Winter Meeting Updates

I came across these updates over at FoxSports.com. They were posted by Ken Rosenthal.

12:49 p.m. — Dodgers, Yanks talk trade
As the Dodgers try to resolve their infield, they are again talking to the Yankees about a trade for second baseman Robinson Cano. The teams have resumed their discussions about Cano at the winter meetings, according to one source.
The Dodgers also are interested in Yankees center fielder Melky Cabrera, and the Yankees likely would want outfielder Matt Kemp and pitching in return.
The Dodgers' interest in Cabrera is a sign that they might not be confident of Andruw Jones making a strong return in 2009. The Dodgers also need to find a match for Juan Pierre, who has requested a trade.

I really hope that the Yankees aren't looking to deal Cano. I think that would be a huge mistake. If you ask me, HOF-caliber 2Bs are hard to come by. A lot of people have compared Cano to HOFer Rod Carew. Cano has a solid glove and has the potential to be one of the best hitters in the game. I know the Yankees will have a lot of OF openings next year and Kemp would fit in, but OFs are a dime a dozen. Finding a good OF is a lot easier than finding a good 2B. They have a poll on FoxSports asking if the Yanks should trade Cano. 31% say no, 69% say yes if the package is right. The only thing that makes the package right for me is Chad Billingsley. If he's not part of the package, I sit on Cano. Cano's troubles all stem from a lack of motivation and focus. It's Joe Girardi's job to get 100% from him. Torre and Bowa wrote the book on how to get 100% from Cano. Girardi should be able to follow the blueprints that they laid down.

UPDATE (3:15pm): According to Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, the Yankees and Dodgers haven't resumed any talks about a Cano/Kemp deal. It wouldn't be the winter meetings if there weren't conflicting reports. Doubt it will be the last time it happens.

12:31 p.m. — Burnett shows interest in Yanks
A.J. Burnett seems more interested in pitching in New York than CC Sabathia, the Yankees' other top free-agent target. While Sabathia sits on the Yankees' offer of the richest-ever pitching contract and reportedly met with GM Brian Cashman, Burnett has reached out to former Yankee Carl Pavano, who did not steer him away from the Yankees. Pavano, who did not enjoy his New York experience, told Burnett "he has the stuff to pitch there," according to a major-league source. --Ed Price

So A.J. asked Carl Pavano what NY was like? Interesting. Burnett always struck me as the type who would say, if asked, that it was a dream of his to put on the pinstripes. I still hope he goes elsewhere, specifically to Atlanta. I still don't think he's worth the price. There is a lot of risk with taking on the injury-plagued Burnett and I don't think the risk is worth the reward.

Nothing major has gone down but it's still early. I'm hoping to hear something "official" from the Yanks on Cashman's meeting with CC. Apparently, Cash brought Reggie Jackson and Joe Girardi along. Here's hoping Mr. October can deliver in December.

Peace, love and Pinstripes,

J-Boogie