NYCurve Yankees Blog » Rumors

Cameron Signs With Brewers

M. Patel — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 05:07:03 +0000

There was a rumor floating around that the Yankees were interested in signing Mike Cameron. Reports said that the Yankees felt he would be a good addition to the team and would make a trade involving Melky Cabrera easier. Well, those rumors have been squashed today, as the 35 year old center fielder agreed to a 1 year deal with th Brewers. Personally I am happy that Cameron wasn’t signed because he is 35 and past his prime and also because he was caught for steroid use. He will sit out the first 25 games of next year with the Brewers due to the suspension he received for the drug abuse. In my opinion, Cameron’s good days are over. I also think that Melky will be able to do a better job than Cameron, although from the looks of it the Yankees might not keep him very long.

Moving Moose?

M. Patel — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 23:13:45 +0000

There have been rumors about the Phillies being interested in Mike Mussina. A trade is certainly a possibility since the Yankees have six possible starters at the moment (Petite, Moose, Wang, Kennedy, Hughes, and Joba). Whether a trade is a good thing is a different story; our rotation isn’t exactly the most proven. Also, as always the possibility of injuries exists, so maybe have six possible starters is a good thing. I believe that if Moose does stay he should be moved to the bullpen and then he can be moved up to starter if someone gets injured or is just horrible. It is obvious that he is aging and I think that with less innings (more rest) he will still be able to be successful. I would actually prefer Mussina to stay a Yankee unless we get some proven pitchers in return.

Add Two More to the List

M. Patel — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 20:04:36 +0000

You can add two more to the list of possible pitchers coming to the Yankees. The Yanks have shown interest for Japanese reliever Kazuo Fukumori and Orioles starter Erik Bedard.

We’ll being with Fukumori who is a 33 year old free agent. He missed a lot of last season due to an injury, but examination by doctors has showed that he should be fine. He has also shown that he can easily throw 100 pitches. There are several teams interested in Fukumori and many consider the Yanks to be late, but everyone knows that you can never count us out. One thing that might eventually break a possible deal is the fact that the Fukumori wants a two year deal. The Yankees are reluctant to give any relievers which they pick up from free agency more than one year due to relief disappointments in recent history (Farnsworth, Quantrill, etc.)

Even with that possible deal breaker I think it is more likely that the Yanks get the Japanese reliever than Erik Bedard (although I would much rather prefer Bedard). Why? Because Orioles owner Peter Angelos has said that he will not trade 28 year old Bedard within their division, the AL East. The Yanks and Red Sox are still both interested and will probably try to pursue him (where have we seen that before?). Whether Angelos will change his mind, only time will tell.

Bedard would be a great addition to the Yanks, especially if he can put up numbers like he did last season. He was 13-5 with a 3.16 ERA and 221 strikeouts in 182 innings pitched. I certainly hope we can snag him, but thinking realistically I don’t see him or Fukumori coming over.

Giants Interested in Matsui?

M. Patel — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 21:56:05 +0000

The Giants are interested in center fielder Hideki Matsui. They are certainly in the market for an outfielder as there has also been talk of interest in Alex Rios of the Blue Jays. In order to get Matsui, he would have to approve a deal because he currently has a no trade clause in his contract. In exchange the Yanks would probably try to snag some pitching, maybe someone like starting pitcher Tim Lincecum or some relievers. The Yankees have four outfielders, so a deal is possible and they would probably consider offers, but then again Matsui has played well so the Yankees might expect more than what the Giants are willing to offer. Also, if Matsui doesn’t want to leave New York, then there is no possibility of a trade.

Yanks Interested in LaTroy Hawkins?

M. Patel — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 21:21:25 +0000

The New York Daily News reports that the Yankees are interested in free agent relief pitcher LaTroy Hawkins. They have begun talks with the former Colorado reliever, who is one of the few good pitchers willing to accept a one year deal. This is really attractive for many teams because they don’t have to make a commitment.

Hawkins pitched 55.1 innings with the Rockies this past season with an ERA of 3.42 and 29 strikeouts. Hawkins makes sense for the Yanks, especially since Joba Chamberlain is expected to start this season. Other teams interested in Hawkins are the Tigers (seems like they are interested in everyone doesn’t it?), Orioles, and Rangers.

Dan Haren and Joe Blanton Possibilities

M. Patel — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 21:40:46 +0000

If the Bronx Bombers don’t land Johan Santana from the Twins, Dan Haren or Joe Blanton from the A’s is another possibility. The A’s, who are currently waiting for bids from the Yanks or Red Sox, are looking to shop them or atleast hear some offers. Dan Haren is more likely who the Yanks and other teams will try to get first. It is speculated that a deal for Haren would probably cost the Yanks about the same as a deal for Santana (maybe minus the mid-level prospect). Haren or Blanton would certainly be a nice addition to the Yankee rotation as well, both of them having eras under 4 and winning 14 (Blanton) and 15 (Haren) games a piece.