Yankees Trade Rumors: Jesus Montero for Joakim Soria Refused by Royals

According to Jayson Stark of ESPN , the Royals don’t seem like they are going to part with their closer, Joakim Soria , and they have even turned down an offer by the Yankees that included their top prospect, catcher Jesus Montero .

Here’s more from Stark:

"Lots of Zack Greinke and Joakim Soria rumors flying in Kansas City. But teams we’ve surveyed say they see no sign that either is going anywhere. The Yankees just made another run at Soria, as first reported by SI.com —even dangling Jesus Montero. But the Royals weren’t interested."

The Yankees haven’t been impressed with the relievers available on the trade market, so it seems like they are going for the big fish rather than give up prospects for mediocre players.

They might eventually settle on some less than spectacular relievers, but not until they make sure they haven’t passed up a chance to get a Soria-caliber player.

The Yankees must have been serious about trying to land Soria, though. Up until this point, the Yankees have only offered Montero in deals that included Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee .

Related Stories

• July 17, 2010 -- Yankees Trade Rumors: Yanks Like Dunn and Soria (0)
• July 25, 2010 -- Yankees Trade Rumors: Soria, Dunn, Haren, Oswalt, Wigginton, Peralta, Ross (0)
• July 22, 2010 -- Stats: Jesus Montero Is So Hot Right Now (2)
• July 18, 2010 -- 10 Potential Relief Trade Candidates for Yankees (3)