YANKEE NOTES
BOSTON – As the Al Leiter deal proved, trades can be constructed very quickly. However, as of 6 p.m. yesterday GM Brian Cashman wasn’t preparing to make a move to bolster his club.
“I have been busy talking today, but there is nothing to report,” Cashman said of trade talks. “I am not close to do anything today. Nothing is hot.”
Cashman then acknowledged how fast the Leiter trade took shape Friday night. Before the game Cashman said he hadn’t spoke to the Marlins. By midnight Leiter was a Yankee.
While a centerfield upgrade would be nice, the Yankees are desperate for a starting pitcher. The two biggest names on the market are Florida’s A.J. Burnett and San Francisco’s Jason Schmidt.
Burnett, who is coveted by the White Sox and Orioles, is the most likely to be dealt. The Orioles are the favorite and may give up pitchers Jorge Julio, Hayden Penn and Larry Bigbie.
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Today is Joe Torre’s 65th birthday.
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Melky Cabrera is likely to be returned to Columbus (Triple-A) today with Bubba Crosby returning from the Clippers.
Cabrera was out of the starting lineup for the second straight game last night when Torre used Bernie Williams in center.
Cabrera, 20, has struggled in the field and is hitting .211 (4-for-19) in six games.
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Felix Rodriguez threw an inning yesterday for Trenton (Double-A) and is expected to join the Yankees today in Texas and be activated from the DL tomorrow. He will either be used as trade bait or asked to provide better bullpen
options than Jason Anderson or Scott Proctor.
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Designating Russ Johnson for assignment yesterday and going with 12 pitchers left the Yankees an infielder short. If the Yankees needed one, Felix Escalona is at Columbus and Tony Womack could pitch in. However, Rey Sanchez isn’t an option.
“I don’t know if Sanchez is coming back,” Cashman said of the veteran utilityman who is on the DL with a cervical sprain. “He hasn’t made any progress and he may have done some nerve damage.”
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RHP Kevin Brown (4-6; 5.48 ERA) opens a three-game series tonight against the Rangers in Texas. RHP Ricardo Rodriguez (2-1; 3.71) goes for the hosts. RHP Mike Mussina (9-5; 4.15) draws RHP Chan Ho Park (8-4; 5.64) tomorrow night and RHP Aaron Small (0-0; 0.00) draws RHP John Wasdin (0-1; 4.91) Wednesday night.