I i'm questioning this deal, and there's a couple of reasons why.
- Totally sold low on Ohlendorf. As a reliever, this guy could really get it up there 95-97MPH. Crazy good sinker. I guess you could justify it by saying that Marte is much better, but still, they sold low.
- Tabata was phenom status when the first signed, he's struggled a bit, but he's had hand and wrist injuries and he's 19 in AA. The deal hinges on how successful he becomes. I know that the Yankees have tons of prospects and I think A-jax is better, but the Yankees have depth in pitching prospects for positional prospects you have Tabata, A-Jax, Montero, and then....?
- I'm not sold on Nady consistantly producing. I don't know if its his nerve or what, but the last thing the Yankees need is a guy who runs hot for weeks and the cold for weeks.
- Picking up Marte is great, but would'nt it have been better to pick up a starter?, right now the Yankees bullpen has been rock solid. Bolstering it can't be bad, but it seems like improving the rotation was a bretter way to go. I get that that wouldve been harder to do, but just shows that this deal wasn't perfect.
The things i like about this deal:
- The other two guys the Yanks gave up, never would've saw the Bronx, the Yankees have much better prospects at higher levels, they would've been nonfactors.
- Although it looks like a win now move, i think this deal has more to do with Bobby Abreu's departure. It doesn't look like A-Jax will be ready by 2009, so Nady allows them to leave Abreu and still have a stop gap. Obviously getting him now rather than the offseason allows him to replace Posada and Matsui's bats in the lineup for the rest of the season.
This is one of those wait and see deals.
If Tabata ever hits for power like they think he will, this deal will look plenty stupid for the Yankees.
I don't trust Nady, this deal might look stupid anyway if he stops producing.
I'm weary of this deal, but for 2008 it looks like it will make them stronger. Stong enough to win the AL East? We'll see.