http://www.nj.com/sports/ledger/index.ssf?...33031277730.xml

The Star-Ledger is reporting that the Yanks would trade Vasquez, Halsey/Felix Rodriguez and about 10 million $ for AJ Burnett. An interesting deal that I think would benefit the Yanks. Burnett has good stuff, much like Vasquez did before he got to NY.

yah the deal is so the yankees could then deal Burnett to Arizona for Johnson ...

Not if they trade Vasquez, Bozz. Arizona wants Vasquez, and one of the pitchers from the list which included Burnett, plus Gordon or some prospects. They wouldn't do Burnett for RJ straight up IMO, even though Burnett is solid.

I figured if they did this deal it became a money facter for the D-Backs Burnett being alot cheaper than Vazquez with just as good an upside..plus the old pick a player from the list deal
some how I still see the Yankees getting RJ when all is said and done because it is just something they would do..

Count me in if the Yankees want to send away Vazquez to get Burnett and then trade Burnett for RJ. Folks, RJ has like 2 years left maximum before he declines, and he makes a gazillion dollars (not that it matters to the Yanks, though). And they'd be totally giving up on Vazquez and not keeping Burnett, the type of young pitcher they really do need. Rotation would be RJ, Mussina, Pavano, Brown, and someone who I can't think of at this time. That's old, man. And if Pavano goes back to mediocrity in his return to the AL, and if Brown continues his injury-plagued decline, and if Mussina is inconsistent again, and if the bullpen remains overtaxed, the Yankees are still quite vulnerable.

I'm reminded about the early days of free agency in the late 70s,
when Steinbrenner was overbidding for everybody available,
pushing up prices,
and Hayseed Sullivan was rebelling by giving away Fisk and Lynn.

Remember Andy Messerschmidt?
Steinbrenner signed him for some crazy money.
Next spring, Billy Martin found all these free agent types in camp
and was trying to figure a way to use them--including Messerschmidt,
since his rotation was filled.

Billy's famous quote to George:

"George, I can't USE all those guys!"

Torre is going to have the same problem this spring--with about
ten starters competing for five spots.

Steinbrenner has to be the most insecure owner in baseball.
Maybe he'll donate the rejects to the Salvation Army,
and take a tax deduction.

That would be Jaret "Flash in the Pan" Wright who just cleared his 2nd physical after failing the 1st one.

I am against JV for RJ (what it would be in the end). The Yanks have to get away from the year-to-year approach and start building again what they had 94-01. You can't build a good foundation with multiple starting pitchers over 38.

Hey! We resent that!

Well you can, just not for long. It's win now and let's worry about 2006 then kind of thing. Boston is helped that (assuming Pedro re-signs) that their number two is "only" 33. I would be a bit more worried about Wells though than the other two. Two back operations, two weeks ago knee surgery for an overweight 41 year old. He very well may do the job, but it certainly shouldn't shock anyone if he doesn't.