Mark Teixeira high-fives third-base coach Rob Thomson after his first inning home run in the Yankkes’ 4-3 loss to the Mariners. (AP)
SEATTLE — Self-loathing Yankees fans who want replacements for slumping hitters and reinforcements on the mound shouldn’t hold their breath.
Though some personnel people across baseball believe trades will be completed earlier than the July 31 deadline this year, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman isn’t among them — unless somebody wants to take a problem off another team’s hands.
“The headache stuff is available,” Cashman said yesterday before last night’s 4-3 loss to the pitching-rich, hitting-poor Mariners at Safeco Field. “That will always be available, 24/7, 12 months a year. The quality stuff is not available.”
Everyone knows the Yankees need help. They are sandwiched between the Red Sox and Rays in second place in the AL East — one game behind Boston and a half game ahead of Tampa Bay. Both Boston and Tampa Bay opened the season poorly, but now the Red Sox are playing the way those who predicted they would win the AL East expected.
The Yankees have Jorge Posada hitting .183 as their designated hitter, Nick Swisher batting .204 in right field, a rotation that houses Bartolo Colon, Freddy Garcia and Ivan Nova and a bullpen that is without Rafael Soriano and Pedro Feliciano for who knows how long. Manager Joe Girardi’s lone lefty is Boone Logan, whose slider has lost its bite.
Nevertheless, Cashman’s phones haven’t chirped.
“I am not getting calls,” Cashman said. “We have the farm system and money, but no calls.”
The Yankees are careful to paint what Garcia and Colon have done in a very positive light. And they should because the two are a combined 5-7 with a 3.53 ERA and are costing the club $2.4 million in base salary.
Yet, to believe one — or both — will pitch this effectively across the next four months and stay away from injury is foolish. Then there is Nova, who has been inconsistent.
A year ago, the Yankees believed they had a deal for Cliff Lee (then with Seattle) in exchange for prized prospect Jesus Montero and saw it die.
They still have Montero, but don’t expect anybody with close to Lee’s talent becoming available. And Montero could be the answer at DH if Posada doesn’t rebound.
Felix Hernandez, who will start for Seattle tonight, was a popular name early in the season, but the Mariners went into last night’s action 1½ games out of first place in the AL West and would be crucified by their fan base if they stayed in the race and traded their ace.
Mariners lefty Erik Bedard might draw some interest, but his injury history — he pitched in a total of 30 games from 2008 to 2010 and missed all of last year — makes Carl “American Idle” Pavano look like a workhorse. And Bedard (3-4; 3.48) is pitching well after a sluggish start.
Houston will listen on veteran righty Brett Myers, but according to a person with knowledge of the Astros’ plans, the Yankees don’t have a match.
As for hitting help, if the Yankees address the DH situation with Montero, they likely will be in the market for an outfielder should Swisher fail to improve.
Swisher started last night hitless in 15 at-bats.
“I need to get hits because everything else is fine,” Swisher said. “[Boston’s] Carl Crawford had two good games and went from .210 to .240. That sounds like a game plan.”
If the DH spot needs to be filled and help does not come from within, Baltimore’s Vladimir Guerrero could be an option.
Right fielder Carlos Beltran is a popular name and would be a nice addition when the Mets fall completely out of the NL East race.
Minnesota’s Michael Cuddyer is versatile and possibly available because Twins were 16-32 and 14 ½ games behind the AL Central-leading Indians going into last night’s action.
Guerrero, Beltran and Cuddyer are free agents after this season. Guerrero is making $8 million, Beltran $18.5 million and Cuddyer $10.5 million