Hal Steinbrenner isn’t ruling anything out and has concern about the back of the Yankees’ rotation, but he doesn’t sound like a man lusting after Roy Halladay.
Talking yesterday at Yankee Stadium, the Yankees managing general partner wasn’t encouraged his club will land Halladay before the July 31 trading deadline — even after Chien-Ming Wang had to cut short a throwing session yesterday when he felt discomfort in his right biceps and nobody knows if he will pitch again this season.
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Others in the organization have handicapped the Yankees’ chances of getting Halladay as “zero.”
“If you need something, there are only certain ways to get it,” Steinbrenner said of taking the trade route during the season. “Everybody talks of young players. I don’t like doing it [trading prospects], but we will look at all possibilities.”
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Since July 7, when Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi said he would entertain offers for Halladay, the Yankees have insisted the price — likely to include Phil Hughes or Joba Chamberlain and top prospect Austin Jackson — would be too steep for them on a talent level and a financial front.
Nothing has changed.
“We aren’t even talking to them,” a club source said yesterday.
Yet, because these are the Yankees, the door never shuts completely. And the Blue Jays’ asking price for the 32-year-old right-hander could shrink as the deadline approaches.
Pressed on whether the Yankees had the money to land Halladay, who is making $14.25 million this year, $15.75 million next season and will be a free agent after the 2010 season, Steinbrenner balked.
“I am not getting into finances,” he said. “We will look at all possibilities.”
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Steinbrenner met with Joe Girardi yesterday and the manager said the two didn’t discuss specific deals.
Halladay isn’t the only pitcher who can be had, simply the best one. Cleveland lefty Cliff Lee may or not be moved and Seattle lefties Jarrod Washburn and Erik Bedard could be traded if the Mariners falter before the deadline.