The LoHud Yankees Blog

Sam and I are going to be chatting about the possible Cliff Lee trade at 2:30 eastern time. We’ll be here at the blog. No video, just a regular text chat. Stop by if you can.

Also, a few names are being tossed around as potential third prospects.

Sweeny Murti mentions Eduardo Nunez and Hector Noesi. Joel Sherman says the Mariners were interested in Zach McAllister last year.

UPDATE, 1:32 p.m.: The hits keep coming. Just confirmed that the Yankees have signed Chad Tracy to a minor league deal. He’ll basically serve as insurance in Triple-A. I believe it was the the Boston Globe that first reported the move.

Every report seems to mention the same two names — Jesus Montero and David Adams — going to the Mariners in the possible Cliff Lee deal. There could be a third prospect as well. For now we know these two names.

Jesus Montero
Triple-A, catcher
.253, 6 HR, 35 RBI
Considered one of the top hitting prospects in baseball, Montero  has routinely faced questions about his ability to stay behind the plate. He seems to have made progress as a catcher, but it’s always been his bat that has wowed scouts and tantalized executives.
Why keep him? Because he can hit, and he’s shown signs of adjusting to Triple-A the past month and a half. After rocky two months, Montero was hitting .283 since June. His power numbers haven’t been overwhelming, but there’s enough of a track record to think that won’t be a problem.
Why trade him? Because there’s still no guarantee that he’s a viable defensive option in the major leagues, but mostly because Austin Romine is right behind him, apparently ready for a call-up to Triple-A. Romine is believed to be more polished behind the plate, and he’s hitting .281 with six home runs and 44 RBI in Double-A. The Yankees also have Gary Sanchez, J.R. Murphy and Kyle Higashioka in the minors, plus Jorge Posada signed for one more year in the majors. Catcher is a position of strength and depth in the system.

David Adams
Double-A, second baseman
.309, 3 HR, 32 RBI
Injured since mid-May, Adams was off to a terrific start in Double-A. He’s a former third-round pick who breezed through Low-A and High-A last season, but an ankle injury sidelined him this season. He entered the season as clearly one of the top two or three infield prospects in the system.
Why keep him? Because he might have enough bat to be more than a utility man in the big leagues. The Yankees have plenty of utility options, but Adams is a fairly polished hitter out of the University of Virginia. He has some experience at third base, so he could become defensively flexible if necessary.
Why trade him? Mostly because Robinson Cano is an MVP candidate, Alex Rodriguez is a superstar and neither is going anywhere. Also, one of the Yankees prospects-on-the-rise is High-A second baseman Corban Joseph who’s hitting .315 with six home runs down in Tampa. Not to knock him, but given the player’s ultimate upside and the Yankees current roster status, clearly Montero is tougher to give up than Adams.

I remember Joe Torre once talking about how, when he was managing the Mets back in 1979, the Phillies traded (actually sold) Jose Cardenal to the Mets in between games of a doubleheader and so Cardenal just walked across the hall from one clubhouse to the other. Strange as it was, Cardenal dressed for the second game and Torre nearly played him but Cardenal asked out and Torre accommodated the request.

Depending on how things go this afternoon, there could be a similar situation out in Seattle. According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, the Yankees have told the Mariners that their current offer – said to feature Jesus Montero – is the best they’ll get, and they want an answer before tonight’s game since Lee is scheduled to pitch against them.

A few more thoughts and notes from the past few hours:

• Sounds like there is no negotiating window for the Yankees to work out an extension with Lee. I know some of you are surprised/upset by this, but Lee had been pretty clear he wouldn’t do this and the Yankees still will have exclusive negotiating rights with him after the season.

• Don’t forget, by adding Lee now, the Yankees a) won’t lose a draft pick if they sign him this winter; and b) can try and replenish their farm system by moving Javier Vazquez, who is quickly becomes the top pitcher available at the deadline.

• I’ve said for awhile – and written in my column on SNY.tv – that I thought this was something the Yankees had to be in on, mostly because their rotation is strong but hardly a lock (Burnett/Vazquez inconsistency, Hughes innings limits) and – and this can’t be overstated enough – because they play in the toughest division in baseball.

The Rays and Red Sox are not going away and will surely be trying to upgrade at the deadline, so if the Yankees had a chance to add a difference maker by using a position at which they had organizational depth, I say they HAVE to jump on it.

Let’s remember: This isn’t Ted Lilly they’re getting or a reclamation hope like Ben Sheets. It’s one of the premier pitchers in baseball and a guy who has shown he’s got no problem at all when it comes to winning the big game. Obviously there are varying schools of thought on the value of trading prospects for proven commodities, but to me this is a no-brainer, especially when you add in the pluses of the upcoming offseason (exclusive first rights, no lost draft picks, etc.).

Here’s something for Yankees fans to wake up to this morning: The Yankees are “on the brink” of landing Cliff Lee from the Mariners, the Post is reporting, with Jesus Montero as the centerpiece of a potential deal.

Speculation about Lee has been rampant for weeks, but it typically had been the Mets as the New York team with the most interest. The Yankees, as is often the case under Brian Cashman, were seen to be on the periphery but it appears they have swooped in and could be close to adding the stud lefty. There was no word on whether any deal would include a window to sign Lee, who is a free agent at the end of the season.

In an odd scheduling twist, Lee is supposed to face the Yankees tonight, though the Post says it’s possible the Yankees could keep him out of this weekend’s series if a deal is consummated today.

* That’s an AP shot of Lee

Alex Rodriguez did a lot of things right in tonight’s game. He had only one hit, and that was nothing more than a ground ball through the right side, but it drove in the game-winning runs. He scored only once, but that was the tying run setup by heads-up base running.

“Obviously great players do great things in big situations to win games,” Andy Pettitte said.

Taking third
In the eighth, Rodriguez drew a walk while the Seattle crowd literally dropped dollar bills from the second deck. They booed him throughout the game, but Rodriguez kept his head. With runners at first and second, Rodriguez alertly took third on a pitch in the dirt. It’s the only way Jorge Posada was able to drive in the tying run by grounding into a double play.

“It’s a big ballpark and runs are at a premium in this park,” Rodriguez said. “I knew that Sweeney was a changeup master. I was just looking for a ball in the dirt and somehow get to third base.”

Game-winning single
Rodriguez’s ninth-inning at-bat started with Mariners reliever David Aardsma throwing a fastball right by him. Rodriguez stepped back and made an instant adjustment, shortening his stroke to catch up to the ball.

“Self awareness is huge in this game and Alex understands himself as a hitter as well as anyone I’ve ever seen,” Joe Girardi said. “… He’s a complete player and he’s always been a complete player. He’s not just a hitter. He’s a complete player and he’s very smart, knows what he needs to do in given situations.”

• What more can you say about Andy Pettitte? Even he’s surprised by 11 wins at the all-star break. “It’s hard to think that you can do that, only because I’ve never had that great of a first half,” he said. “Everybody always talks about my second half and that’s in my head that you’re a second-half pitcher. I’m just thankful that I put together a good first half and I just want to keep going. Obviously the ultimate goal is winning another championship. That’s all I care about.”

• What happened on the throwing error in the sixth? “To tell you the truth I just panicked,” Pettitte said. “I know (Ichiro) is running. I know I’m slow. I just panicked. It’s terrible. I just grabbed it, turned and looked over there. I’m not even focusing on where I need to throw. I just kind of threw it over there into a group of people. I’m so thankful I was able to hold them to one run.”

• Pettitte said this was one of the few weeks when he worked on specific things in the bullpen. He wanted to iron out some mechanical things out of the windup and work on spotting his two-seamer down in the zone. He was happy with the progress of both.

• Great throw by Brett Gardner to get Ichiro at third base in the first inning. Might have completely changed the course of the game. “That’s a huge play, it’s an outstanding play for Gardy,” Girardi said. “For a guy that’s played mostly center in his career, he comes up and makes an extremely accurate throw on a great base runner.”

• A six-game winning streak ties a season-high for the Yankees.

• This was the fourth time Pettitte pitched at least eight innings this season. He’s thrown at least seven innings in seven of his past nine starts.

• Nick Swisher played like he still needed all-star votes. He was 4-for-4 with a walk and two doubles, including a huge two-base hit in the ninth. “This has never happened to me before,” he said after the game. “I’m just soaking it up. I’ve been all smiles all game long.”

• Mark Teixeira has now reached base safely in 29 straight games, the longest such streak by a Yankee this season, topping Derek Jeter’s 28-game streak.

• Swisher’s an all-star, and this was his 26th multi-hit game. How good has Robinson Cano been? Tonight was his 34th multi-hit game. That’s the third most in the majors behind Ichiro — of course — and the surprising National League all-star Martin Prado.

Associated Press photos of Rodriguez taking third base and Pettitte taking a throw from home plate.

YANKEES (53-31)
Derek Jeter SS
Nick Swisher RF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez DH
Robinson Cano 2B
Jorge Posada C
Curtis Granderson CF
Brett Gardner LF
Ramiro Pena 3B

LHP Andy Pettitte (10-2, 2.82)
Pettitte vs. Mariners

MARINERS (34-50)
Ichiro Suzuki RF
Chone Figgins 2B
Franklin Gutierrez CF
Russell Branyan DH
Jose Lopez 3B
Casey Kotchman 1B
Josh Bard C
Josh Wilson SS
Michael Saunders LF

LHP Jason Vargas (6-4, 3.22)
Vargas vs. Yankees

TIME/TV: 10:10 p.m. ET / YES Network

UMPIRES: HP Tom Hallion, 1B Ron Kulpa, 2B Lance Barksdale, 3B Ed Rapuano

WEATHER: The roof is open and the sun is shining.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Utility man Kevin Russo turned 26 today.

ROAD WARRIORS: The Yankees have won four straight on the road. That matches their season high. They have also won 10 of their past 13 games on the road.

GONE STREAKING: Mark Teixeira has reached base — hit, walk or HBP — in 28 straight games. That matches Derek Jeter for the longest such streak by a Yankee this season. Teixeira’s longest streak is 35 straight in 2008.

UPDATE, 10:10 p.m.: The Yankees actually released an official statement from CC Sabathia regarding the LeBron James signing: “I’m happy for him. He made a decision and it had a lot to do with trying to win a championship. You can’t fault him for that. I do feel bad for the city of Cleveland, though. He meant a lot to that city and the people there.”

UPDATE, 10:25 p.m.: Not too many outfielders throw out Ichiro on the bases. That’s a big throw from Brett Gardner to get Ichiro at third.

UPDATE, 10:43 p.m.: After Gardner picked him up with that outfield assist, Andy Pettitte has gotten five straight outs to get through the second inning scoreless.

UPDATE, 10:50 p.m.: The fans in Seattle seem to regard Alex Rodriguez the same way the fans in Cleveland are sure to regard LeBron James.

UPDATE, 11:09 p.m.: The Yankees put seven runners on base in the first four innings. None of them scored. Still scoreless as Pettitte goes to the mound in the fourth.

UPDATE, 11:25 p.m.: Nick Swisher’s playing like he’s still trying to earn that all-star spot. He has three hits and now a sliding catch in right field. He’s probably gonna get his name in the newspaper tomorrow.

UPDATE, 11:36 p.m.: While the Yankees have stranded yet another base runner, the owner of the Cavaliers has posted an unreal letter in which he rips LeBron and promises a championship in Cleveland.

UPDATE, 11:50 p.m.: Andy Pettitte was steaming mad when he walked off the mound, having struck out back-to-back batters to strand the bases loaded. I’m sure he was a little pumped for getting out of the jam, but he was still kicking himself for his throwing error that brought in a run. Mariners lead 1-0.

UPDATE, 11:56 p.m.: After Marcus Thames pinch hit for Ramiro Pena, the Yankees are now going with Kevin Russo at third base. Still a 1-0 game in the bottom of the seventh.

UPDATE, 12:10 a.m.: For Rodriguez’s at-bat in the eighth, dollar bills — real dollars — fell from the upper deck of the stadium like ticker tape.

UPDATE, 12:24 a.m.: GIDP with runners at the corners finally drives in a run, but the Yankees had a chance to take a lead there in the eighth. Tied at 1. Yankees should absolutely be winning this thing.

UPDATE, 12:32 a.m.: Maybe it hasn’t been his best outing of the year, but Andy Pettitte has made some HUGE pitches tonight. There have been some walks and he threw that bunted ball away, but when he’s needed an out, he’s gotten it. Pretty impressive really.

UPDATE: 12:45 a.m.: Swisher’s huge day continues, and Rodriguez finally drives in the go-ahead runs with a two-out single. He was credited with both RBIs. Took second on the throw and third on an E-9. Yankees lead, 3-1.

How’s that for a convenient picture? Nick Swisher is in the all-star game, and he’ll be there with Alex Rodriguez, Robinson Cano and Derek Jeter. When Swisher got the news, his first call was to his father, who was himself a major league all-star back in 1976.

“He was just proud of me,” Swisher said. “I think that’s one of the greatest things your dad can ever tell you is that he’s proud of you. I’m all smiles today.”

That’s certainly true. If you thought Swisher was excited to be on the final ballot, you can only imagine his excitement at being chosen. While he sat in one of the clubhouse offices this afternoon, talking on the phone live to MLB Network, Swisher’s teammates kept walking into the room to yell their congratulations, not realizing he was on TV at the time.

“People tell me everywhere I go, ‘Swish I voted for you,’” Swisher said. “I went down to the market today. ‘Hey Swish, I voted for you today.’ Thanks man! I’m just excited and so happy for all the support. I couldn’t be more grateful.”

To use Swisher’s word, the past year and a half have been “bananas” since he came to New York. First a World Series. Now his first all-star appearance. And you have to give the guy credit, he’s made noticeable changes to make himself a better, more complete player this season.

“I’m actually going to talk to these guys who have been there for a while,” he said. “Tell me how it works. I just think it’s going to be great to be there. I’m juiced man. Obviously you can tell.”

Yes, we could tell. Here’s Swisher.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

• Stunning news out of Tampa: Nick Johnson suffered a setback. He was swinging a bat today when he felt pain in that surgically repaired wrist. He’s coming back to New York to see Dr. Ahmad. “What it means, how long he rests, I don’t know,” Girardi said.

• Much better news on Sergio Mitre, who could join the Yankees immediately after the all-star break. “He’s going to make another (rehab start) here soon,” Girardi said. “And then we’re going to discuss to see whether we think he needs one more or is ready to go.”

• The question seems to be how much the Yankees need to get Mitre stretched out. Is he a long man, or is he a one-or-two-inning guy like Alfredo Aceves was supposed to be? “I think you have to see the makeup of our roster at the time,” Girardi said.

• Girardi mentioned Dustin Moseley as another guy who could fill that Aceves role.

• Girardi said he might DH Alex Rodriguez one more game this series. He talked to Rodriguez in Oakland and told him he planned to DH him today.

• Girardi won’t announce a starting pitcher for the All-Star Game until Sunday, but David Price is a name to keep in mind. “He’s a strong candidate to start,” Girardi said “He pitched yesterday. Those are announcements that we’ll make on Sunday.”

• Girardi said he has started to map out his pitching plans for the All-Star Game, and all of those decisions are done in consultation with the individual pitching coaches. “Dave (Eiland) has called every pitching coach except the pitching coach here because he knows he’s going to see him in 15 minutes,” Girardi said.

• While Girardi was doing his pregame interview in the dugout, Colin Curtis was a few feet away doing an interview of his own. He grew up just outside Seattle, and some folks from his local newspaper are at the stadium to write about him coming home. Pretty cool that his call-up came in time to play here and in Phoenix, where he went to college.

• CC Sabathia said he honestly has no idea where LeBron is going. “Everybody thinks he’s going to Miami from all the reports,” Girardi said. “But we’ve seen how that can change.”

Associated Press photos. The second one is of Dave Robertson. Why Robertson? I don’t know, just kind of a cool picture and the AP obviously has no fresh art of Nick Johnson.

Derek Jeter SS
Nick Swisher RF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez DH
Robinson Cano 2B
Jorge Posada C
Curtis Granderson CF
Brett Gardner LF
Ramiro Pena 3B

Two minutes ago, Nick Swisher posted a two-word message on Twitter.

THANK YOU!!!

Swisher has won the final spot in the all-star game and will join Derek Jeter, Robinson Cano, Phil Hughes, Andy Pettitte, CC Sabathia, Alex Rodriguez and the Yankees coaching staff in Anaheim.