A couple of interesting tweets that may give us a clue as to where the Yankees focus is at the trading deadline

Sherman indicates that a respected voice in the Yankees organization is watching the Padres relievers today. From the start, San Diego has been adamant about not trading Mike Adams (cost controlled through 2012) since they see him taking Heath Bell‘s spot after a potential trade. I have been told the Yankees prefer Adams over any other Padres reliever.

Scott Miller of CBS Sports sees the Yankees making a late strike for Bell since he is comfortable with a setup role.

It makes sense, as I doubt the Yanks feel comfortable with Rafael Soriano staying mentally and physically healthy the rest of the season.

Bell has played here before and has some unfinished business since he was buried in the Mets bullpen during the 2006 season.

Matt Thornton is another name that comes into play. The Yankees badly need another lefty in the bullpen, but their primary target- Randy Choate- appears to not be available as the Marlins want to compete in their new ballpark in 2012.Thornton is expensive ($6 million dollars a year through 2012). Historically he’s been good against LH (.654 career OPS). This could be more of a salary dump (Jerry Reisendorf wants to cut payroll) so it’s conceivable the Yankees will not have to give up a top prospect. The Yanks have also expressed interest in DH Carlos Quentin, but many believe Chicago’s preference is to send him to the National League (Atlanta?).

The big news is a rumor via Tim Kurkjian of ESPN that the Yankees are “all in” on Ubaldo Jimenez. We reported that Colorado is looking for Jesus Montero, Austin Romine, and two pitchers from the Yankees. These two arms do not have to be both Killer B’s (Banuelos/Betances). It appears the Yankees do not want to give up Manny Banuelos in any deal.

Another source informed us they believe that Cincinnati may be the frontrunner for Jimenez in a deal that would include a “major league arm” and Yonder Alonso as the centerpiece. That arm could be Edinson Volquez, who the Rockies scouted during his last minor league start. Other names rumored to be part of a potential Jimenez deal (via Troy Renck of the Denver Post) are top catching prospect Devin Mesoraco, Aroldis Chapman and Homer Bailey or Travis Wood.

I think a trade deadline where the Yankees acquire Heath Bell, Matt Thornton, and Ubaldo Jimenez makes them instant favorites to win the World Series. It lengthens their rotation and creates a bullpen that potentially will shorten games to five innings. A second lefty in Thornton is imperative to beat the Red Sox in a short series. The presence of Bell would also mean there would be no need to go two innings with Mariano Rivera late in the season. At his age, they need to manage his innings more effectively.

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: Austin Romine, Carlos Quentin, Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Colorado Rockies, Dellin Betances, Edinson Volquez, Heath Bell, Jesus Montero, Manny Banuelos, Matt Thornton, Mike Adams, New York Yankees, Rafael Soriano, San Diego Padres, Ubaldo Jimenez, Yonder Alonso