.

74. robinred Posted: July 25, 2008 at 10:25 PM (#2874418)

Can I get some decent analysis? Why is Nady not a good pickup for NY? Doesn't he have a career OPS of near 800? Isn't that better than Christian or Gardner? How can that not be good?

And sure, the Pirates might've gotten more, but Coke seems like a good SP prospect and Tabata's always been a high reward guy. Why isn't this a solid deal for both teams?

Well, as stated, I think it is. Tonight's game and the deal are making me think the Yankees, pretensions and all, will be a playoff team yet again.

But I agree with those who think it is too early to quit on Tabata.

Wonder if Joe Buck caught the game tonight and what he thought...

75. Justin T Posted: July 25, 2008 at 10:27 PM (#2874419)

Wonder if Joe Buck caught the game tonight and what he thought...

P'shaw... Numb3rs is on Friday nights.

76. Darren Posted: July 25, 2008 at 10:28 PM (#2874420)

I don't see how Coke is a good SP prospect. This is the first year he's done anything close to age appropriate.

77. zonk Posted: July 25, 2008 at 10:29 PM (#2874421)

I rather like McLouth, I must admit. Those guys need to build a bit more of a track record, though.

People forget that in 2007, he posted a 110 OPS+ -- because he only hit .250... McLouth was very under-rated coming into this year. Who woulda thunk the Bucs would actually have a relatively promising looking lineup -- SS and 3B are the only 2 real holes -- and their pitching would be such a mess?

78. Ray DiPerna Posted: July 25, 2008 at 10:30 PM (#2874422)

I can see why fans of the Red Sox, Rays, White Sox and Twins would be pissed off about it in terms of the next 60 games,

I'm a Red Sox fan and my reaction is:

Yawn.

So the Yankees got a half-decent bat and a good reliever who won't pitch much. This is supposed to leave me shaking in my boots?

79. With 17th Pick, From LA, 1k5v3L KcoLLoP Posted: July 25, 2008 at 10:30 PM (#2874423)

Why did the Pirates change GMs? The new GMs looks like the old GM...
At least he'll be getting high on Coke

80. Raskolnikov Posted: July 25, 2008 at 10:35 PM (#2874429)

I'm annoyed that the Yanks made off like bandits in this trade, but now maybe the Mets can pry Bay away for a bunch of 2nd tier prospects.

81. Darren Posted: July 25, 2008 at 10:36 PM (#2874433)

Ray,

It's not that they got great players but they got some decent ones, and Nady really fills a need.

82. charlie Posted: July 25, 2008 at 10:37 PM (#2874434)

Whether you like the trade or not for the Pirates, this looks absolutely nothing like a Littlefield trade. Littlefield would've insisted on "major-league ready" talent, and he would've traded these two for, like, Ohlendorf and Justin Christian. There's just no way he would've gambled on a high-upside teenager.

83. JC in DC Posted: July 25, 2008 at 10:41 PM (#2874438)

So the Yankees got a half-decent bat and a good reliever who won't pitch much.

This is silly. Nobody's asking you to shake in your boots. OTOH, for over a month, NY's been playing Cabrera and Gardner in CF and LF and getting next to 0 power from both and virtually no OBP from Gardner. Nady is a significant improvement over that. He's precisely what you get for trading 4 iffy prospects: not a world beater, but an upgrade. The NY lineup looks a helluva lot better with him in it than with Gardner/Christian. And, it even allows them to sit Melky and put Damon in CF every once in a while.

84. robinred Posted: July 25, 2008 at 10:46 PM (#2874445)

I'm a Red Sox fan and my reaction is:

Yawn.

So the Yankees got a half-decent bat and a good reliever who won't pitch much. This is supposed to leave me shaking in my boots?

This has been addressed by JC and Darren (now THERE'S an odd pairing) but the Yankees needed another OF bat, another decent RHB, and they needed another decent guy for the 6th-8th innings.

They addressed both needs without tying themselves to bad contracts, without hurting the roster, and without giving up Hughes.

In a tight race, that is relevant, and there is the Rays factor: either the Red Sox or Yankees could well be staying home this October. This trade makes it a little less likely that team will be the Yankees.

85. Shut the #### up, Plaschke Posted: July 25, 2008 at 10:49 PM (#2874450)

Agree with JC and others calling this a pretty even trade.

Teams (especially the Yankees) are not as dumb as fans think they are. They aren't going to go "Oh my God! This guy has a 140 OPS+ Quick, give them our best prospect!!" They know who Xavier Nady is. They know he's not as good as his numbers this year, and they gave up value that is probably pretty close to the value Nady will give them.

The Pirates do a smart thing by trading a 30 year old player who is having a career year for a bunch of youngsters and if even ONE of them pans out they will have made a great deal. If the Pirates were retards they would have instead extended Nady (see: Byrnes, Eric.)

86. Ray DiPerna Posted: July 25, 2008 at 10:52 PM (#2874453)

By the way, so much for Hank "mentioning" Bonds at that All Important Yankee Brass Big Huge Meeting. Like anyone thought Hank's "mentioning" was anything more than "Guys, I'm mentioning Bonds only to remind everyone that we're still not allowed to sign him."

87. Raskolnikov Posted: July 25, 2008 at 10:59 PM (#2874468)

The Pirates do a smart thing by trading a 30 year old player who is having a career year for a bunch of youngsters and if even ONE of them pans out they will have made a great deal. If the Pirates were retards they would have instead extended Nady (see: Byrnes, Eric.)

Yeah, but trading for young players without much upside is pointless, and I only see Tabata as a reasonable prospect here. The other 3 are live bodies. The Pirates were supposed to be in a position of strength because they didn't have to move Nady. They could have held on to him if they didn't get a better offer.

88. s.zielinski Posted: July 25, 2008 at 11:00 PM (#2874472)

Re: #85:

The Pirates weren't dumping salary. The team could have kept Marte and Nady and took draft picks when the time came. The Pirate just didn't get back enough talent to justify making this trade. There is just too much risk and organizational filler going to the Pirates.

89. Darren Posted: July 25, 2008 at 11:11 PM (#2874494)

I think the Pirates, in giving up both of these guys in a single deal and don't get Kennedy or Horne or another upper level player back in addition to Tabata.

90. Barry`s_Lazy_Boy Posted: July 25, 2008 at 11:14 PM (#2874497)

I agree with JC that it is a pretty even trade. For those who think the Pirates got little return for their two biggest chips, where else would they get a prospect like Tabata? To get a high ceiling chance like him, along with a few other ok guys, is a solid return.

The Yankees get two solid MLB players. If those two guys are the worst of your every day lineup/bullpen arms, you are in good shape.

91. Justin Zeth Posted: July 25, 2008 at 11:16 PM (#2874500)

Yeah, but trading for young players without much upside is pointless, and I only see Tabata as a reasonable prospect here.

The Pirates' entire organizational philosophy, which does not appear to have changed, is best summarized by the term "low upside". Even Tabata is a guy with injury and attitude problems, and the Pirates' training and medical staff is a laughingstock in the industry.

Hell... I've written about this before. You guys know where I stand. If you don't, it's all right here.

Tabata's stats before he got hurt were horrible, .248/.320/.310. I'm guessing the sharp drop in power was related to him being hurt, but again... the Pirates are not a good place to try to get over being injury-prone. And the Pirates constantly target injured guys, as part of, in my opinion, their process of setting up the illusion of having real prospects while knowing they're much more likely to get injured and stay injured than have major league careers. Even Pedro Alvarez has a serious injury that I've read in more than one place it might take him a year to get his power back. Gee, that's all?

I guess I should mention that the Trenton park is a pitchers' paradise (park factors around 960), and the park he'll be (presumably) moving into next year in Altoona is neutral.

92. Barry`s_Lazy_Boy Posted: July 25, 2008 at 11:16 PM (#2874501)

I think the Pirates, in giving up both of these guys in a single deal and don't get Kennedy or Horne or another upper level player back in addition to Tabata.

If you were running the Yankees, would you trade Kennedy straight up for Nady/Marte?

How about Clay for Nady/Marte?

The only high ceiling kind of guy a team is going to get for a couple players like Nady/Marte is one with questions.

93. pkb33 Posted: July 25, 2008 at 11:17 PM (#2874503)

You can trade players on the DL with commissioner's permission, so there's no need for a PTBNL.

Not that I think Hughes will be dealt, obviously.

This is a horrible trade for Pittsburgh, unsurprisingly...a terrible organization showing absolutely no signs of getting better.

94. robinred Posted: July 25, 2008 at 11:22 PM (#2874511)

If you were running the Yankees, would you trade Kennedy straight up for Nady/Marte?

I would, actually. I am not a Kennedy fan.

How about Clay for Nady/Marte?

The only high ceiling kind of guy a team is going to get for a couple players like Nady/Marte is one with questions.

I agree, as I said upthread. I don't think Cashamn was going to give up Horne or Kennedy and Tabata to get these two guys, and I doubt that other teams would give up much more for them, either.

95. Darren Posted: July 25, 2008 at 11:25 PM (#2874515)

If you were running the Yankees, would you trade Kennedy straight up for Nady/Marte?

How about Clay for Nady/Marte?

Are these two supposed to equal?

The only high ceiling kind of guy a team is going to get for a couple players like Nady/Marte is one with questions.

Kennedy has questions.

96. Ray DiPerna Posted: July 25, 2008 at 11:27 PM (#2874518)

Speaking of Yankee relievers, did Chris Britton die or something? Why is he not used at the major league level?

97. JC in DC Posted: July 25, 2008 at 11:30 PM (#2874523)

He's a POS, that's why.

98. Raskolnikov Posted: July 25, 2008 at 11:30 PM (#2874524)

The upside argument with Tabata sounds a lot like the upside argument with CJ Henry during the Abreu trade. Yeah, in the perfect world, everything breaks right and Tabata becomes a star. But he's running out of chances to have all his value based on potential, and a significant chance of being a zero contributor. I don't see that being a central piece for a trade. Maybe as a side piece, but not as the only return for your trading pieces.

99. BeanoCook Posted: July 25, 2008 at 11:32 PM (#2874527)

This is a very un-Yankees move. So they landed X Nady and some veteran lefty. Big deal.

100. Darren Posted: July 25, 2008 at 11:32 PM (#2874530)

I think Tabata is a much better prospect than Henry was.

Page 1 of 2 pages 1 2 >

You must be Registered and Logged In to post comments.

<< Back to main

Friday, July 25, 2008

FOX: Rosenthal - Yanks strike deal for Pirates’ Nady

Reader Comments and Retorts

Support BBTF

My Bookmarks

Hot Topics