ESPN is reporting that the New York Yankees have now turned their attention to free-agent right-hander Justin Duchscherer as they look for options to fill out a starting rotation that seems likely to be without Andy Pettitte in 2011.
Duchscherer would likely be a low-cost option, and an excellent gamble. The 33-year-old made the AL All-star team twice with Oakland, as a reliever in 2005 and as a starter in 2008.
The 33-year-old has a career record of 33-25 over eight seasons with a 3.13 ERA. He has battled depression in the past, however, and pitched just 28 innings the past two seasons due to injuries.
The Yankees are also looking for a right-handed hitting outfielder, and seem to be targeting Andruw Jones for that role. Jones, 33, hit .230 with 19 home runs and 48 RBI for the Chicago White Sox in 2010. Other candidates for the job include Marcus Thames, who was with the Yankees a year ago, and Johnny Damon. Jones may be a better fit because he is a better fielder than either Thames or Damon, and because Damon hits left-handed.