New York Yankees Trade Rumors

Alex Rodriguez unsure of Sunday return
Comment
September 2
ESPN.com
 
"While all signs point to Alex Rodriguez returning from the disabled list on Sunday, the New York Yankees third baseman said he isn't certain yet. "I'm taking a very precautionary approach and we want to be conservative and we want to make sure we are as close to 100 percent as possible," Rodriguez said after taking batting practice for the first time since beginning his rehab for his strained right calf. While Rodriguez appears on schedule, he said he didn't want to become "overconfident" about predicting a return on Sunday, when he is eligible to return from the DL. Rodriguez has now tested the calf by hitting, running and throwing, but he warned that isn't the same as game conditions."
New York Yankees awarded waiver claim on pitcher Ted Lilly: source; but Dodgers unwilling to trade
Comment
September 1
New York Daily News
 
"The Yankees were awarded a waiver claim Tuesday on Los Angeles lefty Ted Lilly, according to a baseball source, but the Dodgers so far are unwilling to trade the pitcher because they don't believe they are out of the playoff race yet. While L.A. GM Ned Colletti has been telling his baseball brethren that he believes the Dodgers are still wild-card contenders, the Bombers will continue to push to make a deal for Lilly, a Yankee source said, because they believe Los Angeles. might re-consider. The Dodgers, whose owners are in the middle of a divorce hearing, could save $2 million by letting Lilly go now. The Dodgers let slugger Manny Ramirez go to the White Sox on Monday. Lilly, 34, has been"
A-Rod's on target for Sunday return
Comment
August 31
New York Post
 
"Alex Rodriguez worked in the batting cage before last night's game between the Yankees and A's, his first step back to returning from a left calf injury. Rodriguez is eligible to come off the disabled list Sunday against the Blue Jays, and both manager Joe Girardi and hitting coach Kevin Long expect him to be ready to play that day, barring a setback. "He's good to go," Long said. Rodriguez did some hitting off a soft toss and a tee yesterday. The plan is for him to take some real swings tomorrow and get him ready for Sunday. Rodriguez did not speak to reporters, but appeared to be in good spirits. The 35-year-old third baseman has been on the disabled list since Aug. 21, but he has not"
Bruised hand may keep Tex on bench
Comment
August 29
New York Post
 
"Late last night, Mark Teixeira didn't sound or look like a player who would be in the Yankees lineup today. Teixeira had his right hand in a compression wrap after leaving a 12-9 win over the White Sox early in the game with a bone bruise he suffered diving for a ball Friday night. Teixeira, who came into the day having hit .059 (1-for-17) with runners in scoring position over his previous 15 games, said his early hitting work was affected by the sore hand. So, too, was his batting practice. "I thought the adrenaline would kick in but I had nothing," said Teixeira, who fouled out in the first. "I was swinging with one hand.""
Nova says shoot, no I didn't
Comment
August 29
New York Post
 
"Ivan Nova has denied allegations that he was injected with B-12 shots while pitching for Double-A Trenton last season. "I didn't use it," Nova told The Post. "No comment. I was surprised." The Post reported yesterday that Nova and teammate Wilkin De La Rosa are under investigation by Major League Baseball for allegedly injecting each other with the vitamin. Nova said MLB had yet to contact him, but that he was unaware if the league had spoken to his agent, Fernando Cuza. "We talked to him about it," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said of Nova, his scheduled starter for today's game against the White Sox. "We aren't aware of any investigation." Over the past few years, several prominent"
Ivan Nova makes second New York Yankees start in wake of reported MLB investigation
Comment
August 29
New York Daily News
 
"Ivan Nova will make his second big-league start Sunday as the Yankees close out their series against the White Sox, and although a published report indicated that the rookie was the target of a Major League Baseball investigation, Joe Girardi doesn't think it will have any impact on Nova when he takes the mound. "We've talked to him about it," Girardi said. "We're unaware of any investigation, but we talked to him yesterday just to say, 'You might be asked about it.' I feel that his head will be in the right spot." Asked about the report, which said MLB will look into allegations that Nova and a minor-league teammate injected each other with B-12 shots last season at Double-A Trenton, Nova"
Joe Girardi negotiates indirectly with New York Yankees brass in answers to Chicago Cubs questions
Comment
August 29
New York Daily News
 columnist Mike Lupica
"Managers hardly ever fire the Yankees. Ever since George Steinbrenner blew into town, it has mostly been the other way around. You can look it up. Dallas Green effectively fired himself one time when he started calling Steinbrenner "Manager George." Billy Martin once fired himself by describing Reggie Jackson and Steinbrenner this way: "One's a born liar, the other's convicted." But then Martin got himself hired back at Old-Timers' Day at the end of the same week, so it was no harm, no foul. The last guy to walk away was Buck Showalter, even though Showalter didn't have a job with the Yankees at the time. Oh, sure. Steinbrenner had just let Showalter go after the 1995 season and hired Joe"
A.J. Burnett's wrongs might cost him rotation spot
Comment
August 28
New York Post
 
"Joe Girardi may have sent A.J. Burnett a very public message last night. After the White Sox shelled Burnett in a 9-4 victory in front of 38,596 at U.S. Cellular Field, the Yankees manager admitted he is ready to take a hard look at his very shaky rotation. "We will evaluate after the weekend," said Girardi, who has CC Sabathia starting tonight and neophyte Ivan Nova going tomorrow. Asked if that evaluation involved looking at Burnett (9-12), who has been punished in his last two outings, Girardi left the door wide open. "You can take it whatever way you want," Girardi said. "My job is to evaluate this team after the weekend and see where we are at after this weekend.""
Joe Girardi: Great expectations
Comment
August 28
Chicago Tribune
 columnist Phil Rogers
"How much imagination do you have? Mine was taxed by the sight of the Yankees manager sitting in the visiting dugout at U.S. Cellular Field, talking to a throng of reporters about whether he would consider leaving the defending World Series champions to manage whatever is left of the Cubs in 2011. There was Northwestern grad Joe Girardi on Friday night, as scheduled, pleasantly holding court on the subject of potentially jumping ship amid a discussion of Andy Pettitte's workout and how he wished both the Rays and Red Sox both could lose when they play each other. He was congenial, if not forthcoming, and everyone involved was much more civil than they surely would have been 25 years ago"
Girardi says his focus is on Yankees, not Cubs job
Comment
August 28
Chicago Tribune
 
"Meeting with reporters before Friday night's White-Sox Yankees game at U.S. Cellular Field, Joe Girardi said he was flattered to be considered as a candidate for the Cubs' managerial vacancy but that he is focused on trying to win a second World Series. "As I've said all along, my responsibility is to the Yankees,'' Girardi said. "We're in a division race, a very tight division race, and my job is to prepare the club.'' Girardi, who is in the last season of his three-year contract, hasn't ruled out considering the Cubs job after the season but indicated that he is happy in New York. "I have a responsibility to the Steinbrenner family,'' he said. "They've treated me great, treated my family"
Girardi Plays Down Speculation About Cubs
Comment
August 28
New York Times
 
"Waiting in Joe Girardi's office Friday was a copy of The Chicago Sun-Times, which on its back page featured a silhouette of a man wearing a Cubs hat. Beneath a list of nine qualities the next Cubs manager must have, it read, "There's only one man for the job." On Page 56, there was a large photograph of Girardi. He did not get that far. "I didn't read it," Girardi said. "I'm a Sudoku guy." With the Cubs foundering and Lou Piniella retired, the main puzzle on the north side of town is deducing the team's next manager. And because of his Illinois roots, Northwestern pedigree and two stints with the Cubs - and an expiring contract with the Yankees - Girardi may appeal to Cubs ownership. To"
Girardi too good for Cubs to let go
Comment
August 27
Chicago Tribune
 
"As a third-grader in East Peoria, Joe Girardi turned in an essay that revealed his dream of being a Cub. As a teenager, Girardi loved going to Wrigley Field with his dad, Jerry, and eating Ron Santo's pizza and marveling at the Afro of his favorite player, Jose Cardenal. And nobody in Cubdom ever gets tired of hearing about the day Girardi dared to turn down the volume on teammate Sammy Sosa's boombox. Perhaps by the time the Yankees leave U.S. Cellular Field this weekend, Girardi will tease Chicago recalling parts of his past that make him the ideal future Cubs manager. That and the 2009 World Series ring Girardi won in his second season as Yankees manager. Without question, his personal"
Andy Pettitte throwing bullpen session in front of New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi Friday
Comment
August 27
New York Daily News
 
"It wasn't all that long ago that the Yankees' starting rotation was considered the strongest in the American League, boasting three pitchers on the All-Star team last month in Anaheim. As the Bombers prepare for the September stretch run, that no longer seems to be the case. CC Sabathia, Andy Pettitte and Phil Hughes combined for 34 first-half wins, Javier Vazquez had put his miserable start far behind him and A.J. Burnett was in the process of recovering from a forgettable June. Sabathia remains the gold standard, tied for the most wins in baseball with 17 as he pursues his first 20-win season and second Cy Young, but Hughes has been up and down since mid-June, Burnett continues to be an"
Girardi can't Chi away from Cubs questions
Comment
August 27
New York Post
 
"Joe Girardi knows he is going to be asked about replacing Lou Piniella as the Cubs' manager when he leads the Yankees into U.S. Cellular Field tonight for a start of a three-game series against the White Sox. The Cubs need a manager in the wake of Piniella's retirement on Sunday. Girardi might be the perfect candidate. He broke into the big leagues with the Cubs and returned for a three-year stint late in his catching career. He is from the Chicago area and went to Northwestern University. And Girardi's three-year deal worth $7.5 million to manage the Yankees ends after this season. As they did with Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera, who will be free agents after this season, the Yankees"
Joe Girardi to address Cubs managing vacancy on Friday
Comment
August 26
New York Daily News
 
"Joe Girardi plans to visit his ailing father, Jerry, during Thursday's day off in Chicago, one of his highlights during his annual voyage to the Windy City. Friday, Girardi will visit with the Chicago media, discussing the vacant Cubs managerial job for the final time until the season is over. "I don't know what they're going to ask, but I'm going to do it on Friday and that will be it," Girardi said. "It's just another thing you have to deal with. I understand people want to know what you're thinking, but my responsibility is here." Girardi's name has been linked to the Cubs job ever since Lou Piniella announced last month that he planned to retire. Piniella stepped down earlier this week"
GM: Hiroki Kuroda not on Yanks' radar
Comment
August 25
ESPN.com
 
"General manager Brian Cashman said Wednesday that even though the pitching-depleted New York Yankees are engaged in a bitter division battle with the Tampa Bay Rays, he does not anticipate going outside the organization for help before the Aug. 31 waiver deadline. "What we got is what we're going with," Cashman said by phone from his office at Yankee Stadium. "I anticipate we are going to use the alternatives we have here." That means youngster Ivan Nova, journeyman Dustin Moseley and, hopefully, a return to form by Andy Pettitte, out since July 18 with a groin strain. "That is what we expect to happen," Cashman said. He also refuted media reports that the Yankees were planning to acquire"
Yankees manager Joe Girardi plays down talk of Cubs job
Comment
August 24
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"Lou Piniella's abrupt departure as Cubs manager has reignited speculation that his replacement could be sitting in the Yankees dugout. After all, Joe Girardi grew up in Illinois, where he rooted for the Cubs, the organization that later made him into a big league player. However, the Yankees skipper, who led the team to its 27th World Series championship, played down talk about a possible homecoming. "I know I have a background there," Girardi said. "I'm not going to skirt around my background there. I grew up a Cubs fan, I played for the Cubs. But I'm not worried about that now. I'm worried about what we're doing now. We're in a fight." Said Girardi: "This organization has been great to"
Joe Girardi must wait for new contract
Comment
August 24
ESPN.com
 
"Even with the looming possibility of his hometown Chicago Cubs making a run at manager Joe Girardi, the New York Yankees will not alter their current policy of waiting until the season ends to discuss new contracts. "We'll deal with contract stuff down the line," Yankees GM Brian Cashman told ESPNNewYork.com on Monday. With Cubs manager Lou Piniella retiring, Girardi has emerged as a possible candidate in Chicago. Girardi has the resumé and the ties to Wrigley Field that make him a natural choice for the Cubs. Plus, Girardi's three-year Yankees contract concludes at the end of this season."
Pettitte won't talk about Clemens
Comment
August 21
New York Post
 
"Andy Pettitte today would not comment on Thursday's federal indictment of friend Roger Clemens. "I have nothing to say about that," Pettitte said. "If y'all want to talk about me, I'd be more than happy to – my injury or what I'm doing." Asked if he has been advised not to say anything, Pettitte said, "I think everybody can figure that out. That's pretty simple. I don't have any comment on that." The Yankees left-hander is expected to be the key witness against Clemens if the case ever goes to trial."
After early exit, A-Rod may be out a week with sore calf
Comment
August 21
New York Post
 
"Alex Rodriguez's comeback from a strained left calf lasted for one swing and one step last night. That was all it took for the Yankees slugger to feel the tightness in his leg that cost him three games this week. Now, it might be a while before he's back on the field. Rodriguez is likely to miss another week after suffering a setback in the Yankees' 6-0 loss to the Mariners. The 35-year-old said he does not think he made the injury worse, but it would make sense for the Yankees to be extra cautious with their $275 million man. It doesn't come at a good time, with the Yankees barely holding off second-place Tampa Bay in the East. An eighth-inning error by Ben Zobrist allowed the go-ahead"
New York Yankees ailing pitcher Andy Pettitte will not throw off mound again for at least one week
Comment
August 19
New York Daily News
 
"As Andy Pettitte rode to the ballpark Wednesday with his children, he asked them at one point to "help me stay positive" about the latest setback he has suffered with his troublesome left groin. But that won't prevent Yankee fans from viewing the lefty's status with more of a doom-and-gloom mentality - especially regarding the the stretch run and/or the postseason. Pettitte, who has been on the disabled list since July 18, will not throw off a mound for at least a week after an MRI exam following a bullpen session Tuesday showed that he still has a "small, persistent strain" in the groin. And regardless of the "stay positive" mantra, neither Pettitte nor the Yankees can be sure when or if"
A-Rod better, but sits
Comment
August 19
New York Post
 
"Alex Rodriguez sat out his second consecutive game last night, but took a step toward returning to the lineup. Rodriguez, out with a strained left calf, was able to take some swings before last night's game. It's unlikely he'll play third base for a few days, but he might be able to pinch-hit soon and maybe play DH this weekend. "He hit in the cage today and he felt great swinging," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "Now, that's not running. I'll see where he's at [today]. He felt better today, but he didn't run. Obviously that's a concern when you have a cap on.""
MRI on Yankees' Alex Rodriguez reveals left calf strain
Comment
August 18
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"Yankees star Alex Rodriguez underwent an MRI on Tuesday afternoon that revealed a low-grade strain of his left calf. Rodriguez remains day-to-day. "I'm not concerned," Rodriguez said. "I'm going to be fine." Both manager Joe Girardi and general manager Brian Cashman compared Rodriguez's injury to one suffered by catcher Jorge Posada earlier this season. In that instance, Posada missed four games. "We don't expect him to miss that much," said Girardi, who mistakenly referred to Posada's injury as keeping him out for six days. Cashman said Rodriguez will need a "couple days rest." He said Rodriguez's injury wasn't as significant as the one that Posada needed four days to bounce back from"
Pettitte suffers setback, probably won't return to rotation until September
Comment
August 18
New York Daily News
 
"Andy Pettitte probably won't return to the Yankee rotation until at least September, Joe Girardi said Tuesday night, after the lefty suffered another setback in his recovery from a groin injury. Pettitte threw from atop and halfway up the bullpen mound at the Stadium Tuesday and felt his groin "grab" again, he said. He went for an MRI exam, which revealed what the Yankees called a "small, persistent strain of the left groin." He will not throw off a mound for at least another week."
Nick Johnson done?
Comment
August 17
Bergen Record
 
"Nick Johnson's season likely is over after he suffered a setback with his ailing right wrist. The designated hitter apparently aggravated the wrist recently taking batting practice, according to Joe Girardi. The manager said he does not know "how long that means, how long he sits down." Johnson has not played since May 7 and had surgery May 18 to repair a tendon in the wrist."
Girardi Being Even More Cautious With Posada
Comment
August 12
New York Times
 
"The occupational hazards of catching are found all over Jorge Posada. He has missed time with an achy right knee, a balky right calf, a broken right foot and a cyst behind his left knee. His right shoulder felt a bit cranky Tuesday night, so his manager, Joe Girardi, kept him out. The injuries nag at Posada, costing him playing time that he will never get back. "It happens, man," Posada said. "It happens every year. Nothing different than other years." With one important difference: In other years, Posada could be counted on to catch 130 games, which he did from 2000 through 2007. Those days are long past, and Posada now catches three out of every five games, and the acquisitions of Lance"
Girardi says A.J. Burnett's back issue isn't serious, sees righthander pitching Tuesday
Comment
August 9
New York Daily News
 
"A.J. Burnett was scratched from Sunday night's start against the Red Sox with a bad back. But Joe Girardi doesn't see Burnett's woes as a long-term problem. "A.J. was doing his flat ground work, which is pretty normal (Saturday) and he felt some back tightness, spasms, stiffness," Girardi said. "We thought it was in our best interest to move him back until (Tuesday). The feeling is if he goes out and starts and feels it in the first, second, third inning it kind of puts you in a little bit of a bind so we moved him back to and we expect he'll be able to make that (start)." The Yankees face the AL West-leading Rangers in Texas Tuesday night. But considering Burnett's track record against"
Three youngsters could make Yankees in 2011
Comment
August 8
New York Post
 columnist Joel Sherman
"Early last week, with Alex Rodriguez struggling overall within his chase for 600 homers and Derek Jeter persisting in his worst season in the majors, one Yankees official turned to another and asked if the organization's best left side of the infield was in Scranton. It was a lighthearted crack, but not without meaning. Third baseman Brandon Laird was promoted from Double- to Triple-A and in his first game on Monday went 4-for-4 with two homers and was 8-for-12 in his first three games. Switch-hitting shortstop Eduardo Nunez has maintained an average near .300 average all season. Are they ever going to be the left side of the Yankees infield? Not unless there is catastrophic injury or"
A-Rod's left ankle injured on smoked Berkman BP liner
Comment
August 8
New York Post
 
"Home run No. 601 might take a while for Alex Rodriguez. The Yankees slugger took a hard grounder off the inside of his left ankle early in batting practice before yesterday's 5-2 win over the Red Sox and was scratched from the lineup with a bruise. It was a scary scene when Lance Berkman drilled a ball toward Rodriguez, who was at third base but did not see the shot. Rodriguez had just said hello to FOX broadcaster Joe Buck, who was in the Red Sox dugout, and one player who witnessed the scene said he thought Rodriguez may have been distracted. Rodriguez, however, said it took "a second" to say hello to Buck and said he wasn't distracted. X-rays showed no broken bones, but Rodriguez was"
Yankees notes: Jorge Posada sits
Comment
August 7
Bergen Record
 
"Jorge Posada didn't play in the last Red Sox-Yankees series in May, due to a fractured right foot. And he wasn't in the starting lineup for Friday night's opener of a four-game series against Boston. Francisco Cervelli was the starting catcher, and Lance Berkman was the designated hitter. "We've caught Jorgie three out of the five days, basically, and that's what I'll continue to do for the most part," said manager Joe Girardi, continuing the conservative approach with Posada. He turns 39 on Aug. 17. Prior to Thursday, Posada caught three of the last four games. Berkman's presence is a factor. "With Lance's arrival, he's going to DH a lot," Girardi said. Berkman entered Friday with eight"
Pettitte upbeat after mound session
Comment
August 7
The Journal News
 
"On top of a mound for the first time since straining his left groin, Yankees starter Andy Pettitte threw a bullpen session on Friday and hopes to be ready to face hitters before the end of next week. "Being up there, I'd say the first 20 pitches I was a little cautious because I'm scared a little bit," Pettitte said. "I don't want to hurt it again. Once I throw and push off, each pitch I felt like I got a little more confident. It was a good day for me." Pettitte has been cautiously optimistic every since general manager Brian Cashman estimated that the groin would take four to five weeks to heal. The three-week mark will come on Monday, and although Pettitte won't be ready to return to"
Pettitte throws bullpen session, will evaluate progress with Joe Girardi, Dave Eiland Saturday
Comment
August 7
New York Daily News
 
"Friday was a good day for Andy Pettitte. Pettitte wasn't sure what to expect when he took the mound for the first time since suffering a groin injury last month, but the lefthander's apprehension disappeared after he unleashed the first 20 pitches, his legs feeling strong with each throw. "This was a good step," Pettitte said. "I was a little worried about getting all the way up there. This was a good day." The bullpen session, which consisted of about 35-40 pitches, marked the next step in Pettitte's road back from the disabled list. The southpaw will sit down with Joe Girardi, pitching coach Dave Eiland and the team's training staff Saturday to map out his next move. "This was big for"
Pettitte, on Schedule, Pitches Off the Rubber
Comment
August 7
New York Times
 
"Andy Pettitte's recovery from a left groin strain has progressed according to schedule, if not ahead of it. He threw off a half mound Sunday and Tuesday, then off the pitching rubber Friday afternoon. Originally told he would miss up to five weeks, Pettitte, almost three weeks into his convalescence, said a return is not far off. "If it was up to me now, if I wanted to rush it, I would say, 'O.K., let me go throw somewhere right now,' because I got through today really good," said Pettitte, who threw 35 to 40 pitches in the bullpen. "I don't think that's going to happen." No, it will not. The Yankees have yet to discuss the plan for Pettitte, who acknowledged feeling hesitant Friday"
Bombers eyeing vet Guillen
Comment
August 6
New York Post
 
"Having acquired Lance Berkman and Austin Kearns this past weekend it would appear the Yankees wouldn't have room for Jose Guillen. Nevertheless, the Yankees aren't shutting the door on acquiring the much-traveled 34-year-old outfielder who was designated for assignment yesterday by the Royals. They have 10 days to deal Guillen or release him. Two weeks ago a Yankees official said there was no interest in Guillen, who told teammates at Yankee Stadium that he was close to becoming a Yankee. Now, the Yankees will track Guillen, who is expected to clear waivers since he is owed roughly $3.9 million for the remainder of this season. Guillen, whose next team will be his 10th, has a reputation"
Yankees and Red Sox were on verge of deal involving Lowell
Comment
August 4
New York Daily News
 
"The last time the Yankees and Red Sox made a trade was the Mike Stanley deal on Aug. 13, 1997. But the two rivals discussed a three-way deal before Saturday's trade deadline that would have sent Mike Lowell back to the Yanks, the organization where he started his career, Lowell and Red Sox GM Theo Epstein revealed Tuesday. Epstein said there was one team that had a fit for Lowell as the deadline approached but that making the deal "wouldn't have been an easy thing to do. "But given the fact that we'd have gotten something back that we feel would have benefitted us, and Mike would have gotten to the organization that had more of a role for him, we felt it was worth considering. We had"
Yankees tried 3-team deal to get Lowell
Comment
August 2
Foxsports.com
 columnist Ken Rosenthal
"Mike Lowell a Yankee? The possibility was discussed Friday, the eve of the non-waiver trade deadline, according to major-league sources. The Red Sox were not going to trade Lowell directly to the Yankees, sources said. The deal would have involved the Rangers, who would have acquired Lowell and sent him to the Yankees with the Red Sox's knowledge. Lowell, 36, remains in limbo with the Red Sox, who have not activated him from the disabled list even though he is 11-for-22 with four homers on his rehabilitation assignment at Triple A. The Yankees likely would have used Lowell as a right-handed DH and backup for Alex Rodriguez at third base and Mark Teixeira at first. Their acquisition of"
Berkman takes spot as starting DH
Comment
August 1
The Journal News
 
"Lance Berkman has always been a Texas guy. He was born in Waco, went to college at Rice and until Saturday had spent all of his major-league career in Houston. There was a time he thought he'd never leave. But as a kid, Berkman's father told him stories about the Yankees. Berkman learned to switch-hit so he could swing like Mickey Mantle. His favorite player was Don Mattingly. On Saturday night, after a flurry of trade-deadline moves, Berkman was in the Yankees' lineup at Tampa Bay as their new designated hitter. "It's surreal," Berkman said. "With the situation I had in Houston, I never thought there was any way in the world that this could happen. Now that it has happened, it feels good."
Berkman on board; Yanks add Kerry at deadline, too
Comment
August 1
New York Post
 
"Three weeks ago, the Yankees thought they had acquired a difference-maker in Cliff Lee. Yesterday, they completed two deals they hope improve their lineup and bullpen. Hours before their 5-4 win over the Rays at Tropicana Field, the Yankees officially added switch-hitter Lance Berkman in a trade from the Astros and got right-handed reliever Kerry Wood in a deal from the Indians. Late Friday night, the Yankees acquired outfielder Austin Kearns from the Indians. "The last 72 hours, things got hot," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. "We wound up with three deals we were comfortable with." Time will tell if they were the right moves. "The upside is very good for us," manager Joe"
Indians trade Kerry Wood to Yankees
Comment
July 31
Yahoo! Sports
 
"The New York Yankees acquired Cleveland Indians closer Kerry Wood near Saturday’s trading deadline in order to solidify the bridge from their starters to Mariano Rivera, according to reports out of New York. Wood, whose various injuries and ailments have limited him to 23 appearances this season, could fill the eighth-inning role vacated in the Bronx by Joba Chamberlain’s(notes) ineffectiveness. The Yankees will send a player to be named and pick up $1.5 million of the $3.6 million still remaining on Wood’s contract."
Yankees Complete Deal With Astros for Lance Berkman
Comment
July 31
AOL Fanhouse
 
"The Yankees officially acquired Lance Berkman on Saturday afternoon, sending Triple-A right-hander reliever Mark Melancon and Single-A infielder Jimmy Paredes to the Astros, who will pay part of Berkman's salary. Berkman, 34, batted .245 with 13 home runs and 49 RBI in 85 games for Houston and, like the rest of the his new lineup, was adept at drawing walks (60). He is expected to become the Yankees' primary DH. With Nick Johnson out since early May, Yankees DHs have hit just .248. The Yankees can now start four switch-hitters most nights: Berkman, Mark Teixeira, Jorge Posada and Nick Swisher. Melancon, 25, was considered a closer prospect but struggled in his call-ups to the majors. In 40"
Second Astros icon on way out
Comment
July 31
Houston Chronicle
 
"It might not be official, but judging by the scene in the Astros' clubhouse prior to Friday's game — the hugging, handshakes and heartfelt wishes being exchanged — it might as well be. Lance Berkman, who took over from Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell as the face of the franchise upon their retirements, is following another team icon out the door and likely has played his last game as an Astro. One day after Roy Oswalt approved a trade to the Philadelphia Phillies, Berkman is on the brink of joining the New York Yankees after agreeing to waive his no-trade clause. Earlier Friday, Berkman politely declined to confirm that a deal was finalized or even on the table, honoring a request by Astros"
Yankees land outfielder Austin Kearns from Indians
Comment
July 31
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"The Yankees announced on Friday night that they have acquired outfielder Austin Kearns from the Indians via a trade with the Indians for a player to be named later. Kearns is expected to join the Yankees on Saturday. Kearns, 30, was in the midst of a bounceback season with the Indians. He is hitting .268 with eight homers and 42 RBI, all after two frustrating seasons with the Nationals. Kearns' addition gives the Yankees a veteran presence on their bench, which had been a priority for Yankees general manager Brian Cashman. Yankees manager Joe Girardi said Kearns' name had only surfaced on Friday as a possible addition for the Yankees."
Yankees trade for Astros' Lance Berkman to solidify DH spot
Comment
July 31
New York Post
 
"Lance Berkman gave his blessing to be traded to the Yankees and, unless he changes his mind today, the club will add the switch-hitter to their already strong lineup. And the Yankees didn't stop there. They also acquired outfielder Austin Kearns last night from the Indians for a player to be named later. "[Kearns] is an experienced right-handed bat with power," manager Joe Girardi, declining to comment on Berkman. The Yankees also still were trying to obtain a stronger backup infielder to spell Alex Rodriguez before today's 4 p.m. non-waiver trade deadline. Berkman, who has 10-and-5 rights (10 years in the league and at least five with his current team) under the basic agreement between"
Yankees on verge of trade for Berkman
Comment
July 30
New York Post
 
"Lance Berkman does not directly fit any of the Yankees' greatest needs. However, his price both in dollars and/or prospects has fallen so low that the Yankees have moved to the brink of acquiring the Astros switch-hitter. Berkman was not in the Astros lineup for their game against the Brewers in Houston. When it comes to position players, the Yankees actually preferred either a supplemental type who either plays the corner infield (to rest Alex Rodriguez on occasion) or bats righty and plays the corner outfield (to put Curtis Granderson on the bench against most lefties). Berkman is neither of these. He used to play the outfield, but at 34 with a body breaking down, he has been exclusively"
Berkman likely to be moved
Comment
July 30
ESPN.com
 
"The Astros had almost no action on Lance Berkman until the past few days. But all of a sudden, Berkman has gone 5-for-10, with a homer, a double and five RBIs in his past three games. And the Astros just went out and traded for his heir apparent, Brett Wallace. So one AL exec now says: "Berkman's going to go." The White Sox, Yankees, Red Sox and Rays have all checked out Berkman. But the same exec predicts the Yankees will swoop in and get this done if they miss out on Dunn. If not, Berkman is expected to clear waivers. So he could easily get dealt next week if nothing happens by Saturday."
Dodgers, Yankees consider trading for Lilly
Comment
July 30
ESPN.com
 
"The Chicago Cubs are in a waiting mode, waiting to jump on any deal that makes sense to them with the non-waiver trading deadline approaching at 3 p.m. CT on Saturday. The Los Angeles Dodgers have had the most interest in left-handed pitcher Ted Lilly, and they've been pursuing him for over three weeks. The Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti and Cubs GM Jim Hendry had their first discussions about Lilly on July 9 in Hendry's box at Dodgers Stadium. Since that time, the Dodgers have looked for money in order to acquire the Cubs pitcher. The Dodgers have financial constraints due to the imminent divorce between the owners of the team, Frank and Jamie McCourt. Although the Dodgers made a"
Yankees finished with pursuit of Dunn
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July 30
New York Post
 
"The Yankees have all but given up hope of landing Nationals slugger Adam Dunn, The Post has learned. The Yankees consider the current asking price steep and would only deliver that kind of package for a game-changing necessity, such as Cliff Lee, not for someone they consider a luxury, such as Dunn. Plus, the Yankees were worried about giving up significant prospects and not being sure about Dunn as a DH. Dunn has spent his entire career in the NL, so he has never DH'ed regularly and has said repeatedly he does not want to be exclusively a DH. That combination made the Yankees wonder if he would adapt to the job, especially when you add on a new league, a new city, and a level of"
No deals yet for Yankees
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July 29
The Journal News
 
"With baseball's trade deadline 72 hours away, Yankees manager Joe Girardi said his day-to-day routine has not changed in anticipation of a move. "It's pretty normal for me to talk to (general manager Brian Cashman) a couple of times a day anyway," Girardi said. "I'm not really talking to him any more now than I normally would. I'm sure if something heated up, it might become more." As it stands, the Yankees have not been closely linked to any individual player. They are believed to be monitoring the market for relievers, bench players and possibly an impact bat, but for the most part things have been quiet since their near trade for Cliff Lee. Blue Jays reliever Scott Downs is perhaps the"
Toronto has high asking price for Downs
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July 28
SI.com
 
"Toronto's asking price for reliever Scott Downs is high, and no it's known how high (at least for in-division deals involving Toronto's fellow AL East members). The Blue Jays asked the Yankees for top catching prospect Jesus Montero and the Red Sox for one of two two prospects, either pitcher Casey Kelly or shortstop Jose Iglesias. The New York Post first reported the Boston names."
Yankees balk at Blue Jays' price for Downs
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July 28
New York Post
 
"Joba Chamberlain is no longer Joe Girardi's only option to pitch the eighth inning. That doesn't mean, however, the struggling right-handed reliever isn't coveted by other clubs who might be trying to buy low because of Chamberlain's recent woes. After the Diamondbacks asked for Chamberlain to be part of a Dan Haren deal, a source who has knowledge of what the Blue Jays want for lefty reliever Scott Downs said Toronto requested Chamberlain. That stays true to the industry believing the Blue Jays' asking price for a 34-year-old reliever who can become a free agent is far too high. When the Red Sox contacted the Blue Jays about Downs, Toronto asked for highly regarded infield prospects Casey"