Yankee Notes: Cervelli talks, Campos optioned, Panama roster

By: Gavin Ewbank | Lead Writer

During the Yankees' 6-0 win over the Baltimore Orioles Thursday afternoon, the YES Network's Jack Curry noted that while a handful of teams have been scouting likely backup catcher Francisco Cervelli this spring, not a single team has made a trade call to Brian Cashman.

Curry added that it could change overnight and the Yankees could have three callers on the phone tomorrow morning in any scenario.

We've know for about the past week that teams have been watching the team's excess catching depth, including the Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago White Sox. The Arizona Diamondbacks are said to be looking for a big league ready backup, and could be interested, too.

After winning the backup job last spring only to get hurt in late-April, missing the rest of the season, Cervelli has essentially picked up right where he left off, hitting very well and playing good defense so far this spring.

We're about halfway through the exhibition schedule and I find it hard to believe that there is even a competition for the backup catcher role anymore, given how well Cervy has played.

At this point, even though the Yankees have holes they could help fill with a trade, keeping Cervy for the big league club and sending Austin Romine and John Ryan Murphy would be best for the club.

Besides, Cervelli is out of options, which takes away from his value, and any trade would likely be for another player out of options, so you're not getting much from trading away a player that can really help the ballclub this year.

Another sent down: The Yankees announced during today's games that RHP Jose Campos was optioned to High-A Tampa, and RHP Bryan Mitchell was sent to Triple-A Scranton.

Campos made his spring debut for the Bombers yesterday in Tampa and threw a scoreless inning against the Detroit Tigers, giving up a hit.

Mitchell only appeared in one game for the Yankees this spring, pitching two scoreless innings, giving up three hits. As Chad Jennings of Lohud noted, he's been sent to Triple-A, but that doesn't mean it's where he'll start the season.

Panama rosters: The Yankees have announced the full travel squad for the two-game series in Panama this weekend against the Miami Marlins, put together to honor Mariano Rivera. This roster stands as follows.

Pitchers: Bruce Billings, Cesar Cabral, Robert Coello, Preston Claiborne, Matt Daley, Chris Leroux, Jim Miller, David Robertson, CC Sabathia, Yoshinori Tateyama, Adam Warren, Chase Whitley.

Catchers: Francisco Cervelli, John Ryan Murphy, Jose Gil.

Infielders: Dean Anna, Derek Jeter, Corban Joseph, Jose Pirela, Yangervis Solarte, Zelous Wheeler.

Outfielders: Zoilo Almonte, Carlos Beltran, Adonis Garcia, Brett Gardner, Antoan Richardson, Alfonso Soriano.

The list of players I have also includes Gary Sanchez as a backup catcher, but he was optioned to Double-A Trenton a couple days ago. So that might just be on there by mistake.

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