The trade deadline came and went Monday at 4 p.m., but no left fielders did – at least, not as far as the Yankees were concerned.
Despite all the trade rumors about Rondell White and Jeromy Burnitz, the Bombers made no last-minute deals and sent a tacit message of support to their left fielders: We believe in you.
Of course, Milwaukee’s high asking price for Burnitz and White’s pulled muscle and chronic bad knee had something to do with that. But for Glenallen Hill and Ryan Thompson the reasons aren’t as important as the results.
“Several of our players are happy [Monday] is here and gone. There were names mentioned, and you can’t keep secrets anymore,” said Joe Torre before last night’s game with the Royals.
“I thought the one area if we were gonna help ourselves would’ve been left field. But you want to get the left fielder that was going to fit the best, so I can understand why we didn’t make a trade as opposed to just making one because you wanted to make one.”
Count Thompson among those “happy” players. While Hill’s power ensured he’d still have gotten his at-bats, Thompson has hit just .200 and seen limited action since getting called up from the minors. The former Met is fighting for a job – possibly his last shot in the majors.
“From then to today, it’s a whole different ballgame,” Thompson said. “Everyday you’d come here not knowing what’s gonna happen, not knowing if you’re gonna be here. It’s tough, you try not to say it, but it’s tough. I didn’t have a monkey on my back, I had a gorilla. But I still have to impress, show I can help a team. It’s not over till it’s through.”
Thompson prefers to look at the Yankees’ standing pat as faith in the players they have instead of inability to work a deal.
“I want to think that, but I don’t know that. But look around. This is a great bunch of guys. These guys are awesome. That drives me,” said Thompson.
Asked when did he find out that the Yankees hadn’t traded for a left fielder, Thompson said, “Four-oh-one. No, just kidding. My agent called me at 6 o’clock. I was with my family watching [the Klumps movie]. I try not to think of that stuff. I enjoy it while I can.
“I’m loving every minute of it. World champs: I can’t say that enough. It’s great to win. I want to be a part of this for a long time, a Yankee for a long time. It’d be nice to hang up my shoes as a Yankee. That’s a dream.”
Hill, acquired from the Cubs on July 21 for pitchers Ben Ford and Ozwaldo Mairena, would still have gotten his fair share of at-bats. He entered last night’s game hitting .258 in 69 games with 13 home runs and 34 RBIs. And with no moves made, rest assured the Yanks will find places for Hill to DH or spot start against lefties.
“He’s an addition to our bench that we needed,” Torre said. “I like what he gives us coming off the bench. He gives us a threat. It’s not easy coming off the bench to do what he does, and has done for a number of years.”
Hill, in his first game at the Stadium wearing pinstripes, had been the consummate pinch hitter with the Cubs, as well as a leader in the clubhouse. He says he can handle whatever job the Yankees give him to do, be it pinch-hitting or playing DH.
“I really don’t care what my role is, to be quite frank with you,” Hill said. “This team’s been together a long time. [They] have this game figured out. They know what they need and they know what they want. They got me to fill the spot they need.
“When it’s my turn, I just have to be ready” said Hill, who will get no special chills putting on the home pinstripes for the first time. But he admits there’s a certain confidence that comes with being a Yankee.
“The biggest difference is that when they go on the field, there’s just no doubt they’re gonna win the game,” Hill said. “It’s not something that’s talked about, or something that’s addressed. It’s just the way it is.”