Stewart to become latest Yank?

[b-ball-lunachik]

Okay, rumor of the day is the Yankees are interested in trading for Shannon Stewart...As good as his numbers have been for the past three years specifically, I don't like this move:

-- Toronto wants Nick Johnson -- so far, he's what we have for DH...I think he's going to prove to be an excellent hitter, and will eventually need to be traded since Giambi will be manning 1B for the next few years at least until he switches to DH...but I think it's better to hold off and wait until his value goes up a bit, plug the DH hole and get something better for him down the line...

-- If they can't have Johnson, they are also interested in the two young lefty pitchers Claussen and Graman -- if our rotation was a little younger, that might be okay but I don't like giving up that kind of young, lefty pitching talent for this guy...

-- There's a reason Toronto is trying to unload him and has been for awhile...didn't I read last year that he has a major attitude problem? I thought he even told Buck that he didn't want to lead off or steal bases at one point during the season, for no good reason...is that true or can anyone else shed more light on that or his attitude in general?

I realize our outfield is sparse with Bernie not 100% healthy (with a history of injury problems), Gerald Williams stinking up the joint and Ruben Rivera gone, but would you make either of those trades if you were Cashman?

[BuzzBuzzard]

Yankees giving up on RonDL White already?

[gyb13]

I think there were some issues w/ his place in the lineup, about him batting leadoff or third...
IMHO, NY doesn't need to pull this kind of move yet. Just get a backup OF (word was McKay Christensen or someone else) for now and play it out and see how Bernie/Rondell hold up...

...this post has been edited in accordance with the Netshrine regulations for the use of the Royal (or is it Yankee ) first person...

[hmrsf]

Saw Claussen on the TV, the other day. With a little seasoning and better concelment of his pitches he may be a real force in the show.

I would hold onto him. He will only increase in value.

[Fritz Buelow]

Lot's of "we" and "our" use here - - - ya'll direct relatives of the Big Stein? Or, just front office personnel of the Yanks?

If it's true that NY wants Stewart - which I still don't believe - - it's because - -

there's more to White or Williams injuries (or both) than they're letting on to now and/or they see that Nick Johnson is not who some thought he was (maybe more of a Hal Morris than a Bagwell).

All that said, moving Claussen would be a mistake - - - Clemens and Wells are living start to start, IMHO. You need some young blood coming down the pipe.

I saw Graman pitch live three years ago - looked good then - - but, I hear he's stalling.

Bottom line, it's tough to call on all this - - as I'm sure there's more info out there that we don't know about.

[sweaver]

Shannon Stewart is a heckuva player and a good leadoff hitter. If Riccardi is looking to trade him, there is likely an attitude thing, or he is trying to get two good young players for the Blue Jays' World Series win in 2004.

[Duque]

Originally posted by Fritz Buelow
Lot's of "we" and "our" use here - - - ya'll direct relatives of the Big Stein? Or, just front office personnel of the Yanks?

One of my personal pet peeves - along with people saying "Nu-kewl-ar" and "calvary" when they're talking about guys on horses.

Back to Stewart - I don't see what he adds to the table - he's a healthier Rondell White with less power and a hugely worse attitude.

As for Wells, he's apparently throwing very well this Spring, though that back could give out any moment.

[Fuzzy Bear]

I think the move, if made, makes sense. Rondell White (A) can hit, and (B) gets hurt a lot a la Edgar M. This move will allow White to DH.

I think Nick Johnson is a major league player, but not necessarily a major league star, or future star. His development has not been steady, and I see him as a Grade B prospect at best; he has ability, but his injury history and uneven development are something to worry about. I also think that he will probably do better if traded to a team on which he can at least share 1B.

[Fritz Buelow]

Delgado wants to play 1B as many times as Giambi does - - not sure I see Johnson fitting in the Jays INF - - unless Carlos is on the block too?

I've always like Stewart as a hitter - - but, if I'm NY, I offer Spencer, Graman, the future rights to Kevin Elster Jr. and not a penny more.

[Glyndwr]

Originally posted by b-ball-lunachik

-- There's a reason Toronto is trying to unload him and has been for awhile...didn't I read last year that he has a major attitude problem? I thought he even told Buck that he didn't want to lead off or steal bases at one point during the season, for no good reason...is that true or can anyone else shed more light on that or his attitude in general?

Stewart had a run-in with Martinez last year. He did not want to bat third where Buck was playing him...
prior to that I have never heard of Stewart having an attitude problem. As moving him to third seems to me like a pretty stupid move I can see why he was not delighted, and Stewart was certainly not the only Blue Jay veteran who had issues with Martinez last year.
As to why the Jays want to move him it does seem puzzling but then they have 4 everyday outfielders, and Johnson is a lot cheaper. So the swap saves some salary and stops a potential clubhouse issue - as none of the outfielders want to be a regular DH.
The off season moves the Jays showed that salary is cleary an issue for them so maybe this deal is financially motivated. As a Jays fan it is just a shame Steinbrenner isnt enamoured of Raul Mondesi instead

[SmedIndy]

I think Buck is the problem. Traveling in Canada last year the papers sounded less than enamored with him, in their own polite way, of course.

[Glyndwr]

Originally posted by Duque


Back to Stewart - I don't see what he adds to the table - he's a healthier Rondell White with less power and a hugely worse attitude.

He is one of the top few leadoff leadoff hitters in the game, in my opinion (which is admittedly hugely biased), seems a fair fit for a team without an obvious leadoff guy.
Jeter seems to be a better fit hitting second and I see Soriano as more an 8 or 9 than leading off.