Yankees Backup Plans Will Be Put into Action If They Can’t Land CC

(Zell's Pinstripe Blog)

    The Yankees continue to wait on CC, and fans are starting to panic. I don’t really know if anyone knows what is really going on in CC Sabathia’s head right now. If they can’t make huge upgrades on the pitching, than they will try and improve the offense and make a big push for Teixeira and Ramirez. The Yankees can never really be counted out of any race, because of all the money they are willing to spend. If they can’t get Plan A done, than other options will be taken. They aren’t going to sit back and do nothing. Things will be done, it is just a matter of where certain players land in the FA market.

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     With Nick Swisher able to play first base, and with corner outfielders in Johnny Damon and Xavier Nady, the Yankees lack obvious slots for Teixeira and Ramirez. But they could trade one of the trio to make room for Teixeira—Swisher could move into a corner outfield spot—or they could try dealing designated hitter Hideki Matsui to make room for Ramirez, who very likely will cost fewer years and dollars than Teixeira.

Besides, it doesn’t require much extra work for Cashman, given that agent Scott Boras represents Lowe, Teixeira and Ramirez as well as Oliver Perez, who interests the Yankees.

Sabathia, back home in Northern California, appears to want to make sure that no West Coast teams or National League teams will approach the Yankees’ offer.

Burnett wants a five-year deal. Lowe seems to be prioritizing the East Coast teams.

The Yankees will hang tight, while getting ready if they don’t hear the answers they want.

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MLB Trade Rumors: Tim Dierkes (No Varitek talks yet for Red Sox)

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TUESDAY, 9:45am: Gammons emailed to explain that the ESPN Rumor Central report was erroneous, and he did not say the Red Sox made a one-year offer to Varitek.

TUESDAY, 8:48am: ESPN’s Peter Gammonssides with Bradford, confirming the Red Sox made a one-year offer to Varitek.  Boras denied it after Bradford’s initial report surfaced.

MONDAY, 12:41pm:  A day of denials.  The Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardocontacted Scott Boras, who said the Red Sox have not begun negotiations with Varitek.

8:43am: According to Rob Bradford of WEEI, the Red Sox made an initial offer to free agent catcher Jason Varitek.  It’s one year, and the salary does not approach Jorge Posada’s $13.1MM average.

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from Rotoworld:

Agent Darek Braunecker said he has been talking to the Braves about free agent A.J. Burnett. “They see the significance long-term of having a guy who can be at the top of the rotation and have the desire and capability of leading a staff,” he said. “They’ve communicated that to me better than any club.” Of course, that doesn’t mean they’ve made an offer of any sort.