Before trading for Javier Vazquez, the Yankees spoke with the Cubs, Phillies and Reds about Carlos Zambrano, Cliff Lee and Aaron Harang, respectively. This, according to a report by Joel Sherman at the post.

Zambrano's salary was the biggest problem with him, while Harang's salary and health were issues, too. Sherman says that when considering Lee, they found that the Phillies wanted to get him as far away from their fan base as possible, hence shipping him to the west coast.