Rumor Mill: Lowe, Halladay, Bedard, Sheets, Lackey, Pen
By Frank Russo ~ November 27th, 2009. Filed under: Rumor Mill.
We spoke to our main Yankees source down in Tampa on Wednesday night, who told us the following:
Atlanta contacted the Yankees to let them know that Derek Lowe is available to them. “They want to dump his salary, and Wren, (Braves’ GM Frank Wren), told “Cash” that he’s available.”
As far as Roy Halladay is concerned, the team is definitely not out of the running, “They’re monitoring the situation, watching how it plays out. I think that Cash might be a little more willing to include either Hughes or Joba to get a deal done.” Everyone knows that he doesn’t like to part with his prospects and upper level talent, but there are people in the organization who feel that it is “mandatory” to keep Halladay out of a Boston uniform.”
We were also told that the Yankees have, at least for the moment, cooled their heels considerably on John Lackey. “He’s a great pitcher and they love him, but his asking price will have to come down considerably if there is any chance to sign him.”
We were also told that the Yanks might look at free agent pitcher Erik Bedard to fill out a rotation spot as a low cost alternative. Personally, I think signing Bedard would be a huge mistake, since he is known as one of the worst clubhouse personalities in all of baseball. Bedard would cause great consternation in the Yankees clubhouse, the best in all of baseball.
Besides Bedard, the Yanks also have mild interest in Ben Sheets, but I don’t think that will happen.
One area of the Yankees that people are forgetting is the bullpen. If Chamberlain and Hughes both return to the rotation next season, then it leaves a huge gap in the “Bridge to Mariano.” The Yanks are looking at free agents like Rafael Betancourt, Mike Gonzalez, Rafael Soriano and Fernando Rodney. The problem with Betancourt, Gonzalez and Soriano is that they are Type A free agents, meaning that the Yanks would have to give up a first round draft pick, something that Cashman is loath to do.
Remember, the Yankees still have not finalized their budget for 2010. They will be meeting next week in Tampa to do so. Until that issue is resolved, and it will be very soon, one can only speculate about what the franchise will do regarding both the free agent and trade markets.
