Yankees Have "Increased Interest" in Manny

The New York Daily News is reporting that a baseball official told them that the Yankees aren't just curious in Manny Ramirez, but rather have strong interest. The official also said that they see Ramirez as the perfect complement in their lineup to A-Rod. That would form a 1-2 punch similar (mabye even better) than what he did in Boston with David Oritz. The official believes that the Yankees are even wiling to give him a three-year deal worth $22-25 million annually. However, two different officials are skeptical that the Yankees would go to 3 years and foresee a deal in the 2-year $50 million range.

If the Yankees were to sign the right-handed slugger, it would create a log-jam in their outfield. With solid outfielders/DH Hideki Matsui, Johnny Damon and Xavier Nady, it seems like the Yankees have two options here: No. 1, trade one of them. Many sites say that they might look at trading Nady, but I don't see it because the Yankees front office likes him and aren't about to let him leave after less than a season. And no.2, they could put Johnny Damon back in center, keep Nady in right, and put Manny in left. Now this would create a less-than-pleasing defensive outfield but it's passable if it means that Manny's in their lineup.