Opposing teams say the Yankees’ strategy right now appears to be to determine if they are truly in the race in the next 10 days, and if so, then act, but only on a smaller scale to land a left-handed reliever or a secondary starting pitcher. The Yankees can never admit to the fan base in this city that they are playing for the future, but their behavior continues to suggest that this dirty, little secret is true.
Plus, the Yanks have been hurt in winning this year, or making a deal, by many important failures among their close-to-the-majors prospects – notably Phil Hughes, Ian Kennedy, Alan Horne, Jeff Marquez, Ross Ohlendorf and Jose Tabata. Plus Melky Cabrera has regressed.
The Yanks have to decide what they think of Kennedy, for example, because officials in the Rockies organization like him enough that the Yanks still could land Brian Fuentes for him.
Justin Masterson is undergoing a minor-league transition from the rotation to the bullpen in hopes of helping the Red Sox in relief in the second half. Nevertheless, Boston is still scouring the relief market for help. Interestingly, they also are gauging the catcher market, which speaks loudly about their future plans with Jason Varitek. The undeserving All-Star is a free agent at the end of the season and his offense has deteriorated to a point that the Red Sox might not be able to keep him regardless of how much they adore his leadership and handling of the pitching staff.
Nationals closer Jon Rauch is drawing a lot of interest. But Washington general manager Jim Bowden has a reputation of overvaluing his assets. Several executives sense the Nationals, Pirates (Damaso Marte, Jason Bay, Xavier Nady), Rockies (Fuentes, Matt Holliday, Garrett Atkins), Baltimore (George Sherrill) and Kansas City (Ron Mahay) are going to be tough to deal with because winning as much as possible in 2008 is important because 1) Bowden’s job is on the line; 2) Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Kansas City put value on trying to have winning seasons after long droughts; 3) Colorado does not want to completely flush the goodwill generated by winning the NL title last year.
“That is why Cleveland stands out,” an AL executive said. “(GM) Mark (Shapiro) has the complete support of his ownership, so he is comfortable finishing last if it means he can be proactive in moving players and positioning (the Indians) for the future. That is why I absolutely believe Casey Blake and Paul Byrd will both be traded, also.”
Toronto’s David Eckstein (Orioles, Dodgers) and Matt Stairs (Phillies, Dodgers) are drawing interest.