AJ Stands For Aw Jeez

It's something I thought I would never see, especially two weeks apart. The Yankees offense rolled over the competition and yet the Yankees starting pitcher couldn't last the required five innings to get a win.

The Bombers laid it on Oakland 17-7 July 22, but Phil Hughes got knocked around and exited early. The Yankees topped that total by one yesterday and pounded the Chicago White Sox 18-7. This time around it was A.J. Burnett who Joe Girardi pulled the plug on early. What made it even more disturbing/annoying/frustrating is that the Yankees NEVER score runs for Burnett, but this time around they provided him with 13 after three innings. It was the first time the Yankees had scored double figures for Burnett since his first start of the season.

Hughes bounced back from that nightmare and blanked the White Sox in a 6 1/2 inning rain-shortened victory on Tuesday night. He's already been told he's making his next start and Ivan Nova will be facing the White Sox tonight.

There's been a lot of talk about who should move to the pen, Hughes or Nova, once a six man rotation is no longer/needed wanted. Perhaps that discussion misses the mark though- perhaps it is Burnett that should be pen bound. The 34-yr old right-hander was 6-3 with a 3.86 ERA after his start on June 1. He had pitched into the seventh inning or more in six of his 12 starts and never pitched less than five innings. That was then, this is now.

In his 11 starts since his June 1 win, Burnett has a 5.29 ERA, has not complete six innings six times, and has allowed four or more rusn five times. He's allowed 69 hits and 33 walks in 68 innings. His strike to ball ratio has also been horrible lately. Like most pitchers, Burnett is at his best when he gets ahead of hitters - batters have a .593 OPS when Burnett gets ahead 0-1 and they basically have no shot (.216 OPS) when behind in the count 0-2. Unfortunately, Burnett has gotten behind in too many counts himself the last two months and hitters have taken advantage.

According to fangraphs.com, Burnett has thrown, by far, the lowest percentage of fastballs in his career and has thrown more change ups than at any time (and the highest since 2005 with Florida). A dip in velocity, lack of location, pitch count, a new pitching coach, or all of the above could contribute to Burnett's different approach this season. Whatever the reason, nothing has worked of late.

So Joe Girardi and Brian Cashman have some thinking to do. Perhaps they should call for a change up too.

Notes

Derek Jeter had two five-hit games from 1995-2010. After last night's 5-6 performance, he has two in the last month. Jeter passed Lou Brock for the #22 spot on the all-time hit list. Next up is Rod Carew, who is 26 hits ahead of the Yankees captain.

Curtis Granderson drove in 5 runs in last night's win to increase his career high to 84 RBI. With two more runs scored, Grandy will reach 100 runs for the third time in his career.

Eric Chavez hit his first home run as a Yankee. Robinson Cano had four RBI and has 11 ribbies in last five games.

Alex Rodriguez is being investigated by MLB for participating in illegal poker names with some big names like Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. A-Rod's publicist said he will fully cooperate with the investigation. There's been talk of a possible suspension, which in a word is stupid.

Holy Bat Attack, Yankeeman

"Can I get a Hallelujah?"

Something really weird happened at Yankee Stadium tonight. There were singles and doubles and triples and home runs. Oh my. Hitless skids came to an end. Homer-less streaks came to an end. Lineups batted around. And runs were scored, oh yes my friends, they were scored. The Yankees obliterated the Chicago White Sox in what seemed like a never ending 5th inning en route to a 12-3 rout and a split of the four game series.

The Yankees took a 2-0 lead off White Sox starter Edwin Jackson without the aid of a hit. In fact the Yankees didn't have a hit until Brett Gardner led off the 5th with his third home run of the season. Left fielder Brent Lillibridge, the hero of Tuesday's game when he was in right field, then misplayed Eduardo Nunez's drive into a double. Curtis Granderson followed with an RBI triple off the wall in right and Nick Swisher snapped an 0-19 streak with a single to right-center for a 5-0 lead. It almost meant the Yankees hit for the cycle in the inning with just the first four batters. Jackson was done for the evening, but the Yankees offense wasn't.

Robinson Cano greeted reliever Tony Pena with a single and Alex Rodriguez followed with an RBI double. After an intentional walk to Eric Chavez, Russell Martin brought home one run with a single to left and Jorge Posada drew an unintentional walk to force home the sixth run of the evening. Pena got off the hook by having leave the game with an apparent injury.

CC Sabathia was the recipient of all the good fortune and picked up his second win of the season with seven solid innings. He threw shutout ball into his final inning when a Nunez error at short (Derek Jeter got a routine day off) led to three unearned runs. Those runs were immediately taken back in the home half of the 7th, which included Swisher's first home run of the season.

Notes

The White Sox have scored three runs or fewer in 13 of their last 14 games.

After getting ejected from Wednesday night's game, Ozzie Guillen took to Twitter..or supposedly did. It's difficult to tell if it's Ozzie or one of his sons or someone else. Guillen complained about the umpiring and said his ouster was a joke. Now, word comes that MLB is looking into the matter to see if any rules were violated. Reportedly there is a rule prohibiting communicating via electronic devices from 30 minutes prior to game time until the game ends.

2009 AL Central Preview

We're not going to go in-depth with our predictions for the remainder of baseball's divisions, but here we go.

AL CENTRAL

White Sox
Twins
Indians
Tigers
Royals

The defending division champs White Sox should take this division again in a close race with the Twins. The White Sox combination of rotation and bullpen will be the difference in the AL Central. Mark Buehrle, John Danks, and Gavin Floyd are solid at the front end, while recent injury prone starters, Jose Contreras and Bartolo Colon take up the back end. Colon, in particular, has looked good this spring and might be close to his old form. Bobby Jenks is a dynamite closer and the White Sox have solid arms throughout the pen. The offense has plenty of power, though that could also be looked at as being one dimensional.

A lot of talking heads expect the Indians to be back were they were in 2007, when they came within one win of going to the World Series, but we don't see it. Travis Hafner is still not swinging the bat with authority, closer Kerry Wood is always a sneeze away from an arm injury, and the rotation, outside of Cliff Lee and Fausto Carmona, does nothing for us.

We really like the young arms in the Twins rotation - Scott Baker (DL), Francisco Liriano, Nick Blackburn, Kevin Slowey, and Glen Perkins are all quality arms. Joe Nathan is as reliable a closer as there is in baseball, but the rest of the Twins pen isn't scintillating. More importantly, the Twins don't have a lot of pop in their lineup, especially if Joe Mauer is hurting. The Twins really need Delmon Young to have a break out season.

Some people think the Tigers underachieved last season. We think they were just overrated and not that good. There's not much to make us feel different about the team this year. Fernando Rodney and Brandon Lyon are the the team's closers. Joel Zumaya is hurt again. Jeremy Bonderman is still hurt. Carlos Guillen is playing another position. Dontrelle Willis is battling an anxiety disorder. On the up side, Miguel Cabrera will mash and local boy Rick Porcello should be fun to watch.

The only thing keeping the Tigers from the basement is the Royals. Yes, they have some quality young players- Alex Gordon, Billy Butler, Joakim Soria; but pitching wins and with Kyle Davies, Sidney Ponson, and Horacio Ramirez in the rotation, KC is NOT going to win.

Yankees Win, but Hughes Average

The Yankees played spoiler again last night, defeating the AL Central leading Chicago White Sox, 5-1, but starter Phil Hughes was less than spectacular in his return to the major league mound. Hughes labored through 4 innings, throwing 89 pitches, 57 of them for strikes. He did show some grit getting out of a pair of jams relatively unscathed, but did allow six base runners.

Hughes stranded Orlando Cabrera after he led off the game with a double, but wasn't as fortunate in the third inning when Cabrera repeated the feat. Dewayne Wise sacrificed Cabrera to third, and Jermaine Dye brought him home with a ground out to Alex Rodriguez.

An inning later the White Sox put two aboard with one out on a single by A.J. Pierzynski and walk to Ken Griffey Jr.. But Hughes retired Alexei Ramirez on a deep fly to center field and struck out Juan Uribe to get out of the jam.

The Yankees offense faced its worst enemy, a rookie left-hander they had never seen before. Robinson Cano's single was the only home team hit off of Clayton Richard through the first six innings. After stranding two men in the sixth, the Yankees finally broke through in the seventh. A-Rod drew a one out walk and moved to second on Jason Giambi's ground out. Since Richard had easily handled Xavier Nady all night, Ozzie Guillen stuck with him, but Nady made him pay when he lined a hanging breaking pitch to center field for a game tying single.

Cano's third hit of the night, a double into the left field corner, put two men in scoring position and finally knocked Richard from the game. Reliever Mike McDougal came on and wild pitched home the go ahead run before retiring Ivan Rodriguez to end the inning.

The Yankees tacked on three runs in the eighth inning on a Johnny Damon 2-run home run off of Scott Linebrink, and a solo shot by A-Rod. It was A-Rod's 35th home run of the season, making him the first player to hit 35 home runs and drive in 100 runs for the 12th straight season (we won't talk about how the home run itself was meaningless).

After Phil Coke tossed two shutout innings, extending his scoreless streak to 10 innings, Brian Bruney, Joba Chamberlain, and Edwar Ramirez tossed a frame each, with Bruney (3-0) getting the win.


News and Notes

Melky Cabrera made his first start in center field since his recall from Scranton. He went 1-3 with a run scored, but failed to get a bunt down in a crucial situation.

The Yankees clinched the season series with the White Sox, having won 4 of the first 6, with tonight's finale left. They also won the series with the AL East leading Rays. Only the Angels, the West winners, won the season series with the Yankees. They also won the season series with the Central contending Twins, 6-4. They have a chance to win or split the series with the Red Sox too, which they trail 8-7.

The White Sox maintained their 2.5 game lead over the Twins after Minnesota fell to Cleveland, 6-4.

Yankees Win, but Hughes Average

The Yankees played spoiler again last night, defeating the AL Central leading Chicago White Sox, 5-1, but starter Phil Hughes was less than spectacular in his return to the major league mound. Hughes labored through 4 innings, throwing 89 pitches, 57 of them for strikes. He did show some grit getting out of a pair of jams relatively unscathed, but did allow six base runners.

Hughes stranded Orlando Cabrera after he led off the game with a double, but wasn't as fortunate in the third inning when Cabrera repeated the feat. Dewayne Wise sacrificed Cabrera to third, and Jermaine Dye brought him home with a ground out to Alex Rodriguez.

An inning later the White Sox put two aboard with one out on a single by A.J. Pierzynski and walk to Ken Griffey Jr.. But Hughes retired Alexei Ramirez on a deep fly to center field and struck out Juan Uribe to get out of the jam.

The Yankees offense faced its worst enemy, a rookie left-hander they had never seen before. Robinson Cano's single was the only home team hit off of Clayton Richard through the first six innings. After stranding two men in the sixth, the Yankees finally broke through in the seventh. A-Rod drew a one out walk and moved to second on Jason Giambi's ground out. Since Richard had easily handled Xavier Nady all night, Ozzie Guillen stuck with him, but Nady made him pay when he lined a hanging breaking pitch to center field for a game tying single.

Cano's third hit of the night, a double into the left field corner, put two men in scoring position and finally knocked Richard from the game. Reliever Mike McDougal came on and wild pitched home the go ahead run before retiring Ivan Rodriguez to end the inning.

The Yankees tacked on three runs in the eighth inning on a Johnny Damon 2-run home run off of Scott Linebrink, and a solo shot by A-Rod. It was A-Rod's 35th home run of the season, making him the first player to hit 35 home runs and drive in 100 runs for the 12th straight season (we won't talk about how the home run itself was meaningless).

After Phil Coke tossed two shutout innings, extending his scoreless streak to 10 innings, Brian Bruney, Joba Chamberlain, and Edwar Ramirez tossed a frame each, with Bruney (3-0) getting the win.


News and Notes

Melky Cabrera made his first start in center field since his recall from Scranton. He went 1-3 with a run scored, but failed to get a bunt down in a crucial situation.

The Yankees clinched the season series with the White Sox, having won 4 of the first 6, with tonight's finale left. They also won the series with the AL East leading Rays. Only the Angels, the West winners, won the season series with the Yankees. They also won the season series with the Central contending Twins, 6-4. They have a chance to win or split the series with the Red Sox too, which they trail 8-7.

The White Sox maintained their 2.5 game lead over the Twins after Minnesota fell to Cleveland, 6-4.

Ozzie Guillen's in Love

This is quickly making its way around the Internet. White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, never afraid to speak his mind (what there is of it), is in love with Derek Jeter. No, really. This is what Guillen told the Sun-Times' Joe Cowley (no, not that Joe Cowley), with an assist from PeteAbe.

”Derek Jeter has everything in his life. ‘He’s got money, he’s got rings. … He’s not married. He lives in New York. At the All-Star Game, I looked around to see if he’s got anything I don’t like. Whoa. The perfect man. Too bad I don’t have a daughter.”

Um, okay.

Ozzie Guillen's in Love

This is quickly making its way around the Internet. White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, never afraid to speak his mind (what there is of it), is in love with Derek Jeter. No, really. This is what Guillen told the Sun-Times' Joe Cowley (no, not that Joe Cowley), with an assist from PeteAbe.

”Derek Jeter has everything in his life. ‘He’s got money, he’s got rings. … He’s not married. He lives in New York. At the All-Star Game, I looked around to see if he’s got anything I don’t like. Whoa. The perfect man. Too bad I don’t have a daughter.”

Um, okay.

Yankees Blow into Chi-town

It's Earth Day, Mr. and Mrs. MM's anniversary, and Chien-Ming Wang gets the start tonight when the Yankees begin a three game series with the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field. Hopefully that means all of the stars are aligned for a win tonight and a series win when the three games conclude on Thursday. If Hawk Harrelson gets laryngitis, we're golden!

The Yankees got a much needed day off yesterday; time for A-Rod to get treatment on his quad, Hank Steinbrenner and Brian Cashman to play ping-pong about Joba Chamberlain, and for White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen some time to think up some new outrageous statements.

The Yankees have lost 3 of 4 and are scuffling at the moment. The White Sox meanwhile are trying to rebound from a poor 2007 season. Their 11-7, atop the AL Central, where favorites Cleveland and Detroit are both well under .500.

2008 White Sox
The White Sox have gotten a boost from their pitching staff despite the subtraction of John Garland, who was dealt to the Angels for new shortstop Orlando Cabrera. Veteran Mark Buehrle anchors a staff that has gotten good contributions from youngsters Gavin Floyd and John Danks, and fellow veterans Javier Vazquez and Jose Contreras. Bobby Jenks is coming off a stellar season as closer and the White Sox added free agent Scott Linebrink to be the 8th inning set up man.

The man holding the pitching staff together is off course, the king of all jerks, A.J. Pierzysnki. He's off to a great start, hitting .339.

The biggest off-season acquisition may have been outfielder/1st Baseman Nick Swisher, who has taken over the lead off role in the lineup. Though he has big power capability, he hit 35 home runs in 2006, Swisher also draws around 100 walks a season. Jerry Owens started out as the lead off man and centerfielder, but when he was injured, Swisher moved to center and to the top spot in the order. He leads the team in runs scored.

Owens' injury also opened an opportunity for Carlos Quentin to grab a regular spot in left field. The 25-yr old is hitting just .241, but has 4 home run, 15 RBI, 15 runs scored, and .897 OPS. He's done well enough for now to keep Owens in the minors after his rehab stint was over.

Joe Crede may already be the comeback player of the year. The oft-back injured 3rd Baseman leads the team with 18 RBI and 2 of his 5 home runs have been grand slams.

DH Jim Thome has been slumping, but is coming off a 4-5 game and has 5 HR and 16 RBI. Shortstop Cabrera has struggled through his first 18 games, hitting just .239. The man he replaced at the position, Juan Uribe, has moved to 2nd Base and is hitting just .153 in place of the injured Danny Richar. Uribe was nearly released in spring training and still could be when Richar returns from a stress fracture in his rib cage.

Probable Pitchers
Chien-Ming Wang (3-0) faces former Yankee, Jose Contreras (1-1, 4.34) in the series opener tonight at 8:11 EDT. Mike Mussina (1-3, 5.75) goes against another former teammate, Javier Vazquez (3-1, 3.20) on Wednesday, and Phil Hughes (0-3, 8.82) looks for his first win when he faces former Phillies phenom Gavin Floyd (2-0, 1.40) in the series finale.

Injury Update
Jorge Posada is closer to returning to his normal spot behind the dish, but Alex Rodriguez is likely to sit out tonight with his strained quad.

News and Notes
A-Rod's health may dictate if Jason Giambi sits in one of the three games. Though the Yankees are facing three right-handed starters, Giambi's bat has yet to come alive, and he might have sat a game or two in favor of Morgan Ensberg if not for A-Rod's injury. But Ensberg will be manning the hot corner while A-Rod is out.

Giambi would be hitting even worse if not for the Red Sox Mike Timlin. The Giambino is 3-3 with 2 home runs against him. As a matter of fact Giambi gave Timlin a big hug when the two teams met at Yankee Stadium last week, and thanked him.

Yankees Blow into Chi-town

It's Earth Day, Mr. and Mrs. MM's anniversary, and Chien-Ming Wang gets the start tonight when the Yankees begin a three game series with the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field. Hopefully that means all of the stars are aligned for a win tonight and a series win when the three games conclude on Thursday. If Hawk Harrelson gets laryngitis, we're golden!

The Yankees got a much needed day off yesterday; time for A-Rod to get treatment on his quad, Hank Steinbrenner and Brian Cashman to play ping-pong about Joba Chamberlain, and for White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen some time to think up some new outrageous statements.

The Yankees have lost 3 of 4 and are scuffling at the moment. The White Sox meanwhile are trying to rebound from a poor 2007 season. Their 11-7, atop the AL Central, where favorites Cleveland and Detroit are both well under .500.

2008 White Sox
The White Sox have gotten a boost from their pitching staff despite the subtraction of John Garland, who was dealt to the Angels for new shortstop Orlando Cabrera. Veteran Mark Buehrle anchors a staff that has gotten good contributions from youngsters Gavin Floyd and John Danks, and fellow veterans Javier Vazquez and Jose Contreras. Bobby Jenks is coming off a stellar season as closer and the White Sox added free agent Scott Linebrink to be the 8th inning set up man.

The man holding the pitching staff together is off course, the king of all jerks, A.J. Pierzysnki. He's off to a great start, hitting .339.

The biggest off-season acquisition may have been outfielder/1st Baseman Nick Swisher, who has taken over the lead off role in the lineup. Though he has big power capability, he hit 35 home runs in 2006, Swisher also draws around 100 walks a season. Jerry Owens started out as the lead off man and centerfielder, but when he was injured, Swisher moved to center and to the top spot in the order. He leads the team in runs scored.

Owens' injury also opened an opportunity for Carlos Quentin to grab a regular spot in left field. The 25-yr old is hitting just .241, but has 4 home run, 15 RBI, 15 runs scored, and .897 OPS. He's done well enough for now to keep Owens in the minors after his rehab stint was over.

Joe Crede may already be the comeback player of the year. The oft-back injured 3rd Baseman leads the team with 18 RBI and 2 of his 5 home runs have been grand slams.

DH Jim Thome has been slumping, but is coming off a 4-5 game and has 5 HR and 16 RBI. Shortstop Cabrera has struggled through his first 18 games, hitting just .239. The man he replaced at the position, Juan Uribe, has moved to 2nd Base and is hitting just .153 in place of the injured Danny Richar. Uribe was nearly released in spring training and still could be when Richar returns from a stress fracture in his rib cage.

Probable Pitchers
Chien-Ming Wang (3-0) faces former Yankee, Jose Contreras (1-1, 4.34) in the series opener tonight at 8:11 EDT. Mike Mussina (1-3, 5.75) goes against another former teammate, Javier Vazquez (3-1, 3.20) on Wednesday, and Phil Hughes (0-3, 8.82) looks for his first win when he faces former Phillies phenom Gavin Floyd (2-0, 1.40) in the series finale.

Injury Update
Jorge Posada is closer to returning to his normal spot behind the dish, but Alex Rodriguez is likely to sit out tonight with his strained quad.

News and Notes
A-Rod's health may dictate if Jason Giambi sits in one of the three games. Though the Yankees are facing three right-handed starters, Giambi's bat has yet to come alive, and he might have sat a game or two in favor of Morgan Ensberg if not for A-Rod's injury. But Ensberg will be manning the hot corner while A-Rod is out.

Giambi would be hitting even worse if not for the Red Sox Mike Timlin. The Giambino is 3-3 with 2 home runs against him. As a matter of fact Giambi gave Timlin a big hug when the two teams met at Yankee Stadium last week, and thanked him.

Tuesday Hot Stove

Ozzie Guillen has never been one to hold his tongue and he's not now concerning Miguel Cabrera. For all those people screaming about Hank Steinbrenner and tampering charges yesterday, we'll do you one better.

Miguel Cabrera wants to return to the Marlins, but if he gets traded he hopes it's to the Chicago White Sox, according to one of his closest friends - White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen.

"He'd love to play for me,'' Guillen said Monday. "Miguel to me is like my oldest kid. His wife and my wife are best friends.''

"He asks me every day, 'What team will I go to? I say I wish I could tell you where I want you to go,' '' Guillen says, pausing to laugh, '' 'but I'd get in trouble.' Obviously he wants to come to the White Sox because I'm his friend.''

Time for Toupee Selig to step up and shut up the Jackass of Oz, and yes, Prince Hank too. Source

* * *

Sweeny Murti of WFAN reported yesterday that he heard rumblings that the Mets were close on a deal for the O's Erik Bedard. There's been no further info since then. The Dodgers and Mariners have also been showing interest.

* * *

The Brewers and Rangers have both been talking to the Cardinals about Scott Rolen. The Rangers were thought to be offering Hank Blalock as part of a deal, while the Brewers may be dangling left-hander Chris Capuano. Source

* * *

A Dodgers beat writer denied that the team made a 2 year offer to Andruw Jones. Meanwhile GM Ned Colletti has said that Jones and Aaron Rowand are asking for too much money. Rowand and his agent have lumped themselves in with Torii Hunter, but Rowand doesn't have Hunter's resume to demand that kind of cash. The Phillies are thought to be considering overpaying Rowand for a short term contract, possibly 3 years, as opposed to the 5 that Rowand is seeking.

* * *

Danny Haren, the Yankees Plan 'B' and much in demand, has stated he doesn't want to be traded. Haren, who is still under contract for 3 years, may not even be on the table, but Billy Beane is certainly going to listen. Source

* * *

There's another big name left-hander that will be a free agent after the 2008 season, but the Cleveland Indians don't want C.C. Sabathia to hit the open market. The 2 sides are using the winter meetings to discuss a new, long term deal. Source

* * *

The Royals are going hard after Jose Guillen, who apparently will take money over any chance of making the playoffs. Rumor has it a deal would be 3 years, worth $33-$36 million. Source

* * *

The Rangers are considering bringing back Eric Gagne to close. Gagne was with the Rangers last season until being dealt to the Red Sox at the trade deadline. His disastrous time there, unfortunately, didn't prevent the Sox from winning the WS. Source

Tuesday Hot Stove

Ozzie Guillen has never been one to hold his tongue and he's not now concerning Miguel Cabrera. For all those people screaming about Hank Steinbrenner and tampering charges yesterday, we'll do you one better.

Miguel Cabrera wants to return to the Marlins, but if he gets traded he hopes it's to the Chicago White Sox, according to one of his closest friends - White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen.

"He'd love to play for me,'' Guillen said Monday. "Miguel to me is like my oldest kid. His wife and my wife are best friends.''

"He asks me every day, 'What team will I go to? I say I wish I could tell you where I want you to go,' '' Guillen says, pausing to laugh, '' 'but I'd get in trouble.' Obviously he wants to come to the White Sox because I'm his friend.''

Time for Toupee Selig to step up and shut up the Jackass of Oz, and yes, Prince Hank too. Source

* * *

Sweeny Murti of WFAN reported yesterday that he heard rumblings that the Mets were close on a deal for the O's Erik Bedard. There's been no further info since then. The Dodgers and Mariners have also been showing interest.

* * *

The Brewers and Rangers have both been talking to the Cardinals about Scott Rolen. The Rangers were thought to be offering Hank Blalock as part of a deal, while the Brewers may be dangling left-hander Chris Capuano. Source

* * *

A Dodgers beat writer denied that the team made a 2 year offer to Andruw Jones. Meanwhile GM Ned Colletti has said that Jones and Aaron Rowand are asking for too much money. Rowand and his agent have lumped themselves in with Torii Hunter, but Rowand doesn't have Hunter's resume to demand that kind of cash. The Phillies are thought to be considering overpaying Rowand for a short term contract, possibly 3 years, as opposed to the 5 that Rowand is seeking.

* * *

Danny Haren, the Yankees Plan 'B' and much in demand, has stated he doesn't want to be traded. Haren, who is still under contract for 3 years, may not even be on the table, but Billy Beane is certainly going to listen. Source

* * *

There's another big name left-hander that will be a free agent after the 2008 season, but the Cleveland Indians don't want C.C. Sabathia to hit the open market. The 2 sides are using the winter meetings to discuss a new, long term deal. Source

* * *

The Royals are going hard after Jose Guillen, who apparently will take money over any chance of making the playoffs. Rumor has it a deal would be 3 years, worth $33-$36 million. Source

* * *

The Rangers are considering bringing back Eric Gagne to close. Gagne was with the Rangers last season until being dealt to the Red Sox at the trade deadline. His disastrous time there, unfortunately, didn't prevent the Sox from winning the WS. Source