I love the multi-year acquisition because it solves current and future problems in a single stroke; it removes the anxiety of the offseason dance, and lessens the buyer's remorse on a trade. Recently, Cashman has brought in Arod, Abreu, Swisher, and Nady this way (I don't count Randy Johnson because he was a trade and extension).
So using Cot's Potential Free Agent Lists, let's think about who might be available. I'm not trying to guess at costs, because obviously a 1.5 year pitcher will cost more than the .5 year pitcher. But compare the starters and ask yourself if the higher cost doesn't seem justified.
Bronson Arroyo- wouldn't touch him with a ten foot pole.
David Bush- he seems to alternate great years with bad years. This is a bad year, and a 21.2% line drive rate screams stay away. He hit the DL with a triceps injury last Friday, so he'd be a waiver move anyway.
Roy Halladay- too pricey for the deadline; expect the dance to continue in the offseason
Cliff Lee- at first I thought the Indians were asking too much, but it looks like either the Angels, Dodgers, or Phillies would take him as a Halladay alternative. I suspect the Dodgers are really just in it to drive up the price on the Phils.
Tim Redding- his .330 BABIP against a 16.8% Line Drive Rate says bad luck (we'd expect a .288 BABIP, a huge swing). On the other hand, his 89 mph fastball and 4BB/9 says bad at baseball. I suppose I'd take a chance and offer an arm that couldn't (shouldn't) be in the Show next year.
Ian Snell (option for 2012)- 4.9 BB/9. LD% over 20 in 5 of 6 seasons. Man, he was good in 2007 though. Pass.
Am I the only one with a lump in his throat?
Prediction: The Yankees need to make a trade before the minor leaguers get their chance to remind the world of the depth of the Yankees' farm system. Unfortunately, I don't think the Yanks have options on the 40-man beyond Hughes and Aceves (who is nursing his own sore shoulder).
Ian Nova and George Kontos have both looked a little wild at AAA, but both are allowing under a hit per inning. And there's always the Ghost of Kei Igawa.