The New York Yankees have defied all expectations for the first half of this season, hanging tight and challenging the Red Sox for the division despite not being able to make the offseason splash, via acquisitions, that have become standard in the Bronx.
The chatter is picking up heavily that the 2011 salvage-yard, bargain-basement Yankees will be players before the deadline and are serious about spending some cash and trading some bodies to address the following needs:
A Big Bat
To offset the anemic performance at the DH spot as well as compensating for the loss of Alex Rodriguez who is on the shelf for the next four-to-six weeks.
Who's Getting Buzz at the Moment?
According to SI's Jon Heyman, C.C Sabathia has been busy selling the Yankees to former teammate and close friend Prince Fielder.
But wait Yankee fans—don't pop a vessel. There is zero chance here. Sabathia might be planting the seeds for a future conversation with the Big Man from Beer Town, but nothing is happening this season, if ever.
Carlos Beltran? The Yankees aren’t interested in Carlos Beltran reports ESPN's Buster Olney. Beltran is being heavily suited by the Giants and the Tigers are showing interest.
According to Bruce Levine, the New York Yankees are scouting the Cubs for possible interest in either Aramis Ramirez and Alfonso Soriano. Ramirez will not happen, but Soriano is not a far-fetched possibility.
The Bullpen
Due to the disappointing production from high-priced Rafael Soriano and the loss of Joba Chamberlain to injury, the Yankees find themselves in search of relief arms, especially from the left side.
The Yankees passed on Francisco Rodriguez, now a Brewer, due to their experience with Rafael Soriano, so...
Who's Getting Buzz at the Moment?
The Yankees took a peek at the Padres' Heath Bell (according to Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times Twitter link) but nothing is happening there. Bell is on the record stating that the Yankees are one of eight teams he would be willing sprint out of the bullpen to set up for but every man must have a dream.
The Yankees and Bell will not happen. My prediction? Bell lands in Arizona if he moves at all.
However, the Yankees are scouting two other arms that are more realistic. They need a lefty for the pen and are scouting (according to Bruce Levine here): the Cubs' John Grabow, who is in the last year of his contract and movable; and the Nationals' left-hander Sean Burnett, who the Yankees are actively scouting according to a report by WTOP-FM 103.5 in Washington
Rotation Issues
The Yankees know they are extremely lucky to be within striking distance of the Red Sox given their inability to land a big-name, established starter in the offseason as well as the question mark that Phil Hughes has become.
A.J Burnett, while pitching better than last season (he could not pitch much worse), is still at best a mediocre .500 pitcher and not the No. 2 starter they need. Rookie Ivan Nova is a work in progress and cannot be too heavily relied upon and while Bartolo Colon and Freddy Garcia have both stepped up beyond all expectations, the Yankees do not exactly have the front-end rotation that World Series are won with.
Who's Getting Buzz at the Moment?
It's so quiet out there on this front that it's the kind of quiet where an unexpected deal will come out of the blue...I predict the Yankees will land a surprising starter, but I know who won't be.
The one person that might be available is out of the market for the Yankees simply because they don't have the right talent to make the deal happen. According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, Colorado is willing to discuss a deal for Ubaldo Jimenez, who himself is willing to move to the right team.
The problem for the Yankees is that they likely do not have what the Rockies seek and are unwilling to part with what they might want. I don't see Jimenez in Yankee pinstripes in the near future, if ever.
Look for future updates soon...
Jessica Cauffiel Emmanuelle Vaugier Sarah Silverman Larissa Meek Gina Carano
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