I think that at this point, if you can get Mesa for Urbina, do it. The Phillies are clearly going to contend, and noone would want Mesa anyway. He has been bad this year, and Bowa has made rumblings about Wendell or Cormier taking his job, but I think that might be more to motivate him because they aren't viable options.
Mesa will cause some ERA/WHIP damage, but the save counts he puts up should be similar to Urbina's even if Urbina stays a closer.
I heard an interview with Peter Gammons on the Dan Patrick show today and he said Urbina could be traded to the Yankees b4 the end of the week. He said Acevado was going to be released or traded to make room for UU. For what that is worth.
Two years ago, he didn't want to go to the Yanks to be a setup man. He had two years on his contract, and he didn't want to be forced into that role for so long.
This week, his agent has said this week that he wouldn't mind it now. He believes he's proven himself to be an elite closer already, and he can handle a setup role for half a season, especially if it gets him a World Series ring.
He knows there will be callers in the off season, so he's more willing to head to NY. I'm a Yankee fan, but I do agree it's a bit outlandish to pay a setup man $4.5 mill. They already have a minor leaguer making $10 mill in Hitchcock.
I'm starting to worry that Steinbrenner is going back to his old ways of meddling too much. Boo. That's why they never won in the '80s. Best record of the decade and no titles. Say it ain't so, George!
No, I am almost certain that Urbina does not have a no trade clause. You usually have to have been in the majors for 10 yrs and on the same team for 5 yrs to have no trade power.
If Urbina is traded, Cordero would be first in line but Zimmerman might be coming back later in the year too and could get a chance if Cordero falters.
If you have Worrell, Urbina or any of the other guys that might be affected by a trade (possibly also Williamson, Wiliams, Benitez), you might want to try trading them for a safer closer while you still can. Otherwise, you have to be prepared for the possibility of losing them as a saves source.
Urbina does have some sort of no trade protection, but it has to do with the fact that he's in his last year of his contract. It's in one of those articles that are linked at the beginning of this thread.
I know it expires June 15th, so it's irrelevant in a few days.
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by jdh » Tue Jun 10, 2003 5:00 pm 
