Yankees pursuing Craig Breslow and Dan Haren, Four Teams Two Trades

- As seen on MLBTradeRumors and Fox Sports, the New York Yankees, along with the Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, Minnesota Twins, and Detroit Tigers, are interested and are pursuing to trade for Arizona Diamondbacks' right handed ace pitcher Dan Haren. Haren, 29, who is struggling this season, has pitched to a 4.60 ERA with a 7-8 record. He's under contract through 2013 with a $3.5 million buyout for the 2013 season. He makes $12.7 million for 2011 and 2012.

The Dbacks, who initially asked for two major league pitchers and a bullpen arm, have lowered their demands and are exchanging names with the aforementioned teams. Haren is one of the better pitchers in baseball and is playing for a bad team, therefore having a bad season. Everything you need to know about him can be seen here, in a post that I wrote a few weeks ago when I first heard of the Yankees' interest in Haren.

- As well, the Yankees are interested in improving their bullpen. Their newest target: Craig Breslow.

Breslow, a journeyman right handed reliever out of Yale, has spent parts of five seasons with the San Diego Padres, Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, Minnesota Twins and Oakland Athletics. Breslow, 29, has always been a reliable relief pitcher, indicated by his career ERA of 2.85. Breslow's best season came in 2007 with the Twins, when he went 0-2 with a 1.91 ERA while striking out 39 in 47 innings. Only two seasons, 2006 and 2009, has Breslow finished with an ERA over 3.00. All other seasons have been sub 3.00 ERA seasons. So far in 2010, he's 4-2 with a 3.02 ERA and 46 strikeouts(!) in 44.2 innings(!) for the Oakland Athletics, while allowing just 17 walks. The A's are in sell mode and two of their relievers, Michael Wuertz and Breslow, are the most attractive bullpen targets. The Yankees join the Boston Red Sox and Tigers as teams interested in Breslow. He makes just $425,000 this season and is under control through 2013, so no wonder teams are so interested.

Breslow joins Joakim Soria, Leo Nunez, Wuertz, Jason Frasor, Scott Downs and Kevin Gregg as bullpen arms that the Yankees are interested in.

- Also making small headlines, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim acquired infielder Alberto Callaspo from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for RHP Sean O'Sullivan and LHP Will Smith.

Callaspo emerged as a reliable starting infielder in 2009 for the Royals, hitting .300 with 11 home runs and 73 RBIs in 155 games. Callaspo, 27, has been playing mainly third base for the Royals this season, hitting at a line of .275/.208/.410, 8 HR, and 43 RBIs and 88 games. He's a great back-up infielder for the Angels to have, but he'll probably start at 3B for them due to Brandon Wood's struggles this season.

The Angels will send pitcher Sean O'Sullivan, who just beat the Yankees the other night, to Kansas City. He'll take his 1-0 record and 2.08 ERA to the Royals' rotation now. The 22-year old should fit right in to the Royals' rebuilding efforts. The Angels will also send over LHP minor leaguer Will Smith, who I know nothing about. The roster space means that the Royals will probably recall once top prospect 3B Alex Gordon activate outfielder Rick Ankiel from the disabled list. Good trade for the Angels.

- And last but probably not least, the Boston Red Sox acquired 3B/1B Jack Hannahan from the Seattle Mariners for either money or a player to be named later. Hannahan, 30, has spent 2006-2010 with the Detroit Tigers, Oakland Athletics and Mariners. He hasn't played in the majors this season, his last action came in 2009. 2008, his first full season, was in Oakland when he hit .218 with 9 home runs and 47 RBIs in 143 games. He's spent all of 2010 in the Mariners' minor league system Triple-AAA Tacoma team. The Red Sox will use him for his versatility since he can't hit a lick. He'll head to Triple-AAA Pawtucket.