Via RAB commenter Tim Dierkes comes a Jon Heyman column with Yankee rumors galore. The Yanks want to sign two of CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Derek Lowe. Sabathia is clearly the best choice, and signing two of them would probably mean that either Andy Pettitte or Mike Mussina will not be coming back next season. Of course, all of this is contingent on these players’ accepting the Yanks offers. In other news, Heyman does not believe that the current state of the U.S. economy will impact the Yanks’ spending.

According to Kat O’Brien, the Mariners must think the Yankees are complete and utter fools. A few days after acquiring Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte for pennies on the dollar, the Mariners are holding back on dealing all of Jarrod Washburn’s contract to the Yanks because they want Hank Steinbrenner to step in and demand the Yanks acquire the starter. Clearly, the Mariners have not been paying attention. While Hanks is adept at running his mouth, all his words do are garner headlines. No moves or signings have been consummated or rushed after Hank issues his diatribes. It’s actually rather effective, and the Mariners are deluding themselves if they feel Hank is going to cause a sea change in thinking over Jarrod Washburn. MLBTR speculates that the M’s want Brett Gardner or Melky Cabrera.

Bob Dutton of The Kansas City Star writes about the Yanks’ supposed interest in Brian Bannister. He believes that the Yanks could swap Melky Cabrera for Bannister. This would be a trade of two below-average players making no money and wouldn’t serve to make either team better. Brian Bannister, in fact, is probably not an upgrade over Darrell Rasner. If this story contains more than just idle musings, I’d be surprised.

Update on Jarrod Washburn (1:15 p.m.): The game is underway in Toronto, and Jarrod Washburn is on the mound for the Mariners. It seems as though trade talks aren’t as close to completion as has been reported. If Washburn were anywhere close to being dealt, he wouldn’t be pitching today.

According to Jon Heyman, the Yanks and Mariners “may be close” on a deal to bring Jarrod Washburn to New York. The move would be a strict salary dump; the Yanks would take on all of Washburn’s contract and would not send anyone to Seattle. Washburn, a clear upgrade over Sidney Ponson or Darrell Rasner, is scheduled to start tomorrow afternoon’s Mariners-Blue Jay. So keep your eye on the game in Toronto; if Washburn is scratched or removed early, expect him in the Bronx sooner rather than later. We’ll wrap up today’s excellent 10-3 victory over the Red Sox later.

Update: Via MLBTR comes word that the M’s are holding up the deal because they want, according to Ken Rosenthal, a “top prospect.” They could probably draw out a prospect from the Yanks but not a top one in a salary dump. Keep your eye on tomorrow’s probables and the M’s-Jays game for more indications of a possible trade.

You want your rumors; we’ll give your rumors. Or at least, we’ll dispel them. PeteAbe reports that the Yanks are not interested in a catcher or Barry Bonds but are still hoping to land Jarrod Washburn. Jon Heyman writes that the Yanks are “considering” Bronson Arroyo, won’t be able to pry A.J. Burnett from the Jays and said no to a trade with Seattle involving both Melky Cabrera and Brett Gardner. He also says those Robinson Cano rumors have not an ounce of truth to them. So there you go. Have fun.

Based on the rumors, as Ken Rosenthal reports them, the Yankees are interested in upgrading at catcher. Kenny says that Gerald Laird of Texas could be a potential match for the Yanks; we advocated for Josh Bard. Now while Laird has shown some ability to hit this year, his career numbers — .257/.308/.387 — are none too inspiring. >

But the bigger problem is the Yanks’ position. Everyone knows the team is looking for an upgrade over the Molina/Mueller tandem. Why would anyone be willing to sell for a reasonable price? Teams with excess catchers always have the upper hand in trade talks, and the Yanks would be buying from a position of weakness. Don’t expect a move behind the plate.

As rumors continue to mount about a Jarrod Washburn-to-the-Yanks deal, a few developments late last night have me thinking that this won’t be a quick or easy deal. In fact, these sticking points could portend the collapse of a deal with a team notable for its unwillingness to trade. Ken Rosenthal reports that Washburn’s limited no-trade clause may complicate things. Jarrod could veto a deal to the Yanks, according to Rosenthal’s sources, and while one way to placate the lefty would be more cash, the Yanks aren’t going to be too willing to kick more money into Washburn after they pick up his hefty contract.

Meanwhile, Jon Heyman reports that the Mariners may want the Yankees to take Jose Vidro too. Vidro would be dead weight on the Yanks, and his contract complicates these talks as well. Of course, right now, this is all just rumor and conjecture from unnamed sources, but it goes a long way toward illustrated why we as a fanbase shouldn’t put too much stock into these various reports. The Yanks may be kicking the tires on Washburn, but it takes a lot more that interest to seal a deal when millions of dollars are at stake.

You knew this one was coming: The Yanks are having internal discussion on whether or not to pursue Richie Sexson, reports Tyler Kepner. Sexson was recently released by the Mariners because of his .218/.315/.381 season line, but on the Yankees, that would make him a number six hitter. (And, yes, I know he’s hit lefties well this season, but we’re talking 61 ABs. That’s hardly an appropriate sample size.)

Ed Price reports that the Yankees — and Red Sox — are scouting the Rockies’ lefty Brian Fuentes. The soon-to-be 33-year-old Colorado closer has put together a good season and has long drawn the Yanks’ eye. But Price speculates that the price for Fuentes could be the up-and-coming Mark Melancon. Melancon is 4-0 with a 2.34 ERA in 61.2 innings. He has struck out 57 and better than one per inning since moving up to Trenton. Double A opponents are hitting just .167 off of him, and to this rumored trade, I say unequivocally no. N-O.