Cashman made his first big move of the offseason, with the trading partner being the WHite Sox.The deal: Wilson Betemit, and two minor league pitchers (Jeff Marquez and Jhonny Nunez) for Nick Swisher and Kanekoa Texeira (in case you’re wondering, Kanekoa’s a Hawaiian). A pretty good deal for the Yankees, to say the least. Swisher’s still young and can hit, he just had a down year last season. Averaging 26 homers for his entire career is pretty decent, and the Yanks didn’t give up much. (Although I’ll miss that platoonin’ Betemit).

Derek Jeter Friday revealed he had spoken to Sabathia — the Yankees’ top target in free agency — in recent weeks about playing in pinstripes.

Many believe Sabathia prefers to stay in the National League, where he helped pitch the Milwaukee Brewers into the playoffs after being traded from the Cleveland Indians. But the fact that Sabathia picked Jeter’s brain should give the Yankees hope of landing the ace lefty.

“He’s asked questions, yeah, about it,” said Jeter, who got to know Sabathia as an opponent and All-Star Game teammate. “I’ll leave it at that.

“I’m not trying to sell anyone on New York. I don’t think you have to sell people on playing in this organization. People have questions, but it’s not like I have a sales pitch.”

This could be the final key of the Sabathia hunt. We all know Jeter’s an intelligient guy, and Sabathia should be wise enough to follow his cue. I expect a big name signing soon, and by December, Sabathia could be wearing pinstripes. How exciting.

39-year old Mike Mussina, who just came off a spectacular 2008 season in which he won 20 games, procured his seventh career Gold Glove award. Kudos to you, Moose. You should really consider coming back to the Yanks in ’09, now.

Enough of that, let’s put the politics aside. It’s time for some new updates about the Yankees.

CC SABATHIA. This offseason’s biggest pitching prize finally met with the Yankees. Well, of course Sabathia didn’t go in person. Rather, he sent his agents to meet with the Yankees. Of course, this bit of news comes from our favorite Ken Davidoff.

Orlando Hudson. This is an interesting case. Originally, the Hudson scenerio was created when Robinson Cano was rumored to be included in trades. Hudson would become the Yankees’ starting second baseman if that happens. However, with Cashman saying Cano is staying put in the Bronx, what’s the point in signing Hudson? Jon Heyman says that the Yankees COULD convert Hudson into a centerfielder. We all know Hudson’s athletic, but changing positions from the infield all the way to the outfield? No way…

JAKE PEAVY. Drumroll, please. The ongoing saga of ace Jake Peavy continues. Although the Yankees are now officially included in the hunt for Peavy, Barry Axelrod, Peavy’s agent, has not confirmed that his client would approve a deal to the American League (to the Yankees.) Axelrod also said that Peavy would require extra “stuff” to convince him to play in the Bronx. “Stuff” most likely means an extension, which, of course, is MONEY. Everyone’s greedy nowadays, but I guess that’s an example of the good lives aces get.

That’s all for today. See you next time!

Mitre’s last employer was the Florida Marlins, who released him after he underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery. Mitre, who turns 28 in February, should be ready by midseason of 2009.

From Yankees.com:

Mitre, who turns 28 in February, is recovering from Tommy John ligament replacement surgery in July and was a member of Girardi’s stable in 2006, when both were in Florida Marlins uniforms.

“We’ve agreed in principle to a Minor League contract,” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. “He’s rehabbing from Tommy John and he’s on a Minor League contract, so it doesn’t really affect anything on the Major League side. We hope someday it could.”

The Major League portion of Mitre’s contract is for $1.25 million, and there is a team option for 2010.

Due to the severe surgery on his right elbow, Mitre may not be ready to pitch until midseason, according to his agent, Matt Sosnick. Normal recovery time from Tommy John surgery is 12-18 months.

“About eight teams showed interest,” Sosnick said. “The Yankees showed the most interest.”

When healthy, Mitre has tremendous upside. He could be a key contributor for New York in the second half, working either out of the rotation or in the bullpen.

This move seems like a low-risk, high-reward kind of acquistation. Anyway, with Damaso Marte probably departing, it makes sense to cash in some insurance in a young pitcher, such as Mitre.

Too bad it won’t happen. The Yankees have a lot of outfielders under control for 2009, such as Xavier Nady, Brett Gardner, Melky Cabrera, etc. Also, Jorge Posada’s future isn’t certain either, so he might have to DH for a big chunk of the season, leaving out outfielder-DH players. (AJax, anyone?)

I admit Abreu is a good offensive force even though he’ll be 35 come 2009. Still, his defense lacks polish, compared to other right fielders. In fact, Abreu was one of the worst defensive outfielders last season. The Yankees still plan to offer Abreu arbitration, though. The least Bobby can do is net us some draft picks…

It was like a scene out of a James Bond movie last week, as Madonna and Alex Rodriguez secretly jetted off in two private helicopters for a quick and cozy rendezvous in the Hamptons, Page Six has learned.

Instead of booking a motel room, the two headed straight to Jerry Seinfeld’s waterfront mansion, where they relaxed in luxury for several hours.

“The Seinfelds have been friends with Madonna for years. They’re neighbors on the West Side, so it’s really no surprise,” said an insider. “And Jerry and [wife] Jessica go to her concerts whenever she’s in town.”

Our spies say the clandestine East End meeting between soon-to-be-divorced Madge and freshly single A-Rod occurred on Oct. 21. A chopper carrying the Yankee slugger was seen landing in East Hampton, where he was picked up in a white Porsche 911 matching the description of Jessica’s car.

Less than 40 minutes later, another helicopter that took off from Chelsea Piers with Madonna aboard landed at the same airstrip.

“A dark SUV and Jerry in another Porsche both pulled up and picked up Madonna and they headed back to Jerry’s place,” a witness told us. “When they arrived at the Seinfeld home, Madonna poked her head out the window and could be clearly seen.”

It’s not known what the Bronx Bomber, 33, and the Material Mom, 50 – who insist they are just friends – did during their stay at Seinfeld’s 12-acre spread.

“About four hours later, the dark SUV left the house and took them all back to the airport. Madonna and the Seinfelds could clearly be seen getting out and piling into the copter that had taken Madonna there in the first place. They left together,” our witness said. “Several minutes later, the helicopter that carried A-Rod also left.”

Leave it to A-Rod to turn Seinfeld’s mansion into a no-tell short-stay.

Well, this affair better end quickly. If they want to hook up forever, go ahead. Kevin Long needs to get those Winter Workouts with Alex started again.

Here’s the scoop, via New York Post:

Hank Steinbrenner said the Yankees will explore all options during the offseason, including the possibility of making an offer to free-agent slugger Manny Ramirez.

“There’s nothing we are not looking at,” Steinbrenner said today at the Yankees’ spring training complex. “And personally, I like Manny. He’s one of the greatest hitters in the history of the game. He’s a free spirit for sure, but he knows how to win. We like some of the other guys, too. We just don’t know yet.”

Ramirez was traded from Boston to the Dodgers on July 31, and Los Angeles is expected to attempt to re-sign the high-priced outfielder.

I still say Manny is a bad option. Getting him would be like receiving a slightly better version of Bobby Abreu. Why not go after outfielders like Pat Burrell or Adam Dunn instead?

Here’s the latest scoop.

When I saw this rumor, I was positively shocked. We all know Kennedy stinks, but now people are saying that Willy Taveras for Ian Kennedy is a fair trade!

No way I would accept that proposal. Taveras can’t solve the Yanks’ center field solutions just yet. Yes, he’s fast and steals a ton of bases, but base-stealing ain’t our main concern for centerfielders (although it’d be nice to get a runner in scoring position—but what’s the point if A-Rod just swings and misses?) If the Yanks want to deal Kennedy to the Rockies, Kennedy should be included only in a trade for Matt Holliday or Garret Atkins (first base.)