Saturday, January 24, 2009

Yankees to give back

The New York Yankees will be giving back to the community of Tampa March 24. A luncheon will be held at the Tampa convention center and several Yankees including Big Tex,CC,Arod,Jeter will all be on hand signing autographs. This event will benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs. Tickets are on sale and cost 300 for general admission. Andy Petitte and the Yanks are in discussion again about the 1 yr 10.5 million contract the Yanks have offered. It is believed the Yankees are not going to go up with this offer. The question is will Andy just accept it or if he doesn't it appears the Yanks are ready to move on with Hughes heading the pack for that spot in the rotation or they could turn their sights to Sheets. It is believed though that they wouldn't offer him more then 1 yr and I am sure Texas will sign him for 2-3 years. I still expect Andy to come to an agreement, maybe in the next 2 weeks and then the Yankees will be done.

Friday, January 23, 2009

Yanks Moving Day

The New York Yankees moved across the street into the New Stadium today. The ticket office and a couple of other things remain at the old stadium. If you want to see some pics they are on Peter Abrahams blog. http://yankees.lhblogs.com I don't think they are too exciting but take a look and see what you think.

MLB 09: The Show - New Yankee Stadium Tour

Here is the new video game with the New stadium, you will see CC pitching and Tex hitting. This is awesome

Yankee Stadium 2009 Opening Day Presentation

This is a cool video set to the classic New York New York music played after every home game. I hope you guys enjoy, I can't wait until I step foot in this stadium.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Garcia chooses Mets

Freddy Garcia signed a minor league deal with the Mets tonight. He could earn between 8-9million in incentives if he makes the team out of spring training. He is 33 yrs old with a career record of 118-77 with a 4.07era. He has only pitched 73 innings over the last two years though. Prince Fielder is going to sign with the Brewers for 2 yrs and 18million. They are finalizing the deal as we speak. Troy Glaus the St Louis Cardinals third baseman had shoulder surgery and will be out for 12 weeks. Shilling says resign Tek. He says the Bosox are understating his importance that isn't measured in stats. If the catcher doesn't work with the pitchers well then the whole staff will suffer. He is now going to be a regular on WEEI in Boston as he has signed a deal. That is just great so he can rant and rave some more like he does on his blog also. I think shilling is right on this one though, the Sox should really think hard before losing Tek, they will suffer without him.

New York Rangers

The has reached the all star break. The New York Rangers are in a tight battle for the division lead with the New Jersey Devils and Philadelphia Flyers. The Rangers have 60 points 1 point behind the New Jersey Devils who are in the lead and the Flyers have 59 points. I think for not playing so well until lately they are in good shape. I hope they have a great second half and get a good seed and make a nice run in the playoffs. They have been eliminated in the 2nd round for the last 2 years and its time to at least get to the conference finals if not the Cup Finals.

Freddy "The Rock" Garcia

Freddy Garcia has narrowed his choice of teams down to the New York Mets and New York Yankees. It was reported by XM radio today that the Yankees have made an offer but it is not known for how much. I would guess the Mets also made an offer. I hope the Yankees are able to sign him to a minor league deal. If they can't sign him for that then maybe 1 yr 1-2million. I think it is worth the risk, if healthy he can pitch and if he isn't you don't lose too much money on it. I thin then the Yankees could also sign Petitte or someone else for roughly 8 million. They could also just sign Garcia and throw him in the mix with Hughes,Kennedy,Coke,Aceves,Johnson. I think we will know the decision soon and go from there. I am guessing if the Mets do not get him they will go after Sheets. I don't know if you guys get the Rock reference but he is the former wrestler and current movie star Dwayne Johnson. Freddy looks exactly like him so we could all chant Rock at Yankee Stadium.

Keith Law and Top Prospects

Keith Law of ESPN.COM released his second annual ranking of the top 100 prospects in baseball. The players have to have rookie eligibility meaning less then 130AB or 50 innings pitched in the majors and have not spent 45 days on the active roster of a major league club excluding the callups after Sept 1. He has Jesus Montero, Andrew Brackman and Austin Jackson in the list. Dellin Betances just missed the cut. Austin Jackson is #46, Jesus Montero #83, Andrew Brackman#95. It will be interesting to see the kind of season Austin Jackson has because if he does well he could be up with the Yankees at the end of the year and be ready to go for next year. Jesus Montero is only 19 years old and can flat out hit for avg and power. A lot of people still wonder if he will stay as a catcher but for now he is and has improved immensly defensively. Andrew Brackman has a high upside but just came off of TJ surgery and doesn't have much experience. He was topping out at 97 in the winter league but had control issues which is the last thing to come after that surgery. I think Dellin Betances will be on this list next year and its possible that Horne can bounce back and be on this list also. Humberto Sanchez and Mark Melancon are not on this list but can definitely have a big impact this year possibly especially Melancon. I think the yankees system is being a little bit underrated although I do agree they dont have much high end position prospects. Matt Wieters of the Orioles was ranked as the top prospect and it will be interesting to see him play for them this year. David Price was the 2 prospect and we already saw him in the playoffs and know the Yankees will see him this year when he starts for Tampa. Travis Snider is the 5 prospect of the Blue Jays. As you can see the AL East has pretty good young players and lets not forget I expect Wang to be healthy and good again and Cano to bounce back as well as Joba and maybe Hughes having an impact for the Yanks. Lets not forget about Melky and Gardner also. This should be an exciting year for all of these young players.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

MLB News

Jeff Kent retired after a 17 year career, the last four spent with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He is arguably the premier slugging second baseman ever but certainly of his generation. He retires with a career 290 batting avg, 377hrs, 1518rbis, 500 slugging percentage. He has 74 more hrs then the closest second baseman to him which is Ryne Sandberg. Foxsports.com Ken Rosenthal is reporting that Freddy Garcia will either choose the Yankees or Mets for his new team. He reportedly wants a guaranteed contract that way if he doesn't make the team he will still get money. It is assumed he is going to have to take a minor league contract. He has a 118-77 career record with a 4.07 era. I think the Yankees should sign him and hope it works out, this won't necessarily stop them from resigning Petitte. The saying is you never can have enough pitching and it is true especially with Joba being on a limit and AJ Burnett being an injury risk. Omar Vizquel has agreed to a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers and a invite to spring training. Brad Ausmus has agreed to a 1 yr 1 million dollar contract with the Dodgers.

Farm System Rankings

Keith Law of ESPN.com put out his farm system ranking list today. The New York Yankees were ranked 15th. I guess middle of the pack isn't too bad but it definitely was a step down from the last couple of years. Alan Horne,Humberto Sanchez,Andrew Brackman all being hurt last year hurt this ranking and if they all have big years this year as well as Austin Jackson and Jesus Montero this rating will get better. I am not an insider so can't see exactly what he had to say about the Yanks system. I do know the Boston Red Sox were rated 7th. I would watch all the guys I mentioned above as well as guys like Hughes,Melancon who will probably make an impact in the majors this year. The Yankees are a little weak in the positions but watch for Jesus Montero and Austine Romine-two catchers who will be in A and maybe AA at the end of the season. I will try and see if I could get the scouting report he did on the Yankees and then post that. I will also before the season go through the minor league rosters and do a more in depth look at some of the guys.

My Pinch Hitting Post

Here is my pitch hitting post I did for Peter Abraham over at his blog. His blog is http://yankees.lhblogs.com Please check it out if you never have, its a great blog for all Yankees news. I hope you enjoy my post if you haven't seen it on that site. Please comment on it, let me know your thoughts and opinions. I want to thank Peter again for giving me this oppurtunity. Pinch hitting: Yankees And More January 21 January is traditionally a slow month for baseball news. So for the second year in a row, we will showcase other blogs with a series of pinch hitters. Next up is Gary from Yankees And More. Gary is from Wayne, N.J., and works for Passaic County as a social worker. A season-ticket holder and long-time fan. Gary’s favorite Yankee all-time is Don Mattingly. Mariano Rivera is his favorite active player. Here’s his post:——————I have been going to the old Yankee Stadium for the past 25 years. I have seen many things in that time. I have seen Dale Berra and Bobby Meacham getting thrown out at home plate on the same play, Doc Gooden’s no-hitter, playoff and World Series games, Roger Clemens’ 300th win, A-Rods three home run game and many more. The curtain has gone down on the cathedral and it is bittersweet, a few tears were shed but now I am ready for the new Yankee Stadium. The new Yankee Stadium is right across the street, which makes it easier. I have seen the progress of the new Stadium over the past year. I now feel the excitement building, I can’t wait to step foot in the new cathedral in April. The Yankees have not won a world series since 2000 but a new era is starting and with it a new string of Yankees success. Big Tex, CC, and A.J. have made moving into the new Stadium even more exciting. This stadium has the same look as the pre-renovation Yankee Stadium. The new Stadium has a martini bar, steakhouse, museum, more leg room and more vendors and bathrooms where you never have to miss a pitch, since you can still see the field while standing on line. As I write this, I am growing more excited. 2009 is definitely a time for change and it should be a great year. It will be difficult at first to not go right to section 5, tier reserved, row M, seats 7 and 8. I am sure I will take the full tour of all the new stadium has to offer at the exhibitions against the Cubs and be ready for my first game shortly after. There are going to be lots of memories to be made, hopefully a lot more playoffs and World Series wins. I am sure I will see Jeter and Mo have their days, A-Rod break the all time home run record and who knows what else? The great thing about baseball is every time you step foot into the stadium, you never know what history you may witness. I can’t wait to get it all started, a new era is born. I will see you all at the new cathedral.——————Thanks, Gary. Coming tomorrow: John from Sox and Pinstripes.

Joba Chamberlain

I thank Peter Abraham of the Journal news for giving me this idea. Joba Chamberlain and Jon Lester will be appearing together at a function at Sacred Heart University on Tuesday January 27,2009. It will be interesting to see if Joba is the same guy or if he has changed since his DUI arrest. I think he will be the same guy but maybe a little less cocky. I like Joba a lot and he is super important to the Yankees future, in time he will be one of their aces. I met him right before he came up to the Yankees down in Trenton and he was just wonderful. He stayed and signed every autograph, it took probably a good hour. He chatted to everyone, i even told him we will see you soon in NY and he said I hope so. He was just a great kid and it was wonderful meeting him. I think back to me when i was his age without the spotlight on me. What dumb things did I do, im sure many of you can think the same thing, so lets hope he learns from this and is able to just go out there and pitch and help the Yanks win a world series. I welcome your thoughts on this topic and see what everyone else thinks about this?

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Melk does a body good

Melky Cabrera asked for 1.7 million from the Yankees, the Yanks wanted to give him 1.2 million. They settled at 1.4 million. That is a pretty nice raise for a guy who hit 249 last year. He will also have a chance to get an additional 100,000 in incentives from 525 plate appearances to 600. 25,000 each for reaching 525,550,575,600. I think Melky is a better player then he showed last year but he may not even win a starting job this year. That is a lot of money for him but in the Yankees world I guess its pennies.

Pinch Hitting Tomorrow

I just want to remind everyone that I will be pinch hitting tomorrow for Peter Abraham over on his blog. He is a Journal News beat reporter for the Yankees. His blog is at http://yankees.lhblogs.com. Please check me out on there and comment, let me know what you think and all that. This is a great oppurtunity for me and I am very excited about it. I thank Peter for this oppurtunity and hope to hear from you guys tomorrow.

Yanks Avoid Arbitration with Nady

The New York Yankees and OF Xavier Nady have agreed to a 1 yr 6.55 million dollar deal. They have avoided arbitration by agreeing to this deal. The X-man was making 3.5 last year. The Yankees still have Melky and Bruney as arbitrating eligible players.

Monday, January 19, 2009

Yankees in WBC

The provisional rosters for the World Baseball Classic were announced today. The provisional rosters will be paired down from 45 to 28. No one can be added but guys can be taken off. Derek Jeter is going to play for the US and Arod for the Dominican Republic. These two we don't have to worry about, they know what they need to do to get ready for the season. Robinson Cano was on the Dominican roster also along with Melky Cabrera,Jose Veras,Damaso Marte,Edwar Ramirez. I am not sure what I think of Cano being there, it may be good for him to get him kickstarted since he traditionally starts slow but he may end up getting taken off the roster. Melky Cabrera definitely needs to be in camp if he truly wants to compete with Gardner for the CF job. The pitchers are protected, they can get hurt just as easily in spring training. It will be nice to see guys like Humberto Sanchez and Mark Melancon get more looks in spring if Marte, Veras and Ramirez are gone playing in the WBC. Alfredo Aceves is on the roster for mexico, i think he may want to stay with the team also to compete for the long reliever/fifth spot in the rotation. Francisco Cervelli is on the roster for Italy, yes Italy don't ask me. I do think that some of these guys will be in spring training and not end up participating but we will see. It is nice to see that the Yankees were able to keep Mo,Posada,Matsui,Wang from playing since they were hurt last year. So much for all those rumors about Jorge playing for Puerto Rico.

Jets find their new Coach

The Jets and now former Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator have agreed to a 4 year contract. Details of the contract were not yet released. He was obviously at the top of their list and they had to wait unti Baltimore was eliminated from the playoffs. He has been the Ravens defensive coordinator for the last four years. He is also the son of former coach Buddy Ryan. The New York Giants have announced their new defensive coordinator. Bill Sheridan the linebackers coach has been promoted. This seems like an easy step up adn better then bringing someone new in that doesn't know the system at all. The players are comfortable with him and it should be a very easy adjustment.

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Pittsburgh Steelers-The one i had right

The Pittsburgh Steelers punched their ticket to Super Bowl 43 tonight. I think that was the only team that I had right all the way. The Giants should of been playing them in 2 weeks but oh well they didn't hold up their end of the bargain. Congratulations to the Steelers, at least the Mara family is somewhat happy. The Rooneys owners of the Steelers and Maras are intramarried and therefore are happy with the Steelers. Big Ben in another Super Bowl, how about that class of QBs Big Ben,Eli and Philip Rivers, not too shabby. Super Bowl 43 in 2 weeks Arizona and Pittsburgh let the hype begin.

Arizona in the Super Bowl-Are you Kidding

I want to congratulate the Arizona Cardinals on making their first ever Super Bowl. I don't think there is anyone out there that predicted them to be going to the Super Bowl. The Cubs have gone 100 years without winning a title, well the Cardinals are behind them going 61 years without a title. Kurt Warner now can cement himself as almost a sure hall of famer with another Super Bowl title. I don't know how many people have paid attention to Larry Fitzgerald but after these playoffs everyone knows his name now. He is really amzing, quickly becoming one of my favorites to watch. Ok I am going back to watching the AFC title game, everyone enjoy. I will be back later with comments on that game.

Thanks Spags

The New York Giants lost their defensive coordinator when he was hired by the St Louis Rams yesterday. Steve Spagnuolo got a four year deal worth 11.5 million. This will be his first head coaching job and we wish him well. The Giants most likely will promote one of their other defensive coaches to take over this position. The Giants really liked Spags but knew this was coming and I am sure they will adjust fine to life without him. The more pressing issue for the Giants will be if they bring Plax back or get another top reciever.
 

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