Hot Stove Update

December 15th, 2009 | by Craig Williams |

Over the past 24 hours, there has been a spike in Hot Stove activity. The moves have varying degrees of direct impact on the Yankees but let’s take a look at them anyway.

John Lackey and Mike Cameron to the Red Sox

Lackey has reportedly signed a 5 yr $85 million deal to pitch in Boston. On the positive side, this gives them a very good – maybe the best – front three in the American League. It also gives them a very deep rotation anchored by Dice-K (who I still think sucks) and Clay Buchholz or Tim Wakefield. Good for them. We knew the Sawx were going to improve their squad so this shouldn’t come as a surprise. The media, I anticipate, in true kiss-ass fashion, will be going on and on about the upside of this deal as if no downside exists. Let me go ahead and reveal the other side of the coin. Lackey, 31, has dealt with some injury issues – although not as severe as A.J. Burnett – and there are reports documenting a decline in the quality of his stuff. With those things considered, there is some risk in offering him a five year deal. I would like one “expert” to recognize the risks and scrutinize this deal the way the Burnett deal was scrutinized last winter. Just one.

Many Yankees fans out there will be disappointed to see Mike Cameron go to the Sox. Cameron has long been on the Yankees wish list but we have never been able to bring him to the Bronx. Personally, I was never that enthusiastic about bringing him in via trade but, as a Free Agent, I would not have minded him playing left field. Still, I can’t say that I will be wearing my Chloe O’Brian face (that’s a frown for all you non-24 watchers). Cameron helps them out defensively but he is no Jason Bay with the stick. Assuming this means they won’t be re-signing Bay, it looks like the Boston offense – as it stands today – is still a step back from where it was last year. I understand that “pitching and defense” wins championships but I can’t say that I am any more concerned about the Red Sox than I was last year.

The one thing that would conern me is if they were able to swing a trade for Adrian Gonzalez. That trade would probably give them the edge in the American League East and make them the preseason World Series favorites. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that San Diego does not give in and deal their young slugger.

Roy Halladay to Philly

The Roy Halladay sweepstakes have come to an end, thankfully. Even more thankful am I that Halladay did not end in up Boston or with us at the price they were asking. Now, he did land in Philly – one of the other places we didn’t want to see him land – but that would only pose a problem if we met them in a World Series rematch – not something worth fretting over right now. Another reason not to lose sleep over Philly strengthening themselves with this deal is that…..they didn’t strengthen themselves. Of course, I am lying slightly but, in bringing in Halladay, the Phillies dealt Cliff Lee to the Seattle Mariners for prospects. So the amount that the Phillies improved is equal to the difference between Halladay and Lee. Lee posted a 1.56 ERA in 40.1 playoff innings and the Phillies won all five of his starts – including both against the Yankees. Halladay is not going to improve on that. Bob Gibson and Sandy Koufax couldn’t improve on that. I understand why the Phillies wanted Halladay aside from his ace ability – he was willing to sign an extension that the Phillies could afford and were comfortable with. Cliff Lee, on the other hand, wants big money next season. Still, what I don’t understand is why they did not just keep Lee, let him walk after the season and collect the draft picks. If they couldn’t beat us with Lee last year, they won’t beat us with Halladay this year. Doesn’t make much sense to me but, you know what? Doesn’t hurt our team.

Hideki Matsui to Angels

This move disappoints me, not only, because I liked the idea of Matsui as our everyday DH but he signed for a measly $6.5 million. I would think that if we simply matched any team’s offer, Matsui would be wearing pinstripes. Add in the fact that we are stuck negotiating Johnny Damon and Scott Boras down from their drug-induced 4-yr $52 million asking price and it’s hard not to feel like we chose the wrong player to pursue.

A nice day of action from the Hot Stove League. Look for Matt Holliday and Jason Bay to find homes relatively soon. The Cardinals offered Holliday 8 years and $128 million while the Mets are leading the pack for Bay. Really? The Mets? The Yanks are most likely not done making moves so stay tuned.