Some of you are so anxious to dump Abreu that you seem to be missing the fact that Dye really isn't that good. Both guys are 33, but Dye has the injury history. Dye's career high for OBP was .390, back in 2000. In 2001, Abreu had his career low in OBP, and it was .393. Dye has more HR power, yeah, but his career SLG is actually lower that Abreu's because Abreu has good power himself and hits more doubles and triples. And don't think the move would make that much of an immediate impact. Abreu 2007: .331 OBP, .316 SLG (2 HR, 9 2B), 45 K/27 BB Dye 2007: .294 OBP, .434 SLG (10 HR, 9 2B), 43 K/17 BB All the Yankees would get is more pop, and they really don't need more power. They still have one of the top offenses in the majors. At their career averages, Abreu is far and away the more valuable player, and it'd be foolish to deal him for a lesser talent. Abreu's obviously got some kink that's badly hindering his hitting, and isn't being helped by the fact that, while his Ground Ball % is right in line with his career average (47.6% to 45.2%), his Batting Average on Balls in Play is only .302, compared to a .355 career mark. Obviously, his grounders just aren't finding the holes they used to. By hitting less fly balls and more line drives, and getting a little luck, he'll be back on track.
LTS, it's about the perception of him as a ballplayer, rather than his physical abilities and potential. We're talking about a right field that has been filled by guys like Dave Winfield, Paul O'Neil, and Gary Sheffield over the past couple decades. While Sheff had some injury history in his time here, all three of those guys always appeared to really give a damn whenever they were in the game. Defensively, they were all exceptional players. Sure, Abreu's got a comparable arm to those guys, but he looks absolutely lost out there. And when he stops at the warning track to let the ball bounce off the wall, it's infuriating. His poor hitting would be okay to deal with, and right now, he'd be back on everyone's "I <3" list again, IF he had been playing with some heart. Cano has changed his personality on field. Ever since his total defensive collapse against the Mets, Cano has looked like he actually remembers he gets paid to play a game he loves. Abreu has refused to show anything more than "Wow, the pretty colors make me dizzy." If he starts acting like he did late last night night every night, he's right back on the love train. Failure is acceptable. Complacency is not. As soon as Abreu shows the Yankees fans he's capable of giving a damn, he'll stop being mentioned in trade talks. That's my take on Abreu. Of course, others' opinions may vary, but I believe my stance is pretty representative of most Yankees fans.
I'm of the belief that perception is a bad principle to build a team on, but from a fan's point of view, I see where you're coming from. Don't get me wrong, my argument isn't that he shouldn't be traded at all. Certainly, if he shows the unwillingness to adjust and improve himself, he is nothing but detrimental to his team. I just think it'd be entirely foolish to give him away for a player of lesser value, like Dye.
Understood, and right now, without watching him do something totally boneheaded on the field, it's easy to see the wisdom in what you're saying. But once the game begins, he has to come through, or the board will be lit up again with calls for his blood.
Are you mentally handicapped? WTF is that supposed to mean? I should "act" like a Yankees fan? Tell me, exactly what DO I act like, if NOT a Yankees fan?
Soon as in '08 or '09? Because if Manny follows through with his threat of leaving after '08, they'll have a gap in left field come '09.
Do you honestly believe Manny will leave? The only way I can see him leaving is if one of the NY teams is willing to pay him the same salary. I don't think he would be a good fit for the Mets, and I can't see the Yankees paying him to be a DH for the rest of his career. (Though I would absolutely LOVE it.) I can't see any other team that is competitive being willing to give him the payday he's going to demand. (And deserve, IMO.) And I don't see Manny playing on a team he doesn't believe has a chance to win.
Yes, soon as in 2008. He was hitting over .400 in AA and was moved up to AAA. After a brief adjustment period, he started killing the ball again. He's already set defensively. He should be the starting centerfielder on opening day 2008, and may be called up sometime this year. As for Manny, the Sox have two team option years for '09 and '10, so I'm not too worried about him leaving any time soon.
I think he means you need to blindly support every asinine trade/free agent move that would only happen on Xbox that might possibly benefit the Yankees like he does. Or just spout nonsense all over the forum. Be a troll if you will.
:rofl: Okay, then here's my idea for a trade. The Yankees send Josh Phelps and Jason Giambi to the Angels, for Vlad Guerrero. It's two players for one! LAA makes out like bandits. Oh, and the Yankees have won 6 straight! It's an awesome time to be a Yankees fan! Am I a good Yankees fan now?
That was a huge event, and shouldn't be underestimated. Giambi went out, and that allowed Joe to move Damon into the DH slot. Immediately, Damon was happier for not having to play the outfield, and he started talking about how better his legs felt right away. It's no coincidence he's now hitting. But that also had another side effect. It put Melky into center field. With the exception of that one play where the ball went over his head the other night, he's been absolutely brilliant on defense. Plus, all the energy he brings to the team has really made a difference. (They even mentioned that Torre said that the other day.) Even more, look at what the lack of Giambi has done to the lineup. Now, rather than a gimpy Giambi and dismal Matsui batting behind him, ARod now has the league's AVG leader Posada, and a resurgent Matsui to protect him. Look what happens when pitchers need to throw it anywhere near the plate! I said it from the day Giambi was put on the DL, it was addition by subtraction. I never want to see Giambi in pinstripes again. He can go be like Sheff. Have a career somewhere else that's willing to put up with him.
