Reports today indicate that two things are holding up the Yankees from acquiring Dan Haren from the Diamondbacks:

1. Joba Chamberlain, or more appropriately, their reluctance to include him in the package.

2. The contracts of Chad Qualls and Chris Snyder. Arizona wants the Yankees to take both of them on as well as Haren’s remaining money. Qualls is owed a little over a million dollars the rest of this season. Snyder is making $5.8 million next year with a 750k buyout in 2012. When you combined what he is owed this year and the rest of the contract you are looking at approximately $6.5 million dollars. If you combined the total expense between Haren’s guaranteed dollars, Qualls, and Snyder the Yankees are taking on a little more than $40 million in salary. How else can you explain Brian Cashman getting a in prime ace for the trio of Ivan Nova, Zach McAllister, and Joba Chamberlain?

This very well could be the first example of how the Yankees do business in the post George Steinbrenner era. If George were in his prime Haren would already be a member of the Yankees. I suspect the Cliff Lee trade would have been made, but that’s a whole other story. Since when does $40 million dollars scare the Yankees? Why would you allow Chamberlain, who has yet to have a season as good as Sidney Ponson, hold up the deal?

Here is reality for the Yankees: they won’t win with Chamberlain setting up Mariano Rivera. Last year they had Phil Hughes, unless they acquire Haren there is a good chance he is going to be needed in the rotation, even in the playoffs. If you feel comfortable putting the season in the hands of an emotional fragile, overhyped reliever so be it. But don’t be surprised when disappointment is the theme of 2010. Haren, like Lee, solves two problems: rotation and bullpen quality for the price of one.

As for the money, the Yankees do indeed have a budget. NYBD contributor Frank Russo told me that Dan Haren will not get in the way of the Yankees signing Cliff Lee this offseason. Part of me wonders if that will be the case when it comes time to put pen to paper. It’s not like the Yankees are on an austerity budget, but certainly are more fiscally responsible under Hank and Hal Steinbrenner. With Haren in the fold acquiring Lee becomes much more complicated.

Is Dan Haren a luxury for the Yankees? You can make the argument, but I see him as more of a necessity. Unless, of course, you believe Joba Chamberlain can come through in pressure spots in the playoffs. I certainly don’t. That being the case why let $40 million and Joba hold up the deal? Seems like an easy decision to me.

Mike Silva is a freelance writer and radio host since March of 2007. This website is his own personal "digest" of New York Baseball He's also hosts NYBD Radio on Blog Talk Radio and 1240 AM WGBB. Check out his sports media commentary at www.sportsmediawatchdog.com. Check out his official website, www.mikesilvamedia.com

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Tags: Arizona Diamondbacks, Chad Qualls, Chris Snyder, Dan Haren, Ivan Nova, Joba Chamberlain, New York Yankees, Zach McAllister