A couple items from Ken Rosenthal

First, some potential White Sox news:

The Yankees are telling clubs that they are open to moving outfielder Melky Cabrera, who would be a perfect fit for the White Sox. Cabrera trails Brett Gardner in the Yankees’ center-field competition. By trading him, the team could open at-bats for Nick Swisher, who was beaten out by Xavier Nady in right field but also plays center, left and first. The Yankees have talked about trading either Nady or Swisher, but potential suitors might be more willing to part with young talent for Cabrera, who is 24 and four years away from free agency. Jerry Owens, Brian Anderson and DeWayne Wise have been competing for the White Sox’s centerfield job. Cabrera almost certainly would hold greater appeal.

I like this item because it suggests that I might not have to watch another season of Jerry Owens, Brian Anderson, and DeWayne Wise getting on base barely 30% of the time. Instead I can watch Melky Cabrera get on base barely 30% of the time. No that’s not fair; I actually like Melky Cabrera. It’s tough for me to believe that a guy can be so good when he’s 21, then suck so miserably when he’s 23. Then again he is from Santo Domingo, where it’s been proven that getting steroids is like buying a pack of gum.

Free-agent right-hander Pedro Martinez is reaching out to prospective suitors, but finding little interest in his $5 million-plus asking price. The Royals, before signing free-agent right-hander Sidney Ponson to a minor-league contract, rejected an overture from Martinez because they were unable to afford him, major-league sources say. Several of Martinez’s friends, including the Dodgers’ Manny Ramirez, have told him that he needs to be more realistic with his salary desires, sources say. The Dodgers would be interested in Martinez if he dropped his price to the $1 million to $2 million level. At that level, other teams likely would jump in, too.

I’m only including this item because of the Manny Ramirez part. Manny Ramirez telling people they need to be more realistic about their salary desires would be like Roman telling people they need more practice throwing a football.

/inside joke
//but you can probably figure it out
///Roman throws like a girl

Some other quick-hitters that I found while perusing the Net:
- Could Bill Hall be part of a Jake Peavy deal to the Brewers? (Gammons)
- John Danks turned down the exact same offer that Gavin Floyd got even though he wanted to take it. (CBS Sports)
- Gary Mathews Jr. wants to play. Of course he does. Have you ever noticed that good players never complain about playing-time? Do you know why? It’s because they don’t fucking suck, so they’re already fucking playing. Oh well. (LA Times)
- The Rangers tried to buy out Josh Hamilton’s arb years, but he was disappointed in their offer. (Star Telegram)

ED: Rosenthal items found here