A Bronx Reunion

It started with bringing back Nick Johnson, who oddly enough was traded for Javier Vazquez along with Juan Rivera and Randy Choate, after the 2003 season.  After just one year in the Bronx and a great first half which earned him an All Star spot, Vazquez was dealt after a poor 2nd half performance in 2004.  Now part of the reason he was dealt was to acquire future Hall of fame pitcher, Randy Johnson.   The 2004 Yankees lacked a true ace and that was a huge part as to why they were so quick to deal Vazquez after just one season. 

The deal will send Yankee outfielder Melky Cabrera along with left handed pitcher Mike Dunn to the Atlanta Braves.  The Yankees also aquire left hander Boone Logan in the deal.  Vazquez easily had his best season of his career last year in Atlanta.  He went 15-10 with a 2.87 ERA and struck out 238 batters in 219 innings.  Of his four seasons spent in the tougher American League (2004: Yankees, 2006-2008: White Sox) his best season came with the White Sox in 2007.  He went 15-8 with a 3.74 ERA and struck out 213 batters in 216 innings. Vazquez is in the final year of a three year contract.  He will be paid 11.5 million dollars this season. 

The deal now brings speculation that there will be another move for the Yankees, this time for a left fielder.  With the Johnny Damon contract talks at a stall, Melky Cabrera was slated to start in left.  On the current roster Brett Gardner appears to be the option in left, but look for the Yankees to add a more proven player.  They could re-visit talks with Damon, but they appear to be far apart when it comes to years and money.  Jason Bay and Matt Holliday appear to be way out of the price range for the Bombers.  One person to keep their eye on would be Mark DeRosa.  He can play all infield positions and both corner outfield spots.  Last year between St. Louis and Cleveland he hit .250 with 23 HRs and 78 runs knocked in.  He is a local kid as well, he grew up in New Jersey and went  to Bergen Catholic High School. 

Yanks begin talks with Damon

The Yankees have nailed down their Center Fielder in Curtis Granderson.  They have re-signed veteran lefty Andy Pettitte to a one year 11.75 million dollar contract.  Now they have begun negotiations with free agent Left Fielder Johnny Damon.  It is widely speculated they would like to bring Damon back for less than the 13 million dollars he made last year and they would also prefer it to be a 1 or 2 year deal at the most.  Bobby Abreu re-signed with the Angels for a two year deal worth 18 million dollars, a contract of that nature does seem more than fair for Damon.  The Yankees now have the luxury of controlling the negotiations since the trade for Granderson.

It is also widely speculated that if the Yankees can't come to terms with Damon, they will target free agents Mark DeRosa and Mike Cameron.  Johnny has stated how much he would like to remain a Yankee, if this is true he will have to be willing to give a discount to stay or at least take less years than he might get elsewhere. 

Deal close to bringing Curtis Granderson to Yankees

Ken Rosenthal is currently reporting the three way talks between the D-Backs, Tigers and Yankees are back on and word is that it is now being left up to the Yankees to sign off on the deal.  Earlier reports had Ian Kennedy and Edwin Jackson in Arizona.  Curtis Granderson was coming to the Yankees and Austin Jackson, Michael Dunn and Phil Coke were headed to Detroit. 

The Yankees did not want to give up that much in the deal.  Talk is now the revised deal will not include Phil Coke and Michael Dunn.  Still waiting to hear further detail on this.  An impending deal is 50/50 says Jon Heyman.

Joel Sherman is now saying the deal is close to the goal line.  Dunn being removed from the deal was key for the Yankees.  Currently it is being reported that medical records are being exchanged.

Update:  Per Jon Heyman this is a done deal; pending medicals work out.

Pending all the medical records check out, here is the deal.

Yankees Get:
Curtis Granderson

Tigers Get:
Austin Jackson
Phil Coke
Max Scherzer (from D-Backs)

D-Backs Get:
Edwin Jackson (from Tigers)
Ian Kennedy

A.J. wants Halladay

A.J. Burnett thinks it's time for his friend and former mentor to get a fresh start, as reported by Mark Feinsand of the NY Daily News. "He's paid his dues there, been the face of the organization, done everything they've asked him to do and more. At this point in his career, I think he just wants to win.  I don't think he would let anything distract him. He's not really the type of person that gets intimidated easily. It doesn't matter where he pitches; he's going to be the same. None of the stuff that goes on here would faze him at all." Burnett said of Halladay. 

Halladay has told the Blue Jays that he is willing to waive his no trade clause in a deal to the Yankees.  It is also being reported that Burnett has given the Blue Jays a deadline to trade him by the start of Spring Training.  If he is not traded by that time, he would not approve a trade after that. 

After CC Sabathia and AJ Burnett the Yankees rotation is a question mark.  It's no given that Andy Pettitte will be back.  He could choose to retire or pitch closer to home again, though the latter doesn't seem very likely.  Chien Ming Wang will be coming back from shoulder surgery.  Joba and Hughes have experienced much success out of the pen, but not much in the rotation.  Other options would include Ian Kennedy and Alfredo Aceves.  Some might say it's over kill, but I think Halladay or another starter could be a necessity for this team if they look to repeat in 2010.