Dodgers acquire OF Scott Podsednik, Tigers acquire 3B Jhonny Peralta, The Ridiculous Scott Downs Price

With the trade deadline just three days away, two teams made improvements to their ball-clubs, gearing up for the stretch run.

The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired Kansas City Royals' left fielder Scott Podsednik for catcher Lucas May and right handed pitcher Elisaul Pimentel.

Podsednik, 34, is enjoying a nice season while playing left field for the Royals. Through 94 games (430 plate appearances) He's hitting .309 with 5 home runs and 44 RBIs, to go along with 30/42 stolen bases. A third-round draft pick by the Texas Rangers in the 1994 draft, Podsednik, before this season, had spent parts of his career with the Seattle Mariners, Milwaukee Brewers, Colorado Rockies, and most notably the Chicago White Sox. In 2004, "The Podfather" stole 70/83 bases for the Brewers, while also belting out a career-high 12 home runs in 154 games. In 2005 Podsednik signed with the White Sox, hitting .290 with 59 stolen bases, but he didn't hit any home runs. He helped lead the South Siders to the World Series that season, helping the club win its' first World Series since 1917 in a four game sweep over the Houston Astros. After two more years in Chicago, Podsednik signed with the Colorado Rockies. Throughout the 2006, 2007, and 2008 seasons however, Podsednik experienced various injuries, limiting him to only 139 games in '06, 62 in '07, and 93 in '08. He only stole a combined 24 bases during the '07-'08 seasons.

For the 2009 season "Scotty Pods," as White Sox announcer Hawk Harrelson calls him, returned to the White Sox on a minor league contract. He was called up from Triple-AAA on April 30th of 2009 and was a pleasant surprise, hitting .304 with 7 home runs and 30 steals through 132 games. It seemed as though Pods was back. The White Sox let Pods walk after 2009, allowing him to sign a one-year contract with the Kansas City Royals worth $1.6 million.

Known primarily for his speed and great defense, Podsednik can hit for some average but is not a power hitter. A 162 game average for Podsednik estimates a .280 average, 7 home runs, and 49 stolen bases. Scotty Pods has 296 career stolen bases. He will most likely take over left field until Manny Ramirez returns from injury. He could be a big boost for the Dodgers, who sit 5 games out in the NL West, either off of the bench or as a starter.

In return, the Dodgers will send young catcher Lucas May and pitcher Elisaul Pimentel to the Royas. May, 25, was the Dodgers' 8th round selection in 2003. He put himself on the Dodgers' prospect map in 2006, when he belted out 18 home runs in Single-A with a respectable .273 batting average and 82 RBIs while striking out 130 times - a little too much. He responded in Single-A+ 2007, raising his career-high by hitting 25 home runs and driving in 89 RBIs while sporting a .256 average and cutting down to 107 strikeouts. After spending 2008-09 in Double-AA Chattanooga, May showed signs of improvement, especially in 2009, when he hit .306 with 6 home runs and 32 RBIs through 68 games, only 58 strikeouts, before missing the rest of the year with an injury.

This season, May has split time between both Double-AA and Triple-AAA. He hit just .167 in 7 games in Double-AA before being promoted. Since his promotion to AAA, May has torn the cover off the ball, hitting a career-high .296 with 11 home runs and 45 RBIs through 73 games with 60 strikeouts. Combined, he's hit .285 with 11 home runs, 46 RBIs and 67 strikeouts in 80 games. May is not a great defense catcher and is known more for his power hitting ability. A move to first base is most likely for this young player. In the majors, I could foresee a .240, 15 home run, 60 RBI season for May. With adjustments to major league pitching, I definitely think May could hit 20-30 home runs. Royals' GM Dayton Moore called May a "slam dunk MLB catcher."

The Royals also acquired young pitcher Elisaul Pimentel. Pimentel, 21, was an international signing by the Dodgers in 2007 out of the Dominican Republic. In three years with the Dodgers, Pimentel has pitched in Rookie ball and low-A, posting just a career 16-15 record with a 3.68 ERA. This season however, He's at 9-3 with a 3.49 ERA while posting an impressive 9.7/9 strikeout rate to go along with a 3.5 BB/9 rate. Very impressive for a young and inexperienced pitcher.

A good trade for both sides, Podsednik will definitely help the Dodgers offensively and defensively until Manny Ramirez returns. May could be a promising player for the Royals for the foreseeable future at the DH position, while Pimentel could be a legitimate sleeper prospect.

-----

The Royals weren't the only cellar AL Central team to make a trade today, as the Cleveland Indians shipped off once-promising-shortstop Jhonny Peralta (and cash) to the Detroit Tigers for young lefty pitcher Giovanni Soto.

Peralta, 28, comes to Detroit just a few weeks after both 3B Brandon Inge and 2B Carlos Guillen hit the disabled list. The Tigers, who sit 5 games out in the AL Central, have been looking to bolster their lineup as they poise for the playoff run.

Peralta began the first six years of his career as the Indians' shortstop. A promising talent, Peralta looked to continue the tradition of big, power hitting shortstops like Cal Ripken Jr., Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Nomar Garciaparra and Miguel Tejada. Peralta looked to be continuing the line after his explosive 2005 season, at age 23, when he hit .292 with 24 home runs and 78 RBIs in 141 games, his best season ever. 2006 was a set-back for Peralta, he hit just .257 with 13 home runs and 68 RBIs in 149 games before rebounding in 2007 with a .270/21/72 season and again in 2008 with a .276/23/89 season. Following the 2008 season, the Indians moved Peralta to third base. His bulky frame and defensive liability was becoming an issue for the Indians' infield. In '09 he played in 104 games at third base, hitting .254/11/83 while learning the new position.

This season Peralta has struggled. Once rumored a target for the bench this season by the Yankees, Peralta's hitting just .249 with 7 home runs and 43 RBIs through 91 games, all at third base. He makes $4.6 million this season (just about $1.7MM remains). In addition, the Tigers have a $7.25 million option for 2011 with a $250K buyout for the 2011 season as well. Until Inge and Guillen return, Peralta will hold down the hot corner for the Tigers.

In return the Indians will receive young lefty Giovanni Soto. Yes they share the same name, but this Soto is no catcher. A 21st round pick in '09 by the Tigers, Soto, 19, has showed promise in his first two seasons in pro-ball. He posted a 4-0 record with a 1.18 ERA through 13 games in Rk ball last year, striking out 7.3/9. This season, his first full season, he's 6-6 with a 2.61 ERA through 16 games in A-ball, raising his k/9 to 8.3/9.

It's a good trade for both sides here. The Tigers get their replacement until Inge returns, then Peralta will most likely move to shortstop. The Indians get a young lefty pitcher who could be part of their rebuilding for some years to come.

-----

Last but certainly not least, the Yankees and Red Sox have been two of the most interested teams in Toronto Blue Jays' reliever Scott Downs. Downs, 34, has pitched 42.1 innings (47 appearances) and is sporting a 2.34 ERA with 10 walks and 35 strike outs. He has held lefties close, as they are hitting just .182/.308/.309 against him. However, the Blue Jays have a high asking price for Downs.

Reportedly, the Blue Jays asked the Yankees and Red Sox for one of Jesus Montero/Joba Chamberlain or Casey Kelly/Jose Iglesias, respectively, in return for Downs. I laugh at this. If it costs Montero or Joba for the Yanks to land Downs, let him go. He's not worth Montero's or Chamberlain's caliber, especially at 34 years-old.

The Yankees & Joakim Soria

Joakim Soria, RHP Kansas City Royals
2010 season: 0-2, 2.25, 27 saves, 40.0 IP, 47 K, .245 BAA

One of the New York Yankees' biggest needs before the trading deadline, on July 31, is acquiring bullpen help to improve a bullpen which has been under-performing to the level it should be at. Joba Chamberlain, David Robertson (though not recently), Chan Ho Park, and Chad Gaudin have underperformed this season, leading to an uneasy feeling when it comes time to bring in a reliever. The most reliable relief pitcher in the bullpen, and perhaps all of baseball, Mariano Rivera, is 40 years old and is the closing pitcher, meaning he can't pitch three or more innings. In essence, the struggles of Robertson and Chamberlain especially, have lead to a weak "Bridge To Rivera." One name that the Yankees have been recently linked to is that of Kansas City Royals' closer Joakim Soria.

Soria, 26, broke into the major leagues in 2007 after being selected in the Rule 5 Draft by the Royals after being left unprotected by the San Diego Padres. You can assume that since then the Padres have regretted that decision.

A 23 year-old Soria, in his first full year in 2007, pitched to a 2.48 ERA in 69.0 innings, managing 17 saves in 21 save opportunities with a 2-3 record. He struck out 75 in 69 innings pitched, resulting in a .187 batting average against. Soria began his career as a starting pitcher in San Diego's farm system, and has since used that experience in the bullpen. In 2008, Soria got even better, making the American League All-Star team for the first time, while posting a 2-3 record again, but this time with an eye-popping 1.60 ERA (!) in 67.1 innings, with 42 saves (!) out of 45 save opportunities and a .169 batting average against (!). However, the strikeout rate was at 66 strikeouts in 67.1 innings, and wasn't as mind boggling as the previous year. His performance rewarded him with a 3-year, $8.75 million dollar contract that would keep him under team control through 2014. Soria would rack up those strikeouts again though in 2009, striking out 69 in 53.0 innings to go along with a 3-1 record, 2.21 ERA and 30 saves in 33 opportunities.

Soria has continued his dominance in the 2010 season. He made the American League All-Star team for the second time, and has since posted a 2.25 ERA through 40.0 innings, going 0-2 with 27 saves in 29 opportunities. He's also struck out 47 in 40.0 innings (!). Ridiculous.

In his young career, "The Mexicutioner" has a lifetime 7-10 record, with a 2.12 ERA, 116 saves/128 save opportunities, and 257 K's in 229.1 innings pitched while also limiting batters to a career .200 batting average against him. Truly stellar numbers for such a young player who was left unprotected.

A dominant strikeout pitcher, Soria's repertoire consists of a dominant and well commanded curve ball, as well as a slider, change-up, and a nasty cutter, reportedly similar to Rivera's historical cutter. If you click the link, you'll see where Soria's pitches are targeted and what makes him such a great pitcher. He's got great command of all of his pitches.

Recently, we've heard the Yankees and Soria connected in trade rumors. The Yankees are looking to upgrade their bullpen, and acquiring Soria would do so dramatically. If acquired, Soria would immeaditly move into the set-up role for Mariano Rivera, and would eventually be Rivera's successor as closer. The Yankees could then unload dead weight (Gaudin, Park), resulting in a much improved bullpen. While not "officially" been made available, the Royals have said that they are willing to listen on anyone and will make a trade if the price is right.

Soria's age (26), team control (2014) and low salary ($3 million) have resulted in a high price tag (prospect wise) for the young relief pitcher. The Royals, in no way, need to trade Soria. However, if they get a price/package that they like, they will listen.

Yesterday, after the Dan Haren trade, SI's Jon Heyman reported that the Yankees "tried hard for Lee and Haren, and made a big proposal for Royals closer Joakim Soria, as well." The news comes as a pleasent surprise to Yankee fans, especially after losing out on Cliff Lee and Haren. The Royals, as you can imagine, are asking for the world in return for Soria. In a trade for Soria, the Yankees would probably have to give up one or two players from the caliber of Jesus Montero, Austin Romine, Manny Banuelos, Joba Chamberlain, Ivan Nova, Zach McAllister, and Hector Noesi.

Jayson Stark of ESPN reported today that the Yankees "dangled" Jesus Montero in trade talks for Soria. Montero, the #5 prospect in baseball, is the Yankees' top prospect. He was involved in the Cliff Lee trade but (thankfully) was not sent packing. However, the Royals were not interested in Montero and declined. That speaks this to me: the Yankees clearly just don't have what the Royals want.

It's possible that a trade could go down, but in all likelihood, it probably won't happen for the Yanks and Soria. Kansas City doesn't want to trade him, especially not to the Yankees, which is understandable, and shouldn't be forced to. Trust me, I want Soria in pinstripes as much as the next guy (one of my favorite pitchers), but if the Yankees were shot down after they offered Montero, then they should give up and stop wasting their time. They obviously don't match up with the Royals. We'll see where it all leads.

Among other news, the Yankees have contacted the Washington Nationals about a possible trade for slugging 1B/OF Adam Dunn, but have found the price "prohibitive." I've been a huge Dunn supporter and would love to see him in pinstripes. The Yankees are also interested in Chicago Cubs' starting pitcher Ted Lilly, Cleveland Indians' 3B Jhonny Peralta, Baltimore Orioles' 3B Ty Wigginton, and Florida Marlins' OF Cody Ross. It should all make for a fun trade deadline.

A-Rod hits home run no. 599 in 10-4 win over Royals

The New York Yankees beat the Kansas City Royals tonight by a final score of 10-4.

In the third inning, Yankees' shortstop Derek Jeter hit a long fly ball to center field which would bounce off of the glove of Royals' centerfielder David DeJesus and roll around the outfield long enough for Jeter to circle the bases for an inside the park home run, his 9th homer of the season. In the 7th inning, Alex Rodriguez connected with a pitch from Robinson Tejada that would fly into the right field stands for a solo shot, his 16th of the season and the 599th of his career as he aims to join elite company in the 600 home run club. CC Sabathia pitched a rocky 6.1 innings, giving up 11 hits and 4 earned runs but got the win, improving his record to 13-3.

For the Yankees, it was their 60th win of the season. They now stand at 60-34, 26 games over .500, with the best record in baseball.

Rodriguez will try to hit no. 600 tomorrow night as the Yankees play the Royals again at 7:05 PM. As for me, I'm hoping he hits it Saturday because I may be going to that game. Get this: When A-Rod hit his 500th home run it came on A) a Saturday, B) a day game, C) against the Royals, and D) against the same Royals' pitcher who is pitching this Saturday, Kyle Davies. How awesome would that be?

There's also this tidbit for those of you who want some A-Rod trivia at your next party, game, get together, throw down, etc.

In his illustrious career, Alex Rodriguez hit his first home run and his 500th home run, and may possibly hit his 600th home run, all against the same team. Which team gave up these home runs? The answer: The Kansas City Royals.

Crazy stuff huh?

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.

Chicago Cubs' Manager Lou Piniella retiring after 2010 season

After 40 years in baseball, 18 years as a player and 22 as a manager, Lou Piniella has decided to walk away from the game.

Well, at the end of the season that is.

Today, Piniella announced that he would be retiring from baseball at the end of the 2010 season, once his contract as Manager of the Chicago Cubs expires.

"It's been a wonderful experience," he said. "There's no way that I won't cherish the memories here."

During his playing days, Piniella began his career with the Baltimore Orioles. He was traded twice, first to the Cleveland Indians and then to the Kansas City Royals. Lou won the AL Rookie of the Year in 1969 after he finished with a batting line of .282 with 11 homers and 68 RBIs with the Royals. In 1973, The Royals traded him to the Yankees and Piniella would play the rest of his career with the Yankees before retiring as a player in 1984.

Piniella played 11 of his 18 seasons with the New York Yankees, five with the Kansas City Royals and also had brief stints with the Baltimore Orioles and Cleveland Indians. Piniella retired as a player in 1984, finishing with a career batting line of .291 with 1705 hits and 102 home runs.

Retirement from the game as a player wouldn't keep Ol' Sweet Lou from being involved in it. In 1986, he became the Manager of the Yankees, leading the team to a 90-72 record, which was only good for second place in the AL East. Piniella again managed the Yankees from 1987-1988 before moving on to manage the Cincinnati Reds from 1990-1993. In 1990, Piniella's first year as Reds' Manager, he led the team to a World Series Championship. For the 1994 season, Piniella accepted a contract from the Seattle Mariners, a team he would manager for the next 10 years. Piniella was unsuccessful in bringing a championship to Seattle, even when the Mariners finished the 2001 season with a 116-46 record only to be eliminated in the playoffs. After the 2002 season, his last in Seattle, Piniella returned home to Tampa, where he would accept a job as Manager of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Piniella would manager the Devil Rays from 2003-2005 before being bought out for the 2006 season, finishing in last place two of the three seasons.

Piniella stayed out of baseball for the 2006 season, spending it at home and not managing. However, he had that itch to get back in the game again. Prior to the 2007 season, the Cubs offered Piniella a four-year contract to which he would accept to become the Cubs' Manager and was determined to help the club win its first championship in almost 100 years. In Piniella's first season in Chicago in 2007, he led the Cubs to the NL Central Division title with an 85-77 record. The Cubs however, would be swept and eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Arizona Diamondbacks. In 2008, Piniella led the Cubs to a second straight division title, this time the team finishing with a record of 97-64, good for third best in the league. However, the 2008 playoffs would yield the same fate for the lovable losers, as this time they were swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Piniella and the 2009 Cubs didn't exactly live up to expectations the following year, finishing 83-78 in second place in the Central and missing the playoffs.

This season, the 2010 Cubs have been the worst Cub team under Piniella's tenure. The team is currently at a 42-52 record, 10 games under .500 and are in fourth place in the Central and making it look more as if year 102 without a championship is not their year. One has to wonder if the wear and tear of the 2010 season may be the reason for Piniella's retirement.

"Why is the announcement now as opposed to September?" Piniella said. "For a couple reasons. First of all, I get asked all the time. I don't want to mislead anybody about my intentions. At the same time, more important, it gives Jim Hendry ample opportunity to find a new manager for this organization and he can do it where he doesn't have to be secretive about it, or anything else."

When asked why he didn't resign immediately, Piniella shot back with the response, "Why? I signed here for four years. I'm going to honor the contract."

Known for his classic rants on the field with umpires and even players (Rob Dibble in 1992), base-throwing, dirt-kicking, hat tossing, and screaming, Piniella has had a remarkable impact on baseball and will not be forgotten.

When asked if he would be involved as a special assistant or consultant, Piniella replied, "I enjoy this game, I really do. I love this game. So that would be a good way to stay involved, but not in an everyday basis. It could be anywhere. There are no plans one way or another." said Piniella during a press conference.

Piniella said that he wants to return home and is ready to call it a career.

"I've been away from home since 1962. That's about 50 years."

Piniella, now 66, ranks fourth among active managers with a career record of 1,826-1,691 (.519) behind Joe Torre, Bobby Cox, and Tony LaRussa.

Ryne Sandberg, longtime and Hall of Fame Cubs' second baseman, has been named as the favorite to manage the Cubs for the 2011 season. Sandberg, who is currently the Manager of the Triple-AAA Iowa Cubs, has expressed a desire to manage in the big leagues. It would be truly fitting for the longtime Hall of Fame Cub to manage the very team he played for.

"I need to focus on what I'm doing here in Des Moines with these players and what my job is right now," Sandberg said. "If the time came, if I was considered for that job in Chicago, I think that'd be a terrific thing just to be considered. The whole goal of any minor leaguer is to get to the major leagues, and I think that includes coaches and managers like myself."

Joe Torre, Tony LaRussa, Bobby Valetine, and Joe Girardi are other free agent managers who could be considered.

Cubs GM Jim Hendry has said that the position will be discussed prior to the 2011 season.

But there is one question....

Has Sweet Lou simply given up on the 2010 Cubbies?

Think again.

"I'm proud of our accomplishments during my time here and this will be a perfect way for me to end my career," he said. "But let me make one thing perfectly clear: Our work is far from over. I want to keep the momentum going more than anything else and win as many games as we can to get back in this pennant race."

"Look, we're still not eliminated," Piniella said. "We've got time. Stranger things … I managed a team in Seattle, for instance, that was 13 ½ out on Aug. 1 and went to the American League Championship finals. That could happen here, we just need to get hot."

Classic Sweet Lou.

Yankees 2010 Trade Target: David DeJesus

David DeJesus, OF Kansas City Royals
2010 season: 67 G, .331/.403/.494, 5 HR, 31 RBI

David DeJesus is a name familiar to most Yankees fans. DeJesus, in recent years, has been connected to the Yankees through trade rumors. The Brooklyn native is enjoying a breakout season this year, hitting a career high .331 AVG this season with a career high .494 SLG % while playing stellar defense for the Royals. One thing DeJesus has been credited for in his career is being a patient hitter. In his career, the highest season strike out total for DeJesus was 87 K's in 2009. He also draws his walks, having a career high of 64 in 2007, and ranging anywhere from 33 to 64 in his career. His ability to take pitches and have good plate discipline has resulted in a career OBP of .361, meaning he is on base 36% of the time. He's also been a great hitter throughout his career, with a career batting average of .290 on the spot. While not known for his power (career high 13 in 2009) or speed (career high 11 in 2008). Although an average outfielder, he is known for making great plays in the outfield.

DeJesus, 30, brings a lot to the table for the Yankees. A left-handed batter, he can play all three outfield positions and is extremely versatile. He makes $4.7 million this season, and has a club option of $6 million for the 2011 season which the Royals can pick up or decline. So if the contract is declined, the Yankees could always sign him in the offseason. The Royals, 29-40 (4th place in the AL Central) are 11 games out of first place. Sources indicate that they are ready to trade players, hoping to rebuild for the 2011 season. The Yankees could be major players for DeJesus, a graduate of Rutgers University, who they've been linked to and liked in the past. According to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, the Royals "are said to be asking for more return than is acceptable to the suitors." He also lists the Yankees, Red Sox, and Padres as suitors for the outfielder.

If it is true that the Royals may be asking for a lot, the Yankees may back out. If the Royals were to ask for one of the catchers, either Montero or Romine, I would say "no thanks." As much of a fine player as DeJesus is, a 30 year-old outfielder who is enjoying a career year is not worth a top prospect, especially when the Yankees have a set outfield as it is. If I were the Yankees, and the Royals approached me about a possible trade for DeJesus, I would give up a B-level prospect, such as RHP Mark Melancon, with a few C-level guys such as 2B David Adams or RHP David Phelps, but no more than that.

Acquiring DeJesus would have to require one of the outfielders, most likely Nick Swisher, or DeJesus, DHing full time. While I think he would be a great fit on this team, being a New York native and a fine player, I would be anxious to see how the Yankees would use him. There is always the question of free agency however, especially with Carl Crawford, who the Yankees covet, most likely to hit the market. Many predict the Yankees will sign Crawford, but on the flip side, with the recent production of the Yankees' outfield this season, many sources have changed their beliefs due to the trio of Gardner-Granderson-Swisher's performance. Acquiring DeJesus would also most likely keep the Yankees from signing Crawford, especially if he continues to keep us his strong play, they would most likely pick up his 2011 option. The only question would be where the Yankees would fit in DeJesus.

I would be in full support of a trade for DeJesus, but only for the right price. A battled veteran, a New York native, and a great hitter, he would help this team pick itself up offensively. While there is a question of uncertainty as to where he would play, I'm sure that the Yankees could find a spot for him.