So who is the mystery pitcher the Yankees are "close" to aquiring?

Question

MLB trade rumors reports:

Yankees After Starting Pitcher
By Howard Megdal [December 21 at 9:11pm CST]
9:11pm: Now Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News tweets that the Yankees are "close to a deal for a starting pitcher, says a source. Still working on who, but I'm told it's not a salary dump deal". 

8:55pm: Now Ken Davidoff of Newsday tweets "Hear that #Yankees have "two or three" serious trade talks for starting pitcher - A. Harang isn't one of them." FoxSports.com's Ken Rosenthal adds via Twitter "Source: Yankees in "active negotiations" for a starting pitcher. Not Harang. Trying to find out who."

8:07pm: Could this be related to what David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution wrote in the comments section of his blog earlier this evening? 

"Got a call from a NY writer today wanting to know if I’d heard anything heating up between Yankees and Braves…. Apparently Yankees have hinted at doing “something big” soon. Don’t know if that means pitching".

Hard to imagine the Yankees will go another round with Javier Vazquez, but could this mean Derek Lowe? Like Harang, the Yankees could be among the few teams able to take on Lowe's three-year, $45MM deal.

7:49pm: ESPN.com's Buster Olney tweets the following: "Yankees working very hard tonight on deal for starting pitcher. Remember that they came close to deal for Aaron Harang in summer".

If Harang is indeed the target, the Yankees could be one of the few teams that could afford him. Harang is due $12.5MM in 2010, with a $12.75MM team option for 2011 (and more likely, a $2MM buyout).

Harang pitched to a 4.21 ERA in 162 1/3 innings with Cincinnati in 2009, though his peripherals- 142 strikeouts, 43 walks- were strong. 


With Andy Pettitte, C.C. Sabathia and A.J. Burnett all under contract for 2010- acquiring Harang would likely spell the end of either Philip Hughes or Joba Chamberlain in the 2010 rotation plans.

24+11+2 &lt;3 · Accepted Answer

I have a feeling it will be someone you least expect. Brian Cashman always surprises.

Wouldn't it be great if it was Greinke? hahaha

? · Answer

Jon Heyman tweeted that the Cubs will be willing to trade Zambrano but that Zambrano's agent said he would not waive his No-trade clause so Zambrano looks like he is not the "Mystery" pitcher. 

But I been doing some research on this and though they don't state that it is a trade as most of them(reporters) said "deal for starting pitcher" so this can be very well a free agent signing... but if indeed if trade the list of candidates I read have been pitchers such as Josh Johnson, Brandon Webb, Carlos Zambrano, Aaron Harang, Ted Lilly, Derek Lowe, Roy Oswalt, Javier Vasquez, Zach Duke, Paul Maholm.... but reading from all reports it looks like Josh Johnson, Brandon Webb, Ted Lilly, Roy Oswalt, Zach Duke and Paul Maholm are the most likely Candidates.. Josh Johnson and Brandon Webb can easily be traded if the Yankees are set to trade Joba or Phil Hughes along with top prospect Jesus Montero(who I will gladly take as a Marlins fan) but consider if they do trade for Josh Johnson they will have to work on an Extension to complete the deal. But all and all this should be interesting to see what the Yankees are stirring up ? hope the name/teams come out soon.

UPDATE: Mark Feinsand reports on his twitter page -    The Yankees have agreed to trade Melky Cabrera, Mike Dunn and a minor leaguer to the Braves for Javier Vazquez and Boone Logan. 
11 minutes ago from web 

Jon Heyman reports on his twitter page the following - #yankees will need an OF but beyond that theres no downside to vazquez deal about to go down. http://tinyurl.com/yebex4u 
4 minutes ago from web 

 vazquez will be a pretty darned good 4th starter for #yankees. good job by cashman. melky is easily replaceable. 
16 minutes ago from web 

#yankees, #braves deal will send vazquez, boone logan to ny for melky, lhp mike dunn and a prospect. si.com story up soon

mattapan26 · Answer

Apparently they are talking to the Braves about Derek Lowe who the Braves owe $45 million over the next three years.  There is also a rumor about Ben Sheets.

Kave Dast · Answer

I have a feeling that they are gonna get Javier Vasquez from the Braves for some player like Cervelli, Cabrera or Pena.

Mystery69 · Answer

Javier Vazquez

White Sox · Answer

Why not guess Carlos Zambrano?

I have a feeling it will be Oswalt, but I think Zambrano may be a possibility.

Rob K · Answer

Roy Oswalt is the word from many insiders. Be quite a nice addition.

Anonymous · Answer

It could be Zambrano; the Cubs are trying to move this head case.

SiR-kid · Answer

I really hope they sign Alrodis Chapman, but i agree it's probably Oswalt.

barnaby8787 · Answer

If it's josh johnson, i'll wet myself barring we don't give up montero

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So who is the mystery pitcher the Yankees are "close" to aquiring?

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