The Futility Infielder

Uuuugh!

The Yankees' tentative deal with the Montreal Expos for reliever Ugueth Urbina has fallen through, based upon the failure both of Urbina and Yankees prospect Brandon Knight to pass physical exams.

The deal would have brought the Yankees some much-needed relief help, at the expense of a pitching prospect they've already given up on once (Knight) and an infielder only a year-and-a-half removed from breaking a bone in his neck (D'Angelo Jiminez). Jimenez is a legitimate prospect, with better plate discipline than current Yankee rookie Alfonso Soriano but less speed. Had he not been injured, in a car accident, "The Dangler" (as a friend of mine calls him) would have started the 2000 season on the Yankee roster.

It's tough to get too heartbroken about the deal falling through. Urbina was once a top closer in the National League, but he's recovering from two elbow surgeries for bone chips, has performed unspectacularly (0-1, 4.45 ERA, 9 saves), and still can't pitch back-to-back days. Additionally, his agent reported that Urbina would be less than thrilled with accepting a setup role (excuse us, Oogie, but they don't call it the World Series just so they can invite Canada). Help like that isn't too tough to live without.

It's worth noting that Urbina's salary of $4.2 million is considerably more than the Yankees would have had to pay Jeff Nelson ($3 mil). Nelson, the Yanks' top right-handed setup man the past three seasons, signed with Seattle as a free agent after a fine season which nevertheless featured a series of high-profile spats (or what passes for them in today's Bronx Petting Zoo) with Joe Torre and George Steinbrenner. If the balance of power in a league can swing around a setup man, this may be the case; Nelson has bolstered an already strong Seattle bullpen on a team whose torrid start threatens the 1998 Yankees pace, while the Yankees have overused Mike Stanton and Mariano Rivera while watching a parade of lesser lights (Carlos "Extra Crispy" Almanzar, Todd Williams, and a less-than-full-strength Ramiro Mendoza) flop in the righty setup role.

This article reports that the Yanks are trying to move 1B Tino Martinez, who is almost literally on the eve of becoming a 10-5 player and thus able to veto a trade. Martinez is in the midst of a 15-for-103 slump, but the market for underproducing 1Bs isn't too robust these days, and Nick Johnson, Tino's heir apparent, still needs some AAA seasoning.

So it's back to the drawing board for Brian Cashman and company. Hey Brian, call Billy Beane about Jim Mecir, and while you're at it, ask about Jason Giambi...