Mr. Towers,
I realize that you have had a ton more experience than I have as a major league general manager — in fact, I never have been, so perhaps you know something I don’t. However, I can’t help but be dismayed at the flurry of reports that the Padres are talking rather sweetly to the Yankees about acquiring Randy Johnson to be a third or fourth starter in the rotation behind Peavy, Young, and (possibly) Greg Maddux. Yes, I can understand the lure of the Unit — a physically imposing and, though less frequently, a dominating pitcher with decent stuff left in the tank. I’m finding the Yankees’ asking price, namely your closer-in-waiting Scott Linebrink, to be far too steep for someone who’s 43, coming off a second back surgery, and whose production has been declining at a rather marked pace in the last two years. It just seems ridiculous that you’d think Johnson would further improve the rotation when in fact he’s lucky to give you six these days. You’ve already got one guy in Maddux who is a six-inning pitcher at best, so why risk the bullpen further?
Perhaps the second surgery and a one-way ticket out of New York will be the cure for what ails him, but I’m quite the skeptic on this matter, especially when a guy of Linebrink’s caliber is involved. Trevor Hoffman won’t be around forever — his velocity the last three years has been 89, 87, and now rarely rises above 85, which is bad considering he makes his money entirely changing speeds — and you know how hard/expensive it is to bring in good closer help. Linebrink is a natural fit for the closer role. It’d be a real “Moneyball” move if you made the Johnson trade not happen. To adapt a quote from the Yankees — this trade does not make good baseball sense for your team.
Sincerely,
Jared W. Smith
Lead (Only) Blogger/Wannabe Sports Pundit/Armchair QB
JaredWSmith.com
