Cashman Brings In Mediocrity in Capuano, Aims Higher

Capuano is the latest lefty to join the Yankees

Chris Capuano had solid years for the Milwaukee Brewers. Notice the past tense in that sentence. Capuano is the latest player in the new game show, "Throw it against the wall and see if it sticks." It's also known as the Brian Cashman "I'll take what I can get" show.

Cashman isn't done looking for pitching though. Reports have the Yankees in discussions for their former first round draft pick Ian Kennedy and Rockies' starter, Jorge De La Rosa.

The Yankees acquired Capuano from the Colorado for cash. The 35-year old left-hander was released on July 1 after he pitched poorly in relief for the Red Sox. The Rockies signed him to a minor league deal just three days later. Capuano was at his peak in his third and fourth full seasons (2005-06) in the Major Leagues. He won 18 games with a sub-4.00 ERA in '05 and followed it up a year later with a tough luck won/loss  record (11-12), despite a 4.03 ERA.

Not yet 30, Capuano appeared ready to make a name for himself, but underwent surgery on his non-throwing shoulder after a miserable 2007 season. The following spring he injured a ligament in his left elbow during Spring Training and had to undergo Tommy John surgery for the second time in his career. (He previously had the surgery in 2002.)

Capuano returned to the Majors and Milwaukee as a reliever/starter in 2010, before he joined the Mets as a free agent for the 2011 season. He was a decent back-end-of-the-rotation starter for the guys from Queens and topped 186 innings. His comeback was truly complete as a member of the Dodgersin 2011, when he put together solid ERA and WHIP numbers (3.72, 1.220), threw 198.1 innings, and led the NL with 33 starts A variety of injuries limited him to 20 starts in 2013 and his production dropped off as well.

ESPN's Jim Bowden reported on Thursday the Yankees were in discussions with the Padres for Kennedy's services, with prospects Eric Jagielo (3B) and Ian Clarkin (P) being mentioned as part of a deal. However, on Friday, Chris Cotillo of MLB Daily Dish reported that the Yankees were not "aggressively pursuing" Kennedy. Earlier in the week, CBS Sports' Jon Heyman stated that the Pads would not trade Kennedy unless they were blown away by an offer.

It was also Bowden who reported the Yankees had talked to the Rockies about De La Rosa. A couple of weeks ago, Bowden's colleague Jayson Stark had written that the Rockies were looking for a young pitcher that could join the staff ASAP. The Yankees are not in possession of that type of player, nor are most teams.

After he beat the Nationals on Wednesday, De La Rosa's record stood at 11-6, 4.19 with a 1.284 WHIP in 116.1 innings pitched. The 33-year old left-hander has actually had better results at hitter-friendly Coor's Field than on the road. With some home cooking, De La Rosa's ERA (3.23) is more than two points lower than when he dons the Rockies' road uniform. He's also won seven of his nine decisions in Colorado.

Red Sox Lose Ross, Close to Gaining Hanrahan

The Yankees aren't the only AL East team who will enter 2013 with a different right fielder. Free agent Cody Ross, who signed a one year deal with Boston prior to last season, has agreed to a three-year, $26MM deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Ross will join his 7th organization in 10 seasons and will nearly triple the annual salary he earned ($3MM) last season. The Red Sox were expected to lose Ross and had signed Shane Victorino and Jonny Gomes in the meantime to add depth to their outfield.

It appears the Red Sox will also be shaking up their bullpen, which struggled last year. ESPN Boston's Gordon Edes reported earlier that the Sox were close to acquire closer Joel Hanrahan from the Pittsburgh Pirates. No word on who the Pirates would get back.

The 31-year old went from making the league minimum to $4.1MM last season and has averaged 38 saves the last two years. He enters his third year of arbitration eligibility and should get a substantial increase from 2012.

The Red Sox acquired Andrew Bailey from the Oakland A's prior to last season for outfielder Josh Reddick and two minor leaguers. The move backfired when Bailey injured his thumb in spring training and pitched in just 19 games. Meanwhile, Reddick hit 32 home runs, drove in 85 runs, and won his first Gold Glove. The Sox could move Bailey to a set up role or use him in deal to land another part. The former AL Rookie of the Year is in his first year of arbitration eligibility after he earned $3.9MM last season.

Either move for Bailey stinks for me since I have him as a cheap closer in my keeper league. :/

Earlier this week the Red Sox also brought in free agent shortstop Stephen Drew, younger brother of former Red Sox outfielder J.D. Drew. The younger Drew was on the verge of stardom with the Diamondbacks when he suffered a severely broken ankle in 2011. He's struggled to regain his health and offensive form since then, but the Red Sox reportedly agreed to a one year, $9.5MM deal pending a physical.

A physical is apparently what has kept the Red Sox from officially signing Mike Napoli. The two sides had originally agreed to a three-year, $39MM deal, but the Sox are reportedly concerned about a hip issue and are back to negotiating with Napoli on a possible shorter, less expensive deal.

BD Hot Stove: Armed And (Somewhat) Dangerous | Baseball Digest

With the week winding down and the likes of Cliff Lee, Bobby Jenks, Joaquin Benoit, and Matt Guerrier off the market, it’s time to look at what free agent arms are still available.

BD Hot Stove: Armed And (Somewhat) Dangerous | Baseball Digest

BD Hot Stove: Maybe You Can Go Home Again | Baseball Digest

Kerry Wood looks to join Cliff Lee and Rich Harden in returning to a former employer.

Red Sox sign Bobby Jenks.

BD Hot Stove: Maybe You Can Go Home Again | Baseball Digest

BD Hot Stove: Time To Move Forward | Baseball Digest

Harden heading back to Cali?

With Cliff Lee's deal in place, it's time to for the other free agents to find homes.

BD Hot Stove: Time To Move Forward | Baseball Digest

Matt Guerrier, Rich Harden, and more.

E-Jax to Chicago, For Now

The much ballyhooed rumor sending Edwin Jackson from Arizona to Chicago has come to fruition. So far nothing on the second part of the rumored deal that would have Jackson going to Washington as part of a deal for slugger Adam Dunn.

If Jackson stays put, the deal still makes sense for White Sox GM Kenny Williams. With Jake Peavy done for the year, Williams wanted to go with a veteran, albeit a shaky one, in a rotation rather than rookie Daniel Hudson. The right-hander was sent to the desert along with fellow pitcher David Holmberg.

I'm baffled where the Nats are coming from if they do take Jackson as part of a Dunn deal. I'd rather much have Hudson and his promising future over the erratic Jackson.

Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports just tweeted: "Source: White Sox hope to acquire Dunn without trading Jackson, but Nats desire Jackson."

Like I said, don't know why the Nats want Jackson so badly.

The Daily Yankeeland

Some interesting discussion this afternoon between Brandon Tierney and Jody McDonald on 1050ESPN radio. Most of it centered around whether or not the Yankees needed to do anything at the trade deadline.

Tierney said he was fine going to the post-season as is, which is completely nuts. Everyone knows they need an improved bench and a better bullpen. A starting pitcher is not a must, especially since most of the better ones are taken.

Jody Mac's idea for a new DH is an old DH...Hideki Matsui. It's not a bad move and you would think he could be acquired pretty cheaply from the Halos. Godzilla is only working on a one year deal so you don't have to worry about keeping him around next year. It would also make me laugh since it's a signature "bring a guy back" George Steinbrenner move.

The other idea Jody Mac had, however, was totally bananas. Trevor Hoffman for the bullpen. Wow. Jody must have been hanging out at Shea too much back in the day and it affected his brain. Tierney called him crazy and he's right. Jody thought that Hoffman hadn't blown that many big games. Apparently he hasn't been paying attention, because Hoffman has been horrible in big regular season games, not just playoffs.

* * *

Adam Dunn is a popular topic for discussion. I would love to see him as a DH rental for the rest of the season, but not at the price that the Nationals are reportedly asking. I don't know specifics, but they are basically asking for the proverbial moon.

Dunn is said not to want to DH, but perhaps going from the cellar to a contender will change all that. ESPN's Buster Olney said this evening that the Nats will take one more shot at a new deal for the big first baseman before dealing him. Olney expects the Yankees and Rays to get into a trade war to keep the other from landing Dunn.

That would not be a wise move for a rental player, even if Dunn is a dangerous addition to any lineup.

* * *

Speaking of bench strength, the Star Ledger's Marc Carig tweeted earlier that the Yankees have backed off of Ty Wigginton as a possible role player.

Just pondering rosters there is not a lot of veteran guys possibly available. Maybe the Cubs Ryan Theriot? I would be interested in Marlins outfielder Cody Ross.

Trade Winds Not Strong Thus Far

Sure, there are plenty of MLB Trade Rumors out there, but how many major deals will really be pulled off? With teams scaling back on the free agent market, there's been no sign to indicate things will change for the in-season trading period. Other than Roy Halladay, nothing is a given, and even the Halladay deal will only get done if the Blue Jays get a fair return.

More minor deals, like the one that sent infielder Felipe Lopez from Arizona to Milwaukee yesterday, are likely to occur.

So it's time to look at some of the various rumors and what might go down over the next 11 days.

Roy Halladay - As we alluded to, there are some obstacles to a Halladay deal getting done. Besides fair market value, the Blue Jays will not allow any team a window to negotiate a new deal with Doc. Halladay must also approve his point of destination. SI's Jon Heyman still feels that the Phillies are the favorites to land the ace, with prospects Michael Taylor, Kyle Drabek, Jason Donald, and Carlos Carrasco being discussed. So far though, the Phillies have been unwilling to include Drabek in any deal. (If only the Yankees had kept Kyle's father Doug when they obtained Rick Rhoden from Pittsburgh in 1986.)

Jon also mentioned on his Twitter acc't that Halladay's preferences (according to pal) are: 1. win. 2. quiet. 3. spring in fla.; thinks he'd OK Phil, Stl, NY, Bos, etc.

For the Yankees to pull off a deal it would take Phil Hughes or Joba Chamberlain, Austin Jackson, and Jesus Montero or Francisco Cervelli. The Yankees have reportedly asked Jays' GM J.P. Ricciardi to give them a chance to match or beat any deal.

Adam Dunn - There are teams looking for a 1st baseman/DH, but not many that want to pick up the remainder of Dunn's 2-year, $20 million deal that he signed prior to this season. The Daily News' Adam Rubin reported today that Nats' GM Mike Rizzo is insisting the Nats won't deal Dunn, but it's hard to believe they wouldn't consider it. Fanhouse's Ed Price reported last week that the Tigers had interested in Dunn, but couldn't work out the financial part of the deal.

Red Sox hot corners - With Mike Lowell's injured hip continuing to give him trouble, the Red Sox are in the market for a replacement 3rd baseman or a 1st baseman that would enable Kevin Youkilis to slide across the diamond. Possibilities could be the Nats' Nick Johnson, Rockies corner man Garrett Atkins (though the Rockies asking high price is very high at the moment), O's Aubrey Huff

Bullpen Help: There's never a time that a major league ball club couldn't improve their pen. That's one of the reasons the O's have been inundated with calls for closer George Sherrill, who could be moved back to a set up spot if dealt. The LA Times reports the Angels have been talking to the O's about Sherrill, but Baltimore is looking for 2 top prospects in return.