Written by Greg Fertel
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31 July 2007
GM Brian Cashman's unwillingness to give up Alan Horne or Ian Kennedy in exchange for Eric Gagné may strike some Yankee fans as stubborn, but I have to admire his commitment to the farm. Knowing that Gagné would go to Boston if he did not cough up Horne, Kennedy or Melky Cabrera, Cashman stood firm, despite the media outrage that is sure to follow, particularly if Gagné takes Boston to the World Series.
What this says is that the Yankees are determined to rebuild their pitching staff from within, and given Cash's protectiveness of Horne and Kennedy, you have to believe they are considered part of the Yankees' future rotation, or else trade bait for a permanent addition to the roster (as opposed to a 2-month rental). I'm encouraged that Cashman apparently believes that Horne's performance this season was not a fluke. While it is unlikely that a Hughes, Chamberlain, Wang, Horne, Kennedy rotation can happen anytime soon, it's possible. Imagine the money that home-grown starters would be free up to sign top position players or a certain left-handed starter from Minnesota.
Cashman's refusal to acquire Gagné and the trade of Proctor also means that he trusts (or has to trust) the bullpen arms in the minors to perform, and Edwar Ramirez will be back in the Bronx (maybe Chris Britton as well), along with Joba Chamberlain. Cashman is certainly risking his job by not trading prospects for established players, but if this strategy is allowed to be implemented, it could lead to another dynasty with young power arms leading a dominant pitching staff.
