CLEVELAND — Joba Chamberlain is no longer Joe Girardi’s only option to pitch the eighth inning. That doesn’t mean, however, the struggling right-handed reliever isn’t coveted by other clubs who might be trying to buy low because of Chamberlain’s recent woes.
After the Diamondbacks asked for Chamberlain to be part of a Dan Haren deal, a source who has knowledge of what the Blue Jays want for lefty reliever Scott Downs said Toronto requested Chamberlain.
That stays true to the industry believing the Blue Jays’ asking price for a 34-year-old reliever who can become a free agent is far too high.
When the Red Sox contacted the Blue Jays about Downs, Toronto asked for highly regarded infield prospects Casey Kelly or Jose Iglesias.
Like the Red Sox, the Yankees aren’t interested in meeting demands that are considered high throughout the industry.
“You can ask for anything,” an NL talent evaluator said. “That doesn’t mean you are going to get it. Let’s see where it goes Saturday.”
If the price on Downs falls, the Yankees may meet it because, with Damaso Marte on the disabled list with shoulder woes, Boone Logan is Joe Girardi’s lone lefty in the pen. And while Logan’s control has been better lately, it’s been an issue throughout his career.
Downs, who has roughly $1.33 million remaining on this year’s deal, has limited left-handed hitters to a .185 average (10-for-54). However, he has been more than a lefty specialist; overall hitters are batting .240 (23-for-96).
“He is the best out there and the Yankees need help in the pen,” an executive said. “They would be helping themselves.”
The Yankees have spoken to the Orioles about utility infielder Ty Wigginton. The Orioles are dangling right-handing hitting infielder Miguel Tejada, but reaction in the Yankees organization is lukewarm at best.
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Jorge Posada was a game-time scratch due to an ache in the back of the left knee.
“I have a cyst back there,’’ Posada said of the issue that bothered him last year and has been lingering this season. “It’s a little achy, nothing major. I tried to squad down and it was achy. I could have played today, they wanted to give me a couple of days. I don’t think I will catch (tonight).’’
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Here is a trend you might want to keep tracking. The Yankees have lost each of their last six games when facing a pitcher making his major league debut. Josh Tomlin beat them last night in his first big league game.
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Alfredo Aceves threw a full bullpen session yesterday and Girardi said the lower disc problem in the right-hander’s back didn’t surface. Aceves, who has been out since May, will throw another bullpen session before a decision is made to possibly let him toss batting practice.
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Andy Pettitte said he “was feeling good” after a workout at Tampa that included a series of running and agility drills.
Pettitte, who has been out since July 18 with a groin injury, tossed 90 pitches on flat ground yesterday.
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According to Girardi, Nick Johnson “had a good day” swinging a bat at Tampa.
“He swung a real bat and was a little better today,” Girardi said of his DH who has been out since early May due to right wrist surgery.
Girardi didn’t have a timetable for when Johnson would be able to take batting practice.
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Yankee players will meet today over lunch to discuss topics the Players Association is concerned with.
“It’s about possible issues that might come up,” in the next labor talks player rep Curtis Granderson said of the meeting, which will take place in the team hotel.
Baseball’s CBA expires in December 2011.