Astacio May Become a Yankee

D E N V E R, July 31 -- The Colorado Rockies are considering tradingright-hander Pedro Astacio to the New York Yankees in exchange forsome promising young players, according to published reports.

The Rockies and the New York Yankees are discussing tradingAstacio, the team’s best starter, for a package including topminor-league prospect Alfonso Soriano and right-hander RamiroMendoza, the Denver Rocky Mountain News, Denver Post and BoulderDaily Camera reported today.

A potential deal between the Rockies and Toronto fell throughafter O’Dowd refused the Blue Jays’ request to give them reliever Jose Jimenez along with Astacio for four players, the twonewspapers reported.

Blue Jays Reported to Want Astacio

However, The Denver Post reported today that the Blue Jays havebeen the most aggressive pursuer of Astacio.

The non-waiver trade deadline is 2 p.m. today.

Left-handed pitcher Ted Lilly from Triple-A Columbus andDouble-A third baseman Scott Seabol could also be part of a deal,the newspapers said.

Long Term Improvement Anticipated

Besides Astacio, the Yankees would also reportedly want eitherButch Huskey, an outfielder obtained from the Minnesota Twinsearlier this month, or infielder Jeff Frye, acquired in a tradewith the Boston Red Sox last week.

Rockies general manager Dan O’Dowd is not trying to tradeAstacio, 30, who has two more years left on his contract. But hehas indicated he would pursue a deal if it would improve the teamover the long term.

Scouts from other organizations think Mendoza, 28, has the typeof hard sinker that would work well at Coors Field. He has workedas a middle reliever and a spot starter for the Yankees andcompiled a 38-26 record in the majors.

Soriano, 22, is ranked as the second best prospect in the Yankeesystem by Baseball America. The Dominican native is hitting .285 atTriple-A Columbia with 22 doubles, 6 triples and 9 home runs alongwith a 41 RBI.