The lefty starting market is weak. Oakland has shown no inclination to move Gio Gonzalez, especially with fellow lefties Brett Anderson and Dallas Braden out with arm injuries. The White Sox might have considered shopping John Danks, but now he is on the DL for the first time in his career with a strained oblique.Lots of good info here from Sherman. Any relief help that wouldn't cost the Yankees the farm would be welcomed by this fan.
When I asked if the Dodgers’ financial plight is such that they would consider dealing Clayton Kershaw before his first arbitration year for a boatload of prospects, an NL personnel man said, “MLB will treat the Dodgers like the Rangers last year and will not sell off parts because they want it to be as attractive to prospective buyers as possible.”
The likely available lefties are Houston’s Wandy Rodriguez and Minnesota’s Francisco Liriano. Rodriguez has a good curve, but his chances of being even above average going from the NL Central to the AL East are not good.
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As for righties, there has been some buzz that the Braves, desperate for offense, could use their rotation depth and trade a starter such as Jair Jurrjens. But the Yankees’ policy has become pretty much to run away from Atlanta pitching after having successful Braves hurlers such as Javier Vazquez, Kyle Farnsworth, Jaret Wright, Steve Karsay, Chris Hammond, Denny Neagle and Soriano blow up on them.
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Two interesting cases to watch are the Cubs’ Matt Garza and the Marlins’ Anibal Sanchez. Cubs brass was said to be meeting this week to decide whether to be sellers. Garza has some kinship with A.J. Burnett — big stuff that has not translated to a big record, a tendency to wear out his welcome and (like the pre-Yankees Burnett) a strong record against the Red Sox. Garza is 9-4 against Boston, including 2-0 with a 1.38 ERA in two ALCS games in 2008. Will the Cubs decide to recoup the prospects they gave up for Garza and go into a complete rebuild mode?
Sanchez is a free agent after the 2012 season, and, unlike Josh Johnson and Ricky Nolasco, Florida has shown no inclination to go long-term with a pitcher who has had arm problems in his past.
When it comes to relievers, the Padres, according to multiple officials, want to get out in the market quickly with Heath Bell and Chad Qualls; word is the Cardinals are trying to land Bell and shortstop Jason Bartlett. The Yankees are more interested in Mike Adams, who is earmarked as San Diego’s closer of the future and would come with that price tag. Washington is willing to move ex-Yankee Tyler Clippard, but specifically is looking for a center fielder and has focused on the Rays’ B.J. Upton.
The lefty relief market is even more unappealing right now. Another ex-Yankee, Randy Choate, probably could be had. Or the Yankees could wait until August because overpaid, under-performing types such as Oakland’s Brian Fuentes and Baltimore’s Mike Gonzalez will get through waivers and — as with Kerry Wood last year — perhaps they will try to find success with a veteran who was struggling elsewhere.
As far the starters, the Yankees should be OK in that department if Colon can continue to pitch well once he comes back from the DL and if Hughes regains his 2010 form. Two pretty big ifs so I understand the cause for some concern. Names like Matt Garza and Sanachez, as Sherman points out, are interesting. Either would be a nice addition to the rotation. So would a guy like Liriano, but the cost for him is going to be through the roof.
What do you guys think of the names listed by Sherman? Any interest?