Free Agents and Trade Candidates for the Yankees

I know I've posted on this topic before, but the offseason is not yet close to over, and many transactions have occurred since the last post.

Free Agents that NYY should target or at least look at:

LHRP Affeldt, Jeremy - a "much-needed" bullpen lefty who posted a 3.51 ERA for the Rockies last year; if he's cheap, fine, but he's been asking for three years and that won't happen; I still think Kei Igawa would be fine as a bullpen lefty; in his only MLB relief appearance, Kei held the Red Sox scoreless for 6 2/3 innings, replacing an injured Jeffrey Karstens; Kei has potential that shouldn't be wasted

RHRP Benitez, Armando - a high-risk, med. reward player, I believe Benitez still has value in his arm as long as he keeps pumping 90+ mph fastballs, which he still does; if he can be had for an incentive-laden contract with a low base, I see no reason to take a small gamble; too bad he's looking for a lot more than that

RHSP Colon, Bartolo - another injury returnee, Colon was a Cy Young pitcher as recently as 2005; he could return to ace form; he's asking for too much money, though; if the salary is reasonable, if there was any chance that he could convert to the bullpen, the injury risk would decrease and he could be very good

RHSP DeSalvo, Matt - just re-sign as an insurance policy; but I doubt he'd pitch in any situation other than mop-up duty

RHRP Dotel, Octavio - yet another injured, hard-throwing reliever who could add to the bullpen; a low-cost pitcher, too, we should ignore his previous outings with the Yankees and let him try again

OF Ford, Lew - he's a minor league free agent, so he could help the AAA team, as well as, provide some outfield depth; only a few years ago, he was considered to be a multi-dimensional up-and-coming player with upside

RHRP Otsuka, Akinori - his arm must really look bad if the interest in him is this low; his numbers are great and would be a welcome addition to any team's bullpen; my proposition - a 2-year deal giving the team at least one year if 2008 is lost to injury

OF Sardinha, Bronson - he wouldn't be a huge loss; but I don't want to give up on his upside just yet

RHSP Jaret Wright is a free agent again, but no one wants him this time.

Other free agents who are decent players, but don't fit with the Yankees:

RHSP Jennings, Jason - was once on a path to ace hood, now lucky to be a number 3

OF Cameron, Mike - Gold Glove defense with solid bat is being counterbalanced by a suspension, money, and age

3B Feliz, Pedro- many agree he was robbed of a Gold Glove; Feliz has a solid batting eye and power, but his average is horrendous; thank God we've got A-Rod back because a Miggy Cabrera trade wasn't happening and I don't believe Lowell was ever going to leave the Red Sox.

Trades Candidates:

CL Huston Street - I've posted about him before when writing about the A's recently. He would be groomed as Mariano Rivera's replacement. I recall reading that he had once struggled a bit against lefties. Now if only Rivera could teach him the cutter ...

1B Carlos Pena - He is a decent defender with a great bat at our weakest position. And to think we released him a year ago. And that there were rumors of a deal for him involving a mere package of Sean Henn and another minor leaguer. Oh well, now he would cost a big 3 pitcher (Kennedy, Hughes, or Chamberlain) and few other top 20 prospects.

P Matt Cain/Tim Lincecum - As much as I love Matsui, I would've loved him more if we could've traded him for one of these two young, high-upside, fireballing Giants pitchers. However, Cain might force Chamberlain to the bullpen (Hughes and Kennedy aren't suited for relief) or Lincecum would convert. Either way, it would be the best bullpen strengthener of all the moves I have just suggested (except for maybe Street). I prefer Lincecum because he's younger and has less service time.

The common theme of these moves is bullpen. Most are high-upside right pitchers who throw 90+ mph fastballs. But this also reminds me of Kyle Farnsworth !?!?!?!