That doesn't quite have the same ring to it as Joba for the eighth and Mo for the ninth, but I could definitely live with it. The rumor comes from
SILive.com. (No, not Sports Illustrated, but
Staten Island). For those of you not from the center of the universe, Staten Island is actually a borough of New York City, albeit one most New Yorkers avoid at all costs. (Hat tip to
River Ave Blues for finding the story).
The story quotes an un-named source, so take it with a grain of salt, as saying the Yanks have contacted the ChiSox about Jenks. Honestly, I don't see why the Sox would want to trade their rotund closer, especially considering he was the only member of their pen who could actually get someone out last season. Maybe our resident ChiSox blogger, Rickhouse of
Tremendous Upside Potential can shed some light.
From the Yankee perspective, they obviously need help in the pen, and Jenks would be a solid solution for that problem. They have a logjam in the outfield, and if you ascribe to the "where there's smoke, there's fire" theory, Melky is going to be traded eventually. Every rumor last year involved his name, every rumor at the trade deadline this year involved his name, and every rumor floated thus far this offseason has involved his name. If you ask me, he's too high of a price to pay, but I'm starting to think I value him much higher than your average Yankee fan/blogger/general manager. So, if a deal was to happen, I'd think the Yanks would be sending an outfielder (Melky, Damon or Matsui) and/or an assortment of b-level prospects to Chicago. Jenks isn't going to come at the cost of Hughes, Joba or Kennedy.
Jenks was pretty much dominant last year, he'll be 27 and only has 174 innings under his belt over his three-year career. The main concern has to be the size of that belt, but he's a reliever so a few dozen extra pounds isn't that much of a concern. Here are his numbers from last year:
3-5, 40 saves, 65 innings, 2.77 ERA, 0.892 WHIP
Jenks is a better, more proven version of Joba. He tied the record last year for most scoreless refief apperances, and might be one of the three best closers right now in baseball. He is easily the Sox best player. He isn't going anywhere, unless its for Hughes and Tabata (?) or Melky, which NY would prolly never do anyway.
Agreed.
I would be shocked -- shocked -- if this deal goes down without the ChiSox demanding at least one of the Big Three.
There's absolutely zero chance the Yankees are going to trade Hughes, Joba or Kennedy for a set up guy. ZERO.
The only way I see this working is if the ChiSox are smoking crack and really want Damon, or if they can't sign Hunter and they see Melky as a center fielder of the future. You don't trade stud SP prospects w/ major league experience for closers, let alone for an 8th inning guy.
If this trade were to take place (with the yanks hopefully giving up a little as possible)would they look to Jenks to succeed Rivera?
If thats the case then what would a fair price tag be?
Jenks being a long term solution seems worth giving up high level talent, no?
I don't mean any of the big 3, but maybe Melky and Horne.
i'd trade one of the OF for jenks. Matsui, Melky, whoever, you name it. no pitchers though, no kennedy, hughes, joba, horne. screw that.