Yankees ask about Zambrano; Mets frustrated

• In the latest bit of news about the Yankees' search for a starting pitcher, Mike Puma of the New York Post states that New York asked the Cubs about Carlos Zambrano, but balked at the asking price. The hot-tempered Zambrano is due to make $17.875 million in 2010, and $53.75 million total over the final three years of his contract. The 28-year old right-hander also has a $19.25 million vesting player option in 2013. One would assume that Chicago asked the Yankees for one of Philip Hughes or Joba Chamberlain plus top catching prospect Jesus Montero, as Geovany Soto, the 2008 NL Rookie of the Year, struggled mightily in 2009.
  
• Should nothing develop on the Zambrano front, the Yankees have numerous other options to turn to, although none of them are too appealing. As stated yesterday, Joel Pineiro and Jason Marquis are potential targets in free agency, but Pineiro is looking for a four-year deal and Marquis probably would not be much of an upgrade over Chad Gaudin. The Braves are rumored to be shopping Derek Lowe, but being that he has $45 million due over the final three years of his contract, it seems unlikely that New York would pursue him. Another possibility is Aaron Harang, who is due $25.25 million over the next two years but comes with a $2 million buyout option in 2011.
  
• The Mets are getting tired of waiting for Jason Bay and Bengie Molina to make their decisions, according to Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post. New York recently offered Bay a four-year deal worth somewhere in the neighborhood of $65 million, but Bay is said to be looking for five years. The Mets offered Molina two years and $10 million, which is a far cry from the three-year, $20 million contract he is searching for. Should neither player come down on their demands relatively soon, New York will have to look elsewhere. As far as catchers go, the Mets have also been linked to Yorvit Torrealba.
  
• Texas has signed reliever Darren Oliver to a one-year deal worth a guaranteed $3.5 million. The contract comes with a 2011 vesting option, however, that could push the total amount to $6.5 million.
  
• The Marlins made a small signing today, inking infielder Danny Richar to a minor-league contract. Florida may view the left-handed hitting Richar as a potential replacement for pinch-hitting extraordinaire Ross Gload, who recently departed for Philadelphia via free agency.