BLEEDING YANKEE BLUE PLAYER TRACKER #11

Andy Pettitte: If you ask Joel Sherman of the New York Post, it seems as though Andy Pettitte will come back to the Yankees.  Read HERE.  Let's also warn that when family is involved, you just really don't know what's in a player's head.  I can tell you this though and I've said it all along, Andy has unfinished business and I believe in my gut that Andy comes back for another season.  I also think 2013 will be his last.

Stephen Drew: What's an offseason without the Yankees and the Red Sox fighting over the same player?  According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.com, HERE, they are both checking in on free agent Stephen Drew, a shortstop.  It makes sense for the Yankees to do this, because who truly knows if Derek Jeter will be 100% by Opening day and they clearly don't have much faith in Eduardo Nunez and his fielding ability.

Kyle Lohse: Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe says the Red Sox have called about the availability of Lohse.  Boston would like to add a starter. Read about it HERE.

Ryan Raburn: Raburn was released by the Tigers yesterday.  Joe Frisaro of MLB.com says Raburn could be a good option for the Miami Marlins HERE. The tweet about the release is HERE.

Chone Figgins: Figgins was designated for assignment yesterday by the Seattle Mariners. Read HERE.  The dude is 34 years old and I just remember he was one of the hottest players with the Angels.  Then he signed that contract in Seattle and just died.  Look, Figgins is a utility guy and as a part time bench player, maybe he could be an interesting fit for the Yanks. Of course the price has got to be right.

Robert Andino: Finally, Andino was traded to the Seattle Mariners for Trayvon Robinson, read HERE.  Andino was a great player in the American League East and handled the Yankees and Red Sox with ease.  For me, I like this becasue it gets him out of here, but truth be told I wish Andino luck in Seattle.

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COULD AJ BURNETT BE ON THE MOVE?

AJ Burnett: Brian Cashman had hinted that AJ Burnett could be traded. Then, he came out to clarify what he meant and tried to clear it up by saying of Burnett, "If he's with us, without a doubt he's in our rotation." Read it HERE. Well, as Casey has preached, no one is off limits and no one is untouchable and that's my point. "If" is the key word in that sentence. He didn't say that about any other of the four main starters. And now, like clockwork, he has hinted to the media the past few days that he's received calls about AJ Burnett. Read HERE.

Hmm... we will keep an eye on this one for you. Yes, it may be silly to give a starter away to then turn around and go sign another free agent starter, but if there's a deal out there, Cash will find it. Maybe something is in the works. I know Cashman is a smart guy, and based on his previous comments I think he wants to move Burnett. That's my opinion...we'll have to wait and see.Chone Figgins: One of the guys Burnett could be traded for is Chone Figgins. A lot of Yankee fans know Figgins for being a "Yankee killer" in the past. In his career against the Bombers he's hit .298 while scoring 48 runs and stealing 21 bases in 29 attempts in 68 career games. But, he's been dreadful for the Mariners the last two seasons, more specifically last season. In 2011 Figgins hit .198 in 81 games while stealing just 11 bases in 17 attempts. He was so bad last year that Fangraphs had him at a -1.2 WAR. To make a long story short, basically Figgins' minor league replacement would have done a better job than him. But I have a feeling that Figgins needs a change in scenery. He's versatile and still has some speed. He also does the little things well, such as bunting and advancing to the extra base. It's probably unlikely that this trade would happen simply because Figgins has $17 million left in the next two years with a vesting option for $9 million in 2014, but the Mariners are willing to include money for a Figgins trade. Read HERE.

On the other hand, AJ Burnett is owed $33 million the next two seasons, so the Yankees would have to throw in a lot of money if they want to move him for Figgins. Look, it may be a difficult fit for everyone, but nothing is off-limits...nothing.




--Jesse Schindler, BYB Staff Writer




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