The nearer we get to July 31, the more Yankee rumors fly.

Baseballthinkfactory reports that the Yankees have inquired about free agents to be Torii Hunter, and injury-prone Eric Gagne. Hunter seems like a poor hitter to some, but pounded the ball last year, hitting .278 with 31 homers and 98RBI. He still plays great defense, but is 31 years old and will make 12 million dollars this year. As a very good hitter at a premium defensive position, Center Field, Hunter expects to be paid around fifteen million per year. The Yankees, if they acquired hunter, would probably have to give up Melky, who plays the same position, and would be redundant if Hunter was acquired.

The other target is more puzzling. Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal has reported that the Yankees had a scout to Ranger games recently and that they are looking at Gagne or Akinori Otsuka.

Gagne is a great pitcher when healthy, but he is healthy as often as Paris Hilton is chaste. The Yankees bullpen is fine, with Mariano as the anchor and Proctor and the always unpopular but decent Farnsworth as set up men.