In the past it’s always been hard for the Yankees.  That’s why they have been agressive in going to Asian countries to get talent and it’s why they are always active in the free agent market.  It’s a little different now – over the last few years the Yankees have been careful to stockpile talent. 

The Yankees are not in as weak a position as they have been in the past.  They know they can rely on their tier 1 talent (Chamberlain, Hughes, Kennedy).  Their tier 2 talent is pretty good too.  And, what makes the tier 2 talent look even better is the fact that the tier 1 talent has performed so well at the ML level.  Organizations get reputations with regard to their talent and the proof is how they perform.  Over the last 3 years, the Yankees’ prospects/talent have proven themselves to be quality and it gives the tier 2 talent coming through the pipeline a degree of reliability.  Wang, Cano, Hughes, Chamberlain, Kennedy even Karstens to a point, their success helps the Yankees in this way.  It may “tip the scales” when the Marlins are considering offers and the Yankees put a package that doesn’t include the “big three.”  The question will be: Do the Yankees want to part with Kennedy?  Up until now, the answer has been “no.”     

A big factor here too, is the Yankees are not desperate either because of this.  There are other options at third base.  Hopefully, Cashman will have something else in his back pocket and then make a decision on Cabrera.

I hear the Angels are getting in on Cabrera as a cheaper alternative to A-Rod.  It looks like Cabrera is screwing up A-Rod’s maket.  That’s a factor that Boras didn’t and couldn’t take into account - because he had no way of knowing that Cabrera would be made available the way he apparently is.  If the Angels are out of it, the Red Sox sign Lowell, the Mets are in it just for show – that leaves the Dodgers and the Giants – and I’m not convinced the Dodgers are really in it.  And if I’m either team – why would I go to $300 million?  Â