Womack For Roberts?

Womack For Roberts?

In the often fluctuating trade market, an injury suffered by one team can sometimes help another club. That’s what the enigmatic Yankees have to be hoping in the aftermath of the recent injury suffered by the Padres, who have lost All-Star caliber second baseman Mark Loretta for eight to 10 weeks with an injured thumb. With Loretta sidelined, the Pods need a second baseman, which helps explain recent trade rumors involving the embattled Tony Womack, who was signed against Brian Cashman’s better judgment. (The Yankees’ Tampa contingent wanted Womack, but the New York faction preferred the re-signing of Miguel Cairo.) According to one hot rumor, the Padres might be willing to trade center fielder Dave Roberts, he of 2004 Red Sox’ postseason fame. If this deal is indeed on the table for the Yankees, they should jump on it before San Diego comes to its senses. Roberts is a better player than Womack in almost every sense. He is a much better outfielder than Womack, who has played most of his career as a middle infielder. He is a better and more patient hitter, one who would make a suitable No. 2 batter behind Derek Jeter in the Yankees’ underachieving lineup. He is also a better basestealer than Womack, as evidenced by his 38 stolen bases as a part-time player in 2004. As if those attributes aren’t enough, the 33-year-old Roberts is also two years younger than Womack, which is something that the aging Yankees have to consider in every deal they might make. (Womack really has only one advantage over Roberts and that's versatility; he can play second base and shortstop, in addition to the outfield.)

Now Roberts does have some problems. He’s been bothered by a sore hamstring, always a red flag with a player who relies as much on speed as Roberts does. He also can’t throw at all, which somewhat negates his ability to cover plenty of ground in center field. Still, the negatives are relatively small considering the Yankees’ needs. Roberts can’t throw any worse than the declining Bernie Williams, and would canvass far more territory in Yankee Stadium’s spacious outfield. Roberts would also give the Yankees a capable No. 2 hitter against right-handed pitching, allowing Hideki Matsui and Alex Rodriguez to remain in the middle of the order.

All in all, Womack-for-Roberts would be an overwhelmingly good deal for the Yankees—assuming that it’s really on the table. With one fell swoop, the Yankees could negate the worst of their offseason acquisitions while also filling the team’s greatest positional need.