Yankees interested in Jacque

[msneezie31]

Courtesy of the New York Daily News

PHILADELPHIA - It's no secret the Yankees have several glaring needs, but they are finding it increasingly difficult to fill them on the trade market.
One source said GM Brian Cashman is running into the same wall on almost every call he makes, as other teams respond to his overtures for outfield or pitching help by immediately asking for either Robinson Cano, Chien-Ming Wang, or top prospect Phil Hughes.

While Kansas City's Reggie Sanders seems to keep coming up as someone that would be a good fit with the Yankees - Melky Cabrera's recent struggles have made the outfield issue more pressing - the Bombers actually have had recent internal discussions about the Cubs' Jacque Jones, according to sources. Those talks came at the behest of George Steinbrenner, who apparently was told about Jones by one of his cronies and then asked his staff to look into what it might take to acquire the right fielder.

It's likely that it wouldn't take much in the way of prospects since Jones is in the first year of a three-year deal worth about $12 million and the Bombers would essentially be offering a salary dump, though it's unclear if the Cubs would be willing to deal; Jones is hitting .288 with 13 homers and 35 RBI.

Cashman wouldn't get into specifics about his trade discussions, saying, "We haven't done anything, for whatever reason. If something comes up as a match, we'll get aggressive."

Still, filling in the gaps left by injuries to Hideki Matsui and Gary Sheffield remains a secondary concern for the Bombers. Joe Torre acknowledged yesterday that the back of the Bombers' rotation has been an issue because neither Shawn Chacon nor Jaret Wright has been much more than a five-inning pitcher recently.

Asking the bullpen to work as much as it has been doing could prove disastrous, and Torre said, "If you keep going to the well, eventually you're going to run dry."

That's why the Bombers' biggest need is adding another starter. Unfortunately, the pace of the market doesn't match their situation as most teams aren't prepared to start unloading players. Adding a big name seems particularly unlikely - Barry Zito and Dontrelle Willis figure to stay in Oakland and Florida, respectively - and sifting through what's left doesn't figure to happen until closer to the July 31 deadline.

[love_that_reefer]

Reggie is the better choice out of the two.

[Dry1313]

We don't need Jacque Strap Jones. We've got Bubba. And as far as the Daily News, what, was this a Joel Sherman? Or some other idiot. We need a starter, they're right, but they deserve to die.

[rockin500]

the yanks can have jacques. enjoy the 8 hoppers back to the infield.

[ThomasTomasz]

They don't need Jones, someone who can't hit left-handers. They need a veteran to come in there, can play everyday, and will provide solid, overall support to the lineup. That is Reggie Sanders. There is no need to make a move for someone who is going to be in a Yankee uniform for more than one year. Jones is making too much money to justify a bench role next season. Another added bonus is the playoff experience Sanders brings, and his clutch hitting.

[msneezie31]

if you really think Bubba Crosby is the answer, you've been dropped on your head a couple times too many

[Dry1313]

Actually, we don't need an outfield answer. A move for an outfielder is an idiotic impulsive moves. He will do us no good for the future, and any player that would will cost too much. The reason I believe Bubba is the answer is because we don't need another outfielder, Melky, Bubba, Damon, Bernie, and a whole cast of players like Long, Thomson, Reese, and any other AAA outfielders we want can last us until Spetember, when we may get Matsui and Sheffield back. And what about next year? We have em all and we still have this POS? No, I'm quite fine.

[General]

Y'all let Long go.

[Hammer]

We don't need Jacque Strap Jones. We've got Bubba. And as far as the Daily News, what, was this a Joel Sherman? Or some other idiot. We need a starter, they're right, but they deserve to die.

joel sherman is the post actually, but agreed 100% (unless he recently switched over, which is distinctly possible, i dont read the news)... hes the dumbest of the dumb that is the new york newspapers.

[Giants666]

Jones makes way too much money..........7 mil this year and then 8 mil, then 9 mil........What were the Cubs thinking?

[Zito75]

They haven't gotten over the fact that they need to rebuild with Kerry Wood and Prior's constant injuries.

[msneezie31]

Jones isnt making 7 mil this year, you're way off. Jones is making 4M this year and i think his contract is like 3 yr, 16M. But why od the Yankees care about salary? I didnt know they ever stopped them from getting a player.

[Giants666]

Jones isnt making 7 mil this year, you're way off. Jones is making 4M this year and i think his contract is like 3 yr, 16M. But why od the Yankees care about salary? I didnt know they ever stopped them from getting a player.

your forgetting his 4 mil signing bonus he gets, to go with his base salary.