Outfield Options

The Melky Cabrera/Javier Vazquez trade created a hole in left field for the Yankees, and the options are somewhat limited thanks to a budget restriction. Now that Mark DeRosa, Jason Bay Matt Holliday and Marlon Byrd are virtually off the market, only a handful of options remain in the free agent pool. Let's take a look at the remaining options for left field:

Rick Ankiel
2009 Stats: .231 AVG/11 HR/38 RBI (STL)
2009 Salary: $2.8 million
Comments: Ankiel actually makes some sense for the Yankees in terms of ability and price. He'd slide nicely into the bottom of the batting order and his career 1.7 UZR in left field suggests he would not be a complete embarrassment in the outfield. He's likely to post better numbers in 2010 but I wonder if he has the makeup to play in New York.

Johnny Damon
2009 Stats: .282 AVG/ 24 HR/ 82 RBI (NYY)
2009 Salary: $13 million
Comments: The Yankees negotiated with Damon earlier this winter, but the outfielder's demands were too high. The affable Damon remains unsigned but if he was willing to take a one-year deal, the Yankees would likely bring him back. He'd serve as a major boost to the offense, but would he cause problems because of his reduced pay?

Jermaine Dye
2009 Stats: .250 AVG/ 27 HR/ 81 RBI (CHW)
2009 Salary: $11.5 million
Comments: Although the Yankees have been linked to Dye, I can't see them pursuing a 3X year-old Type-A free agent who is a defensive liability in the field. Dye would likely take a one-year deal, which helps his case, but the Yanks will probably look elsewhere.

Jonny Gomes
2009 Stats: .267 AVG/20 HR/51 RBI (CIN)
2009 Salary: $1.275 million
Comments: Gomes was obviously helped by Cinergy Field in 2009, but he could also serve as a cost-effective option for the Yankees. Gomes would add some power to the lineup and thanks to a career .307 AVG against lefties, Gomes could serve as a platoon partner for Brett Gardner. Mark down Gomes as a solid pick. Especially considering Shelley Duncan is no longer on the team.

Eric Hinske/Jerry Hairston Jr.
Hinske's 2009 Stats/Salary: .242 AVG/8 HR/25 RBI (PIT/NYY) - $1.5 million
Hairston's 2009 Stats/Salary: .251 AVG/10 HR/39 RBI (CIN/NYY) - $2 million
Comments: Both Hinske and Hairston were a great additions to the Yankee bench and performed well at the plate in limited appearances. Either player could act as a serviceable outfielder while splitting time with Gardner and Hoffman, but I worry about Hinske's defense and Hairston's durability.

Reed Johnson
2009 Stats: .255 AVG/4 HR/22 RBI (CHC)
2009 Salary: $3 million
Comments: The Yankees have already been connected to Johnson, and he'd be a good fit in the outfield thanks to his glove. If the price was fair he would be a good addition, but Brett Gardner could probably match Johnson defensively while adding speed to the lineup and at half the cost. Johnson would make a solid platoon option for Gardner.

Xavier Nady
2009 Stats: .286 AVG in 28 AB (NYY)
2009 Salary: $6.55 million
Comments: Nady has allegedly priced himself out of New York, which really raises a few questions. Firstly, how little are the Yankees looking to spend on an outfielder? Secondly, how much could a player who missed the 2009 season honestly ask for? Either way, there does not appear to be a match here, which is probably for the best. Nady would have been an injury concern going into 2010 anyway.

Scott Podsednik
2009 Stats: .304 AVG/7 HR/30 SB (CHW)
2009 Salary: > $1 million
Comments: Podsednik would be another excellent fit for the Yankees, adding speed to the bottom of the order and a solid glove in the field. He's basically Brett Gardner with more power and experience, but with a career .370 batting average against the Red Sox, the Yankees would be dumb to not take a look.

Randy Winn
2009 Stats: .262 AVG/2 HR/51 RBI (SFG)
2009 Salary: $9.6 million
Comments: Winn had an extremely down year in 2009, which could help the Yankees get him at a discount price. He's always had a solid glove and will likely post better numbers next season. The Yankees have shown interest in Winn in the past, so it would not surprise me if they went after him. Still, there are better options available.

Merry Christmas from Pinstripes, Pa.

It was another enjoyable year for Yankee fans, from the signing of Mark Teixeira to a World Series victory. I wish you a happy and healthy holiday, and I thank you for visiting and supporting this blog. Merry Christmas.

Yankees close with an outfielder?

I've gotten a few e-mails about this, so I figured it deserved a post. Apparently, Brian Cashman announced on the MLB Network's Hot Stove Show that the Yankees are close to signing a right-handed outfield bat. No word yet on who it is, but Jermaine Dye and Mark DeRosa are the logical options. My money is on DeRosa.

Acquisition Roundup: Johnson, Vazquez

The Yankees have made two significant moves since my last update: the signing of designated hitter Nick Johnson to a one-year, $5.5 million contract and the acquisition of pitchers Javier Vazquez and Boone Logan from the Atlanta Braves. The Yankees traded Melky Cabrera, Mike Dunn and Arodys Vizcaino for the aforementioned pitchers. Let's break down each of the deals on these former Yanks:

Nick Johnson: .291 AVG/.426 OBP/.405 SLG in 133 G
Comments: Although the Yankees will seriously miss Hideki Matsui's bat in 2010, Johnson is a fine replacement and will slide into the batting order nicely thanks to his keen eye and high on-base average. His durability remain a concern, but at $5.5 million, the Yankees are not investing much in the former first baseman. Thanks to Johnson's unique talents and knack for getting on base, he can bat in the two-hole behind Derek Jeter, or anywhere in the second half of the lineup. He'll also be able to give Mark Teixeira the occasional day off.

Javier Vazquez: 15-10/2.87 ERA/5.4 K:BB ratio in 219 IP
Boone Logan: 1-1/5.19 ERA/1.1 K:BB ratio in 17 IP
Comments: I could not be happier with this trade. Although I'm sad to see Cabrera go, the (re)addition of Vazquez adds serious depth to the Yankee rotation at a minimum cost. Vazquez has posted three consecutive 200+ strikeout seasons and proved to be one of the more durable pitchers in the game. On most teams, he's a number two starter, but with the Yankees he's likely a middle or bottom of the rotation pitcher. He'll likely perform much better than his initial stint with the Yankees, when a shoulder injury and pinkeye destroyed the second half of his season. The 25 year-old Logan could compete for a bullpen role, but will likely start the year with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He's not the best prospect, but he does have the potential to be an average left-handed reliever in the future.

Now, the loss of Cabrera means the Yankees will need to add a left fielder, and it appears as though Jermaine Dye, Mark DeRosa and Johnny Damon are the front-runners. Although, I would prefer to shift Curtis Granderson to left field and use the speedy Brett Gardner in center.

Alternatives to Johnny Damon

According to reports, negotiations with Scott Boras and outfielder Johnny Damon are becoming difficult and the 36 year-old is planning to investigate other destinations. Per George King of the New York Post:

“I am going to start looking around. Teams are getting better and there are teams interested,” Damon told The Post yesterday. “I can’t wait forever and I am sure [the Yankees] are trying to figure things out. I have to be ready.” (source)

Damon reportedly wants a three or four year deal with an annual salary of $13 million. Thats right. A 36 year-old outfielder with shoddy defense and a noodle for an arm is searching for a four-year, $52 million contract. Now, Damon was a terrific hitter in three of the four years he spent with the Yankees and he adds serious depth to the lineup, but to think that he can continue to perform at peak level after the age of 35 is a bit ridiculous. But, this is the way Scott Boras negotiates and he's damn good at his job.

Should Damon actually find a team that will give him the three or four year deal, the Yankees will likely search for an alternative. Let's take a look at some options:

Free Agents: Rick Ankiel, Jason Bay, Marlon Byrd, Jermaine Dye, Matt Holliday, Xavier Nady.
Comments: Any of these players could make sense for the Yankees at the right price. If Dye, Byrd or Ankiel were willing to take a one-year deal with a base salary of $7-8 million, they could be an inexpensive alternative. Matt Holliday is obviously the best player of the group, but he'll command top dollar. As I said yesterday, few teams have the space and money to sign Holliday, so I still think there is a chance he could end up with the Yankees.

Trade Targets: Pat Burrell, Gary Matthews Jr., Juan Rivera, Jayson Werth, Milton Bradley.
Comments: Not many solid options here, aside from Rivera and Werth, and I think the Angels would rather move Matthews. That leaves Werth as the best choice, and trading for the 30 year-old actually makes a lot of sense for both clubs. With a combined $54 million committed to Roy Halladay, Ryan Howard and Chase Utley in 2010 and the upcoming free agency of shortstop Jimmy Rollins, Philadelphia will need to cut some payroll. The club has a viable backup option in Ben Francisco and may need to add some young arms after the recent trade. Perhaps a package of Zach McAllister, Melky Cabrera and Mike Dunn could land the outfielder and J.C. Romero or Jamie Moyer. That would trim more than $10 million off the club's payroll.
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The Suitors for Holliday

Yesterady, the Red Sox signed both John Lackey and Mike Cameron, adding a projected $25 million to the payroll for 2010. The additions also took the Red Sox out of the bidding for both Jason Bay and Matt Holliday. Although some reports state that the Yankees are not interested in either outfielder, I think that the Bombers will still go after Matt Holliday. They have an open spot in left field and they have money. That makes them a logical destination for the 29 year-old slugger.

The other teams that could logically fit and (or) afford Holliday? The Jays, Mariners Braves, Cubs, Reds, Rockies, Mets, Giants, Padres and Cardinals. Out of that list, only the Mets, Cardinals and Yankees make sense. I expect yesterday's flurry or transactions to inspire the Mets and Mariners to intensify their pursuit of Jason Bay. If either team signs him, it leaves the Mets, Yankees and Cardinals as the most logical destinations for Matt Holliday.

Now, the Cardinals probably need him more than the Yankees for several reasons. Firstly, it'll help persuade Albert Pujols that the team is committed to winning. It will also boost the lineup and solidify the outfield. The Mets are also in dire need of a corner outfield bat. The Yankees can easily get by without Holliday, but with so few teams able to afford and fit the outfielder, expect the Bronx Bombers to be in the mix.

Hot Stove Roundup: 12/15/09

In what will probably be the most exciting day in the 2009-1009 offseason, the Red Sox signed pitcher John Lackey to a five-year deal, the Angels inked outfielder Hideki Matsui to a one-year contract and most importantly, the Phillies acquired ace left-hander Roy Halladay in a three-team deal with the Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays. Somewhere in there, the M's got Cliff Lee and the Red Sox signed Mike Cameron.

Although the Mets have not shown any renewed interest in Jason Bay, I expect yesterday's moves to inspire the club to make a strong offer for the outfielder's services. I also think the market for Matt Holliday will heat up once Bay signs. According to some reports, the Yanks have shown interested in both players, but Buster Olney cites an insider that thinks the club has no chance of going after either outfielder. I remember several outlets that reported that same thing about Mark Teixeira last offseason.

The Yankees non-tendered Chien-Ming Wang, who later rejected a contract offer from the Yankees. He'll explore free agency for the first time in his career, but I think he'll end up in the National League. The Dodgers seem like a logical choice, given Wang's rapport with Joe Torre. Before his injury, Wang was the most reliable starter on the Yankee staff, and helped cement the Yankees' youth movement in 2005.

The Yankees are one of several teams interested in pitcher Matt Capps. After three solid seasons from 2006-2008, the 25 year-old reliever struggled in 2009. He'd be a wonderful addition to the bullpen if the Yankees can straighten out his issues.

According to Ken Rosenthal, the Yankees have also shown interest in starting pitcher Ben Sheets. I've already stated why Sheets should be the Yankees primary target going forward, and this seems to be a pretty good sign. Hopefully they can sign the right-hander soon, but he's in no rush to sign, according to Rosenthal.

Yankees Notes: Hoffman, Gardner Sheets, Damon

The Yankees took Dodgers outfielder Jamie Hoffman with the first round pick in the Rule V Draft. The 25 year-old Hoffman will likely compete for a bench role in spring training, but the Yankees can now trade Melky Cabrera or Brett Gardner, should the opportunity arise. Hoffman posted a .291/.390/.466 line in 97 games split between Double and Triple-A last season, and hit .182 with a home run in 14 major league games with the Dodgers. Hoffman is a strong defender with the ability to play all three outfield positions. The former NHL-draftee has some power, a decent eye and solid baserunning skills.

Both the Royals and White Sox have asked the Yankees about outfielder Brett Gardner. I'm not sure what the team could get in return for the speedy center fielder, but with the addition of Hoffman, I'd prefer to trade Melky Cabrera. That way the Yankees will have a versatile player in Hoffman and terrific pinch-runner in Gardner.

According to Marc Craig of the Newark Star-Ledger, the Yankees have spoken with the representatives for pitcher Ben Sheets. I wrote yesterday that Sheets is the best option for the Yankees because of his high ceiling and possibly willingness to take a short-term deal. Let's hope the Yankees take a hard look at the right-hander.

ESPN is reporting that the Yankees are working on a deal to resign outfielder Johnny Damon. Damon is one of the better options on the market, and the Yankees have some leverage in negotiations thanks to the Curtis Granderson acquisition. Adding Damon on a short-term contract would be ideal for the Yankees.

The Next Moves...

Now that the Yankees have Curtis Granderson and Andy Pettitte in the fold, the Yankees have made serious headway in sculpting the 2010 roster. Here is what I think the team should do, going forward:

1. Sign Ben Sheets
There are plenty of starting pitchers to chose from this winter, but Ben Sheets should be the Yankees top priority. Roy Halladay would obviously be a great addition to the rotation, but the Blue Jays demands are very high. John Lackey will also be expensive and his declining strikeout rate and elbow issues worry me. Joel Pineiro and Jason Marquis are better suited for the National League. That leaves Ben Sheets as the best option, now that Randy Wolf and Rich Harden have been signed.

Sheets has the highest ceiling of the free agent class, and possibly the best stuff. Yes, his durability should be a cause for concern, but the Yankees won't ride him like an ace and there will be no pressure to go deep into games. Throw in the fact that he is a year removed from elbow surgery and has spent the past few months rehabbing his pitching arm, and you have a low risk/high reward pitcher. Especially if he can be had for an incentive-laden contract with a low base salary.

2. Sign Matt Holliday
Holliday is the bigger name player, and should probably be listed first, but I think the rotation is more important than another bat. Johnny Damon and Mike Cameron are both good options to plug into left field, but Holliday is a truly special player who may want to be a Yankee. He'll add even more right-handed power to the lineup and is a definite upgrade over Damon's defense. Minus the speed, he's an upgrade on the offensive side of things too. If the Yankees can get Holliday on a four or five year deal, they should do so. He'd be a perfect fit behind Derek Jeter and Curtis Granderson in the batting order.

Update (12:51 pm): The more I think about it, the more Johnny Damon makes more sense for the Yankees. I'll have to put a bit more thought into it, but adding Damon on a cheap two year contract would certainly help roster and payroll flexibility down the line.

3. Draft Chad Tracy
For a team like the Yankees, the Rule V draft is usually a good time to pick up a bench player or relief pitcher to try out in spring training. Most of the time, they'll get sent back, but in this case, the Yankees could benefit from having the first-round pick in the draft. They should take Chad Tracy with that pick. The 23 year-old catcher hit .279 with 26 home runs for Double-A Frisco last season and has the ability to play first base and left field. He'd make a fine third string catcher, pinch hitter and defensive replacement.

Hot Stove Notes: Holliday, Chapman, Gardner

The Yankees are very interested in outfielder Matt Holliday, according to Yahoo! Sports' Steve Henson. He adds that Johnny Damon is the fallback option should the Bombers not secure Holliday's services. I'm not sure what kind of money the former-Rockie is asking for, but we do know that his father wants him to play for the Yankees.

It was reported yesterday that the Yankees would not invest more than $15 million on Cuban pitching phenom Aroldis Chapman, and now Ken Davidoff is reporting that the Yanks do not even consider him an option for the 2010 rotation. He'd be a nice pickup if the price is right. The Yankees will watch his upcoming workout session, along with the Red Sox.

According to Jayson Stark, the Royals checked on the availability of outfielder Brett Gardner after the Curtis Granderson trade. Now that there are three center fielders on the roster, one of them is going to have to leave. My money, is unfortunately on Gardner.

The Newest Yankee

The three-way blockbuster trade that brought Curtis Granderson to the Yankees has been made official, per Chad Jennings. Brian Cashman told reporters that he started discussing the trade before Thanksgiving, and things intensified when the Diamondbacks showed interest in Edwin Jackson. According to Cashman, Detroit had no interest in low-level prospects, they wanted major league ready talent, and they certainly received three players with the potential to spend the 2010 season the Tigers' 25-man roster. Cashman acknowledged how difficult it was to give up Jackson, but he is very happy with the return. He also said that Johnny Damon and (or) Hideki Matsui are still possibilities. With the White Sox and Angels interested in Matsui, I think Damon has the better chance of coming back.

(photo credit/mlb.com)

Hot Stove Notes: Halladay, Lackey, Johnson

According to Jon Heyman, the Blue Jays want uber-prospect Jesus Montero and either Phil Hughes or Joba Chamberlain and possibly an additional prospect in return for pitcher Roy Halladay. That's an extremely steep price, especially considering the Yankees just gave up Austin Jackson yesterday. This type of posturing happened two years ago when the Twins put Johan Santana on the block. If Toronto moves Halladay, there is no way they'd get a package with the talent of Hughes, Montero and another prospect. If I had to place a bet, I think it'll cost the Yankees Chamberlain, Austin Romine, Melky Cabrera and Zach McAllister. But then again, I don't see the Yankees getting the lefty. I also did not see them getting Granderson, so I'm pretty good at making predictions.

Meanwhile, Brian Cashman has scheduled a meeting with John Lackey's agent. I'm not a huge fan of Lackey because of his personality and injury concern, but he is the best free agent pitcher on the market right now. He'd slide into the rotation nicely between Burnett and Pettitte.

Jayson Stark is reporting that the Yankees are one of several teams interested in first baseman Nick Johnson. I guess they'd like to bring him in to serve as the designated hitter, and he'd fit pretty well there. Especially if he contract demands were not too high.

Winter Meeting Roundup: Day 3

Now that the Yankees have bolstered their rotation and outfield, they only need to add another starter and a corner outfielder to cap the offseason. I'd personally like to see Rich Harden or Ben Sheets and Johnny Damon return on a one-year deal. Throw in a DH that can play the infield (Hank Blalock, Russel Branyan, Chad Tracy) and the Yanks should have another strong team going into 2010.

The Yankees, along with several other teams, have inquired on pitcher Joel Pineiro. Under the tutelage of Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan, Pineiro had a career year in 2009, going 15-12 with a 3.49 ERA in 214 innings.

According to Jon Morosi of FoxSports, Rich Harden may be willing to sign an incentive-laden one-year deal. Harden has always been an injury concern, but the Yankees really need to take a long look at the 27 year-old pitcher.

The Yankees are shopping their first-round Rule V Draft pick, according to Jayson Stark. I've heard that the crop is pretty thin this year, but Steve Henson thinks they'll take Arquimedes Caminero. He has an awesome name, so I'd be fine with that move, but they could be better off drafting a guy like Matt McBride who would add depth to the bench and could serve as a third catcher.

Despite dealing one of their best chips in the Granderson trade, the Yankees are still very much in the hunt for Roy Halladay, according to Joel Sherman. Sherman also thinks that Cashman will approach this situation like he did with the Mark Teixeira signing. As long as the Yankees don't give up Joba Chamberlain or Jesus Montero, I'm fine with trading for Halladay. The club would be foolish to trade their three best young players in the same offseason.

Ken Rosenthal confirms that the Yankees are still suitors for outfielder Mike Cameron, but the club is also interested in Marlon Byrd. I assume both players are backup options for left field should Damon reject the Yankees' offer.

Yanks ink Pettitte to $11.75 million deal

On the heels of the Curtis Granderson trade, the Yankees resigned left-handed pitcher Andy Pettitte to a one-year, $11.75 million contract today. Of course, that's a steep price for a 37 year-old pitcher, but Pettitte fits well into the middle or back-end of the rotation and is a great clubhouse guy. Plus, he's been a very dependable starter since rejoining the Yankees so this works out quite well on both ends.



Update: Joel Sherman is now reporting that the deal is official. Now the Yankees just need to sign Rich Harden and the 2010 rotation should be ready to roll.

Evaluating the Granderson trade

Well, I was wrong. The Tigers lowered their asking price, and the Yankees actually traded for outfielder Curtis Granderson yesterday in the biggest Bomber trade since the acquisition of Randy Johnson.

The Trade:

To the Yankees: Curtis Granderson
To the Diamondbacks: Edwin Jackson, Ian Kennedy
To the Tigers: Austin Jackson, Phil Coke, Max Scherzer , Daniel Schlereth

The Good:
The Yankees have an established, polished, inexpensive All-Star outfielder for the next four seasons. Granderson can hit anywhere in the batting order, has a great personality and is another athletic, energetic and charismatic player on the Yankee roster. He'll be an instant fan favorite. He'll patrol the outfield for the prime of his career and could put up big power numbers at Yankee stadium. The deal also gives the Yankees leverage against Johnny Damon and Hidkei Matsui, who will lose a bit of money thanks to the acquisition.

The Bad:
The Yankees essentially got Granderson for Austin Jackson. Phil Coke was merely a throw-in, and is easily replaceable. It would have been nice to have Kennedy as rotation depth, but it's not hard to find a replacement starting pitcher for the back-end of the rotation. It hurts to lose Jackson, but there are two ways of looking at this. You have to give up talent to get talent, and in this case

While Granderson is a terrific player, his career batting average against left-handed pitchers and in the clutch is a cause for concern. So is the fact that he strikes out 150 times for season. He makes up for a lot of his offensive shortcomings with great range and a strong arm in the outfield, but you have to hope he'll learn to take more pitches in New York.

The Winner(s):
On paper, the Yankees and Tigers won this trade, but Edwin Jackson could end up as the 2010 NL Cy Young. I've seen stranger things happen. That said, the Tigers got a boat load of inexpensive talent: a possible future All-Star outfielder in Jackson, and adding Scherzer to the staff gives Detroit one of the best young rotations in baseball. Coke will slide into the Tiger bullpen, and Schlereth could join him by the end of the year.

The Yankees also did really well here. I would have preferred to keep Jackson, but he was the only real piece lost in the trade, and the team got a toolsy, dependable player in return.

(photo credit/AP)

Yanks, Tigers, D-Backs Working on Blockbuster Trade

A rumored three-way trade between the Diamondbacks, Tigers and Yankees surfaced last night and picked up steam this afternoon. According to multiple sources, the deal is very close and could be completed within the hour. The initial trade had Edwin Jackson and Ian Kennedy going to Arizona, Curtis Granderson and a prospect heading to the Yankees and the Tigers getting Austin Jackson, Phil Coke, Mike Dun and Max Scherzer. Terrific deal for the Tigers, solid deal for the Yankees and the D-Backs look like losers here.

Either way, it appears that Detroit and Arizona have signed off on the deal and are waiting on the Yankees. Supposedly, Mike Dunn or Phil Coke will be left out of the deal, which makes it somewhat more tolerable. Especially if they can land a prospect from Arizona and can get their hands on a decent player in the Rule V Draft later this week.

I can't say I'm a huge fan of the deal, mainly because the Yankees will lose Austin Jackson. I suppose you have to give up talent to get talent, but I rather the Yankees package Jackson in a trade for Toronto's Roy Halladay than an outfielder who barely hit .250 last season. Granderson is a tremendous player on both sides of the field, but the Yankees may be sacrificing a lot in moving Jackson. Only time will tell, but as of now it appears as if this deal is going down.

Now, if the team signs Matt Holliday, Rich Harden and Andy Pettitte to compliment the trade, I won't complain.

Winter Meeting Recap: Pitchers, Damon, Cervelli

Pitching will obviously be a top priority for the Yankees this offseason, and we already know that there is interest in Andy Pettitte and Roy Halladay, but the team has been connected to several other pitchers as well.

They'd bid on Cuban phenom Aroldis Chapman, but will draw the line at $15 million. They've checked in on Kelvim Escobar, and have shown interest in John Lackey, Rich Harden, Joel Pineiro, Randy Wolf and Jason Marquis. I like the aggressive approach Brian Cashman is taking with the pitching market, but out of that list I'd only be comfortable with Rich Harden or Randy Wolf. I'd give Brett Myers or Jon Garland a shot if they were willing to take one-year contracts, especially if Chien-Ming Wang returns. That being said, Harden and Lackey are the best picks.

Jon Heyman is reporting that the Yanks will likely offer outfielder Johnny Damon a two-year, $20 million contract. If they can't sign Damon, Heyman thinks they'll go after a pitcher like Wolf or Pineiro and an outfielder like Jermaine Dye or Mike Cameron.

Brian Cashman told reporters that the club would probably not bring in a new backup catcher, so the job is likely Frankie Cervelli's going forward. I'm a big fan of Cervelli's energetic style of play, and he's certainly an inexpensive option. He's certainly an offensive upgrade over Jose Molina.

Winter Meeting Recap: Bruney, Granderson, DeRosa, Pettitte

I assumed the Yankees would remain quiet during this year's edition of the Winter Meetings, but they actually had a busy day. Surprisingly, they've been connected to several players and could end up making a few more transactions in the coming days. I'll try to update as much as possible, but I don't have the time to do 24/7 coverage this year. Fortunately there is Chad Jennings and MLB Trade Rumors for that.

The Yanks sent pitcher Brian Bruney to the Washington Nationals for a PTBNL, which ended up being a Rule V Draft pick. The Yankees could end up getting a decent bench player, so the deal won't end up as a total wash. With Mark Melancon nearly ready for the majors, Bruney had no real place in the New York pen. Especially with the emergence of David Robertson. I actually have a source with the Nats, so I'll be sure to update you on how he likes pitching for Washington. He's already campaigning for the closer job, and he cuts down on the walks he'd probably do fine in that role.

A Curtis Granderson/Edwin Jackson to the Yankees rumor picked up some serious steam today, but it was pretty much unfounded. This kind of stuff happens all the time in the off season, and I think the Tigers will go into the 2010 season with Granderson in center field, mainly because their asking price is astronomically high. Still, the Yankees remain interested in the outfielder but they would probably prefer to trade Phil Hughes and Austin Jackson for Roy Halladay, not guy who strikes out 150 times a year and can't hit lefties.

The agents for Mark DeRosa have supposedly met with the Yankees, but I can't see how the infielder would fit with the team. The New Jersey native would make a tremendous utility player, but based on the previous two seasons, I can't see him accepting a backup role.

Lastly, there have been conflicting reports regarding Andy Pettitte, but the consensus is that the Yankees have made him their first target of the offseason. Early reports suggested that Pettitte turned down the Yankees' initial offer but it was later revealed that an offer had not yet been made. Buster Olney, Jon Heyman and Joel Sherman are all reporting that the Yankees will offer the lefty a one-year deal worth more than $10 million.