Yankee News and Rumors

According to ESPN's Buster Olney (as read on River Avenue Blues), the Yanks are kicking the tires on Cleveland's Mark DeRosa.  I thought the Indians got him for cheap from the Cubbies during spring training, giving up 3 mid-level minor leaguers for a guy that can play anywhere in the infield and both corner outfield positions.  I thought the Yankees should have inquired about DeRosa during the offseason when the Phillies were rumored to be interested in him.  He's a good right-handed hitter with some pop, hitting 21 HRs last season.  

Mark DeRosa could provide the Yankees with many options.  He'd be an ideal guy to give ARod and Jeter breathers in the infield.  DeRosa could push Cano to the bench when Cano gets into his slumps or sit him against tough lefties.  That would also let Cano come off the bench to pinch hit late in games, something he's been pretty adept at in his young career so far.  The Yanks could really use in him the corner outfield spots right now, too.  Nick Swisher has been invisible for the month of May, hitting .127 with 9 hits and 26 Ks in 71 ABs.  And like the Cano situation, he could spot start for Johnny Damon against tough lefties.  

Yankee fans worry about this guy getting ABs, but I think the Yanks could easily start this guy 3-4 times a week.  As of now, he would be a vast improvement in RF over Swisher.  

On the injury front, Jorge Posada is coming off the DL Friday against Cleveland.  The Yankees haven't announced who's place he'd be taking on the roster.  My money is either Francisco Cervelli, because he still has options.  I don't believe Kevin Cash does and the Yanks probably don't want to lose him yet, until Jose Molina is fully recovered from his quad injury.  Another option would be to carry 3 catchers and drop seldom used Angel Berroa.  Posada could get some time at DH, particularly if Matsui goes into another one of his patented slumps where it looks like he doesn't belong anywhere near a MLB field.  

Xavier Nady played DH today in an extended spring training day.  He went 2-5 with a homer.  He will resume throwing Monday to test his right elbow.  Nady's injury is another good reason to look into a DeRosa trade.  If Nady is able to return, it may be as a DH platoon with Matsui for awhile.  

According to Mark Feinsand of the NY Daily News, Brian Bruney's right elbow was checked by the famous Dr. James Andrews and will not require surgery and doesn't appear to have any structural damage.  The Yanks need this guy to shore up that bullpen and stop all the ridiculous "Joba to the bullpen" talk.  

Melky Cabrera will miss about a week with a sore right shoulder he sustained while running into the CF wall in Texas.  The Bombers are pretty short-handed in the outfield right now.  Ramiro Pena and Angel Berroa are the emergency backups.  

Has anyone seen or heard anything on Damaso Marte and his injured shoulder?

Red Sox won today, 3-1 against the Twins, knocking the Yanks back a half game.  They play the Blue Jays this weekend.  Wouldn't you know it - they dodge Roy Halladay a second time this year.  Why does God shine on this crap team?