Yankees in market for bat, arm before deadline
Philadelphia Phillies' Jayson Werth looks toward the pitcher after striking out swinging during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs. (July 18, 2010) Credit: AP
CLEVELAND - The Yankees remain interested in adding a bat before Saturday's trade deadline but the asking prices on players such as Adam Dunn of the Nationals and Jayson Werth of the Phillies, who are among the players the Yankees have checked out, remain prohibitively high.
The Yankees are not optimistic a deal for either player, both of whom will be free agents after the season, would get done.
With Joba Chamberlain struggling, and at least temporarily demoted from the eighth-inning role, the Yankees also continue to monitor the reliever market. They like Royals closer Joakim Soria a lot but are under the impression, one official said, Kansas City won't be dealing him. An official also disputed a report that said the Yankees had included top prospect Jesus Montero in an offer for Soria, saying no formal offer had been made and certainly not one including Montero. The Yankees are still in on talks for Blue Jays lefty Scott Downs. The Blue Jays, who also could move relievers Kevin Gregg and/or Jason Frasor before Saturday's 4 p.m. deadline, had scouts watching the series against the Royals.
Posada a late scratch
Jorge Posada, in the original lineup at catcher and batting sixth, squatted less than a half-hour before the game and told bench coach Tony Peña the area behind his left knee felt "a little more painful than usual."
It was a recurrence of some minor pain the catcher felt at times last year. "I've been having issues with it throughout and just today it was a little more achy than usual," he said. Posada said he thinks he can DH Wednesday but probably not catch for "a couple days."
Pettitte progressing
Andy Pettitte, on the DL with a strained left groin, told The Associated Press he was "feeling good" after a series of running and agility drills Tuesday at the team's spring training complex in Tampa. Pettitte, who resumed running Sunday, still hopes to return before the four to five weeks originally projected.
