Yankees Outfield Surplus
According to Tracy Ringolsby of the Rocky Mountain News:
The Yankees are looking to move two from a group of outfielders of Xavier Nady, Nick Swisher and Hideki Matsui. The Angels, Texas, Oakland and Atlanta are considered to have interest.
Joel Sherman has noted that the Braves attempted to acquire Swisher from the White Sox before the Yankees did. The Angels seem content with their outfield. Sherman and Ringolsby both seem to think the Yanks prefer to retain Johnny Damon.
Sherman cautioned that the "glut of hitters" remaining on the free agent market will make it more difficult for the Yankees to move one of their corner guys. From the emails I receive, Yankees fans would most like to see Matsui dealt. Perhaps he will be, but I believe his current trade value is negative. 34 years old, full no-trade clause, $13MM salary in ’09, September knee surgery and a questionable ability to play the outfield.
Tip Submissions
Dan Slowey will be at the helm of MLB Trade Rumors tonight, covering from 5pm til midnight (CST). If you have a link to a rumor, feel free to email him at dan.slowey.mlbtr@gmail.com. Dan has a very close relative who plays for an AL Central team.
Be sure to check out Dan’s blog, Blogonoscopy.
Tip Submissions
Drew Silva will be in charge of MLB Trade Rumors from 5pm til midnight (CST) this evening. If you have a link to a rumor not currently on MLBTR, you can email it to Drew at silvadrt@gmail.com.
Tip Submissions
Today from 8am-5pm CST, MLB Trade Rumors will be tended by Ben Jones. If you come across a link for a rumor that is not on the site, please email it to Ben at benmlbtr@gmail.com. Thanks, and happy holidays!
Yankees Moving On From Pettitte?
Peter Abraham of the LoHud Journal suggests the Yankees may be ready to move on from Andy Pettitte. He says that unless they’re able to trade an outfielder such as Nick Swisher or Hideki Matsui, they may prefer not to pony up the $10MM for Pettitte.
No Bids For Koji Mitsui
Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker has the info – all 30 teams chose not to bid on recently posted lefty reliever Koji Mitsui. Newman suggests he could now be released, which would lower the cost for an MLB club. Mitsui put up a 7.50 ERA in 24 innings this year.
Chris Snyder Extension In The Works
According to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic, the Diamondbacks are nearing a three-year extension with catcher Chris Snyder. The deal would buy out his last two arbitration years (2009-10), his first of free agency (2011) and include a 2012 option for another free agent year. Piecoro believes Snyder will be guaranteed $14MM and could earn $20MM if the option is exercised. Snyder apparently just has to complete a physical for the deal to be complete.
Snyder, 28 in February, hit .237/.348/.452 in 404 plate appearances this year while throwing out 29% of attempted basestealers. Piecoro says D’Backs pitchers like working with him.
Will Ohman Rumors
Lefty reliever Will Ohman wants a two-year deal, and the market for him is picking up. So far in reports the Mets, Indians, Orioles, Rockies, Cardinals, and Braves have been linked to him. Marc Topkin adds the Rays to the mix in a report today.
Ohman, 31, held lefties to a .200/.257/.314 line this year. He earned $1.6MM.
Yankees Sign Kevin Cash
The Yankees are unstoppable! Joel Sherman says they’ve added catcher Kevin Cash on a minor league deal potentially worth $700K.
No Manny For Angels, Mets
8:19pm: Dan Graziano says Omar Minaya is unable to convince Mets ownership to allow him to pursue Manny, much to Scott Boras’ chagrin. Will Manny have to go crawling back to the Dodgers, as Graziano puts it?
2:07pm: MLB.com’s Rhett Bollinger talked to Angels GM Tony Reagins, who said:
"Manny Ramirez will not play for the Angels in 2009, or beyond, for that matter."