The Yankees have had serious discussions with the Rangers about reliever Eric Gagne, two major-league sources confirmed Friday night. Gagne is closing for the Rangers but would be a setup man for Mariano Rivera if he were to come to the Yankees. If the Yankees could add Gagne, the back end of their bullpen would be hugely upgraded.

The teams have not been able to agree on a return for Gagne but can continue to haggle over players until the 4 p.m. Tuesday non-waiver trade deadline. The Rangers want pitching in return and have interest in minor-league righthanders Ian Kennedy and Jeffrey Marquez. They also like centerfielder Melky Cabrera, but the Yankees are unlikely to surrender him for Gagne. (Source)

I would like Gagne as the 8th inning guy, he’s been dominant this year with a 213 ERA+, as long as we don’t give up Ian, Hughes, Joba or anyone of real substance in the minors. I’d give up Marquez for Gagne.

Now it appears the Yankees are prepared to cut ties with another international free agent, Kei Igawa. Talent evaluators with six different teams indicated Friday that he is very much available in a trade, and while some have serious reservations about what they saw in his performance this year — the erratic command, the tendency to leave pitches in the middle of the plate — you do wonder if this is going to turn out a little like the Contreras departure. (Source Insider)

Is it me, or is it a great sign that the Yankees are looking to get rid of Farnsworth, Igawa and Damon, three mistake signings? I think Farns is for sure gone, Igawa is 50/50 and Damon is very likely to stay here.

Buster went on to say, in that same link, that he thinks Dan Johnson will be traded to the Yankees in the next 72 hours. I like Johnson more than most (27 years old, 110 OPS+ and 4th out of 11 AL 1B in RZR), but I don’t see what use the Yanks have for him with all of the lefty bats they already have in the lineup, Giambi coming back very soon and Phillips and Duncan producing in the interim. The need for Johnson just isn’t there (Phillips has a higher OPS+ and a higher RZR).

Does Brian Cashman think Johnson can be the 1B of the future? We know that’s not going to be Phillips (age 30). I can’t give a definitive answer here. We’ll have to wait and see how it plays out.

The Yankees were offered Johnson for AAA outfielder Brett Gardner, they declined.

I don’t see a deal for Johnson getting done, but maybe Buster knows something I don’t.