Yankees taking a hard look at Bannister as trade deadline nears
By BOB DUTTON
The Kansas City Star
Should the Royals send pitcher Brian Bannister back to New York if offered outfielder Melky Cabrera or another run-production bat in return?
Such an offer might be forthcoming, because the Yankees appear determined to boost their rotation and are showing increased interest in Bannister as an alternative if ongoing efforts to acquire Seattle’s Jarrod Washburn reach an impasse.
Nothing appears imminent, but the framework for a deal seems to exist because New York has already shown a willingness to part with Cabrera. Add this: The Royals nearly obtained Cabrera in a trade-deadline swap two years ago for veteran outfielder Reggie Sanders before Sanders suffered an injury.
Royals general manager Dayton Moore, as usual, declined to comment on specific rumors but expressed hesitation at breaking up the club’s young rotation.
“We like the group of young pitchers that we have,” he said. “Although that group has struggled some this year, we’re encouraged that they’re going in the right direction. We want to keep this group together.”
The Yankees still appear to prefer Washburn, an 11-year veteran who is 4-9 with a 4.75 ERA in 20 games, but the Mariners rejected an offer of Cabrera and pitcher Kei Igawa. Seattle is thought to want a prospect, possibly minor-league outfielder Brett Gardner, in addition to the Yankees’ picking up the remaining $14 million-plus on Washburn’s contract through next season.
The Yankees, like several teams, previously contacted the Royals regarding pitcher Zack Greinke. One major-league source said New York had offered Cabrera and second baseman Robinson Cano in exchange for Greinke and a position player thought to be outfielder Mark Teahen.
Discussions fizzled when the Royals showed little willingness to trade Greinke.
Cabrera, 23, and Bannister, 27, are each experiencing disappointing seasons. Cabrera is batting just .248 with eight homers and 35 RBIs in 99 games, while Bannister is 7-9 with a 5.40 ERA in 21 starts.
Even so, both would address a pressing need.
Cabrera, a switch-hitter, could become the Royals’ regular center fielder and enable the club to shift David DeJesus to left. It could also allow Teahen to make a permanent move to first base.
Bannister could bolster a Yankees’ rotation weakened by the loss of Chien-Ming Wang, a 19-game winner the last two seasons. Wang isn’t expected to return from a foot injury until late September.
A Bannister-for-Cabrera deal would be a relative wash in financial terms. Cabrera is making $461,200, while Bannister is making $421,000. Both players are almost certain to qualify for arbitration in the offseason under the labor agreement’s super-two provision.
The non-waiver trading deadline is 3 p.m. Thursday. Players must clear waivers in order to be traded after the deadline.
The possibility for a deal escalated Friday night when New York filled two other immediate needs by acquiring outfielder Xavier Nady and reliever Damaso Marte from Pittsburgh for four minor-league players.
The Royals obtained Bannister from the Mets on Dec. 6, 2006, in a deal for reliever Ambiorix Burgos. Bannister opened last season in the minors but joined the Royals’ rotation in mid-May and finished 12-9 with a 3.87 ERA in 27 starts.
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