In speaking to my Tampa sources, Brian Cashman continues to “burn up the phone lines” looking for pitching help. Yes, he did offer Kevin Millwood a minor league deal, but he was thinking bigger as he reached out to Atlanta and inquired about Tim Hudson.While I am not quite surprised that Cashman remains determined to improve the Yankees rotation prior to Opening Day, I am very happy to see that he hasn't focused solely on scraping the bottom of the barrel. A pitcher of Hudson or Kuroda's caliber would improve the rotation by leaps and bounds, yet neither strikes me as the sort of trade piece that would require the Yankees to part with Jesus Montero, Manny Banuelos, or Dellin Betances - a deal of this ilk would be ideal. Here's hoping that such a perfect storm of benefits comes to fruition.
The Braves don’t have interest in dealing Hudson who went 17-9 with a 2.83 ERA last season. As I mentioned before, they are willing to deal Derek Lowe, who is owed $30 million over the next two seasons. He will cost the Yankees a prospect haul that appears to be too expensive at this time.
The Yankees also discussed Hiroki Kuroda with the Dodgers, but nothing came out of those talks as well.
I have continued to be told that if the Yankees don’t acquire a starting pitcher this spring it won’t be because of a lack of effort. Brian Cashman is focused on getting something done. It appears that task won’t be easy.
The rotation remains a weakness, however, regardless of Cashman's persistence.
