The Daily Yankeeland

Negotiations continue with the Minnesota Twins for the services of Johan Santana. There's even speculation that Joe Nathan could be included in a blockbuster deal. Like Santana, Nathan's contract is up after the 2008 season. According to the Star-Ledger, two players who won't be involved in a deal for Santana are Joba Chamberlain and Robinson Cano.

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We highly respect Ken Rosenthal's opinion, but we vehemently disagree with his assessment that the Yankees will move Johnny Damon back to centerfield if Melky Cabrera is dealt. While we don't necessarily agree with trying to give a long term deal to Aaron Rowand, we're sure the Yankees will deal for a younger, less beat up, centerfielder. K-Ros also thinks the Yankees could deal Melky even if he's not included in the Santana deal. That really doesn't make sense unless they really filled a big hole (bullpen set up) in doing so.

We do like this assessment though...

The Yankees will not go beyond a certain financial threshold with free-agent relievers when they can fill certain roles from within, sources say. The team, for example, could pass on left-hander Ron Mahay, if his price — as expected — rises above $12 million over three years, the amount the Phillies awarded J.C. Romero. Sean Henn, Kei Igawa and Chase Wright are among the Yankees' internal options from the left side. Jose Veras, pitching well in the Dominican winter league, is among the right-handed possibilities, along with Ross Ohlendorf, Chris Britton, Brian Bruney and Edwar Ramirez . . .

We will say though that we don't want Ron Mahay even if he only costs a buck. K-Ros also talked about the latest scouting reviews of Austin Jackson.

Scouts offer mixed reviews on Yankees minor-league outfielder Austin Jackson, who could be part of the team's offer for Santana. Jackson, who turns 21 on Feb. 1, put up monster numbers in the Class A Florida State League last season before getting promoted to Class AA. Georgia Tech recruited him to play point guard before the Yankees drafted him in the eighth round and signed him for $800,000 in 2005. Some scouts say he is still more of an athlete than a baseball player, but others believe that he eventually could develop into a star.

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Thanks to Peter Abraham for pointing this link out. Johnny Damon recently made a trip to Thailand, the ancestry of his mother. While he was there, he made trips to Thai orphanages as part of a U.S. Embassy sponsored tour. Source

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