ANAHEIM – At one time, Eric Milton appeared to be a lock to join the Yankees. He wanted the challenge of The Bronx and was looking forward to rejoining the team that selected him in the first round of the 1996 draft. On the other side, the Yankees wanted the lefty to bolster the middle of their rotation, were convinced his knee problems were history and loved Milton’s ability to eat innings.
Now as GM Brian Cashman leaves the Winter Meetings today, Milton’s chances of being a Yankee are dwindling quickly.
“It’s going nowhere,” a person familiar with the situation said.
The reasons are multiple. One, Milton wants a three-year deal for $24 million and the Yankees aren’t willing to budge off a three-year offer for $21 million. The other is that if you subscribe to the theories that Randy Johnson will eventually be dealt to the Yankees and they can’t trade the unmovable Kevin Brown, there is no room in the Yankees’ rotation that will shortly be officially joined by Carl Pavano and Jaret Wright.
And even the deep-pocketed Yankees don’t spend $7 to $8 million a year for a sixth starter.
Cashman spoke to Casey Close, Milton’s agent, yesterday morning and had another chat slated for last night.
“We are continuing to dance but we are amping up efforts with other clubs,” Close said.
Of course, Johnson isn’t a Yankee yet and while nobody wants Brown, the 39-year-old right-hander is a colossal medical question. So, letting Milton get away over a $3 million difference is a gamble.
Why the sides don’t split the $3 million difference is puzzling, but the 29-year-old lefty, who was 14-6 with a 4.75 ERA for the Phillies last year, could be looking elsewhere.
The Indians and Mets have expressed interest to Close in the event it didn’t work out with the Yankees.
While the Bombers would have liked to add a left-hander to the rotation, they aren’t brokenhearted about leaving the meetings without one. Prior to the meetings, they agreed to a three-year deal with Wright for $21 million and are putting the finishes touches on a four-year, $39M contract with Pavano.
After some initial concern that Wright’s right shoulder wasn’t 100 percent healthy, the Yankees’ medical staff green-lighted the contract. Pavano could be introduced later this week or early next week.
“I am still focused on pitching right now,” said Cashman, who hugs the party line that Wright and Pavano aren’t officially done.
As for Johnson, Cashman said there was nothing new on the trade talks. And Cashman indicated the Yankees were players in the Tim Hudson trade talks.
“I don’t anticipate making a trade,” said Cashman, who leaves the meetings today.
One reason for that is that Brown is impossible to deal due to a $15 million contract, a no-trade clause and a spotty health record.
“I am fairly certain he will be in the rotation,” Cashman said. “Hopefully he will feel better than he did this year.”
Cashman said teams have inquired about Brown, but the talks weren’t good enough to present to Brown and ask him to waive his no-trade clause.
“It’s been nothing that makes sense whatsoever,” Cashman said.
Cashman made it clear that Javier Vazquez, who will eventually be part of the Johnson deal, isn’t being dangled as trade bait.
“We are not shopping Javier Vazquez,” Cashman said. “Clubs have called and asked if we are interested, but I am not shopping him.”
