Coming into this season, 29-year old righty Sergio Mitre had pitched in 90 games (61 starts) in his major league career in which he was 13-26 with a 5.56 ERA and a 1.56 WHIP. He had pretty much failed as both a starting pitcher and a long reliever. It looks as if the Yankees are going to convert him into a short reliever and he has the stuff to succeed in that role. He has pitched in 10 games (2 starts) for the Yankees this year and he is 0-1 with a 2.74 ERA and a 0..96 WHIP. Mitre has only allowed 15 hits in 23 innings this season for the Yankees. With Chad Gaudin on board now to handle the long relief role it will be interesting to see if Mitre continues to adapt well to his new role.

The Yankees have designated 36-year old switch hitting outfielder Randy Winn for assignment. Winn played in 29 games for the Yankees this season and he was 13 of 61 (.213 avg, .595 OPS) with 7 runs scored, 1 homer, 8 RBIs and 1 stolen base. Winn was let go to make room on the active roster for Curtis Granderson who has come off the D.L. Granderson has played in 23 games this season for the Yankees and he is 18 of 80 (.225 avg, .686 OPS) with 10 runs scored, 2 homers, 7 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. There should be some interest in Winn so maybe the Yankees will be able to pull of a trade and get something for him.

UPDATE: (6/5/2010) - Winn has signed with the St. Louis Cardinals ending his time with the Yankees.

The Yankees have signed 27-year old righty reliever/starter Chad Gaudin. Gaudin pitched in 12 games (0 starts) for the A’s earlier this season before he was released and he was 0-2 with a 8.83 ERA and a 1.85 WHIP. Gaudin was one of the Yankees’ last cuts this spring and he pitched decent for them last year. Last season Gaudin pitched in 11 games (6 starts) in which he was 2-0 with a 3.43 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP. Gaudin has now pitched in 228 games (75 starts) in his major league career and he is 34-37 with 2 saves, a 4.62 ERA and a 1.53 WHIP. This was a good move for the Yankees as Gaudin can help them in long relief and make some spot starts if needed.

The Yankees have a few needs and they will likely get involved in the trade market to fill them. The Yankees have needs at DH and in the bullpen. The perfect matchup to fill both needs would be a trade with the Orioles. Luke Scott has the perfect swing for Yankee Stadium and they could use either Mark Hendrickson or Will Ohman. I think the Yankees could definitely get that for Juan Miranda and either Mark Melcanon or Ivan Nova. I think the other team that matches up very well with the Yankees is the Astros. Lance Berkman would definitely help out the Yankees. I think the Yankees could definitely get their hands on Lance Berkman and either Brandon Lyon or Matt Lindstrom. The Astros would probably prefer to move Lyon because of his contract. For Lyon and Berkman I could see the Yankees trading Juan Miranda, Mark Melcanon, David Robertson and Ivan Nova. That would give the Yankees what they need while giving the Astros some nice chips to rebuild with. The Yankees could also give the Royals or Indians a call. Jose Guillen and Kyle Farnsworth could likely be had for Mark Melcanon and Ivan Nova. The Indians would likely trade DH Travis Hafner for Nova, David Robertson or Mark Melcanon. The Yankees look like they are going to have to add some pieces to catch up to the Tampa Bay Rays who look pretty darn good.

27-year old lefty swinging 1B Juan Miranda is getting some P.T. at DH for the Yankees since he has been called up and he is looking good so far as his swing was built for Yankee Stadium. He has played in 8 games for the Yankees this season and he is 5 of 21 (.238 avg, 1.027 OPS) with 5 runs scored, a double, triple, 2 homers and 4 RBIs. Miranda has played in 21 games in parts of three seasons for the Yankees and he is 12 of 40 (.300 avg, 1.021 OPS) with 9 runs scored, 3 homers and 8 RBIs. Miranda is not one of the Yankees’ top prospects but it’s hard for them not to give him at bats based on the way he is hitting right now. Maybe he can play well enough that the Yankees can move him as part of a package for whatever they need at the All-Star break.