Say It Ain't So
An article on the Yankees web site says the team is pondering swapping Melky Cabrera for Jeromy Burnitz and Craig Wilson of the Pirates. I really hope that it's nothing more than mere rumor and speculation. It would be a horrible trade. Giving up a 21-year-old star in the making, a 4-tool player for two aging mediocre players who wouldn't add more to the Yankees than they have already? Don't get me wrong, I would take the versatile Wilson in a minute, but not for Cabrera. It's the kind of stupid and short-sighted trade - the Jay Buhner for Ken Phelps swaps - that sank the Yankees in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The move would set the Yankees back for years to come. The team needs more youth and more players like Cabrera not less. They have a barren farm system - witness the Sidney Ponson pick-up - and need whatever legit young talent they have. One can only pray that the deal doesn't go down.
Update: the Daily News tells a different story:
The Yanks have had dialogue with the Pirates about Craig Wilson and/or Jeromy Burnitz, but weren't interested in dealing Melky Cabrera for both players when the subject came up recently.
Much better.