MLB Free Agents: New York Yankees' Latest Moves a Sign That a Trade is Near?

In their most active days since the offseason began, the New York Yankees are busy positioning themselves to get a deal done, and ultimately to prepare themselves for a 2012 World Series run.

They successfully posted the highest bid for Japanese shortstop Noriyuki Nakajima, and have recently placed A.J. Burnett on the trading block with a promise to pay at least $8 million of $33 million he is owed over the next two seasons.

Both moves surprise me and may be speaking volumes about what the Yankees are preparing to do.

The aggressive attempt to land Nakajima might mean the days of the Bombers' utility man, Eduardo Nunez, are numbered. There would be no reason to pay another infielder when they have one already in Nunez who the Yankees are trying to develop this season.

Many teams have shown interest in Nunez, and that could make him trade bait for the Yanks' ultimate goal, bringing in an impact starter.

The move with Burnett doesn't look so surprising on the surface, given all his struggles the past two seasons. But looking deeper it looks odd considering about a month ago, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Burnett would be a part of their plans in 2012.

I wouldn't imagine Cashman would go back on his word that quickly if he didn't have something brewing. After all, it was Cash who defended Burnett and made himself look silly doing it.

It looks like the Yankees are not only insuring themselves in the event of losing their young infielder, but they are trying to clear space in their rotation by removing its biggest flaw.

Cashman's moves just look like positioning at this point for a team that has been unable to find it's guy in the free-agent market. Time is running out, and the Yankees might finally be on the verge of making the move fans have been waiting for.