Yankees, Red Sox in talks for Marlins' duo

The New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, and Atlanta Braves reportedly have called the Florida Marlins' to inquire on recently-made-available outfielder Cody Ross and closing pitcher Leo Nunez.

Ross, 29, is a power hitting outfielder who has spent time with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Detroit Tigers, Cincinnati Reds and most notably the Marlins. A fourth round pick in the 1999 draft by the Tigers, Ross made himself well-known in 2007, batting .335 for the season with 12 home runs. Last season, Ross' best season, he hit .270 with 24 home runs and 90 RBIs. In both 2008 and 2009, Ross hit over 20 home runs in back-to-back seasons, while also driving in 73 or more runs in those two seasons. In his career, Ross has a line of .267, with 79 home runs, 300 RBIs and 493 hits. This season, he's been mentioned as a possible non-tender candidate, meaning his team could non-tender him a contract making him a free agent. He's making $4.45 million this season while posting a line of .279/.331/.409 with 7 home runs and 46 RBIs in 90 games.

The news of the Yankees interest was first reported by Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal. Rosenthal reports that the Yankees called the Marlins to inquire on both Ross and Nunez. Rosenthal states that Ross would be a perfect fit for the Yankees, but that the Marlins would most likely want a hefty return for a player who would be the Yankees' fourth outfielder. The price for Ross may not fit the Yankees' liking, especially since he would not be an everyday player. His first stint in Florida came in 2006, when he hit .212 with 11 home runs and 37 RBI. Ironically enough, 2006 was the same year Joe Girardi was manager of the Marlins. If Ross were to end up with the Yankees, he would be paired up with the manager who gave him his shot.

The Red Sox interest was noted yesterday by Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald. Ross would join a battered Red Sox team, and would most likely join Mike Camerson, Daniel Nava, J.D. Drew, Darnell McDonald, and Bill Hall in a rotating outfield until Jacoby Ellsbury returns from injury. Ross would be a great fit in Boston for a battered Red Sox team.

The Atlanta Braves' interest in Ross was noted last week. Along with Ross, the Braves, who have been in search of a right-handed power hitting outfielder, are interested in the 2010 Home Run Derby participant from the Milwaukee Brewers, Corey Hart, the Washington Nationals' Josh Willingham and Jose Bautista of the Toronto Blue Jays.

Ross' teammate, pitcher Leo Nunez, has also been inquired on by the Yankees and Red Sox. Nunez, who came to the Marlins prior to 2009 in a trade with the Kansas City Royals for first baseman Mike Jacobs, has taken over closing duties for the Marlins. Nunez, 26, is enjoying his best season, posting a 2.79 ERA with 22 saves and a 9.3 K/9 as well as a 2.2 BB/9. The right handed Nunez is under team control through the 2012 season, with just $837K remaining on his contract. Nunez's best full season came in 2008, when he posted a 2.98 ERA in 45 games with the Royals. Nunez has already pitched in 40 games this season, and looks to continue his dominance.

The Yankees and Red Sox, who both have shaky bullpens, have expressed interest in trading for the young reliever to fix their bullpen woes. For the Yankees, Nunez would take over as the primary set-up man for Mariano Rivera, while he would do the same for the Red Sox to set-up Jonathan Papelbon. The Marlins have demanded, like Ross, a hefty return for Nunez, which may scare off both the Yankees and Red Sox.

Along with Ross, the Yankees have also been rumored to be interested in Marlins' utility man Wes Helms for their bench and starting pitcher Ricky Nolasco for the rotation.

Helms, 34, is hitting .243 with 3 home runs and 15 RBIs in 65 games for the Marlins this year while playing third base, first base, and the outfield this season. A journeyman who has spent time with the Braves, Brewers, Phillies and Marlins, Helms had a career high 23 home runs in 2003 for the Brewers before flaming out the year after. He has been a bench player ever since.

Nolasco, 27, would present an interesting case for the Yankees, who've said they will not acquire another starting pitcher in a trade. However, the Yankees sent scouts to Nolasco's last start against the Arizona Diamondbacks, causing suspicion that they could be interested in a trade for the young righty. Nolasco broke into the league in 2006 with the Marlins and posted a 11-11 record with a 4.82 ERA under his first manager, Joe Girardi. 2008 was Nolasco's best season, as he went 15-8 with a 3.52 ERA. However, Nolasco took a step back in 2009, as his ERA went up to 5.06 while still going 13-9. This year, his ERA is back up, currently at 4.66 with a 9-7 record while striking out 7.91 per nine innings. Nolasco is a good pitcher, but his biggest weakness is his trouble with the long-ball. This season, Nolasco has given up 2o home runs, and has given up 20 or more home runs every year in the majors (besides an injury shortened 2007), including 28 in 2008. While acquiring Nolasco could prove to be a good move for the future if he can be straightened out, it's also a risky one.

The key in trading for Marlins players is that, for many of them, Girardi was their first manager in Florida. If any of these players were to come to New York, they would be reunited with their former manager and taken under the wing by him on how to handle New York.

A trade for both Ross and Nunez would warrant a large return, but it seems as though talks could be lessened to include lesser prospects. Ross would be a great option off of the bench for the Yankees and Nunez would be the most reliable reliever next to Rivera. If the Yankees or Red Sox could acquire both Nunez and Ross in the same deal, it would be a steal and could prove to be a division changing move.