Rumored Yankees- Expos Deal

[Max Power]

http://espn.go.com/mlb/news/2002/1215/1477410.html

Expos general manager Omar Minaya made Yankees GM Brian Cashman an offer Sunday on what it would take for New York to acquire either Bartolo Colon or Javier Vazquez.

"I know what he wants from us,'' Cashman said. "I'm trying to see if I can adjust what he wants. There's potential there to have something happen. There are also hurdles like in any discussion.''

Neither Cashman nor Minaya would reveal what the offer was. But a baseball source with knowledge of the talks said on condition of anonymity that the Expos asked for first baseman Nick Johnson, outfielder Juan Rivera, starter Orlando Hernandez and a prospect. The Yankees would also have to pay Hernandez's salary in that deal.

If you were NY, would you do this deal? Why? Between Colon and Vazquez, who would you choose (assume you would make the deal)? Why?

[Skip]

When I saw the thread title, I figured the rumor was the NYY buying the Expos. (sorry) (again)

And ... I wouldnt do the deal.

[Doc Pontoon]

Johnson and Rivera are the only players on the Yankees that have any chance to become much better than they are (well, I guess Soriano maybe, although I think we've already witnessed the best year he'll have.) Everyone else is on the wrong side of 29. The system is barren, the scouts are all fired, and Giambi, Jeter, Posada, Rivera, et al are going to be old and under contract in 2006. Colon has 1 year on his deal. Vazquez bolts in, what, 2?

If the Yankees do this, I say they never make the playoffs again after 2003.

That would suit me just fine.

[LeGrandOrange]

I voted other by mistake. I misread the poll and didn't realize it was "what would New York do?", I thought it was Montreal, and I was going to vote other as in "Get a restraining order against the Yankees".
I'd want them not to do it if I were New York, god forbid.

[Fatwater Fewl]

If I'm New York I don't make this deal.

But I ain't New York. So I say, "Please, please, please, make this deal!"

[Max Power]

The fact that this story was leaked, and that the Yankees commented on it, makes me think it could be a head game thing.........

1. For the Expos to run up the price, faking Yankee interest, on a team that the Yankees want them to run up the price on.........

and/or

2. For the Yankees to use this to get Clemens to sign quicker/cheaper and to help the minds or Rivera and Johnson (see, we would never trade you - we think too much of you).

To the question - I voted "No" if I was NY - - - but, on the same hand, having witnessed the Yankees hanging on to Russ Davis too long and seeing his trade value drop in the process, I say, if they are not going to play Rivera and Johnson, they should trade them now.

[WiredTiger]

I don't think I would do this if I was the Yankees. Especially if I have to pay El Duque's salary also.

[JamesI]

I seem to be the minority, but for Colon, I'd do this. Hernandez is not good, Johnson is overrated, and I don't know Rivera.

[Fuzzy Bear]

Originally posted by JamesI
I seem to be the minority, but for Colon, I'd do this. Hernandez is not good, Johnson is overrated, and I don't know Rivera.

I think Hernandez is an excellent pitcher when he's healthy. Unfortunately, he's hurt a lot. I think Hernandez' best years may still be ahead of him, if he's traded to the right team.

Johnson IS overrated; I agree here. He's no better than Kevin Maas, IMO. The Yankees should trade him for an outfielder; they could probably do ok if they do.

I do not believe that Colon will be consistent from year to year.

[KCBOOMER]

I'd do it in a flash. Cash, a once was, a never will be, and a who is that, for a stud pitcher seems like a trade I'd make everytime.

[Max Power]

MODERN (1900-)
AGE = 23
OPS BETWEEN -.005 AND -.010 vs. the league average
AGE = 23
PLATE APPEARANCES BETWEEN 400 AND 450
SECONDARY AVERAGE > .270

OPS                           YEAR     OPS      OPS      AGE      PA       SEC    
1    Nick Johnson             2002     .749    -.008       23      441     .280   
2    Howard Johnson           1984     .718    -.006       23      402     .270 

I dunno, another guy named Johnson looked just like Nick last year, at age 23 also, he he turned out OK.

I could see this deal turning out like Guzman and Milton for Knoblauch. Yanks get the one player they want - - other team gets some useful pieces for the future.........

[Duque]

Reportedly, Minaya also offered Colon to the Red Sox for Casey Fossum and Shea Hillenbrand.

I'm not huge on the Selig-John Henry-Minaya conspiracy triangle thing, but this is a much lesser offer than what he is asking for from the Yankees. Fossum projects to be a good #3 or #4, Hillenbrand is at best mediocre. Johnson and Rivera have potential to be pretty good everyday guys.

[JamesI]

Originally posted by Duque
Reportedly, Minaya also offered Colon to the Red Sox for Casey Fossum and Shea Hillenbrand.

I'm not huge on the Selig-John Henry-Minaya conspiracy triangle thing, but this is a much lesser offer than what he is asking for from the Yankees. Fossum projects to be a good #3 or #4, Hillenbrand is at best mediocre. Johnson and Rivera have potential to be pretty good everyday guys.

I could see favors going Boston's way.

Also an intelligence lacking GM might look at Hillenbrand and expect him to repeat his 2002 performance. I don't think Minaya would though.

[Sadaharu Oh]

Originally posted by Duque
Reportedly, Minaya also offered Colon to the Red Sox for Casey Fossum and Shea Hillenbrand.

I'm not huge on the Selig-John Henry-Minaya conspiracy triangle thing, but this is a much lesser offer than what he is asking for from the Yankees. Fossum projects to be a good #3 or #4, Hillenbrand is at best mediocre. Johnson and Rivera have potential to be pretty good everyday guys.

In the Boston scenerio, they were also going to take Tatis and his salary. That is why they aren't getting as much in return.

If I'm the Expos, I work another trade sending Duque to another team or I ask for a different player instead of him. It's too much to ask that the Yanks pay both pitchers salaries, unless perhaps they were only getting one of Rivera or Johnson.

[gyb13]

Originally posted by Fuzzy Bear
I think Hernandez is an excellent pitcher when he's healthy. Unfortunately, he's hurt a lot. I think Hernandez' best years may still be ahead of him, if he's traded to the right team.

remember, he's 37

KC - i think i make this deal too, for colon. esp if johnson/rivera aren't gonna get playing time because of zeile/mondesi/white.

Max - pretty tight parameters there....doesn't really show much