New York Yankees and New York Mets news and rumors

The Super Bowl is over and pitchers and catchers report in about two weeks.  It is time to look at what has been going on with the New York Yankees and the New York Mets.  There really hasn't been much going on especially with the Mets.  They made their big move early in the offseason and that was it.  They still haven't gotten a shortstop which would lead you to believe they think Wilmer Flores is the answer at short for now.  I don't agree with them but if that is what they believe then so be it.  The Yankees are pretty much set in stone, they have made a bunch of minor moves this off-season and they could make a move for the cuban guys now.  Yoan Moncada is the most notable to keep an eye on.  He is a 19 year old switch hitter who is supposed to be five tool and basically a can't miss guy.  If the Yankees sign him he could be their second baseman or 3B of the future.  He would fit perfectly with their team.  Another young talent that they could have on the team in the next couple of years to go with the Aaron Judge, Greg Bird, Luis Severino crew. 

The New York Yankees did sign Scott Baker to a minor league contract.  He is a veteran who has battled injuries the last couple of years but pitched pretty decent for the Texas Rangers last year out of the bullpen.  He was a long man/spot starter type of pitcher. 

The Yankees have stayed away from the big fish this off-season but James Shields is still out there.  You have to wonder if he would sign a lesser deal now that it seems he isn't going to get the big money he may have gotten earlier in the off-season.  The Yankees haven't been linked to him but you wonder if they would jump in if they could get him for say 75 million instead of over 100 million. 

The Mets rumors were early in the off-season when you heard the Troy Tulowitski rumors mainly.  He isn't going anywhere right now and definitely not to the Mets.  The Mets appear to be going with Ruben Tejada or Flores at SS.  I think they should get a SS but it doesn't look like they will.  Ian Desmond has been another guy they have been linked to but you haven't heard that in at least a couple of weeks so that may be dead now. 

Johan Santana has been working out for teams and you hear the Yankees name in the mix but if anything that would be another minor league contract.  He was throwing though and then shut it down for a little bit due to shoulder soreness so I would think they would pass on him but we will see what happens. 

Alex Rodriguez is the big name for the Yankees and you have heard a lot about him lately.  The main thing is the Yankees trying to avoid his milestone bonuses.  This could get ugly but it doesn't appear Joe Girardi has a part in this or wants to have one.  He spoke over the weekend about him and said they have been talking and considers their relationship good and he just wants to put him and all of his players in the best position to succeed. 

The Mets really haven't had much going on overall and I really don't expect much to happen with them.  Dillon Gee is still on their team and could be traded in the next couple of weeks but not even sure that will happen.  The best news is that pitchers and catchers will be reporting in about two weeks or so and then we can start discussing this more in depth and no more rumors, it will be talking about the players on the field and what is going on with the teams. 

GM Meetings

There really isn't much news out of the meetings. It is really just a precursor to the Winter Meetings next month and with the World Series just ending I think it makes it even that more difficult. The Yankees are going to be really patient. The rumor today by Joel Sherman is that the Yankees are going to look to resign all 3 of Damon, Matsui and Pettitte to 1 year deals. I think Matsui will be gone though and Pettitte will come back for a one year deal but a raise and Damon won't take less then 2 years and they will end up giving it to him. Brian Cashman did say he views Joba and Phil Hughes as starters that can relieve but has them down as starters for now. I really think that is how it is going to be with Alfredo Aceves, Chad Gaudin, Sergio Mitre, Ian Kennedy as backups. I don't think you can have to much pitching but a number 5 starter isn't that important and I think now they have too much invested in Joba as a starter and he has shown signs he just hasn't been consistant. The Red Sox did pick up V-marts option and not Varitek, he may come back for a year but that does seem unlikely now. It will be interesting to see if he is gone how that affects the team since he is their captain. The Mets apparantly were talking to Scott Boras today for an hour about Matt Holliday and some other less important guys. This came via several of the writers, Jon Heyman and Joel Sherman included. The Mariners GM does not look like he will trade Felix Hernandez unless he gets something really substantial. I am also doubting Roy Halladay will be moved but of course those rumors are out there again. If I was the Mets I would swoop in and get Lackey and a good catcher.