MLB Rumors: Vernon Wells To New York Yankees?

As fast as you can say Opening Day, the New York Yankees received some bad news as they opened up Spring Training Sunday afternoon in Tampa, Florida. Outfielder Curtis Granderson fractured his right forearm in the exhibition game against the Toronto Blue Jays. Granderson was hit by a pitch, which led him to leave the game and the X-rays revealed the fracture. Granderson is expected to miss 10 weeks of baseball and will be out until May.

Now, this sends the Yankees frantically looking for a replacement in the outfield. There are already rumors the team could be looking at a trade for Chicago Cubs‘ outfielder Alfonso Soriano. A Soriano trade would make sense having already spent time with the team in his career. Another trade the Yankees could pursue is with the Los Angeles Angels for outfielder Vernon Wells.

However, Wells is due more money than Soriano is next season. Soriano is due $36 million while Wells is due $42 million and the Angels would have to eat most of what would be left on Wells’ contract. A trade for Wells would be easier because Wells is not projected to make the starting lineup next season.

The Yankees do have in-house options to fill-in for Granderson. The team has non-roster Spring Training invitees Matt Diaz and Juan Rivera to look at and even could monitor Melky Mesa‘s performance in the World Baseball Classic this year. This recent event really puts in perspective the way the Yankees dealt with Raul Ibanez.

Ryan Gaydos is a featured MLB columnist for www.RantSports.com, read his articles for the latest MLB Rumors. Follow him on Twitter, “like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google