Cashman: Don't expect deadline dealings

The Yankees might not do much as the trade deadline approaches, but that doesn't mean they don't have reinforcements coming.

CC Sabathia, Andy Pettitte, Joba Chamberlain and Brett Gardner are all expected to feature for the Bombers at some point down the stretch -- and even star closer Mariano Rivera hasn't given up hope about playing again this season.

"That's my goal," Rivera, 42, said in an interview with ESPN radio yesterday. "Focused, optimism, confidence. If the Lord allows it to happen it will happen."

General manager Brian Cashman told reporters that the Yankees -- currently sitting pretty in first place in the AL East -- were just fine going forward with their current roster, and wouldn't look to make a major deal in advance of the July 31 trade deadline.

He cited the success of the team without its injured regulars, and of bit players like Andruw Jones and Raul Ibanez as reasons not to pursue any deadline deals.

"Not as an insult to Brett Gardner but we haven't missed him," Cashman said. "He's a huge asset that we can use, but have we missed him? No. Have we missed Joba? No. Is he a huge (asset)? Yes. So all these guys right now can only make us better and give us more choices." --(Michael Cunniff)