According to a team in discussions with the A’s about Dan Haren, the Yankees are interested in the stud right-hander if Oakland is serious about moving him. Nevertheless, if the A’s must have Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy, Haren won’t land in The Bronx.
“I always believed if the Yankees didn’t get [Johan] Santana, they would make a pitch for Haren,” a source close to the situation said yesterday.
Despite repeated denials, the Yankees will be in the Santana sweepstakes as long as he is on the trading block. Nevertheless, the Yankees are reluctant to pay $20 million plus a year for seven years, which is what Santana will want to waive a blanket no-trade clause and accept the deal.
Though Santana, who will be 29 in March, is considered the premier pitcher in baseball, many feel the 27-year-old Haren represents better value because he will make $16.25 million across the next three seasons. Haren was 15-9 with a 3.07 ERA in 34 starts this past season.
Hank Steinbrenner said he believes A’s GM Billy Beane’s asking price for Haren could top what the Yankees offered (Phil Hughes, Melky Cabrera and a mid-level prospect) for Santana.
“It’s no secret that Billy Beane will be asking a lot for Haren,” Steinbrenner said. “He could want more than Minnesota wanted, and that’s unacceptable.”
With Arizona willing to part with up to five talented prospects, the Yankees probably would have to add Kennedy to Hughes and at least another piece. Because the Yankees balked at including Kennedy in the Santana talks, they aren’t likely to deal him to the A’s, who supposedly aren’t interested in Cabrera.
The Diamondbacks’ package starts with pitchers Brett Anderson and Max Scherzer and includes outfielder Carlos Gonzalez, who is the only one of the three to play at Triple-A so far. Because Scherzer, Arizona’s first-round pick in 2006, didn’t sign until May 31 of this year, he can’t be traded until May 15.
If the deal is made with a player to be named, Scherzer can be included on a list of players the A’s can select from.
*
Andy Pettitte has accepted arbitration. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Yankees yesterday designated outfielder Bronson Sardinha for assignment. george.king@nypost.com