The Yankees continue to hope they'll end up with Phillies outfielder Bobby Abreu, but they worry that their chances are dwindling as the deadline approaches and the Phillies aren't dropping their demands. In the meantime, they continue to talk to the Pirates about several players, including relievers Roberto Hernandez and Salomon Torres and outfielder Craig Wilson. Pittsburgh has a number of teams interested in those players, however, and the Yankees are growing frustrated with the slow pace of the negotiations.

The Yanks have been linked to Pittsburgh's Craig Wilson and Philadelphia's David Dellucci, the kind of players who can start now with some quality and provide excellent depth if the Yanks ever get healthy. Arizona's Jeff DaVanon or the Dodgers' Jason Repko/Olmedo Saenz would be major upgrades.

One player the Yanks should look hard into is the Cubs' very available Todd Walker. He rakes righty pitching, could handle New York because he played well for the Red Sox, is in the walk year of his contract and has about $1 million left on his deal. He could play second against righties until Cano comes back, and then form a first base platoon with Phillips.

Outfielders David Dellucci, Reggie Sanders, Kevin Mench, Luis Gonzalez and Shawn Green are among the fallback options for the Yankees – and they could reach Jocketty’s radar screen as well. (Jose Guillen, another potential outfield target, could be sidelined for the season with his elbow injury.)