$100 Million Burning Hole in Steinbrenner's Pocket

Expect Yankees Co-Chairman Hal Steinbrenner's money to burn a hole in his pocket as he awaits a more than $100 million windfall with which to purchase at least a couple more veteran free agents or three -- plus hold onto younger prospects.

Steinbrenner not only actively seeks help now -- including the possible addition of lefty Jerrod Washburn -- but also next fall when he potentially can trade Kei Igawa then cull Bobby Abreu, Mike Mussina, Kyle Farnsworth, LaTroy Hawkins, Andy Pettitte, Carl Pavano and Jason Giambi from the 40-man roster because the team's debt obligations to them can be retired. That would free up more than $100 million to spend elsewhere.

In addition to Washburn -- available without the loss of prospects because the Triple A Mariners probably want to dump the remainder of his near $50 million five-year contract -- other immediate additions might include righty Vicente Padilla of the Rangers, who could be acquired in exchange for talent.

Milton Bradley Highlights Future Rangers Fire Sale

The Texas Rangers are trying to burn the candle at both ends -- pretending to compete for a playoff berth while at the same time planning to acquire prospects as proceeds from an anticipated fire sale to include outfielder Milton Bradley, pitchers Kevin Millwood, Vicente Padilla and others.

That's the perspective of Fort Worth Star-Telegram columnist Randy Galloway, who says unnamed sources both inside and outside the Rangers organization have hinted as such.

Bradley -- signed only through this year -- is having an outstanding year offensively, but Galloway cautions that his value is hurt by his difficult personality. So how do you market such an individual? Perhaps with comments like this:

"...People talk about his anger issues," says batting coach Rudy Jaramillo. "Well, he’s aiming that anger at pitchers. It’s an intensity that our other guys feed off of. In the clubhouse, or on the field, Milton is a leader for us, and I don’t care what his so-called reputation says. Our players love him. I love him."

As for Padilla, he can be dealt for a "boatload" of prospects because his value will never be higher in light of his career-best first half. But Galloway warns that the team should "never trade any pitcher with this kind of stuff and with age (he’s 30) not a factor."

Millwood's value is tarnished by his huge contract -- up to $23 million including incentives over the next two years --yet "there is interest from other teams," Galloway says.

Outfielder Marlon Byrd and catcher Gerald Laird fall into the "good things come in small packages" category, though Galloway predicts Byrd is more likely to stay with the Rangers as a valuable spare part.