Results tagged ‘ yankees ’

Yankees talking about Wandy Rodriguez

The Yankees have discussed Houston Astros left-hander Wandy Rodriguez, but still have to be convinced that he would represent a significant upgrade over the pitching they currently have in their rotation.

General manager Brian Cashman balked at the Rockies’ request for several high-level prospects in exchange for right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez, who instead went to the Indians on Saturday.

Left-hander Manny Banuelos is generally considered off-limits by the Yankees, but they seem willing to at least talk about players like right-hander Dellin Betances, catcher Jesus Montero and right-hander Ivan Nova.

Rodriguez represents the upper echelon of what’s left on the market leading into Sunday’s 4 p.m. ET Trade Deadline, but the Yankees will need to believe that he would make an impact over what Bartolo Colon or Freddy Garcia figure to provide in order to stomach the $38.3 million he’d be owed through 2014 if Rodriguez exercises his player option for that season.

Rodriguez is 7-7 with a 3.49 ERA in 19 starts this year for Houston. In 122 innings, he has permitted 49 runs (47 earned) and 120 hits, including 15 homers, while walking 38 and striking out 106.

– Bryan Hoch

7/27 Big Z to Yankees? – UPDATE

ESPN’s Buster Olney reports Wednesday a source told him the Cubs are trying to get the Yankees to take Carlos Zambrano, and offering money to offset his salary. However, Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports said the Yankees’ reply was: No interest.  The Cubs would have to get Big Z’s approval because he has a full no-trade clause. Zambrano is signed through 2012 plus a vesting option for 2013. He’s being paid $17.875 million this year, and is owed $18 million in 2012. The 2013 option is for $19.25 million. He will become a 10-and-5 player in early August. Zambrano (7-5, 4.70 ERA) is scheduled to start Wednesday at Miller Park against the Brewers. He’s won his last seven decisions at Miller Park and has a 2.40 ERA there. That stretch includes his no-hitter Sept. 14, 2008, against the Astros.

– Carrie Muskat

Yankees may not make a big move

It is little secret that the Yankees would like a big-time arm to slot behind CC Sabathia in their rotation, given the uncertainty their current hurlers may offer come October, but the Rockies’ asking price for Ubaldo Jimenez is still believed to be too rich.

The New York Post reported Wednesday that the Yankees have spent more time discussing relievers and, internally, have pessimism that they will be involved in a major deal before the Trade Deadline. Ownership is also not pushing general manager Brian Cashman to make a big move.

The Rockies’ original asking price for Jimenez, according to the Post, was left-hander Manny Banuelos, right-hander Dellin Betances and catcher Jesus Montero, plus right-hander Ivan Nova.

Cashman has been generally protective of those players, though he was willing to part with Montero last July when the Mariners were dangling Cliff Lee. He balked at including Nova in that deal.

– Bryan Hoch

Yankees asked about Marlins’ Nolasco

The Yankees inquired about the Florida Marlins’ Ricky Nolasco, according to a tweet by Sports Illustrated’s Jon Heyman, but were told that the right-hander is not available. The Marlins are looking to hold on to their starting pitching in part to help build anticipation for the opening of their new stadium next year.

The Yankees would like to upgrade a starting rotation that has A.J. Burnett, Phil Hughes, Bartolo Colon and Freddy Garcia following ace CC Sabathia, if possible, and are also interested in left-handed relief help behind Boone Logan.

- Bryan Hoch

The high price of Ubaldo

Rockies pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez has a club-friendly contract, some success under his belt and a nice fastball. That means the Rockies would require a lot to deal him.

The price has surfaced.

Word in the industry is the Rockies are requiring a high price from the Reds, with whom they’ve had talks. The Rockies require starting pitchers Travis Wood and Homer Bailey, plus one of two young stars — flame-throwing left-handed pitcher Aroldis Chapman or top catching prospect Devin Mesoraco, currently at Triple-A Louisville. The Rockies have made it known that they have no plans to lower their price.

Another name that has come up in talks between the teams is prized first base-outfield prospect Yonder Alonso, but the Reds called him up from Louisville on Tuesday after trading Jonny Gomes to the Nationals for two prospects, left-handed pitcher Chris Manno and outfielder-first baseman Bill Rhinehart.

The Denver Post reported that the Rockies have asked about Reds outfielder Chris Heisey.

In other news:

– The Red Sox and Yankees made inquires on Tuesday, mainly to stay updated on the situation. In addition, the New York Post and ESPN reported that the Blue Jays have expressed interest in Jimenez.

– Sports Illustrated and CSNNE.com each say the Red Sox have interest in backup outfielder Ryan Spilborghs, and the Boston Herald said the Red Sox have inquired about catcher Chris Iannetta and Jimenez, but not Spilborghs.

– The Rockies placed first baseman Jason Giambi on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday with a left quadriceps strain, which likely will mean he won’t be dealt before the Deadline. However, the Rockies could still deal him after the Deadline by having him pass through waivers. As long as Giambi is with his new team by Sept. 1, he will be eligible for the postseason roster.

– Thomas Harding

Yankees looking for lefty relievers

Boone Logan has been the Yankees’ lone left-hander in the bullpen for nearly all of the season, and general manager Brian Cashman gave him a vote of confidence after a rocky start to the season. But the team is still looking for help in that department.

The New York Post reported that the Orioles and Cubs had scouts at Yankee Stadium on Monday, fueling speculation the Yankees have interest in left-handed relievers Mike Gonzalez of Baltimore and John Grabow of Chicago.

The Post also mentioned the White Sox’s Wil Ohman and the Marlins’ Randy Choate – a former Yankee – as possible Bombers targets, while noting that the Padres were surprised how tepid the Yankees’ interest was in Heath Bell and Mike Adams.

The Yankees also have veteran lefty J.C. Romero in their system, having stowed him for the moment at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He could be summoned to supplement Logan, who has been recently joined by 24-year-old lefty Steve Garrison, a call-up from Double-A Trenton.

In the starting pitching department, the Newark (N.J.) Star-Ledger reports that the Yankees have dispatched scouts to watch the Astros’ Wandy Rodriguez and Brett Myers, but have not inquired upon either player.

The Yankees are also said to have expressed some level of interest in Dodgers starter Hiroki Kuroda, though Kuroda hasn’t been asked to waive his no-trade clause for any specific club. – Bryan Hoch

7/19 Soriano: “I don’t worry”

Cubs outfielder Alfonso Soriano has heard the rumors. It’s July, close to the trading deadline, and his name has been mentioned before.

“I don’t worry,” he said. “I don’t have control of that situation.”

Soriano, 35, would be an expensive addition for a team. His contract with the Cubs runs through 2014, and he is owed $18 million each year. He does have a full no-trade clause and is closing in on 10-and-5 status, but said he would not get in the way if the Cubs approached him about a possible deal.

The Chicago Tribune reported Sunday there were “unconfirmed rumors” that the Yankees were interested but sources told MLB.com there have not been any conversations. Soriano entered Tuesday’s game against the Phillies just 1-for-14 since the All-Star break, and batting .255 overall with 14 homers and 41 RBIs. However, he hasn’t homered since June 19.

– Carrie Muskat

If Phil is right, do the Yankees need Ubaldo?

That’s the question Yankees general manager Brian Cashman is likely pondering as the non-waiver Trade Deadline nears.

Anybody would want Ubaldo Jimenez — but at what cost?

With regards to the Yankees, the names that have surfaced as potential pieces to a deal are the likes of Manny Banuelos, Dellin Betances, Ivan Novaand Jesus Montero (though SI.com is reporting Monday that Montero wouldn’t be the centerpiece of the potential trade, since the Rockies don’t view him as a catcher).

Since Jimenez is under club control for a while, is pretty affordable and isn’t really having a great year, the Rockies don’t feel much pressure to move him at this point. So it isn’t surprising that they’re asking so much for his services.

An added wrinkle is what took place on Sunday afternoon at Rogers Centre, when Phil Hughes registered his best start of the year — the type that made you feel he was getting awfully close to being the 18-game winner of 2010.

Now, the question is: If Hughes really is back, should the Yankees — with CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Hughes at the top of their rotation, and Bartolo Colon, Freddy Garcia and Nova filling out the back end — give the Rockies what they want for Ubaldo?

Bombers Beat has more on that dilemma …

– Alden

7/17 Soriano to Yankees?

The Chicago Tribune reported on Sunday an “unconfirmed rumor” from the Cubs camp has the Yankees looking at a multi-player deal with the Cubs, which would involve Alfonso Soriano. He would be an expensive addition as Soriano is owed nearly $63 million and is signed through 2014. But the Yankees apparently want more production from left field. Soriano, 35, does have a no-trade clause. He played for the Yankees from 1999-2003, but was a second baseman then.

– Carrie Muskat

Yankees one of many interested in Ubaldo

The Yankees were one of 17 teams watching Ubaldo Jimenez pitch in Colorado on Thursday night, according to The New York Post, which attributed talent evaluators in saying New York has a “better than average” chance at acquiring the ace pitcher.

Jimenez has struggled to a 5-8 record and a 4.08 ERA in his first 18 starts this year, which could make him more attainable than in recent years — especially considering the Rockies are 8 1/2 games back of first place. An anonymous source told the Post Jimenez has pouted this year because Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez received large contract extensions this offseason and he didn’t.

“They are annoyed at him,” the source told the newspaper.

The Post added that the Rockies are interested in catching prospect Jesus Montero — who they see as a first baseman — along with Minor League pitchers Manny Banuelos and Dellin Betances.

The sense around baseball has been that those guys are untouchable. But Montero — activated from the 7-day disabled list on Friday — hasn’t been great in Triple-A this year. It’ll be interesting to see if the Yankees change their mindset if Bartolo Colon and Freddy Garcia scontinue to struggle in the second half.

Jimenez is surely affordable. He’s making $2.8 million in 2011 and is slated for $4.2 million in 2012. The Rockies then hold back-to-back club options for 2013 and ’14 (at $5.75 million and $8 million, respectively).

– Alden Gonzalez 

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