2011 MLB Trade Rumors: Yankees Seeking Durable Arm

After signing ace C.C. Sabathia to a contract extension early this offseason, the New York Yankees haven’t been the center of attention they usually are during free agency.  While that’s how general manager Brian Cashman likes it, he did admit that his club will look to plug its rotation’s holes this winter.  With a less than ideal market of free agent starters, Joel Sherman of the New York Post believes the Yankees will look to trade for additional arms.  Sherman names the Oakland A’s, Houston Astros, LA Angels, and Chicago White Sox as teams with pitchers that could interest New York.

Cashman admitted to Sherman that the Yankees “walked a tightrope last year” when it came to their starters.  New York depended on minor league free agent signees Bartolo Colon and Freddy Garcia for significant innings in 2011.

While it worked out for the club, Cashman told Sherman that when you walk such a tightrope, you are bound to eventually fall off.  Noting that the Yankees “had a lot of luck” last season, Cashman is determined to provide better options for 2012, specifically pitchers that he can count on to provide at least 30 starts.

So the Yankees will buy some arms, no problem, right?

Not so fast.

While New York is certainly intrigued by free agent starting pitcher C.J. Wilson, they do not want to give him the six-year deal he is seeking.  According to another American League executive regarding Wilson, “there will be a bunch of teams in at four years, a few at five and so someone will go to six and sign him”.

Beyond Wilson, Mark Buehrle seems like the only other pitcher that would fit the Yankees’ offseason plan.  Roy Oswalt has questions surrounding his back, and Edwin Jackson looks too much like A.J. Burnett for New York’s tastes.

So, if the Yankees miss out on Buehrle and are unable to sign Wilson, what are their other options?

Sherman lists Oakland’s Gio Gonzalez, Chicago’s John Danks, Houston’s Wandy Rodriguez and LA’s Ervin Santana as possible trade candidates for the Yankees.

A’s GM Billy Beane has made it clear that he wants ace return for Gonzalez.  The White Sox publically said that they are willing to move Danks, but they want MLB-ready players in return.  At this point, you’d have to figure that the Astros would be willing to listen on Wandy.

Santana is a new name to cross my keyboard this winter.  Though the Angels have repeatedly said they are looking for pitching, Sherman thinks Santana could become available if the Halos sign Wilson.

So, even though the Yankees have been relatively quiet so far this offseason, it appears they are ready to do what it takes to add a durable, veteran arm to their rotation.

For more on the Yankees, be sure to check out Yanks Go Yard.