DALLAS – Is the AL East passing the Yankees by?
Based on how active the Red Sox and Blue Jays have been compared to the Yankees signing Kyle Farnsworth, Yankee fans are starting to act as if their club’s run of eight straight AL East titles is in jeopardy.
Of course, it’s only December and the Yankees’ holdover talent from a year ago is top shelf. However, the winter meetings’ buzz is that the Yankees are in the slow lane.
That’s based on the Red Sox acquiring bullet-throwing Josh Beckett, third baseman Mike Lowell and reliever Guillermo Mota from the Marlins. It also has to do with the Blue Jays signing closer B.J. Ryan to a five-year, $47 million deal and yesterday adding A.J. Burnett to their rotation via a five-year, $55 million pact.
The Red Sox were closing on two more deals last night that would send David Wells to Oakland for reliever Justin Duchscherer and backup catcher Doug Mirabelli to San Diego for second baseman Mark Loretta.
To rub it in the Yankees’ mug, the Mets have added Billy Wagner, Carlos Delgado, Paul Lo Duca and remained linked to Manny Ramirez.
Are the Yankees worried they are moving too slowly this offseason?
“Not when you look at the market and what’s available compared to our needs,” GM Brian Cashman said when asked if it was hard to be patient while the Bosox and Blue Jays were making moves. “Our needs and the market place, there are not too many easy matches. So the patience is almost automatic with what’s available despite other teams around you trying to improve themselves.”
How slow is it in the Yankees’ universe?
Even a delicious rumor involving the Marlins and Yankees swapping Chien-Ming Wang, Robinson Cano and Phillip Hughes for the Marlins outfielder Miguel Cabrera and lefty starter Dontrelle Willis didn’t last long when it was shot down.
How slow? Cashman talked about Eric Duncan being the player of the year in the Arizona Fall League, mentioned Tony Womack and for the second straight day and brought up tomorrow’s Rule 5 draft, something the Yankees haven’t participated in since 1996.
So, as the Red Sox and Blue Jays seemingly have improved, the Yankees are still searching for a center fielder better than Bubba Crosby and more bullpen help to go with Farnsworth.
Cashman talked to Boras about Johnny Damon but wouldn’t discuss the content. It’s believed that unless Boras comes way down from seven years, the Yankees won’t be interested in the free-agent center fielder and leadoff hitter.
One center fielder now officially off the Yankee radar is Juan Pierre, whom the Yanks were only minimally interested in, anyway. Pierre was on his way from the Marlins to the Cubs last night in exchange for left-handed pitcher Rich Hill.
Cashman is talking to the Phillies about Jason Michaels and the Phillies are no longer demanding Wang. Arn Tellem, Nomar Garciaparra’s agent, has a meeting with Cashman today. Tellem wouldn’t say what will be discussed, but Tellem contacted Cashman recently and asked about Garciaparra playing center or being an all-around utility man.
In a surprise move, the Yankees have displayed interest in free agent infielder Tony Graffanino but it’s not clear why. It could be as a utility man or the Yankees might be listening to offers for Cano, whom they have repeatedly said they aren’t going to move.
george.king@nypost.com
AL ABOARD
Toronto’s signing of starting pitcher A.J. Burnett yesterday was the Blue Jays’ second major move of this offseason, following their signing of B.J. Ryan, and the Red Sox’s acquisition of Josh Beckett.
Here’s a look at additions made by AL East teams so far:
BLUE JAYS
IF John McDonald Bought from Tigers.
RP B.J. Ryan Signed as free agent.
SP A.J. Burnett Signed as free agent.
RED SOX
SP Josh Beckett Trade with Marlins.
3B Mike Lowell Trade with Marlins.
RP Guillermo Mota Trade with Marlins.
YANKEES
C Kelly Stinnett Signed as free agent.
RP Kyle Farnsworth Signed as free agent.
Orioles have not added any significant players.
