[EmpireWF]

Courtesy of GothamBaseball and MLBTradeRumors, well, Gotham's Mark Healey is the man with this one....

The Yankees are thought to be preparing to talk with the Cubs once the off-season officially arrives. The talks will be centered around a possible A-Rod for Prior deal although the Yanks would likely need some more (perhaps a lot more) coming to them.

As for Daisuke Matsuzaka, Healey writes the Yankees will be involved in the Japanese starter's bidding war but they will only go all out if Steinbrenner likes what he hears from scouts.

Also, in the case A-Rod is dealt, Healey's source states they will go “go after a guy like Mark DeRosa” for third base. In any event, it's expected the Yanks will make the bullpen their top priority this off-season.

...Some interesting stuff, but as always with rumors, take it with a grain of salt. But hey, for most of us, it's the off-season already

[Lefty Noob]

A-Rod for Prior instead of Zambrano. Interesting... even with the injury history, George wants to roll the dice. Prior's definitely a high risk, high reward guy. If -- and that's a BIG if given the Cub pitcher's history -- he can stay healthy, he can still be a #1 or #2 starter for the long haul. I'm just surprised that he, and not Zambrano, is the target pitcher in the proposed A-Rod deal.

[soriano33]

As a Yankee fan I dont want another Carl Pavano on the team, I want a pitcher who is definitely ready to pitch for me next season...Mark Prior is too big of a risk of another burning of cash

[MVB]

Amen! Please, don't sign ANOTHER Carl Pavano...

What is George's thinking here? He signs Kevin Brown, and then signs another one ( Randy Johnson). Then he signs a Carl Pavano, and now might sign another one??? Please, stop the insanity!

[EmpireWF]

Originally Posted by MVB

Amen! Please, don't sign ANOTHER Carl Pavano...

What is George's thinking here? He signs Kevin Brown, and then signs another one ( Randy Johnson). Then he signs a Carl Pavano, and now might sign another one??? Please, stop the insanity!

Well it wouldn't be signing but trading the reigning AL MVP Alex Rodriguez for him...which is worse I guess lol.

The Cubs would obviously have to sweeten the pot because Cashman would never live it down if Prior ended up being some back of the rotation guy for the rest of his career.

[soriano33]

I would take prior if it was aramis ramirez and prior for A-rod but other than that I would want nothing less then Zambrano from the Cubs

[chsbletz]

That strikes me as a reasonably good deal, soriano33. Ramirez would give the Yankees an instant starter with a long-ball capability at third. Prior would be the great unknown. He almost certainly will be good again at some point in the future, although it might turn out to be in the bullpen.

[legend]

I would trade A-Rod for Victor Zambrano at this point.

[EmpireWF]

Originally Posted by chsbletz

That strikes me as a reasonably good deal, soriano33. Ramirez would give the Yankees an instant starter with a long-ball capability at third. Prior would be the great unknown. He almost certainly will be good again at some point in the future, although it might turn out to be in the bullpen.

I think Aramis Ramirez will be a free agent. Isn't he about to opt out of his contract?

[chsbletz]

If I were the Cubs' GM, I would make every effort to re-sign him, unless his asking price were ridiculous. The Cubs need all the hitters they can get, and Ramirez is a pretty good stick. I think the team needs to consolidate all of its legitimate assets with the new regime beginning. I wouldn't re-sign Kerry Wood, though. He would cost them major money that could be better spent in other ways.

[MJHMarc]

If Kerry Wood were to ask for a cheaper contract that would be reasonable for his diminished skills, do you think it would be smart for the Cubs to hold onto Wood? I'm not sure if Wood will become a full-time relief pitcher or if he could still remain a starting-pitcher. With his current health, I believe that it would be smart to run some simulated innings as a starter and weave his way into that position without putting to much stress on that arm of his.

[Trashed]

Kerry Wood reminds me of Kyles Farnsworth for some reason. If I were the Yanks i'd keep away.

[MJHMarc]

Why do you think that he won't perform well in pinstripes? Is there a little curse up in the Bronx that I do not know about?

[mervinout]

ugh, i dont get any of this lets take a person who mark priors career resembles. wow we dont have to go far its kerry wood. Now what is going on in kerry wood land. O he has to goto the bullpen cause he cant go a week without getting hurt. This would be dumber then trading jay buhner. Why must we make rash deals just to do away with "problems" i really dont see the problem and would rather keep arod then get prior. If i got zambrano then hell see ya later arod but if not just keep him. why would you sell a player like arod for a risk? People cant really be this stupid can they? sometimes the boss makes it hard to be yankee fans, hell why doesnt he go have a PI follow arod to get the scoop on him. This arod situation is dumber then the look on hiliary clinton's face.

I really wish this will get solved soon because im tired of the arod drama lol

[MJHMarc]

It seems pretty fair in my persepective:

Risk FOR Risk

A-Rods Risk:
Wasting $ on Contract
Slumping
Not performing the Clutch

Prior's Risk:
Injuries
Injuries
Injuries.