The Diamondbacks, facing the losses of free-agent relievers Juan Cruz and Brandon Lyon, would benefit from the short-term addition of Trevor Hoffman or Kerry Wood, but lack the payroll flexibility necessary to sign either closer. Instead, the D-Backs are likely to stick with their affordable late-inning trio of Chad Qualls, Jon Rauch and Tony Pena, who will combine to make less than what Hoffman or Wood likely will command in 2009 — Hoffman for one year, Wood on a multi-year deal.
The Rockies, at least for the moment, seem content to keep third baseman Garrett Atkins and the three players they acquired in the Matt Holliday trade — left-hander Greg Smith, outfielder Carlos Gonzalez and reliever Huston Street. The team is looking for a left-handed reliever; free agent Alan Embree is one possibility.
When word leaked out of San Francisco that the Giants were interested in free-agent jewel CC Sabathia, not many clubs, the Yankees included, took it too seriously.
Now, a week later the landscape has moved to Southern California, where the Angels are hinting they will make an offer to the left-handed pitcher, who has a six-year, $140 million offer from the Yankees. The Brewers, who Sabathia pitched into the postseason this past season by going 11-2 in 17 starts, reportedly have made a five-year, $100 million offer.
The question facing the Yankees is this: Are the Angels trying to get agent Scott Boras moving on a deal for switch-hitting first baseman Mark Teixeira by letting people know an offer for Sabathia is forthcoming?
Or could the Angels decide Teixeira, who hit .358 with 13 homers and 43 RBIs in 54 games for them last year and is looking for a 10-year deal in the $20 million per range, isn't acting fast enough and move on to Sabathia?
Boras, historically, doesn't seal deals quickly. From the start of the process the Yankees believed the Angels were their top competition for Sabathia. Owner Arte Moreno has the money and isn't shy about spending it.
An offer from the Angels would help Sabathia's decision. He isn't going to take $40 million less to play in Milwaukee. But though the Angels aren't expected to top the Yankees' offer, they would give Sabathia another option besides the Brewers. And they can sell the notion that the Angels with Sabathia, who was 17-10 overall with the Indians and Brewers, are closer to winning a World Series than the Yankees are with him.
Should Sabathia not land in The Bronx, the Yankees may be forced to go to five years for A.J. Burnett and possibly overpay for Derek Lowe. The Yankees have made it clear their goal is to sign two of the top three free-agent pitchers and retain Andy Pettitte. However, Pettitte not wanting to take a pay cut from the $16 million he made last year cooled the Yankees.
Pettitte, according to Fox Sports, has talked with Joe Torre about joining the Dodgers, though Pettitte has said in the past the only team he wants to pitch for is the Yankees.
If they don't ink two of the three, the Yankees will turn their focus to bolstering a lineup that disappointed last season and is likely to lose Bobby Abreu and Jason Giambi. That will mean a look at Teixeira, Orlando Hudson to play center field and possibly Manny Ramirez.
Yet, that doesn't do anything to improve a starting rotation that at the moment has Chien-Ming Wang, Joba Chamberlain and three colossal craters.
