Since watching the Yankees get abruptly bounced from October, general manager Brian Cashman has added six new pitching prospects via trade.
More than once Tuesday, Cashman referred to the improved "inventory" in his minor league system -- young arms who could help the Yankees sooner or later, or as trade bait for a more experienced pitcher.
Right-handers Ross Ohlendorf and Steven Jackson officially joined the Yankees' deepening talent pool Tuesday, as the Randy Johnson trade was completed with Arizona.
"I think our position players are the best in the game, and we're trying to find a mix of quality arms," Cashman said. "I'm happy about the inventory [that] we're collecting."
Cashman also received reliever Luis Vizcaino and minor league shortstop Alberto Gonzalez for Johnson, 43.
In dealing Johnson, Jaret Wright and Gary Sheffield mostly for prospects, the Yankees have at least increased their chances of trading for an impact big league pitcher before the July 31 deadline.
By then, a list of starters who might become available could include Mark Buehrle, Jon Garland, Bartolo Colon, Kris Benson, Freddy Garcia, John Smoltz, Jake Westbrook, Doug Davis and Livan Hernandez.
Of course, free agent Roger Clemens could decide to pitch for the Yankees at any time, and all it would cost is money.
Both innings-eaters with signature sinkers, Ohlendorf and Jackson could start the season at either Class AA or AAA. Cashman described Gonzalez as a "special defender" with a "contact bat."
Vizcaino 32, earned the nickname "Daily," based on his penchant for frequent use. Among the 2006 Yankees, only Scott Proctor (83) and Kyle Farnsworth (72) appeared in more games than Vizcaino (70).
Minus Johnson's 200 innings per season, Cashman acknowledged that he had "put the rotation at risk," but had accelerated making the Yankees younger, more athletic and less expensive.
Trading Johnson wasn't on Cashman's agenda until a lengthy phone conversation following the death last month of Johnson's older brother.
Johnson suggested that he'd waive his no-trade clause to get closer to his Phoenix-area home, but only if the deal made sense for the Yankees. "He didn't ask to be traded," said Cashman, who thanked Johnson for his two seasons and 34 combined wins.
Despite a herniated disk diagnosed late last season, "I don't think we'd have gotten as far as we did without him," Cashman said. "We didn't achieve our ultimate goal, but ultimately that's a team effort."
