Yankees Trade Rumors

Matsui makes it hard for Yanks to release him
Comment
November 5
New York Post
 columnist David Wells
"I'VE maintained for a while that the Yankees should get younger and let Hideki Matsui depart this winter, but how do you do that now? This wasn't Reggie Jackson hitting three home runs in one game, but what we saw last night by Matsui (six RBIs in the Yankees' 7-3 World Series-clinching victory last night in The Bronx) was one of the great performances in World Series history. The Yankees are champions, and Matsui was every bit deserving of the MVP.It just goes to show you what kind of hitter he is. He could hit lefties from the first at-bat I ever saw him. Just his ability to hit all types of pitchers is amazing. He's probably got another three or four years left in him. The Yankees will ..."
Johnny Damon limps off, hopes New York Yankee career isn't on last legs
Comment
November 5
New York Daily News
 
"In the end, Johnny Damon could only watch as he won his first World Series in pinstripes. In what might have been his last game as a Yankee, the left fielder came out of the game in the third inning with a strained right calf and was a spectator as his teammates closed out the Phillies with a 7-3 win in Game 6 to clinch the franchise's first title since 2000. "Any way we could get it, I am just happy we won it," Damon said. "I am just glad I got to contribute to a World Series and help bring a championship back to New York City." Damon, in the final season of his four-year, $52million contract, overcame a miserable division series and helped drive the Yankees to a championship. It was ..."
Yankees' Mariano Rivera finishes Phillies in World Series, says he's far from finished
Comment
November 5
New York Daily News
 
"Eight years to the day the Yankees' most recent dynasty died with Mariano Rivera on the mound in Arizona, the greatest closer in postseason history sealed the first title of what they hope will be their next run of multiple championships. Calmly and coolly and as dominant as he's always been, the 39-year-old Rivera recorded the final five outs of the Yankees' 7-3 victory Wednesday night to close out the Phillies in Game 6 and finish off the long-awaited first title in the Bronx since 2000. "All of them were great. But this one is special. It was a drought for nine years and we finally got one," said Rivera, who told the crowd from the podium during the presentation of the championship ..."
Losing Hideki Matsui after MVP World Series performance may be wrong move for New York Yankees
Comment
November 5
New York Daily News
 columnist John Harper
"If this turns out to be goodbye for Hideki Matsui, it goes down as the greatest exit since John Elway won a second straight Super Bowl and rode off into the sunset. It's not exactly the same, of course. Matsui would love to keep his pinstripes and return to defend the championship that he, more than anyone else, delivered for the Yankees Wednesday night with a game that lived up to his nickname of Godzilla. He just may not have a say in the matter. Only how do you cut ties with the MVP of the World Series? Matsui earned that distinction mostly with his eye-popping performance last night, slugging a home run, a double and a single and driving in six runs in the Yankees' 7-3 Game 6 ..."
Melky strains left hamstring in sixth inning
Comment
November 2
MLB.com
 
"Melky Cabrera may have to watch from the bench as the Yankees attempt to put the finishing touches on their 27th World Series championship. The 25-year-old outfielder suffered a slight strain of his left hamstring while running out a sixth-inning groundout in Game 4 of the Fall Classic on Sunday and might not be available as the Yankees look to defeat the Phillies and finalize their first title since 2000. Cabrera went to center field after the top of the sixth inning and tried to convince Yankees manager Joe Girardi and assistant trainer Steve Donohue that he could stay in the game."
Pedro twice rebuffed in bids to join Yanks
Comment
October 31
New York Daily News
 
"There were plenty of "Who's Your Daddy" chants at Yankee Stadium on Thursday night when Pedro Martinez was on the mound for the Phillies, and as usual the former Red Sox ace ate it up, smiling as he came off the mound even as he fell to 0-2 with a 5.75 ERA in four career playoff appearances in the Bronx . But it's worth pointing out that Martinez twice made a bid to join his "daddies" in the family business - once when he was a free agent after the 2004 season, and again earlier this summer when he was also a free agent and worked out for numerous major league scouts. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said that in both instances, there was a slim chance that Martinez was ..."
Yanks mull adding Hinske or Bruney
Comment
October 27
New York Post
 
"Yankees brass and coaches met yesterday and discussed the possibility of adding left-handed hitter Eric Hinske to the World Series roster. They also talked about adding a 12th pitcher, which could be right-handed reliever Brian Bruney. "You could see us with 12 pitchers and you could see us change our roster," general manager Brian Cashman said yesterday. "We will talk about that again [today]." The Yankees and Phillies have until tomorrow at 10 a.m. to notify MLB of their rosters. Adding Hinske, who was dropped in favor of pinch-running specialist Freddy Guzman in the ALCS, would provide manager Joe Girardi a couple of options."
Tigers join Chapman sweepstakes
Comment
October 27
SI.com
 
"The Tigers have joined the host of teams expressing interest in Cuban left-hander Aroldis Chapman, a source tells SI.com. The team has contacted Chapman's camp in attempts to schedule a meeting later this week or early next week, the source said. Chapman, a 21-year-old who has hit 102 mph on radar guns, has garnered substantial interest from major league teams since he defected July 1. His zipping fastball, youth, projectable frame (6-foot-4 and lean) and a shallow free-agent pitching pool are expected to make Chapman one of the most expensive players on the market this offseason. Several industry sources expect Chapman will command more than the $32 million the Yankees paid Cuban ..."
Yankees and Red Sox are expected to battle for Aroldis Chapman
Comment
October 26
SI.com
 (scroll down)
"The Yankees and Red Sox are expected to do battle for talented left-handed pitcher Aroldis Chapman, the Cuban defector. While many other teams have shown interest, it's still hard to imagine anyone else plunking down $40 million-plus for a pitcher who's unproven at the big-league level."
Mets meet Cuban defector, 100-mph hurler Aroldis Chapman
Comment
October 24
New York Daily News
 
"Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman met the Mets at Citi Field Friday as part of his tour with agent Edwin Mejia to find a team for the 21-year-old lefthander. Chapman, whose fastball reportedly registers 100 mph, arrived in New York this week after establishing residency in Andorra , a European nation bordered by France and Spain , to avoid being subject to the draft. The Yankees have been tight-lipped about their interest in Chapman, but are thought to be more serious suitors than the Mets, and will meet with him this weekend before he talks with the Red Sox next week. It's unclear what type of contract Chapman will command as a free agent, but the interest of several ..."
Cuban star could be meeting with Yanks, Mets
Comment
October 22
New York Post
 
"Aroldis Chapman, the 21-year-old flame-throwing Cuban left-hander who defected during the summer, arrived in New York yesterday and is expected to meet with several teams over the next week. The Mets, Yankees and Red Sox are among the teams expected to have interest in signing him. Chapman, who established residency in Andorra after defecting while playing in the World Port Tournament in The Netherlands in July, was declared a free agent last month. He should find himself in a similar situation to that of Jose Contreras, who became the subject of a fierce bidding war between the Yankees and Red Sox back in 2002. Contreras wound up with a four-year, $32 million contract from the Yankees ..."
Mattingly interviews with Tribe on phone
Comment
October 20
MLB.com
 
"Dodgers hitting coach Don Mattingly, presumably being groomed to take over when manager Joe Torre retires, interviewed for the vacant Cleveland Indians manager's job, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported. Mattingly was reportedly one of eight to 10 candidates interviewed over the phone by Tribe general manager Mark Shapiro and assistant general manager Chris Antonetti last week, during the Indians' organizational meetings in Goodyear, Ariz. It is not known if Mattingly is one of the three to five finalists for the job who will have a more formal interview with the Tribe's higher-ups. Thus far, former Nationals skipper Manny Acta is the only confirmed finalist, as he was in Cleveland on ..."
Sabathia officially tabbed for Game 4
Comment
October 19
New York Daily News
 
"The worst-kept secret in baseball was made official today, as Joe Girardi officially named CC Sabathia as the Yankees' Game 4 starter. The move makes perfect sense, especially when you consider that the big fella won't have to pitch on short rest in Game 7 if the series goes that far. Why not give him a third start rather than using Chad Gaudin or Joba Chamberlain? Sabathia - who is 2-0 with a 1.23 ERA in two starts this postseason - worked out and played catch today at Angel Stadium, taking it easy with his next start only 48 hours away."
Mo absent, but ... it's just personal matter
Comment
October 16
New York Post
 
"Mariano Rivera was absent from a Yankees workout yesterday for the second straight day with the club's blessing, The Post learned. "It's nothing physical, it was for personal reasons, and he will be here [for tonight's game]," GM Brian Cashman said. Before Wednesday's workout at Yankee Stadium, Rivera threw 25 to 30 pitches off a mound and then left town to attend to a family matter that was nowhere near as serious as in 2004, when a relative was electrocuted in Panama. Five years ago, Rivera traveled to Panama between the ALDS win over the Twins and the start of the ALCS against the Red Sox."
Dr. Philippon believes Alex Rodriguez won't need surgery in offseason
Comment
October 10
New York Daily News
 
"After being examined by Dr. Marc Philippon, the Colorado-based surgeon who operated on his right hip in the spring, Alex Rodriguez received good news prior to Game 2 of the American League division series Friday. The prognosis: He likely won't need another surgery in the offseason. In the city for a convention of hip specialists, Philippon came to Yankee Stadium at A-Rod's request, examined the slugger and watched him take batting practice, then sat with his patient in the Yankees' dugout and exchanged a few laughs. "It's difficult to make a formal and definite statement right now, but the way things are going - clinically anyway, and the way I saw him in batting practice - there's no ..."
Posada not jumping for joy about taking seat
Comment
October 7
New York Post
 
"Just because Jorge Posada wasn't surprised doesn't mean he was happy. On Sunday, manager Joe Girardi let Posada know that Jose Molina would catch for A.J. Burnett in the ALDS, which begins tonight in The Bronx vs. the Twins. "I just hope we win that game," Posada said. "That's all. That's all I've got to say." Girardi is starting Molina because of the "rhythm" he believes Burnett shares with him. The last six times Burnett's pitched, Molina's caught him, and Burnett's gone 3-1 with a 2.92 ERA. "They've been in a real good rhythm when they've been working together," Girardi said. "And we just felt we would keep it that way." A dour Posada called it a "manager's decision." "It's not like I ..."
David Robertson almost back in the game
Comment
September 25
New York Post
 
"Considering the list of possible alternatives, tendonitis to Jerry Hairston Jr.'s left wrist doesn't sound like such a bad thing to general manager Brian Cashman. The Yankees received that diagnosis yesterday, a day after Hairston left a game against the Angels in obvious pain. Hairston yesterday underwent an MRI exam at New York-Presbyterian Hospital and received a cortisone shot. Cashman called it a relief that Hairston, who will rest for the next several days, will not need extended time off. "Without a doubt, because [Hairston] said he thought he heard a pop or felt a pop and you think the worst," Cashman said."
Pitcher Chapman awaits MLB's ruling
Comment
September 22
ESPN.com
 
"Aroldis Chapman, the Cuban defector considered to be one of the top pitching prospects in the world, petitioned Major League Baseball for free-agency status recently and is likely only weeks from becoming a free agent, according to his agent. Early Monday, Chapman's representatives announced that the left-hander has established residency in Andorra, a tiny country of about 84,000 that borders Spain and France. By establishing residency outside the United States, the 21-year-old Chapman avoids being subject to baseball's amateur draft. MLB must study his residency and legal paperwork before declaring him a free agent. "We chose Andorra because of its tranquility, its tax benefits for ..."
Guzman fills need for speed
Comment
September 15
New York Post
 
"Even with Brett Gardner back in the fold, a little extra speed certainly couldn't hurt the Yankees. With that in mind, and a possible eye toward the postseason roster, the team yesterday summoned outfielder Freddy Guzman from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre -- where he stole seven bases in six regular-season games. Guzman, 28, who had last appeared in the major leagues for the Rangers in 2007, would be eligible for the playoffs because the Yankees acquired him in an Aug. 31 trade with Baltimore. Manager Joe Girardi indicated Guzman will be given several pinch-running opportunities over the final three weeks to audition for a spot on the ALDS roster. "It's just an added dimension -- another speed ..."
Damon expects to return today
Comment
September 13
New York Post
 
"Johnny Damon believes he will be back in the Yankees' lineup today after missing the previous two games with a sore lower back that surfaced Friday morning and could have started in the hamstring area. "I expect to play," Damon said after the Yankees were spanked 7-3 yesterday by the Orioles at Yankee Stadium. "[Friday] I couldn't bend down or do any type of movement." Damon said muscle relaxers taken Friday helped and he spent most of yesterday receiving treatment. He felt enough improvement that he took a "few soft swings off a tee." Joe Girardi, who wanted to wait until today to decide if Damon was going to return, used Jerry Hairston in left and in Damon's No. 2 spot in the batting ..."
Damon expects to be back soon
Comment
September 12
New York Post
 
"When Johnny Damon bent over to pick something up yesterday morning, his lower back locked. And after a full day of treatment, the area wasn't much better by 6 o'clock last night. "It's still very locked up," said Damon, who wasn't in the starting lineup against the Orioles last night at Yankee Stadium, replaced by Melky Cabrera in left with Brett Gardner in center. Damon was in the dark about why the back put him on the shelf. "I don't know how it happened. I didn't do anything [Thursday]," Damon said. "The only thing I can think of is when [Jason] Bartlett hit that homer in the first [Wednesday], I stuck my foot in the wall and felt it slip a bit." Damon said he experienced discomfort ..."
Yankees' Robertson Out Indefinitely With Elbow Stiffness
Comment
September 9
New York Times
 
"Dave Robertson, the Yankees' bullpen strikeout specialist, said he was not worried about the tightness in his right elbow. But the Yankees have shut him down indefinitely, and he has an appointment Thursday with Dr. James Andrews, probably in Pensacola, Fla. "The stiffness has not went away in the last 10 days or two weeks," Manager Joe Girardi said. "It's a concern of mine, because he's been a huge part of our bullpen, and his ability to get a strikeout is important. He's been as good as anyone in baseball, really, at doing that." Robertson has 61 strikeouts in 41 innings, an average of 13.39 per nine innings. Among pitchers with 40 innings this season, only Jonathan Broxton of the Los ..."
Injured finger points to Yankees' Jorge Posada sitting out again
Comment
August 30
New York Daily News
 
"Jorge Posada was slated to try out a finger guard - Joe Girardi called it a "contraption" - that would help him play comfortably with his banged-up ring finger on his catching hand. But he was not in the Yankee lineup against the White Sox Saturday as Jose Molina started for the third straight game. Posada said he could've played Saturday because the pain and swelling have gone down, but Girardi wanted him to rest for 24 more hours. "He wants to play, but we want to be on the safe side," Girardi said. Posada was scheduled to play catch Saturday for the first time since hurting the finger last week. He has been able to take some batting practice and noted that it "was not bad at all." ..."
Where's Johnny? Maybe back in the Bronx
Comment
August 25
Foxsports.com
 (scroll down)
"One Yankees official says that it is "very likely" the team will re-sign left fielder Johnny Damon — provided that Damon is willing to accept a paycut from his current $13 million salary as a free agent. The Yankees reduced their payroll from $209 million in 2008 to $201 million this season, and they expect to further reduce that number next season. Damon, though, still could fit, particularly if the Yankees do not make a run at Matt Holliday or Jason Bay; they figure to be in the mix for one or both, despite commitments of $164.9 million to 10 players in 2010. "A lot depends upon October," Damon says. "First, getting there, and maybe getting deep and winning the whole thing. If that ..."
Torrid Year Puts Jeter In MVP Mix
Comment
August 25
New York Post
 
"Baseball is a game of threes: Three strikes, three outs . . . and three of the most solid stars you can find in the game to gether on the Yan kees. Derek Jeter and Mark Teixeira are both MVP candi dates and CC Sa bathia, the first pitcher in the major leagues to reach 15 victories, is in the Cy Young mix. He showed that Sun day night, beating Boston ace Josh Beckett as the Yan kees won two out of three from the Red Sox to take full control of the AL East. With the Rangers coming to Yankee Stadium tonight for three games, this could be a preview of the first round of the playoffs. Texas trails the Red Sox by a game and a half in the wild card and will send Kevin Millwood against the ..."
Yankees want Damon back
Comment
August 24
SI.com
 (scroll down)
"The Yankees intend to try to bring back Johnny Damon, probably for about $6-8 million a year (that'll be the first offer, anyway), and might be willing to give him a second year. Damon's been saying in the papers all year that he wants to be back, which is quite a departure from the usual free-agent script and could mean he's that rare player amenable to a below-market contract. Yankees management loves Damon personally, too, and that doesn't hurt. With Hideki Matsui also a free agent (not to mention Xavier Nady), the Yankees could use Damon, who's having a fine offensive season, especially for power (.286, 22 HRs, 68 RBIs and 87 runs). Yankees people also love Matsui (four home runs this ..."
Hideki Matsui makes a powerful case as free agency nears
Comment
August 24
New York Daily News
 
"Free-agent-to-be Hideki Matsui swears he has not thought about his baseball future, though his Yankee career may have only two months or so left. Lately, however, Matsui is providing compelling evidence that he should stay in pinstripes each time he swings the bat, or at least showing off his power to other potential suitors. Matsui had his second two-homer game in three days against the Red Sox Sunday night, blasting solo shots in the second and eighth innings off Josh Beckett in the Yanks' 8-4 victory. Matsui joined Mike Stanley (1994), Moose Skowron (1961) and Mickey Mantle (1966) as the only Yanks in the last 50 years to have a pair of two-homer games against Boston in the same season. ..."
Damon's contribution typifies Yankees' surge
Comment
August 24
Yahoo! Sports
 
"The bruise on his left knee, the result of a foul ball that ricocheted off his bat two nights earlier, had yet to complete its natural cycle of discoloration – fire-engine red, a touch of magenta, indigo blue. But because Johnny Damon could walk, he was playing. Joe Girardi's compassion has its limits, and the New York Yankees manager felt a certain urgency to restoring Damon to the lineup for Sunday night's rubber game against the Boston Red Sox. It was a sentiment Damon shared, especially after sitting out the 14-run beating Boston had inflicted the day before. But approaching age 36, and having absorbed almost as many dings and dents as the Green Monster that loomed behind him in left ..."
Pettitte feels far from finished, hints he wants to return to Yankees
Comment
August 24
New York Daily News
 
"Andy Pettitte says he hasn't started thinking about 2010 and the decisions that he will have to weigh when he is a free agent once again. Too much baseball left to play this year, especially with the Yankees cruising toward a return to October. But Pettitte hinted Sunday night that he not only wants to play next year, but that he would prefer a return engagement in pinstripes. After weathering an offseason in which he and the Yankees haggled for weeks before agreeing on a deal, the 37-year-old lefthander said he does not want to repeat a lengthy contract process. "I really would hate . . . I really don't want to go into the offseason, you know, and sit there and be a free agent again, have ..."
Girardi Defends Posada After Burnett's Bad Day
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August 24
New York Times
 
"Jose Molina was the starting catcher for the Yankees' C. C. Sabathia on Sunday for the fourth time in Sabathia's last five starts. Jorge Posada was on the bench a day after disagreeing with A. J. Burnett on pitch selection. "I have not given anyone a personal catcher here," Manager Joe Girardi said. "I'll continue to rotate it. Physically, I talk to Jorge, and he's usually two out of three or three out of four. He's not 25 anymore. As I've told players, we need to keep you healthy for the long haul, not just for the week." That was just part of Girardi's vigorous pregame defense of Posada, no matter what the lineup card said. Posada has guided Yankees pitching staffs since he shared ..."
Those insatiable Yankees
Comment
August 13
ESPN.com
 (scroll down)
"Even after adding Chad Gaudin, Russ Ortiz and Jason Hirsh, the Yankees were still poking around, looking for starting pitching depth on the waiver-wire circuit this week. But they appear to have no interest in the two high-priced Reds pitchers who cleared: Aaron Harang and Bronson Arroyo. And we're hearing they're not one of the clubs with Smoltz on their shopping list. Then again, after mugging him for eight runs in 3 1/3 innings last week, why would they be?"
With big lead in AL East, Yankees could save Joba for stretch run
Comment
August 11
New York Daily News
 
"The Yankees' four-game weekend sweep of Boston only added to their burgeoning confidence, putting some much-needed distance between them and their primary pursuers in the American League East. Despite the lead being trimmed to 5-1/2-games after Monday night's loss to Toronto, the sudden breathing room also should afford Joe Girardi added flexibility in controlling Joba Chamberlain's predetermined innings limit over the next several weeks. Shouldn't it? "The easiest way to manage it is the way we're doing it. We have a plan set out," Girardi said when asked Monday about Chamberlain's expected workload for the remainder of the regular season beginning with Tuesday's start against the Blue ..."
Taking Advantage of 2nd Chance, Yankees Make Trade for a Pitcher
Comment
August 7
New York Times
 
"Last Friday, on the day of the nonwaiver trading deadline, Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman tried to trade for the right-hander Chad Gaudin. But San Diego was making a complicated deal with the Chicago White Sox involving Jake Peavy, and moving Gaudin was not a priority. When Gaudin cleared waivers this week, Cashman revisited the idea. On Thursday, he acquired Gaudin for a player to be named or cash, adding another arm to the bullpen and another option for the fifth spot in the rotation. "We feel he's got a good arm, and he can help us out of the bullpen or be insurance for the rotation," Cashman said while the Yankees played the Red Sox. "He'll be a choice for us. He's stretched ..."
Yankees acquire Reds' Jerry Hairston Jr. for minor-league C Chase Weems
Comment
July 31
New York Daily News
 
"The Yankees made a minor move at the trade deadline acquiring utility man Jerry Hairston Jr. from the Cincinnati Reds for minor-league catcher Chase Weems. Hairston Jr. has been in the majors for a decade, making his debut back in September 1998 with the Orioles. He played second base in Baltimore through 2003, eventually moving to the outfield in 2004 after Brian Roberts established himself as the everyday second baseman. Hairston hit .261 with 26 homers, 160 RBI and 94 stolen bases in six seasons with the Orioles before being traded to the Cubs in February 2005 for Sammy Sosa. He has bounced around since then, playing parts of two seasons in Chicago before being traded to Texas, where he ..."
Teams interested in Royals' Bannister
Comment
July 31
Foxsports.com
 
"The Brewers made an offer for Royals right-hander Brian Bannister on Thursday, but were told, "We're not motivated to move him." The Royals did not even counter the offer. The Yankees and other clubs have shown interest in Bannister, but the Royals' position is that they would move the pitcher only for a knockout proposal."
Roy Halladay sweepstakes going down to wire
Comment
July 31
New York Daily News
 
"Although he has been the main focus of the baseball world for the past few weeks, Roy Halladay is likely to remain a Blue Jay when the trade deadline arrives at 4p.m. Friday. Barring a last-minute surprise, Toronto appears unlikely to deal the former American League Cy Young winner, as the price set by general manager J.P. Ricciardi has been deemed too high by other teams. According to a source, talks continued yesterday between the Yankees and Mariners, as GM Brian Cashman is looking to bring veteran lefthander Jarrod Washburn to the Bronx for the stretch run. Seattle has been asking for a premium price to part with Washburn, but with the southpaw's contract set to expire at the end of ..."
Yanks not alone in pursuit of Washburn
Comment
July 31
Foxsports.com
 (scroll down)
"The Yankees are not the only team pursuing Mariners left-hander Jarrod Washburn. The Tigers also are interested in Washburn, a major-league source says, and the Brewers could jump back in. Yet, the Mariners still are not sending clear signs that they are willing to move Washburn, who ranks third in the American League with a 2.64 ERA, just ahead of Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay. "The Mariners don't want to send the wrong signs if they trade him," one source says. "It could look like they're giving up." The M's, six games out in the wild-card race and 7 1/2 games out in the AL West, acquired shortstop Jack Wilson and right-hander Ian Snell from the Pirates on Wednesday. They likely would seek ..."
Yankees look like best shot for Washburn
Comment
July 30
SI.com
 
"The Yankees haven't heard back from the Mariners since Seattle requested either Joba Chamberlain or Phil Hughes in an initial conversation about lefty starter Jarrod Washburn, but remain interested at some price. Mariners people are believed to be scouring the list of desirable Yankees players back in Seattle. Top outfield prospect Austin Jackson and catching prospects Jesus Montero and Austin Romine would probably also be off-limits in such a deal, but the Yankees have some other prospects that may interest Seattle. While Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik said on Wednesday that both sides are "open to it" in regard to the consideration for an extension for Washburn in coming months, a trade ..."
The Yanks and Washburn
Comment
July 30
New York Post
 
"Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik sounds like an executive stuck in the middle. His brain tells him that his club is just not good enough to make the playoffs this year while his heart keeps creating scenarios in which somehow they sneak in. Hey Adrian Beltre is due off the DL on Tuesday and Erik Bedard the week after that, and now the Mariners have the sure-handed Jack Wilson at shortstop. So maybe, just maybe Seattle could make up either the 7 1-2 games it is out in the West or the 5 1-2 in the wild card. But when I noted to Zduriencik that his club is minus-43 this year in run differential and no club has ever made the playoffs with a mark that bad (the worst was minus-42 by the 2005 Padres), ..."
Bell would be good fit for Yanks
Comment
July 30
Foxsports.com
 
"If you're thinking that Padres closer Heath Bell would be a perfect addition for the Yankees, you're thinking right. The Yankees indeed have expressed interest in Bell, but the teams are not engaged in serious discussions, according to a major-league source. Bell would be an ideal setup man for closer Mariano Rivera, and give the Yankees the option of returning right-hander Phil Hughes to their starting rotation. Between 10 and 15 teams are pursuing Bell, sources say. The Marlins are among those showing the strongest interest, and the Rangers are on the periphery. The Padres, however, are asking a high price — "as much as the Blue Jays are for Halladay," one source says — and might simply ..."
Yankees interested in Josh Anderson trade with Tigers
Comment
July 30
Michigan Live
 
"Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland confirmed today that the New York Yankees have interest in outfielder Josh Anderson, whom Detroit has 10 days since Friday to assign to another team via trade or have clear waivers before possibly sending him out-right to Triple-A Toledo. "It's a possibility," Leyland said. "They are interested. I think one other club is interested." The Yankees are looking to replace center fielder Brett Gardner, who has a fractured left thumb but is listed on the club's Web site as expected to return in mid-August."
Obstacles aplenty in any potential Halladay deals
Comment
July 30
CBSSports.com
 
"The Philadelphia Phillies now off the table after acquiring Cliff Lee from Cleveland, Toronto general manager J.P. Ricciardi says his "gut" tells him that ace Roy Halladay will remain with the Blue Jays through Friday's deadline. Trade deadline translation: Less than 48 hours until Friday's non-waivers trade deadline, Ricciardi's gut is telling him that it doesn't like what the Angels, Red Sox, Dodgers, Rangers and Yankees are offering. "My gut tells me [that he won't be traded]," Ricciardi told colleague Danny Knobler shortly after learning Wednesday that the Phillies had re-directed away from Halladay and latched onto Lee. "We haven't been moved enough to move the player." No doubt, ..."
Yankees awfully quiet as deadline approaching
Comment
July 30
Foxsports.com
 
"Could things really be this quiet around the New York Yankees at the trade deadline? One major-league source said there is "nothing going on" with the Yankees at the moment. Talks with the Mariners about left-hander Jarrod Washburn haven't heated up yet, largely due to the fact that it's not clear what Seattle's asking price is."
Yankees considering Corey Patterson
Comment
July 30
New York Post
 
"Corey Patterson was recently put on outright waivers by the Nationals and the Yankees are considering signing him to fill in as the backup center fielder until Brett Gardner recuperates from his hand injury, the Post has learned. The third overall pick in the 1998 draft, Patterson never developed the plate discipline necessary to capitalize on his elite speed and power potential. He hit just .133 in five games earlier this season with the Nationals. At Triple-A, he hit .274 with seven homers and 14 steals. The Yanks would view him as a 25th man who could spell Melky Cabrera plus run or play defense late in a game. The Yanks also have been looking at Josh Anderson, who was recently ..."
After Shoulder Surgery, Wang's Future Is Unclear
Comment
July 30
New York Times
 
"More than any other Yankee, perhaps, Jorge Posada understands what lies ahead for Chien-Ming Wang, who had surgery Wednesday to repair a torn shoulder capsule. Posada, the Yankees' catcher, had his capsule tightened last July when his labrum was repaired, and he was optimistic about Wang's recovery. "As a pitcher, it's different, and I don't know how bad his shoulder was," Posada said. "But with surgery, he's going to be fine. He's going to be stronger, I really think so, when everything's intact and where it needs to be." Dr. James Andrews performed Wang's surgery in Birmingham, Ala., and Manager Joe Girardi said the Yankees were awaiting word on the results. Until hearing Andrews's ..."
Yankees still not playing on Halladay, Lee
Comment
July 29
New York Post
 
"Yankees GM Brian Cashman did check in Tuesday with Toronto officials about Roy Halladay and Indians officials about Cliff Lee. But with roughly 48 hours until the deadline, the Yankees are still showing no inclination to chase either of the top starters in the trade market, sources tell The Post. A person close to the Steinbrenner family said that Cashman has not even asked permission to expand the 2009 payroll nor is there anticipation that ownership would allow a significant financial increase now. This is pertinent because the Yankees do believe that the Red Sox have put Clay Buchholz into a trade offer for Halladay and that Boston just might get the ace righty. In the offseason, ..."
Yankees making a strong push for Jarrod Washburn
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July 29
Yahoo! Sports
 
"With Chien-Ming Wang needing shoulder surgery and lost for the season, the Yankees are making a strong push for Seattle left-hander Jarrod Washburn, according to one rival executive. What the Yankees want, they usually get, which could be bad news for the Phillies, Brewers, Rangers and Twins, all of whom had scouts watching his sharp performance Tuesday night."
Yankees brass mulls pitch for Seattle hurler Jarrod Washburn
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July 29
New York Daily News
 
"Although Roy Halladay remains a long shot to be wearing pinstripes by the trade deadline and the asking price for Cliff Lee remains sky-high, the Yankees could be making a move for Jarrod Washburn to bolster their rotation. The 34-year-old lefthander is one of the latest names to enter the trade-deadline rumor mill, as Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik has started contacting teams around the league to field offers for several players, according to a source. Seattle had been on the fringe of the American League West race until a four-game losing streak this week dropped them 7-1/2 games behind the first-place Angels and the wild card-leading Red Sox, entering Tuesday night's action."
CC Sabathia shelled by Rays in 6-2 loss as Yankees mull trade options
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July 29
New York Daily News
 
"CC Sabathia led the Brewers to the playoffs last year by steamrolling through the National League Central. The big lefty is learning that life isn't so easy in the American League East. Sabathia was roughed up by the Rays Tuesday night in a 6-2 loss, falling for the third time in three starts against the Yankees' two primary division competitors. In three starts against the Rays and Red Sox, Sabathia is 0-2 with a 6.10 ERA, a far cry from his numbers against the rest of the league. "This is too good of a team for me to not even give us a chance," Sabathia said, showing more emotion than he has all season. "It's definitely frustrating and disappointing. We have been playing well, but you ..."
Outfielder and Pitcher Are Needs for Yankees
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July 29
New York Times
 
"The Yankees' needs have crystallized in the days before Friday's nonwaiver trading deadline. They need one capable pitcher - a starter or reliever - and one backup center fielder. The second need arose when center fielder Brett Gardner went on the disabled list Sunday with a broken left thumb. Gardner helped the Yankees as a starter and as a defensive replacement for Johnny Damon or Nick Swisher. Without him, the Yankees risk overusing Damon and exposing their defensive weaknesses in the late innings. Manager Joe Girardi said Ramiro Pena, playing center field for Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, needed more time to learn the position after coming up as an infielder. The team is also ..."