The Friday Night Rumor Mill

Hopefully I’ve learned my lesson. That’s the one about never doubting the smarts of Yankees general manager Brian Cashman. Just hours after I wrote that Cashman was doing poorly in acquiring two players for Randy Johnson, he went out and acquired a four-player package for the left-hander formerly known as "The Big Unit." The deal adds depth to the bullpen (Luis Vizcaino) and to the farm system (right-handers Ross Ohlendorf and Steven Jackson and shortstop Alberto Gonzalez), perhaps freeing up the Yankees to do more off-season dealing. For example, the addition of Vizcaino could translate into the deletion of Kyle Farnsworth. Expect the Yankees to re-ignite talks with the Giants, who can offer a package headed up by one of their spare catchers, Eliezer Alfonzo or Mike Matheny. The Yankees would prefer the younger Alfonzo (he’ll be 27 in February), but either would look good in pinstripes in 2007…

Whether it’s with Farnsworth or someone else, the Giants are hoping to reconfigure their bullpen in a major way. They’ve talked about a deal that would send Armando Benitez back to the Marlins for young right-hander Yusmeiro Petit. This comes after a failed effort to send Benitez to the Phillies for Pat "The Bat" Burrell. One way or another, Benitez figures to be an ex-Giant by the spring…

If Mets general manager Omar Minaya wants to do it, he can make the deal today: Lastings Milledge to the A’s for right-hander Joe Blanton. A’s honcho Billy Beane loves Milledge and would be willing to deal a potential workhorse like Blanton to get him. Of course, Minaya would prefer either Dan Haren or Rich Harden, but he would have to sweeten the pot to accomplish that goal. In the meantime, the Mets continue to look for cheaper free agent alternatives. Minaya is interested in a reunion with either of his former Expos starters, Tomo Ohka or Tony Armas, Jr. A two-year deal would likely be needed for Ohka, while the oft-injured Armas could be secured with a one-year deal… Ohka could also return to the Nationals’ organization. A blowup with Frank Robinson led to his departure the first time around, but now that Robinson is gone, Ohka would be clear to come back… One other free agent drawing Mets interest is Jeff Weaver. That said, the Mets have no desire to come close to Weaver’s asking price of $40 million over four years. If he and agent Scott Boras would reduce those numbers by about half, then the two sides might have some serious discussions…

If the Red Sox are truly going to address their closer problems (Joel Pineiro is worth the risk, but is probably not the answer), they’ll likely have to trade from their outfield depth. Either major leaguers Coco Crisp or Wily Mo Pena, or top minor league flychaser David Murphy will have to be sacrificed. One of the Red Sox’ main targets is Washington’s Chad Cordero. Nationals general manager Jim Bowden is said to love Pena’s tools, but he will want more in exchange for the 24-year-old relief ace. A package of Pena and Murphy would be too much of a giveaway on Boston’s part, unless the Nats send back another player as part of the deal…

And one final note before the weekend: On Monday, I’ll offer up predictions for this year’s Hall of Fame election by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. Will the writers simply do the obvious and merely vote in Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken, or will they do the right thing and also add Goose Gossage to the plaque gallery?