Yankees Focused On Gagne, Wheeler, Qualls

It seems highly likely that the Yankees will make a move to upgrade their bullpen before the Tuesday trade deadline.  They appear to have three main targets.

Kat O'Brien of Newsday says the Yanks have had serious discussions with Texas regarding Eric Gagne.  Though Gagne wants to close, remember that he can be traded to New York without his consent.  A Rivera-Gagne combo would essentially turn every game into seven innings.  O'Brien names righthanders Ian Kennedy and Jeff Marquez as two pitchers the Rangers might be after.  Kennedy is definitely more highly regarded.  The Rangers also like Melky Cabrera but the Yankees are resisting.

Meanwhile, Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News tells us that the Yankees have "narrowed their sights" to Dan Wheeler and Chad Qualls of the Astros.  The Astros control Wheeler through 2009 and Qualls through 2010, so the asking price will be significant.  Jayson Stark says Houston is looking for a young MLB-ready position player; Cabrera seems to fit the bill.

Another Yankee-related note from O'Brien's article - the Yankees are not pursuing Ty Wigginton anymore.  Other writers do not agree.  Dan Graziano indicates that Wiggy is still in play and the Yankees might try get Al Reyes added to the deal as well.  Peter Abraham talked to an AL exec who expects the Yanks to get Wigginton.  Graziano adds that the Yankees have had recent discussions about Octavio Dotel and Jon Rauch.

Comments

[JD]

Melky Cabrera is also not going to be traded for a reliever, plus the Astros don't need him - they have too many outfielders as it is. I think that Qualls could be cheap, but he's also a NL pitcher, not an AL East pitcher. I they Yankees acquire a reliever, it will be for prospects that aren't as good as the ones you usually hear about. Perhaps George Kontos and Chase Wright for Eric Gagne? That would make sense for both sides.

[JD]

I realize the Orioles said that they will keep their bullpen together, but they will have too many guys. See the chart:

9th - Chris Ray
8th - Danys Baez
7th - Chad Bradford
6th/Specialist - Jamie Walker

I think that Jamie Walker would be traded if a team offers a decent prospect for him - his salary is high for a specialist and he's 35 years old. Red Sox or Tigers would be in on him, I think.

[JD]

Jon Rauch of Washington would be a nice acquisition for the Yankees - big tall guy with poise, not expensive (salary-wise) and not yet 30 years old. If the Yankees want to use Proctor as trade bait, Rauch's acquistion would be all the more necessary.

[JD]

GAGNE TRADE PROPOSAL:
__________________________

YANKEES GET:
Eric Gagne
C.J. Wilson
Wes Littleton

RANGERS GET:
Scott Proctor
Chase Wright
Kyle Farnsworth (NYY pays half of '07 salary)

Yankees get to dump Farnsworth, don't miss Proctor much, Wright is a nice prospect and Texas native. Littleton isn't a must, but the Yankees should get another player back in addition to Gagne and Wilson because Gagne is an impending free agent, so they would potentially get Gagne for two months and have a net gain of C.J. Wilson for two better relievers and a prospect. That would not look too good.

[JD]

Tigers may be willing to offer more:

TIGERS GET:
Eric Gagne

RANGERS GET:
Virgil Vasquez
Average Prospect?

Makes sense for Texas, but risky for Detroit.

[J.L.]

Aren't the yanks and tigers 2 of Gagne's "consent" teams? Besides that, I thought he wanted an extension with Texas so he can get his payday again before his arm alls off.

[N41D]

The Rangers aren't going to get Melky for Gagne, but they sure as heck aren't trading Gagne, Wilson (the two best players involved in the deal) PLUS Littleton for a marginal prospect and two relievers that have 6-7 years on what they're giving up and won't help the Rangers win 2-3 years from now. Farnsworth is awful, and Procter has zero value to Texas. The only rumor I've heard with the Yankees that interests me at all is Gagne for Ian Kennedy or a prospect along those lines.

Best guess: Gagne stays, especially with Aki Otsuka looking like he's heading for Tommy John.

[GoBoSox420]

Kontos and Wright for Gagne? Not only has gagne professed a desire to keep closing, that offer is just ridiculous. Maybe if the yanks throw in Cairo they can get Texeria as well?

[Brian]

According to rotoworld.com, the Astros have traded RP Dan Wheeler to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for 2B/3B Ty Wigginton. Wigginton is hitting .275 with 16 homers and 49 ribbies right now and is arbitration eligible through 2010. Decent trade if you ask me. Here is the link...

http://rotoworld.com/content/HeadLines.aspx?sport=MLB&hl=218328