New York Yankees Rumors

Recently, a number of respected baseball media outlets have released their respective lists of the top number of prospects heading into the 2010 season.  These lists include Keith Law of espn.com's Top 100, Jonathan Mayo's collection of top prospects starting with Scouting the Sally's Top 30, Oriolesprospects.com Top 20, Propects Paradise's Top 30, Camden Crazies Top 25, Dave Barr's Hot Corner Top 20, Prospect Junkie's Top 20, The Cardinal Nation's Top 40, Seth Stohs from sethspeaks.net's Top 20, and Mayo's Top 50.

Obviously this all represents opinion, but to get a better idea of the overall feel of the group Baseball Rumor Mill averaged the Top 20 rankings from all of the lists to come up with an aggregate ranking of the Top 20 prospects heading into 2010. 

The rankings were tabulated only evaluating the Top 20 of each list and a point value was assigned to each rank.  #1 = 20 points, #2 = 19 points, so on down to #20 = 1 point.  If a player was not listed in the Top 20 a NR indication was given and no points were awarded.  The rankings are based on aggregate point totals, though we also did an evaluation of point totals after dropping the highest ranking and lowest ranking.  For instance, Desmond Jennings finished fifth overall in aggregate, but would be tied for 3rd with Buster Posey after dropping each player's highest and lowest ranking.

To view the raw data, click here.

Not surprisingly, Jason Heyward and Stephen Strasburg were significantly ahead of the field at the #1 and #2 spot, respectively.  There seems to be a considerable drop in consensus after either Dustin Ackley at #12 or Madison Bumgarner at #13.  Only ten players received Top 20 votes in all ten rankings.

Without further ado, the aggregate rankings

1. Jason Heyward, OF Atlanta
2. Stephen Strasburg, P Washington
3. Buster Posey, C San Francisco
4. Brian Matsuz, P Baltimore
5. Desmond Jennings, OF Tampa Bay
6. Carlos Santana, C Cleveland
7. Jesus Montero, C New York Yankees
8. Neftali Feliz, P Texas
9. Mike Stanton, OF Florida
10. Pedro Alvarez, 3B Pittsburgh
11. Justin Smoak, 1B Texas
12. Dustin Ackley, OF Seattle
13. Madison Bumgarner, P San Francisco
14. Aroldis Chapman, P Cincinnati
15. Domonic Brown, OF Philadelphia
16. Jeremy Hellickson, P Tampa Bay
17. Martin Perez, P Texas
18. Alcides Escobar, SS Brewers
19. Wade Davis, P Tampa Bay
20. Chris Carter, 1B Oakland

Less than a year after being the #1 draft pick, Strasburg rates as the #2 prospect in baseball

The Rule 5 Draft was held today.  Here are the first round picks. Draft picks are listed by the team making the selection, player name and the team he was selected from.

As a reminder, players selected in the Rule 5 draft must remain on the 25-man roster the entire subsequent season or they are returned to the team from which they were taken.

1. New York Yankees* (from Washington): Jamie Hoffmann, Dodgers
2. Pittsburgh: John Raynor, Marlins
3. Texas^ (from Baltimore): Benjamin Snyder, Giants
4. Kansas City: Edgar Osuna, Braves
5. Cleveland: Hector Ambriz, Diamondbacks
6. Arizona: Zach Kroenke, Yankees
7. New York Mets: Carlos Monasterios, Phillies
8. Florida# (from Houston): Jorge Jiminez, Red Sox
9. San Diego: pass
10. Oakland: Bobby Cassevah, Angels
11. Toronto: Zech Zinicola, Nationals
12. Chicago White Sox: pass
13. Milwaukee: Chuck Lofgren, Indians
14. Chicago Cubs: Mike Parisi, Cardinals
15. Tampa Bay: Armando Zerpa, Red Sox
16. Seattle: Kanekoa Texeira, Yankees
17. Texas: pass
18. Florida: pass
19. San Francisco: Steve Johnson, Orioles
20. St. Louis: Ben Jukich, Reds
21. Colorado: pass
22. Philadelphia: Ken Herndon, Angels
23. Los Angeles Dodgers: pass
24. Boston: pass
25. Los Angeles Angels: pass
26. New York Yankees: pass

* Acquired from Nationals as part of Brian Bruney trade
^ Acquired from Baltimore as part of Kevin Millwood trade
# Acquired from Houston as part of Matt Lindstrom trade

The Tigers, Twins, Braves and Reds did not have picks because their 40 man roster was full.

The number 1 pick of the 2009 Rule 5 Draft, Jamie Hoffmann will now play all of 2010 on the Yankees 25-man roster

Roy Halladay is sure to keep the hot stove stoked all winter long.  Here are today's rumors surrounding the possiblity that the Blue Jays will trade Hallady.

• The Angels have offered Joe Saunders, Erick Aybar and Peter Bourjos to the Blue Jays for Halladay says Bob Elliot of the Toronto Sun.  Jordan Bastian of mlb.com believes that Halladay might not waive his no trade clause to go to Los Angeles.
• Even if they get Halladay, Lyle Spencer of mlb.com reports they might be able to add a second elite pitcher like John Lackey as well.  Angels GM Tony Reagins says that it's "possible, but not likely."
• Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated notes that the Phillies are in the mix for Halladay.  Jordan Bastain of mlb.com agrees.  Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro, Jr. is playing his cards close to the vest, saying that the Phillies making a trade for a major pitcher is unlikely. 
• Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos does not believe that Tornoto will move Halladay during the winter meetings.  Buster Olney of espn.com reports that the Jays are still in information gathering mode. 
• The Yankees have inquired about Halladay and and the Blue Jays have reportedly asked for Jesus Montero and either Phil Hughes or Joba Chamberlain and other pieces in return.  Joel Sherman of the New York Post notes that the Yankees are very involved in the Halladay discussions.  The New York/Halladay rumors remind Sherman of the Mark Teixeira situation last year.

Roy Halladay rumors are swirling all over the country

Though the Curtis Granderson-to-New York trade has not been officially announced, a deal has been agreed upon to send Granderson to New York while Edwin Jackson heads to Arizona and the Tigers and Diamondbacks pick up prospects. 

The under reported aspect of this story so far is how the acquisition will affect Johnny Damon's future in New York.  Until now, Damon had been discussing about how he'd be willing to take a home town discount to stay in New York, but one has to wonder if the Yankees were not seeing that discount in negotiations and decided to go another direction.  Throughout his career, Damon has gone to where the most dollars and years were present.  In 2001, after being traded to Boston, Damon signed a lucrative deal with the Red Sox and then followed that contract up with an even higher paying deal with the Yankees. 

Damon is a 36 year old free agent and is looking for a multi-year deal.  Damon has even commented that he believes "there still is a window for him to come back."  With Nick Swisher under contract and Melky Cabrera and Brett Gardner on the roster, there might not be any room for Damon with Granderson on the roster. 

Assuming Damon does not return to New York, that likely reduces what he'll be able to get in free agency without competitive bidding from New York.  So where does that leave Damon's free agency?

Johnny Damon's days in New York appear over

The Detroit Tigers have dealt Curtis Granderson to the New York Yankees in a seven player trade that also involves the Arizona Diamondbacks, Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated is reporting.  Joel Sherman of the New York Post confirms the rumor with a note that the Yankees have asked for Granderson's medical records, but also notes that there is no deadline on completion the deal as of yet. 

According to Tyler Kepner of the New York Times, the Yankees will receive Granderson, the Tigers will get Austin Jackson and Phil Coke from the Yankees and Daniel Schlereth and Max Scherzer from the Diamondbacks.  Arizona receives Edwin Jackson from the Tigers and Ian Kennedy  from the Yankees. 

One initial hang up to the deal that was ironed out was Arizona's insistence on having Yankee's prospect Michael Dunn involved, but when he was removed from the deal, the Yankees acquiesced.

Curtis Granderson bring his defense to New York

As the Roy Halladay hot stove begins to fire up, the Red Sox hope to take much of the drama out of the situation by acquiring the right handed pitcher before the start of the winter meetings on December 7th, Peter Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.  In return for Halladay, the Jays are reportedly asking for top Sox prospect Casey Kelly and emerging starter Clay Buchholz. 

For the Blue Jays, the move to trade Halladay is not a desire, but more a need based on Halladay's unwillingness to sign an extension with Toronto and hopes to play for a contending team.  With one year left on a three-year, $40M deal that Halladay signed before the 2008 season, the Jays hope to get as much as they can for the perennial Cy Young contender this off season, rather than waiting until July.  They'd also save the $15.75M that Halladay is owed in 2010. 

The Red Sox are not the only team interested in Halladay, not even within their own division.  Despite winning the world series, the Yankees still have holes in their pitching rotation, something they'd be happy to will with Halladay.  The Sox urgency is certainly an effort to get out in front of the Yankees where general manager Brian Cashman is waiting to receive his budget for the 2010 season before making any major moves.  The Blue Jays would likely ask for some of the Yankees top propsects like Austin Jackson or Jesus Montero along with either Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain. 

The Red Sox and Yankees will be in hot pursuit of Roy Halladay this off season

The Angels figure to be another team interested in Halladay if they are unable to retain free agent pitcher John Lackey.

Despite all the drama, espn.com's Buster Olney puts the odds of Halladay being traded at only 50/50.

Ken Rosenthal of foxsports.com believes that free agent outfielder Johnny Damon and agent Scott Boras will seek to sign a contract similar to what fellow 35+ outfielder Bobby Abreu signed a few weeks ago with the Angels.  Abreu and the Angels agreed to a two-year, $19M deal on November 6th after signing a one-year $5M deal in late February in 2009. 

Most speculation has the Yankees interested in bringing Damon back, but on a short term basis.  Rosenthal, however, feels that if Damon is looking for Abreu-money, that is not good news for Yankees fans.  Seems as if the Yankees would be happy to have Damon back at less than $10M per season. 

The Yankees hope to retain Johnny Damon - can they afford him?

Plenty of rumors to pass along this morning from Nick Cafardo's article in The Boston Globe. 

• If the Red Sox are able to land John Lackey that could allow them the freedom to trade Clay Buchholz to San Diego for Adrian Gonzalez.
• Speaking of the Red Sox, here's an interesting quote from one AL general manager: "The Red Sox could be the major player this off season if certain things fall together for them.  They still have enough chips in their farm system to make something happen."  Perhaps referring to A-Gone or maybe Roy Halladay.
• The Yankees will be involved in trade discussions for Halladay and seem likely to part with Phil Hughes or Joba Chamberlain.  You have to wonder who the bigger prospect is right now.  Our money is that teams would rather have Hughers over Chamberlain.
• The Twins and Brewers are "very interested" in Carl Pavano.
• John Smoltz is also on Milwaukee's radar, but they'll have competition from the Cardinals, who'd like to see Smoltz return.
• Gary Sheffield would like to return in 2010 and is more flexible about accepting a DH role than in the past.  

John Lackey could be the first domino in a busy off season for the Red Sox

A few notes about Jason Bay to pass along.

• On the eve of full free agency, Bay rejected Boston's latest offer: "close to $60M" over 4 years.
• The Yankees do not appear interested in Bay.
• The Angels, on the other hand, have not ruled out looking into acquiring Bay. Matt Holliday, however, does not appear to be on their radar.
• The Giants join the Yankees as being publicly uninterested in Bay.

The market for Jason Bay appears to be narrowing

Jayson Stark from espn.com has a new article up with plenty of off season rumors.

• Milton Bradley appears to have three different suitors: Rays, Rangers and Jays. However, Bradley is owed $21M over the remainder of his contact, so the Cubs will likely have to take on a bad contract in return.
• The Marlins had discussions about trading Dan Uggla with the Giants and Rangers.
• Rather than bid on Jason Bay or Matt Holliday, the Yankees seem content to try and resign Johnny Damon or Hideki Matsui.
• Derek Lowe's contract is becoming burdensome for the Braves, especially as they look to extend Javier Vazquez. They'll try to move Lowe and hope to get a hitter in return for him.
• The Phillies are considering Placido Polanco, Mark DeRosa and Adrian Beltre at third base.

Johnny Damon is an off season priority for the Yankees