General Manager's Almanac...Nov. 12

The New York Yankees appear ready to trade pitcher Jaret Wright to the Baltimore Orioles for relief help. If so, that leaves Randy Johnson and Chien-Ming Wang as the only two sure starters in the Yankees rotation.

The Yankees are also planning to re-sign Mike Mussina to a two-year contract but that still leaves two spots open. They are not counting on Carl Pavano, who has two years left on a four-year, $39.95 million contract but hasn't pitched since June, 2005 because of a variety of injuries.

The Yankees and the Rangers have something in common then. They are both looking for two veteran starting pitchers. They are hardly the only ones and many people still think Barry Zito will end up with the Mets and former pitching coach Rick Peterson.

But when the Yankees are out there with their financial resources looking for the same thing that the Rangers are looking for, it gives an idea of how expensive this all could get.