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Last week, we saw one of the biggest and more shocking blockbuster deals in recent baseball history made with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox.

Boston sent Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Beckett, Carl Crawford and Nick Punto to Los Angeles while James Loney and four minor leaguers were headed back to Boston.

With this, the Red Sox shed about $275 million in payroll, while allowing them to have more flexibility to make moves in the future.

According to Joel Sherman of The New York Post, the Dodgers originally asked the Yankees about the availability of CC Sabathia and Mark Teixeira before moving on to claim the players from Boston.

However, Sherman speculated on a different type of trade that the Yankees and Dodgers could make in the future including Alex Rodriguez.

A-Rod is still on the hook for another $114 million over six years—a contract the Yankees probably would love to have off their payroll. Most teams would likely not want to have an aging 37-year-old third baseman who will eventually become a DH.

However, the Dodgers shocked all of baseball in 2012 by inheriting Hanley Ramirez’s contract, plus taking on Gonzalez, Beckett and Crawford’s deals and jacking up their payroll right around the $190 million mark.

The Dodgers can do this because of the new ownership group; led by NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson, who is allowing Ned Colletti to spend and make deals with free rein.

So if the Dodgers are taking on the Marlins’ and Red Sox’s bad contracts, why not the Yankees’ with A-Rod?

Ken Davidoff of The New York Post also speculated on the Yankees trying to get rid of A-Rod by sending him out west. He did bring up two things, however.

The first is, as of Tuesday night, the Yankees had not placed A-Rod on waivers yet, and the second is, would A-Rod waive his no-trade clause with the Yankees?

One of the biggest differences between the Yankees and Red Sox with regard to the dumping of the players is Boston had to get rid of Beckett because the organization, fans and media were sick of his act and attitude.

On the other hand, the Yankees, fans and media aren’t going out of their way to kill A-Rod like they have in the past.

As A-Rod has gotten older, he’s been less of a lightning-rod of controversy. He’s especially been less of a media circus while he recovers from a broken hand he suffered in late July.

But will the Yankees really look to dump A-Rod and his contract off their payroll?

My gut right now says no; mostly because A-Rod has that no-trade clause and he loves playing in New York.

Plus, he is still trying to pursue 700, 714 and 762 career home runs (he’s currently at 644), and the Yankees can still market his chase of those particular home run records.

However, if the Dodgers call up Brian Cashman and gauge interest in seeing if the Yankees want to unload A-Rod and the rest of his deal, I don’t think he would pass it up.

Stay tuned, Yankees Universe.

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Over the last couple of days, we’ve talked about the right field situation and Nick Swisher‘s impending free agency.

We’ve all talked about what kind of deal would be fair for the Yankees to offer Swisher, if they were going to try and retain his services for 2013 and beyond.

However, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, Swisher may be looking for a ridiculous contract..

According to Heyman, Swisher will be looking for a Jayson Werth type deal, which was seven years and $126 million with the Washington Nationals back in December 2010.

Werth has yet to live up to that contract, as he was awful in 2011 and has spent a lot of time on the DL this year.

In the simplest of terms, Jayson Werth is one of the most overpaid players in baseball, and I’m sure Nationals GM Mike Rizzo would go back and stop the signing from ever happening if he could.

In fact, if Major League Baseball had the NBA’s amnesty clause on a certain player, I’m sure Rizzo would use it on Werth and rid that deal off his payroll.

Now, Swisher, who will be 32 years old by the time free agency starts, is reportedly looking for a similar deal.

Don’t get me wrong, I think the world of Swisher and would like to see him back in pinstripes for next season, but not for seven years and $126 million.

At best, I would give Swisher a three-year deal worth around $39 million, which would be at $13 million per season.

Swisher is making $10.25 million now in 2012, and that’s a fair amount given what Swisher does with the bat.

His playoff numbers are nowhere near what they should be, but his 20-plus home runs and 80-plus RBI in the regular season is what will get him paid in the offseason.

The fact that he can also play first base will help his case for a team looking to give him a decent contract in the winter.

But what in the world is Swisher thinking if he honestly thinks he’s going to ask for Jayson Werth money?

Does he honestly think any team is going to pay a 32-year-old outfielder $18 million over the next seven years?

The Nationals did it with Werth, and they are regretting it every single day,

Swisher is a good player, but not worth over $100 million by any stretch of the imagination. If he does, he will be waiting by a phone that never rings all winter, except from his agent, who will advise him to lower his alleged demands.

When the offseason begins for the Yankees, their top priorities are Curtis Granderson and Robinson Cano.

Plus, the team also has to figure out Russell Martin, Hiroki Kuroda, Andy Pettitte, Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain.

Also, Mariano Rivera will be a free agent again and if he’s pitching in 2013, he’ll require a deal as well.

Clearly from the list that I have provided here, the Yankees and GM Brian Cashman have a lot of priorities come November.

Swisher might be on there, but not at a seven-year, $126 million price tag. Cashman will gladly thank Swisher for his time and service and wish him well.

Between now and the time the 2013 season begins, it’ll be interesting to see if Swisher’s demands drop or if he honestly thinks he can pull that kind of deal off.

Stay tuned, Yankees Universe.

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Back in January, the New York Yankees made what a lot of people called a risky signing with Hiroki Kuroda.

A lot of people were fearful of him pitching in the American League for the first time, as he was a career National Leaguer with the Dodgers.

He got off to a rocky start with the Yankees in 2012, but when he settled in, he showed everyone why the Yankees gave him a $10 million deal for 2012.

Since June began, Kuroda has been 7-2 for the Yankees and has failed to get into the sixth inning only once.

He’s also gotten his ERA down to 3.06, which is fantastic considering he’s pitching in one of the toughest divisions in baseball with the AL East.

His performance against the American League Champion Texas Rangers was absolutely sensational.

Kuroda fired a complete game, two-hit shutout, striking out five and walking two against one of the most potent lineups in the sport in a Yankees 3-0 victory.

That win gave Kuroda his 11th of the season, improving his 2012 record to 11-8.

The biggest thing Kuroda was bringing to the Bronx was professionalism and consistency—something A.J. Burnett lacked during his tenure, which is why he was on the block and traded to Pittsburgh once Kuroda was signed.

If you notice in the games where Kuroda is struggling or has a faulty outing, he doesn’t get rattled and lose his composure on the mound. He just continues to pitch and battle.

It’s a complete 180-degree turnaround from Burnett, even though he’s having success again in the National League. The bottom line is Burnett got worse with his age pitching in the American League.

Kuroda, on the other hand, has adapted to the newer league and hitters and at times, is as dominant of a pitcher on the mound. Tuesday night’s performance may have been the best of Kuroda’s season. And I think with the way he’s been pitching, Kuroda should strongly be considered to be brought back for 2013.

With Michael Pineda’s status unknown following his shoulder surgery in the spring, plus given the struggles of Manny Banuelos and Dellin Betances in the minor leagues, the Yankees need sure things up for 2013.

They’ll have CC Sabathia, and he’s really the only guarantee.

Phil Hughes and Ivan Nova have been too inconsistent despite winning over 10 games a piece, and Andy Pettitte’s status for 2013 is unknown.

Kuroda would only need a one-year deal considering he’s 37, going on 38-years-old by the time the 2013 season will begin.

Pitching in the Bronx will give Kuroda the chance to win a championship as long as he’s in pinstripes, which is what lured him away from his comfort zone of pitching on the west coast in Los Angeles.

Kuroda will be put to the ultimate test in October—if and when the Yankees do make the postseason—and he’ll be given the ball in big spots.

But in my honest opinion, I’d be very comfortable seeing Joe Girardi handing Kuroda the ball in a Game 2 or Game 3 and having him go out and dominate for six or seven innings.

His mentality is suited for the Bronx and it can help them in October. And as long as he would want to, I think Brian Cashman should definitely make sure Kuroda’s in pinstripes for 2013.

Stay tuned, Yankees Universe.

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**** UPDATE (8:25 p.m.)*****

The Yankees will use Derek Lowe out of the bullpen when he arrives to New York on Monday, according to Marc Carig of the Newark-Star Ledger. David Phelps is expected to start in place of CC Sabathia when the Yankees start their series with the Texas Rangers.

Sources: Phelps starts Monday. Lowe expected to be in the bullpen by Monday

— Marc Carig (@MarcCarig) August 11, 2012

Remember when the Yankees passed on Derek Lowe to sign A.J. Burnett in December of 2008?

It’s funny how things change in just four years, as according to Marc Carig of the Newark-Star Ledger, the Yankees have signed Lowe to a deal for the remainder of the 2012 season.

Source: Yankees have acquired Derek Lowe.

— Marc Carig (@MarcCarig) August 11, 2012

The news of the Yankees signing Lowe comes after it was announced that they will put their ace CC Sabathia on the 15-day DL with elbow soreness.

Sabathia was on the DL with a groin injury back on June 26, so this is a rare second stint on the DL for the Yankees lefty.

Andy Pettitte is still recovering from a fractured fibula that he suffered on June 27 and is not expected back until early September at the earliest.

Lowe had been designated for assignment by the Cleveland Indians after he posted an 8-10 record with a 5.51 ERA, pitching in 119 innings and making 21 starts so far this season.

Lowe is no stranger to pitching in the American League East, as he spent eight years with the Boston Red Sox (1997-2004).

His last year with the team was back in 2004, the same year they won the World Series for the first time in 86 years—a run that included coming back from and 0-3 and beating the Yankees in the ALCS. Lowe won Game 7 at Yankee Stadium for Boston.

Lowe was in the final year of the four-year, $60 million deal he signed with Atlanta, but was traded from the Atlanta Braves to the Indians before the season.

The Indians were on the hook for $5 million of the $15 million owed to Lowe, so with this signing of Lowe, they are on hook for a pro-rated version of the league-minimum.

Basically, the Yankees have acquired Lowe’s services for very little money.

It’s a risky signing because of Lowe’s ERA, but there are several upsides.

First, his playoff experience. Back in 2004, Lowe won all three deciding games for the Red Sox in the playoffs against the Angels, Yankees and Cardinals. That also included winning Game 4 of the World Series at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.

His durability is another great factor.

Since 2002, Lowe has made over 30 starts each season for the Red Sox, Dodgers and Braves. With the Indians, he’s made 21, so whether he hits 30 in 2012 is in question.

Despite his age of 39, he does not get hurt and he can throw a lot of innings.

Lowe is known as a sinkerball pitcher who can still generate ground balls; Lowe had a 60 percent ground ball ratio while with the Indians.

Some people might not like the signing of Lowe, but the 39-year-old has been inserted right back into a pennant race and has a chance to reestablish himself pitching in the Bronx.

At worst, if he stinks and is still getting whacked around Joe Girardi can stick him in the bullpen and use him as a long reliever.

Lowe just got a second chance to redeem his 2012 season and another chance to pitch for a championship.

What will he do now as a member of the Yankees? Only time will tell.

Stay tuned, Yankees Universe.

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I really wanted the New York Yankees to get Cliff Lee if he fell to them on waivers.

In fact, if anyone has known me long enough to follow my work, you’ll remember that I have wanted the Yankees to get Lee dating all the way back to my very first story on this website in June of 2009.

The Los Angeles Dodgers were the team that was awarded the claim on the Phillies‘ 33-year-old lefty, and Ned Coletti and Ruben Amaro, Jr. have until Sunday to work out a deal.

So Yankee fans, we can all cross off Lee from our wish list of players we’d like to see in the Bronx.

It’s alright, though. We still have the rest of the month of August to figure out if we want to pursue a player through waivers.

When reading Buster Olney from ESPN’s blog, I got an idea.

What if the Miami Marlins put Josh Johnson through waivers?

Clearly, they are not contending this year and Johnson was in a ton of rumors this past July as part of many trade scenarios—though none of which really involved the Yankees.

The 28-year-old is 7-7 with a 3.85 ERA with 118 strikeouts in 133.1 innings in 2012. What’s been great about Johnson in 2012 is that he’s been healthy, making 21 starts so far this season.

Back on November 11, I did a story on whether the Yankees should pursue Johnson in the offseason, and some of you thought it would be too risky because of his health.

Well, here we are almost nine months later and Johnson has remained healthy. He’s also owed about $19 million through the 2013 season, which would be a lot less than picking up the $25 million per season that Lee would have been owed if claimed.

Now, again, what if the Marlins put him on waivers and he falls to the Yankees?

Should Brian Cashman claim him and try to strike a deal?

I’ll be honest, I’d hand over Dellin Betances at this point if that’s the kind of player it will take for the Marlins.

I don’t know if I would consider Manny Banuelos or Mason Williams, but I wouldn’t be 100 percent opposed to it in a deal for Johnson.

Let’s be realistic, look at the Yankees’ rotation right now: CC Sabathia, Hiroki Kuroda, Phil Hughes, Ivan Nova and Freddy Garcia. Then, in a month, throw in Andy Pettitte.

It’s a good rotation. But is it a World Series rotation? Could it contend with the Angels, Tigers or Rangers?

My gut feeling says no on August 4.

If Cashman swung a deal to get Johnson, paired him with Sabathia at the top of the rotation, and added in Pettitte and Kuroda, that’s a solid group to go to battle with during October.

I know the Yankees are trying to take the whole $189-million-payroll-before-2014-thing into consideration. We all know this.

Right now, I don’t care about 2014. I care about October of 2012. Anyone else who claims to be a Yankee fan should too.

Cashman should care about that also, and so should Hal Steinbrenner. His dad surely would have cared about October in this kind of a deal. He would have given Cashman the green light to make it if it meant raising another trophy in October.

Making a deal for Johnson would both serve in the short- and long-term future of the team by solidifying a rotation with two strikeout pitchers who can dominate a lineup.

It’s a big “if” though—if the Marlins decide to put Johnson on waivers.

If they do, and he drops to the Yankees, I honestly feel like they should take a chance and claim him.

If they have to inherit his salary, so be it. But knowing Miami, the Yankees would likely have to give back some prospects for the Marlins ace.

A lot of you want the Yankees to do something to enhance their chances for the World Series.

Adding Johnson would be that type of move.

Would Cashman do it though? Only time will tell.

Stay tuned, Yankees Universe.

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The Yankees didn’t make the big splash at the 4 p.m. deadline for a player like Ryan Dempster or Matt Garza.

Instead, they made a trade more on need for third base, as they acquired third baseman Casey McGehee from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for reliever Chad Qualls, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post.

Got 2d confirm, #Yankeess did get McGehee for Qualls

— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) July 31, 2012

The 29-year-old McGehee is only hitting .230 with eight home runs and 35 RBI in 92 games for the Pirates.

With the injury to Alex Rodriguez, breaking his hand on a hit-by-pitch by Felix Hernandez, the Yankees needed to find a more everyday replacement to step in.

Two years ago when he was with the Milwaukee Brewers, McGehee hit .285 with 23 home runs and 104 RBI, which are very good numbers.

McGehee is up for arbitration after the 2012 season and won’t be a free agent until at least after the 2015 season, so he’s not just a rental the Yankees picked up.

McGehee is only making $2.5 million in 2013, so the Yankees taking on his salary isn’t going to break their budget.

Not only can McGehee play third base, he could also play first base as well—giving Joe Girardi some versatility in his lineup with using players at different positions.

Qualls became expendable because the Yankees will activate Joba Chamberlain off the DL. So, just one month after getting him from the Phillies, Qualls goes back to the National League.

It’s a low-risk move for the Yankees with the potential of a high-reward if McGehee can hit like he did two years ago in Milwaukee.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman didn’t want to give away top prospects for rentals, but instead he traded for a guy with a low salary who he can control over the next couple of seasons who might be able to produce for the Yankees.

Will McGehee flounder under the pressure of the Bronx, or will he thrive in his new settings?

Only time will tell to see if Cashman pulled off another great trade that helped the Yankees.

Stay tuned, Yankees Universe.

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It’s time for a crazy trade idea with less than 10 days left until the trade deadline.

We know the New York Yankees and their GM Brian Cashman would prefer not to make a deal between now and July 31.

But, if an opportunity presents itself to Cashman and the Yankees even he knows he would look into it.

There’s been quite a few rumors going around that Cliff Lee of the Phillies could be on the block and could be traded, again.

He was traded twice at the deadline back in 2009 and 2010 in deals that shaped the Phillies and Rangers postseason hopes. With Lee, both teams reached the World Series.

With the Phillies falling slowly out of the playoff race with each loss, they have some nice trade chips on their team that they can shed.

Shane Victorino is likely to be dealt, as could Hunter Pence. Cole Hamels was rumored to be on the block, but the Phillies are working very hard to lock up their lefty before he hits free agency this winter.

Surprisingly, Lee has also been rumored to potentially be on the block as well.

Lee signed a five-year, $125 million deal with the Phillies back in December of 2010, spurning the Yankees offer to re-join the Phillies.

There’s also a vesting option for a sixth year on Lee’s current deal, which makes him a very expensive trade option.

There has been one team rumored to potentially being interested in Lee, the Texas Rangers. The same Rangers who beat the Yankees to the punch two summers ago, and landed the lefty on their ride to the 2010 Fall Classic.

The Yankees had a deal in place with the Mariners to land Lee, but the deal fell apart when the two teams couldn’t agree on the players involved and Lee went to Texas.

After the season, many people felt that Lee would join his long-time friend CC Sabathia in the Bronx, but decided to return to the Phillies in a stunning move.

Lee thought the Phillies would have a better shot of getting to the World Series than the Yankees, but in 2012, that certainly doesn’t seem to be the case.

The Phillies are in last place in the National League East and seem like they could be on the verge of a fire sale; rebuilding the team for the future.

Lee will turn 34 come the end of August, and in his current deal he has 21 teams listed for his no-trade clause. If Lee is traded, he has to approve it before Ruben Amaro, Jr. can unload Lee.

According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, the Rangers are not one of the 21 teams on the list, and while it’s not been confirmed, there’s a good chance the Yankees may be on the list.

Lee’s window for winning a championship is closing as he gets up in age, and the Phillies may no longer be the contender they once were when he was traded and signed with them.

But the Yankees are. So are the Rangers, who are set up to win now, and win in the future.

The one plus on trading for Lee now over signing him two years ago is his current deal is for another three seasons. If they had signed him back then, it would have been another five years they would have been tied to Lee for over $20 million.

In 2012, Lee doesn’t exactly have the best record with a 1-6 record and a 3.72 ERA. Lee has run into hard luck, with the Phillies offense struggling to give him any run support.

As the Yankees head into the second half of the 2012 season, their rotation is no guarantee of success in the postseason, especially when the ALDS is only five games.

Andy Pettitte is still recovering from a fractured ankle he suffered in late June, and he’s a big piece that is missing in the rotation right now.

When Pettitte got hurt,  the rumors of Matt Garza, Ryan Dempster, Zack Greinke, Cole Hamels and Wandy Rodriguez all started, but they all seem unlikely for the Bombers.

Could the Yankees dare to be bold enough to try and trade for Lee one last time?

You know Amaro will ask for top prospects like Manny Banuelos and Dellin Betances in any deal that would involve Lee.

Would Lee be worth it?

The Yankees thought so two years ago when they started a deal surrounding Jesus Montero, and were close to pulling it off.

Would Cashman try again for Lee after missing out on the trade two summers ago, and then again in free agency?

In all honesty, I think it’s worth it for Cashman to pick up the phone and see what Philadelphia’s asking price is for the left-hander, who can be a huge difference maker in the postseason.

In the postseason, Lee has a 7-3 record with a 2.52 ERA, and the Yankees have witnessed first-hand how dominant Lee can be on the big stage.

It’s the reason why they were willing to hand over Montero to Seattle, and if he leaves Philadelphia he could get one more run at a championship.

I know some of you might be hesitant on the idea of chasing after Lee again, but if the Yankees want to beat a team like the Rangers, or even the Tigers in the postseason, they need every advantage possible.

Remember, the Yankees won 97 games a year ago but saw a quick exit in the 2011 ALDS against the Tigers because their rotation didn’t hold up when needed.

If that means adding more quality pitching to ensure they have a chance at a 28th World Series, then I think a trade for Lee is worth exploring.

The only question remains: would Cashman dare explore the trade for Lee one more time?

Stay tuned Yankees Universe.

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While the New York Yankees resumed their second half of the 2012 season by beating the Los Angeles Angels 6-5 Friday night, Brian Cashman was looking for ways to improve the team.

According to Mark Carig of the Newark Star Ledger, the Bombers signed veteran outfielder Kosuke Fukudome to a minor league deal.

From the Yankees: OF Kosuke Fukudome signed to a minor league contract. He is anticipated to report to Triple-A SWB over the weekend.

— Marc Carig (@MarcCarig) July 13, 2012

Fukudome is expected to report to Triple-A Scranton/Wilks-Barre, according to Carig.

Fukudome started out 2012 with the Chicago White Sox, but after batting .171 in 24 games, he was designated for assignment by Chicago, and then was officially released on June 27.

When Fukudome came over to Major League Baseball from Japan in 2008, he had a lot of hype and media attention on him as a member of the Chicago Cubs. He was named to the National League All-Star team and finished sixth in the Rookie of the Year voting.

But so far in American baseball, Fukudome has been nothing more than a fourth or fifth outfielder (at best) with limited power; he doesn’t hit for a high average, either.

Fukudome can play all three outfield spots, which can give the Yankees some versatility and defensive options if he ends up working out in the minors. If anything, with the Brett Gardner injury, the Yankees may need another outfielder they can depend on.

Just before the All-Star break, the Yankees had claimed Darnell McDonald off waivers from the Boston Red Sox, but McDonald is at best a fifth outfielder who gets put into games for defensive purposes only. McDonald hits for even less power and a worse average than Fukudome does.

Bringing in Fukudome is an under-the-radar type of move by Cashman that could work out simply on the fact that maybe the Japanese veteran can benefit from a change of scenery. Or, maybe the fact that playing in front of Yankee Stadium and for a chance at a pennant could motivate him and potentially see him begin a power surge.

Or maybe it just doesn’t work out with Fukudome, and Cashman just releases him with no major harm done to the payroll.

Because of the Gardner injury situation and because he hasn’t played since the middle of April, I think Cashman is adding a little insurance to his outfield. With the second half of the season, he knows Raul Ibanez and Andruw Jones can’t continue to go out there regularly and play the outfield since they are both up there in age.

Fukudome is 35 years old, but he has barely played in 2012, whereas Ibanez and Jones have had to accept bigger roles with the Yankees in 2012 because of Gardner’s elbow injury.

Only time will tell if signing Fukudome works out for the Yankees this season. Stay tuned, Yankees Universe.

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Yankee fans all over the world have been waiting anxiously for the return of Brett Gardner from the disabled list.

Unfortunately, they will have to wait even longer for his return, as Gardner suffered a setback from his rehab assignment, according to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com, feeling pain in his elbow following a minor-league game on Friday night.

Gardner played for the Class A Charleston team last night as part of his rehab. He has been on the disabled list since the end of April with an elbow injury, and it seems his elbow is not getting any better.

Sweeney Murti of WFAN reported that Gardner will travel to see Dr. James Andrews regarding the elbow injury, which could possibly mean that, if surgery is required, Gardner’s 2012 season could be over if there is any major damage.

If there is damage done and Gardner is on the shelf for a while, the Yankees need a backup plan.

Raul Ibanez has done a fine job filling in, as has Andruw Jones, but both are older players and are not meant to be everyday outfielders anymore.

The Yankees need some help to get fresher legs in left field, and I have an idea.

Now, I know it’s going to be off-the-wall and absolutely crazy, but an idea anyway.

What about Jason Bay from the Mets?

Yes, Bay is expensive, as he is in the third of a four-year, $66 million deal he signed back in December of 2009.

Yes, Bay is currently hitting .226 with three home runs and five RBIs, which are dreadful numbers.

Yes, as a Met, Bay has been a disaster and a bust.

But if the Yankees would want to take a chance on Bay and put him in left field, they wouldn’t have to give up anything.

All they would have to do is take on a negotiated part of his remaining deal, just like the Pirates are doing with A.J. Burnett, and Bay would be all theirs.

I don’t know if it’s playing in Citi Field that has done damage to Bay as a hitter, but I think if he got out of the National League and played at a hitter-friendly park like Yankee Stadium, he could see some luck.

Plus, he would be working with Kevin Long, who works tirelessly to help struggling hitters.

When Bay played for the Boston Red Sox, he was a solid hitter, cranking 33 and 36 home runs in consecutive seasons while driving in over 100 runs as well.

Fellow Yankees Featured Columnist Peter Alfano wrote about the possibility of the Yankees looking into getting Bay back on May 4, when the Gardner injury was still new and we all thought he was coming back.

Now that Gardner may be out even longer, Bay could be an option that wouldn’t cost the Yankees any serious prospects.

If they pay part or most of the deal, a low-level prospect would be in the deal. If the Yankees took on the rest of the deal, they aren’t parting with anyone,

Given how people reacted to Alfano’s article, I expect some resistance and people to criticize, which I will understand because your gut reaction to hearing Bay’s name is a no.

But, what if Bay revives his career and plays like he did in 2008 and 2009, where he used to kill the Yankees with the Red Sox?

I think it’s worth looking into for GM Brian Cashman, and calling up Sandy Alderson to see how he feels about it.

Any other left field option will cost the Yankees prospects. Bay likely would not, which is what makes him tempting.

Cashman has less than two months to figure out left field if in fact Gardner is done for the year and beyond.

Stay tuned, Yankees Universe.

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Heading into the series with the Rays, it was important for the Yankees to show they can hang with them because chances are, the Rays are going to be a potential playoff contender come October.

Andy Pettitte pitched on Tuesday night for the Yankees like he was in October form.

The 39-year old was absolutely dominant—yet again—for the Yankees, pitching 7.1 solid innings, allowing just two hits, no runs, walked two and struck out 10.

In his last outing against the Angels, Pettitte wasn’t as sharp although he pitched into the seventh inning, but in this latest start, he was much better around.

Pettitte used his breaking pitches to get the free-swinging Rays hitters to chase strike three while keeping the hits to a minimum.

Desmond Jennings and B.J. Upton each had singles, but that was all the Rays could muster up against Pettitte as he kept them off the bases and had them mostly walking back to the dugout in disappointment.

Pettitte picked up his third win of the season, improving his record to 3-2 with a 2.78 ERA.

He has now thrown 35.2 innings and has 32 strikeouts with just seven walks; an outstanding ratio.

What’s really great to see about Pettitte is he’s pitching deep into games; even when he didn’t pitch as well in his last start against the Angels, he still went seven innings despite allowing five runs.

The Yankees lineup gave him a lot of run support as well and was able to beat a very good pitcher in James Shields.

The Yankees went up 2-0 after a throwing error by Elliott Johnson scored Curtis Granderson and Alex Rodriguez in the bottom of the first.

In the bottom of the fourth, Shields was really struggling with his command, loading the bases for a second time in the game, and Russell Martin hit a high fastball over the right-field wall for a grand slam that made it 6-0 Yankees.

An RBI double from Nick Swisher in the bottom of the fifth made it 7-0, and that was all the run support Pettitte needed from the Yankee hitters as they cruised to the victory.

Shields went five innings, allowed seven hits, seven runs (five of them earned), walked four and struck out two and took the loss. His defense also was terrible behind him, committing three errors.

Shields has never had great numbers against the Yankees and now has a 5-13 career record in 23 starts against the Bombers.

For the $2.5 million the Yankees are paying Pettitte in 2012, he’s been perhaps the best bargain of the entire team.

His stuff on the mound has been as good as it’s ever been, getting a ton of strikeouts and giving the Yankees a ton of quality innings.

After his latest great outing, Pettitte is set to pitch again for the Yankees on Sunday afternoon in the season finale of the Subway Series against the New York Mets.

Five starts in, and all things are looking great for Pettitte and the Yankees.

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