I was flipping through Newsday, finding material for Friday Morning Closer, when I noticed this little tidbit when they were talking about the Yankee rotation.

How about a trade? Later in the season, the Indians may decide lefty ace C.C. Sabathia will be too expensive to sign to a long-term deal and look to move him. The Yankees would have to be interested. But at what cost?

Right.

First of all, I believe that Sabathia remains under the Indians control till the end of the 2008 season, where it's likely he'll test free agency, as no progress has been made in contract extension talks between Sabathia and the club.

He's also the staff ace and an important part of the Indians' possible playoff hopes.

Why would you give that up, especially when it looks like this year's Indians have a "win or bust" look to them.

And lastly, why would you want to help the Yankees, a team that you have a significant advantage over, with anything?

Look, it's time for the gossip writers to realize that the days of the old "Want A Prospect, Call Cashman" are pretty much over.  Cashman did not invest tens of millions in the draft and international scouting to tear apart his work thanks to a weeks worth of flukey injuries.

Plus, who is out there to that's worth trading for?

• Jon Lieber (Phillies) - Lieber is currently in the Phillies pen and has gotten knocked around, possibly due to the fact that he's simply not accustomed to pen outings and has a hard time getting going in short outings.  Lieber could be had for a semi-decent reliever, but I doubt that the Yankees are willing to go around with Lieber again, especially when you consider that they could get the same production from Darrel Rasner.
• Mark Prior (Cubs) - Cubs fans may say that Prior is untouchable, but I think the Cubs are willing to be rid of Prior and his inconsistencies once and for all.  Prior still has gifts that tantilize people, and he was a former Yankees Number One pick, and he could be hand for something semi-useful, but obtaining Prior leaves the Yankees where they are now, as he's currently injured.
• Brian Lawrence (Rockies) - Lawrence is currently being passed through waivers and can be claimed by anyone, but again, is Lawrence ready to be pitching for anyone?
• Byung Hyung Kim (Rockies) - Again, could be decent for a couple of starts and would be cheap if the Yankees are willing to pick up the tab, but he's also currently injured.
• Jonathan Sanchez (Giants) - Sanchez is capable of starting and is a much better option than Russ Ortiz, who is taking up space in the rotation.  And the Giants have shown that they really don't value their kids much, so it's possible that you could obtain Sanchez for a spare part (possibly Kyle Farnsworth, who never should have lett the NL), as well as taking the awful Armando Beneitez off their hands, who could be flipped to the Marlins, provided he's paid for, for a semi-useful part in return.  But, in spite of how stupid the Giants have been, I don't think they'd be that stupid.
• Bruce Chen (Rangers) - Chen has actually been really decent in the last few weeks and could be obtained for a B- prospect or so, and  Chen has shown the experience to win in the AL East.  However, the Yankees, again, could obtain roughly Chen's performance from someone else.
• Matt Clement (Red Sox) - Would be nice if he was healthy and able to pitch.  The Red Sox would love to offload his salary for something in return, even if it is for a bag of balls, a hot pocket, and a couple of lapdances at Scores the next time they go to New York.

The bottom line is, all of these starters can be had for something that is less than what you would get for Sabathia, who would likely begin to be offered for something line Phil Hughes at the very least.  But, realistically, many of these same guys are similar to the guys the Yankees are tossing out there, and really, giving the kids some experience, like the Yankees are doing with Chase Wright, Ranser, and Jeff Karstens, is not only more cost effective, but in the long run benefits everyone.