As our old blogging ground is reporting rumors of one trade and Buster Olney reporting word of another, it’s clear that, even if these trades aren’t completed right now, the Yankees are angling for a new-look bullpen. Combined with Joba’s relief dominance, we could see a whole new pen soon.

On the one hand, we have the Eric Gagne rumors. Pieces of the trade aside, Gagne would be a great addition to this bullpen. This year, he’s, according to everyone who sees him, finally throwing free and easy after a few injury-plagued seasons. In 33.1 innings, he’s allowed just 8 runs on 2 HR, 23 hits and 12 walks while striking out 29. His 2.16 ERA is a full two runs lower than the Yankees’ current set-up crew. Plus, his free agent status would net the Yankees a first round draft pick next season.

On the other, Buster Olney mentions a possible Scott Proctor-for-Wilson Betemit deal. Betemit is a 27-year-old infielder with the Dodgers. He’s hitting just .231 but with an OBP of .359 and a SLG of .474. With 10 HR in 156 at-bats, he would add some much-needed pop to the bench, replacing Miguel Cairo as next in line for an infield slot.

Meanwhile, as we know, the Yanks are trying hard to deal Farnsworth. So in a few days, instead of Farsnworth, Proctor, Bruney, Vizcaino, Myers, Villone, Henn, we could have Gagne, Chamberlain, Vizcaion, Bruney, Myers, Villone, Henn. Or Britton. Or Ramirez. These moves are good ideas; we’ll see if they come to fruition.

Update: I just wanted to stress what Peter Abraham wrote here. This Gagne deal is still just a rumor, and the team is denying it. So hold your horses for now on it.

While everyone is salivating over the thought of Mark Teixeira in pinstripes, I don’t think the Yanks are going to make a big trade this July 31st. They aren’t going to trade one of their blue-chip young pitchers, and they get back a pitcher from the DL – Phil Hughes – who is better than anyone available via a trade. The Yanks’ offense doesn’t need help; the pitching has been solid lately. Maybe we’ll see a bullpen move, but nothing major.

This is little more than speculation, so let’s view it as just that.

There was an article in today’s San Francisco Chronicle that talked about the possibility of the A’s moving Mike Piazza in the coming weeks. This comes just days after speculation that the A’s were prepared to trade first baseman Dan Johnson.

Naturally, the Yankees have been connected to both names. Piazza would have no use beyond DH, as he still cannot throw a ball with his bum shoulder. That’s actually the reason he’s being shopped — with Jack Cust at DH, a full outfield, and Johnson at first, there’s simply no room for Piazza. He’d be a big bat off the bench, but Billy Beane didn’t shell out $8.5 million for a pinch hitter.

Johnson can play first base capably, and is hitting .260/.369/.455 in 235 at bats since returning from the DL. His lowly marks of .234 /.323 /.381 from last year are largely attributed to double vision, which was corrected with surgery this off-season.

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