OK, Yankees Fans: we are now in the home stretch of the 2010 trade season and so far the Bronx Bombers have… well, they’ve bombed on getting any fresh blood, much less an impact type of player. That being said, neither have the Red Sox or the Rays so the status quo in the AL East remains. It seems rather hard to believe that July 31 will come and go without one of the premier teams in the East doing something to try to separate themselves from the others. So here’s a quick link dump on what’s being whispered about by various sources:
*Jayson Stark reports that the Yankees tried to pry away Joakim Soria by offering Jesus Montero. That seems to confirm a report from John Heyman, but I remain doubtful. As much as I’d love to see Soria wearing Pinstripes, that simply is a trade that doesn’t match up well. KC’s farm system is well stocked at catcher and first base, so as big a bat as Montero looks to be; he would have nowhere to play in KC (unless the Royals could move Jose Guillen to another team and slide Billy Butler to the primary DH role, or jettison Jason Kendall).
*Heyman also mentions in the same report that the Yankees seem more intent on picking up bench help, mentioning Ty Wiggington, Cody Ross and Jhonny Peralta by name. Personally, I wouldn’t Peralta anywhere near this team, even as a bench player. His defense is suspect at both short and third; and his bat is now slider-speed, at best. I still like Ross as a fourth outfielder. Wiggington would be interesting; he has a reputation as good clubhouse guy and immediately seems to go on a tear whenever he joins a new team. But I doubt the Orioles will trade him within the division.
*There are numerous reports, including from Heyman, Stark and Bob Klapisch, about Adam Dunn, and they all say basically the same thing: the Nationals asking price is beyond exorbitant.
*One final note from Heyman: he tweeted earlier today that he thought the Yankees have interest in Ted Lilly, but not Roy Oswalt. For our sakes, I hope he’s wrong and the Yanks don’t even bother asking about Lilly. And from everything we’ve heard, the Astros price for Oswalt is typical Drayton McClane; which is to say it’s a lot like those old “Crazy Eddie” commercials – INSANE!!!
*Klapisch also wonders what it will take to fix Joba Chamberlain. I think most Yankee fans are wondering what it will take to convince Brian Cashman to trade Joba Chamberlain, especially after he nearly blew an 8-run lead yesterday. Even Joe Girardi sounded exasperated after Joba’s latest meltdown. (You got me. It’s not really a trade rumor. But even long-time Joba supporters like me are starting to think it might be time for him to go.)
*Yesterday, Jon Paul Morosi suggested that the Yanks and Red Sox are bidding against each other in pursuit of Scott Downs. I wonder if Toronto is trying to inflate Downs’ price, though. Although, Downs would be a significant upgrade over Chan Ho Park.
That’s all that seems to be percolating in the Bronx today. I suppose we can only hope that the reports about the Rays interest in Chad Qualls is more than speculation. J
M. B. Rozell
Kevin Rozell
why dont the yankees trade ramiro pena i know he is an excellent fielder but his batting avg hasnt been above 200 the whole season
That’s the problem. Not much trade value in decent glove/no hit MIF. If he had an Omar Vizquel type glove, you could probably get something in return. There’s a reason the Yankees are looking for bench help.
-Ray
Let’s see now. Cliff Lee 0-2 with Texas. Dan Haren 0-1 and injured in first start for the Angels. Tell ya the truth, those magical trades like CC Sabathia going 95-0 for Milwaukee or Mark Texeira batting .499 with 50 homeruns and 200 rbi’s in 80 games for Atlanta are rarities. Most of the time these guys end up being like Ed Whitson.
The Yanks should stand pat, only moving to prevent TB or the BoSux from getting someone by grabbing him first.
Is there any way they can trade Joba for a bag of baseballs?
If TB really wants Chad Qualls, I wouldn’t bother blocking that.
But yeah, the trade market is getting thin. I doubt a Ross or Downs is a difference maker, just a nice piece that can be an upgrade (Downs v. Park). No way you give up more than a B package for anything left.
So Soria has put they Yanks on his list of no trade to. Fine. As we like to say in the Bronx, “Fuck you and your ancestors”.