Rumor: Yankees Bruney to the Braves?

By gondeee on Dec 7 2009, 9:42a  @gondeee 26

Perhaps we can file this under "first official crazy winter meetings rumor of the day." Here is the interesting rumor in question, regarding our bullpen no less:

According to a team that talked to the Yankees about acquiring Brian Bruney, the right-handed reliever could be headed to Atlanta.

"We asked about him but hear he is going to the Braves," the source said.

Because the Yankees asked for prospects from the first team, they likely are looking for the same thing from Atlanta. Bruney, who made $1.25 million last year, is eligible for arbitration.

Say whaaat? I mean, I like Brian Bruney... some... but we seem to be fetishizeing on our bullpen a bit too much. Perhaps this was one of our backup plans before we acquired Saito last week. Or perhaps we really want another million$+ arm in the bullpen.

Here are Bruney's stats from last year:

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2009 - Brian Bruney	5-0	44	0	0	0	0	1	39.0	36	17	17	6	23	36	3.92	1.51

[UPDATE: 11:00AM]

The other side of this Bruney rumor, is that it could be a part of a greater Derek Lowe deal. Here is ESPN's Buster Olney on the general rumblings of the meetings this morning:

Last week, we saw quick movement in 3B market. Today, a lot of talk from agents and teams that starting pitcher market is intensifying.

If you're talking about the starting pitching market, you almost have to be talking about the Braves, who clearly have a starter they need to deal.

[UPDATE: 12:57PM]

According to the New York Posts Joel Sherman, the Yanks have traded Bruney to the Nationals. So much for that rumor which had him headed to Atlanta. That seemed far-fetched from the beginning.