Yankees Rumors

Quick Hits: Padres, Phillies, Drabek, Vlad

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | June 18, 2012 at 10:31pm CDT

Teams interested in acquiring starting pitching help surely noticed when the Cubs placed right-hander Ryan Dempster on the disabled list with right lat tightness today. Dempster, 35, is one of the top starters known to be available in trades. Here are today’s links…

A quick sale of the Padres may not be possible at this point, writes Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times. The three apparent finalists are all leading bid groups with multiple investors, which will require extensive background work once a sale is announced.
Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com examines the trade stock of some of the Phillies biggest names in the event that their slide continues into late July.
Blue Jays righty Kyle Drabek is scheduled to undergo Tommy John surgery tomorrow, tweets Barry Davis of Sportsnet.ca. This will be the second time Drabek has been through Tommy John.
Free agent designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero isn't close to signing, Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports reports (on Twitter).
There's no indication the Tigers are interested in Jim Thome, John Lowe of the Detroit Free Press reports. Thome, a "longtime tormentor" of the Tigers, bats left-handed, which means he’s not a perfect fit in Detroit. The Tigers are interested in acquiring a bat before the July 31st trade deadline and they'd prefer to add a right-handed hitter, Morosi reported yesterday.
GM Brian Cashman told Jim Bowden on MLB Network Radio that the Yankees haven't pursued contract extensions for Robinson Cano or Curtis Granderson, but aim to keep both players long-term (Twitter link).
Maury Brown explains that TV deals are boosting franchise values across MLB in a piece at Baseball Prospectus.

Sherman On Dempster, Lee, Gonzalez

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | June 18, 2012 at 8:15am CDT

MLB executives expect the additional Wild Card teams to slow the trade market this summer, Joel Sherman of the New York Post writes. The Cubs and a few other teams such as the Athletics, Astros and Padres are willing to sell now, but most clubs still hope to contend this summer. Here are some notes from Sherman on the trade market:

No clear difference makers appear to be available right now, Sherman reports. People are generally waiting to see if the Brewers or Phillies decide to trade established stars for controllable talent.
A Yankees official told Sherman that Ryan Dempster would just “muddy the water” in New York, an indication that the Yankees aren’t overly interested in the Cubs right-hander.
Though there’s no indication that Cliff Lee and Carlos Gonzalez are available, Sherman makes the case that their respective clubs should consider trades for them this summer. Lee, who has a nine-team no-trade list, would appeal to a number of contenders, and Gonzalez would draw considerable interest in a trade market that currently features few impact hitters.
Sherman points out that people in the industry see California native Cole Hamels heading toward a big payday from the Dodgers after the season when he hits free agency.

East Notes: Blue Jays, Phillies, Braves, Soler

By Zachary Links | June 15, 2012 at 9:43pm CDT

Earlier today we learned that Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos asked the Twins about Justin Morneau. However, one exec noted that Anthopoulos seems to "[call] about everyone." Here's more on the Blue Jays and the rest of the division..

Anthopoulos isn't worried about any criticism that may come his way, writes Michael Grange of Sportsnet. Even though the GM knows that the club has to show progress on the field, he insists that he won't be swayed by popular opinion and won't rush into making a move.
Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (via Twitter) spoke to a scout who didn't have a very high opinion of where the Phillies stand or what they can offer in a trade. “They’re not young. They’re not healthy. And their system is thin," the scout said.
The Braves were right there with the Cubs and willing to spend $30MM on Jorge Soler, tweets Peter Gammons of MLB.com. The White Sox and Yankees, meanwhile, had bids that fell between $25MM and $30MM.

Yankees Like Dempster; Dodgers Eyeing Garza

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | June 15, 2012 at 4:40pm CDT

Ryan Dempster held the Red Sox scoreless for seven innings in Chicago today and even picked up two hits to provide his team's offense with some assistance. Here's the latest on Dempster and his teammate, Matt Garza:

Several contenders, including the Yankees and Dodgers, covet Dempster, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Two scouts at today's game said the Yankees prefer Garza to Dempster, David Kaplan reports (on Twitter).
Dempster told Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports that he doesn’t pay attention to the rumors, though it’s flattering to know teams are interested in him. “I’ve been itching to get back to the playoffs,” Dempster told Rosenthal. “I just wanted another opportunity. I never got it. And we’ve struggled since then.” Dempster is a clear summer trade candidate, as I explained yesterday.
The Dodgers are interested in Garza, Rosenthal reports. Garza, 28, has a 4.04 ERA with 8.3 K/9 and 2.6 BB/9 in 71 1/3 innings for the Cubs this year.

Yankees Sign Austin Aune

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | June 15, 2012 at 2:22pm CDT

The Yankees signed second round selection Austin Aune for a $1MM bonus, Jim Callis of Baseball America reports (on Twitter). The Yankees selected the high school shortstop/outfielder 89th overall in last week's draft.

MLB recommends a bonus of $548K for the selection, so Aune's bonus will account for a disproportionate chunk of the Yankees' draft budget. Aune had been recruited to play quarterback at TCU, Callis adds.

Olney On Red Sox, Quentin, Willingham, Pirates

By Mark Polishuk | June 14, 2012 at 8:07pm CDT

ESPN's Buster Olney shared a number of items (via his Twitter feed) about a variety of hot stove topics and rumors…

The Red Sox might be forced to deal Kevin Youkilis due to a "roster crunch" at the corner infield positions and players returning from the DL. Rival executives, however, think Youkilis currently has "no trade value" so it doesn't make sense for Boston to move him right now.
The Angels and Yankees are "still waiting for needs to be defined" before exploring trades, while the Red Sox are only focused on acquiring starting pitching.
Many baseball executives believe the Padres will trade Carlos Quentin, though Olney reports the Padres "would like to" offer Quentin a long-term extension sometime this summer. Olney's phrasing may relate to the uncertain status of the Padres' ownership situation.
Teams have checked in on Josh Willingham but have been told that he isn't available. Some believe this could change but others believe Twins GM Terry Ryan "is, generally speaking, conservative with in-season deals" so the Twins could hold onto their slugger.
The Pirates are looking for hitting but thus far found few sellers willing to deal.
The Dodgers are asking about first basemen as they look to upgrade from James Loney but have "no reason to go crazy" finding a second base replacement for Mark Ellis, who will return from the DL at some point.
The Rockies aren't seen as a team with much to trade, as their roster is split between "untouchables" (i.e. Troy Tulowitzki) and "role players" (such as Rafael Betancourt).
Jim Thome could be a trade target for AL teams but Olney believes Phillies GM Ruben Amaro would first ask Thome if changing teams was something the respected veteran would want.

Yankees Notes: Quentin, Swisher, Nunez

By Mark Polishuk | June 14, 2012 at 7:17pm CDT

The Yankees own baseball's all-time best record (164-109) in interleague play, including a 7-2 mark against the National League this year. The Bronx Bombers are riding a six-game winning streak thanks to consecutive sweeps of the Mets and Braves and they'll visit the equally red-hot Nationals in a three-game series this weekend. Here's the latest from Yankee Stadium…

The Yankees don't consider Carlos Quentin as a fit for their needs, tweets Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. The Yankees would want to fill left field with someone "speedier" than Quentin, which probably also means someone more defensively capable (Quentin has a career UZR/150 of – 9.1). MLBTR's Ben Nicholson-Smith explored Quentin as a trade candidate in May and the Tigers were linked to Quentin earlier today.
Chad Jennings of the Lohud Yankees blog looks at how Andre Ethier's recent extension with the Dodgers may impact Nick Swisher's free agent value this winter and Swisher's chances of re-signing with the Yankees.
MLB.com's Bryan Hoch looks at a few Yankee hot stove topics in a fan mailbag, including the possibility of an Alfonso Soriano trade and how the Yankees could be trying to build Eduardo Nunez's trade value by playing him at several different positions.

Ben Sheets Throws For Teams

By Tim Dierkes | June 13, 2012 at 9:03pm CDT

Righty Ben Sheets threw for scouts today in Monroe, Louisiana, MLBTR has learned. Scouts from the Phillies, Braves, Yankees, and Angels were in attendance.

Sheets, 33, signed a one-year, $10MM deal with the Athletics in January 2010 despite missing all of the '09 season due to a partial tear in the flexor tendon near his right elbow. He made 20 middling starts for the A's in 2010 before going down for a second flexor tendon procedure in August. At the time, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reported that Sheets actually had three procedures done on his elbow, including Tommy John surgery.

Word is that Sheets didn't want to return to baseball unless he felt 100%, and he'd like to help a team down the stretch. Assuming he flashes his old form in throwing sessions, Sheets will be a popular free agent this summer.

AL East Notes: Guerrero, Blue Jays, Red Sox, Yankees

By Zachary Links | June 13, 2012 at 9:02pm CDT

The Blue Jays released Vladimir Guerrero yesterday morning at the slugger's request. Here's a bit of news on the 37-year-old and more from around the American League East..

The Tigers‬' interest in Guerrero is lukewarm, a source told Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (via Twitter). It's not clear if Detroit will pursue him at this point. Bean Stringfellow, the veteran's agent, says his client is not retiring and plans to continue playing.
Red Sox skipper Bobby Valentine says that it's only human for Kevin Youkilis to be upset by trade rumors, writes Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald. Earlier today, the third baseman confessed that this season hasn't been terribly fun for him.
Yankees Triple-A catcher Francisco Cervelli could help several teams in the majors but continues to serve as the club's insurance policy, writes Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com. The catcher told Heyman that he has no hard feelings against the Yankees.
Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus (via Twitter) sees supplementary first round selection Matt Smoral signing with the club for over-slot, but not for twice as much as the $1MM recommendation.

AL East Notes: Youkilis, Orioles, Chamberlain

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | June 13, 2012 at 11:13am CDT

Roger Clemens won his 300th MLB game and joined the 4,000 strikeout club on this date in 2003, when he pitched the Yankees to victory against the Cardinals. Here are today's AL East links…

Kevin Youkilis said this year hasn't been fun and realizes he might be traded, Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald reports. “If I get traded, I get traded. Nothing you can do,” Youkilis said.
Steve Tolleson, Miguel Gonzalez and Xavier Avery are candidates to join the Orioles should Endy Chavez go on the disabled list, Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com writes. Baltimore could also call on Lew Ford or Nate McLouth, but doing so would require opening a spot on the 40-man roster.
The perception that the Yankees' handling of Joba Chamberlain led to his Tommy John surgery frustrates GM Brian Cashman, Joel Sherman of the New York Post writes. The right-hander has started throwing bullpen sessions and is "clearing all the hurdles" to return to the Major Leagues in 2012.

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