Joel Sherman at the Post reported that the Yankees would select Dodgers outfielder Jamie Hoffmann with the first pick in the Rule 5 draft, acquired from the Nationals for Brian Bruney.

Hoffmann, 25, played in 14 games for the Dodgers last season, hitting .182 (4 for 22). In 97 games between Double-A and Triple-A in the minors, he hit .291 with a .390 OBA and 10 home runs. Sherman says that the Dodgers are happy the Yankees picked him, because they do not think Hoffmann will be able to maintain a spot on the Yankees 25 man roster all season. If he can't, the Yankees will be forced to offer him back to the Dodgers. From the Yankees end, according to Sherman, the team is looking at Hoffmann possibly as a defensive specialist, pinch running guy. "A stronger, slower Brett Gardner," he writes.

Meanwhile, Joseph Pawlikowski at River Ave. Blues reports that the Yankees lost pitchers Zach Kroenke (Diamondbacks) and Kanekoa Texeira (Mariners).

Last November, Texeira came over in the Nick Swisher deal.