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02/05/2007 10:00 AM ET
Mailbag: What's the status of Pavano?
Beat reporter Bryan Hoch answers Yankees fans' questions
By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com
Will the Yankees trade Carl Pavano before the 2007 season begins on April 2?
-- Chris F., Latham, N.Y.
Maybe, but I wouldn't hold my breath waiting. Last week, Pavano's agent,
Gregg Clifton, said that he was unaware of any discussions the Yankees
were having with other clubs regarding Pavano. Not that Clifton's camp
would necessarily be privy to those talks anyway, but Pavano reports that
he is focused on reporting to Legends Field and trying to make good on his
commitment to the Yankees.
Pavano spent a good portion of his winter working out in Phoenix and
strengthening his core, which had been weakened significantly in the
past couple of years and prompted a chain reaction in his body that
led to the stiff -- and, eventually, inactive -- Pavano we all saw.
Supposedly, he's become more fluid. The trainer who worked with Pavano
this winter, Brett Fischer, also helped train Chien-Ming Wang this
offseason and actually put the two pitchers on a mound side-by-side
recently.
Fischer said that Wang looked good and in better shape than last season,
but that Pavano looked "amazing." Something to think about.
Of course, there's the possibility that Pavano could increase his trade
value with a strong Spring Training. At that point, the Yankees would
need to decipher what would be more valuable to them: having a healthy
Pavano on the mound or the bounty he could bring back in a swap.
But first, let's all see what Pavano does in Tampa before we're
shipping him off in hypothetical trades. Teams aren't exactly beating
down doors to pick up pitchers with big contracts who haven't thrown
a big-league pitch since June 2005.
Now that trade talks with first baseman Todd Helton and the Red Sox
have broken off, should the Yankees pursue him? Helton would add
both offense (another lefty bat) and defense to the lineup. Would
a deal for him make sense?
-- Andrew C., New York
A lot of fans wondered about this one. It would seem to me that a good
portion of what Helton represents goes against what general manager
Brian Cashman's battle plan has been this offseason; that is, to
become more flexible in terms of payroll, while amassing young
talent that could make up the core of a future championship club.
The way the Yankees' lineup is set up, team brass believes that
they don't necessarily need a power bat at first base, because
other players like Robinson Cano provide some of the power you'd
receive from a prototypical first baseman.
Doug Mientkiewicz may not be the Majors' most prolific offensive player,
but he provides quality defense at a fraction of the price of Helton -- both
in terms of salary dollars and the players the Yankees would need to
surrender in a hypothetical Helton trade.
Besides, Helton recently hasn't been quite the same player that
garnered him his massive salary. He's coming off the two least productive
seasons in his career, both of which racked by injuries and illness.
It would seem to me that the Yankees' proper course of action here
would be to stay away and let Helton do his thing at Coors Field in 2007.
If the Yankees choose to replace Mientkiewicz for 2008, there's a nice
crop of potential free agents out there who could be better options
than Helton.
What can we expect from Andy Phillips this season? Phillips is hardly
a "kid" anymore, and it seems to me he should either be given a larger
role to prove himself or be traded for some other talent.
-- Lee M., Suffern, N.Y.
First things first: Phillips has a battle ahead of him in Spring Training
to even be on the roster, with Rule 5 Draft pick Josh Phelps also in
camp to give Phillips a run.
You're right in that Phillips isn't "young" anymore -- he'll turn 30
in the first week of the season. Assuming he beats out Phelps for the
roster spot, Phillips would platoon with Mientkiewicz at first base,
taking the majority of at-bats against left-handed pitching.
It's a role Phillips didn't fare particularly well in last year
(a .240 hitter in 246-at-bats, Phillips batted just .195 against southpaws),
but he has punished lefties in his Minor League career.
In 2005 with Triple-A Columbus, Phillips batted .365 (27-for-74) against
lefties compared to .279 against right-handers. If Phillips can translate
those splits to the Majors, he'll be in business to stake a claim for a
larger role.
What's the story with Aaron Small? I don't see him on the 40-man roster.
He did have his struggles in 2006 after going 10-0 the season before,
but wouldn't the Yankees try to see if he can go back to his 2005 form?
-- Kyle D., Clinton, Mass.
No, but the Seattle Mariners will. Small was designated for assignment
in June and sent to Triple-A Columbus, where he finished up the year.
Small will attend Spring Training hoping to make Seattle's club as
a non-roster invitee.
What's the deal with Eric Duncan? I have heard his name as a top prospect
for years. How come his name isn't in the mix for the first-base platoon?
Does he have a realistic chance to make this team? Is he a valuable trade
chip?
-- Chris R., Brooklyn, N.Y.
Duncan had a strained back that curtailed his production last season and
eventually landed him on the disabled list. After he was returned to
Double-A Trenton, a lot of the hype surrounding his prospect status seemed
to die down.
That's much the case going into this season, which could actually help
Duncan's cause. He's been surrounded by high expectations since the
moment he turned pro, and this may be one of the first opportunities
for him to focus on his craft without outside influences.
Duncan will continue to play mostly first base, but he'll get some innings
at third base as well, which could make him more useful as a reserve for
Joe Torre if and when Duncan gets to New York.
Duncan recently said his back feels "great" after a rehab process, and
he is looking forward to attending camp with the Yankees. He's only 22,
and to be in Triple-A, even with a mixed bag of results to this point,
still shows good progress.
Doesn't Derek Jeter have an active hitting streak? If so, how many games it?
-- Jeremiah B., Catawissa, Penn.
Good memory. Jeter carries an 11-game hitting streak into the 2007 regular
season, having at least one hit in games played from Sept. 18 through
Oct. 1.
Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to
the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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