...Actually There Might Be

I've had a change of heart, or at least of thought, after my last post. I think there might be one other team who could seriously entertain the idea of trading for Crede: the New York Yankees. Hypothetically, the deal could conceivably consist of Crede, a reliever like MacDougal or Thornton, and potentially a utility player or prospect for a top ten Yankee pitching prospect. This prospect would ideally be Ian Kennedy, but Alan Horne, Jeff Marquez, Ross Ohlendorf, or Andrew Brackman are certainly more realistic. Lest you think I've lost my mind--yes, I know there is still that guy Alexander Emmanuel Rodriguez manning third in pinstripes--let me run over some points that make this trade more plausible, if not entirely feasible:

1. According to MLB.com, the Yankees have exactly one back-up player at second, short, and third. Stunningly, they are all the same person: Wilsom Betemit (he's even 3rd string at first!). They clearly have zero depth in the infield, and all of their top 10 prospects are either pitchers, catchers, or outfielders. More on this in argument #7.
   
2. For this deal to work, A-Rod would have to move over to 1B or DH. Though he might be opposed to this, it makes sense on two levels: one, even though A-Rod has become a good defensive third baseman, Crede has a higher career fielding percentage at 3B (.968 vs. .960). True, fielding percentage isn't the end-all, be-all of actual fielding ability, but it works as an effective proxy. Two, A-Rod is a 32-year old who just signed a 10-year contract worth $275 million. Playing an active position like third increases his risk of an injury/decreases his durability, whereas playing first or DH maximizes his offensive potential over an extended period of time, which is where his true value lies. We have all seen how Barry Bonds has physically struggled to play left on an everyday occasion, whether this problem is steroid-induced or not. Limiting his defensive strain now will work wonders in ensuring he is still semi-productive in his early forties.
3. You might say that the Yankees already have two first basemen in Jason Giambi and Shelley Duncan. True, but it is still their weakest position from an offensive standpoint--Giambi is clearly on his way down and I'm not sure Duncan is ready for everyday action (he's a 28-year old who made his major league debut last summer). Giambi is insanely expensive, no question, but fans aren't going to put up with another Juan Uribe-caliber season. He's entering the final season of his contract, and it's not impossible the Yankees could trade him if they agree to pay a large percentage of his salary. A change of scenery is best for everyone in this instance.
4. Yankees fans are getting very impatient about winning another World Series, particularly in light of the Red Sox taking two of the last four. Despite their many shortcomings, the Steinbrenner family (and GM Brian Cashman) understand this and are doing all they can to maximize current and near-term success (they essentially gave up on the Johan Santana sweepstakes--missing a big name for the first time in a long time--because the prospects being demanded were too numerous and talented). Crede is a very inexpensive rental for a team with revenues like the Yankees, and they haven't shied away from dealing with Scott Boras clients in the past, increasing the likelihood of resigning him to a long-term extension.
5. The Yankees bullpen needs some more stability, particularly now that Joba Chamberlain is moving to the starting rotation--thanks in part to their offseason transaction, the Sox now have an assortment of pieces to offer.
6. Six of the top ten prospects in the Yankees farm system are right-handed pitchers; losing one will not kill their long-term success.
7. Bringing in Crede gives the Yankees a lot of flexibility with their line-up, or at least more than having THE SAME BACK-UP FOR EVERY INFIELD POSITION. For instance, if Crede sits, A-Rod plays third and Giambi/Duncan plays first (exactly where they would be as things stood now). If Matsui sits, A-Rod can play first while Giambi/Duncan hits as the DH. No need for Wilson Betemit in any of this; they can play him if they want to, but at least now they have the option, instead of the need, to play him. What happens if Jeter or A-Rod gets hurt? Either Betemit plays every single game, or they make a trade mid-season, the urgency of which would cost them more in talent than a deal for Crede would now.
8. Crede has found a knack for coming up with clutch hits during his time with the White Sox, something Yankee fans will remind you has not happened with A-Rod.

The logic of the deal can be examined as follows: are the Yankees more competitive with A-Rod and Crede in the line-up, or with A-Rod and Giambi/Duncan? I'd say there's little question that Crede, if he returns to 2006 or even second-half 2005 form, is the more valuable option, both offensively and defensively. Now what we would get in return is contingent upon the Yankees' belief that they can and should bring back Crede after 2008, which is no more than a crapshoot at this point in time.

I'm not saying that any deal with the Yankees will happen or is even being considered. I do know that the Yankees want to win and have the collateral to improve their 2008 roster via trades, so I'm not sure it's entirely out of the question. Stranger things have happened, I suppose.