The New York Yankees become very active on a Friday

The New York Yankees had completed a minor trade and made a couple of small signing so far this off-season.  Well with all the fanbase and media kind of waiting and yelling for the Yankees to do something they woke up on a Friday.  The Yankees made a three team trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Detroit Tigers to land their shortstop and they also signed the top reliever on the market in Andrew Miller.  David Robertson who is their own closer and the top one on the board no doubt but Miller had a better year last year as a setup man.  The Yankees aren't out on Robertson yet though even though it would seem that way. 

I will start with the three way trade first.  The Yankees acquired Didi Gregorius who is 24 years old and under team control until 2020 and making around 500,000.  They gave up Shane Greene who went to the Detroit Tigers and the Tigers traded a pitcher to the Diamondbacks.  Gregorius is known for his glove which is plus but not so much for his hitting.  He does have some pop and should be able to hit 10+ homeruns with the short porch in Yankee Stadium.  He has a very high hard hit ball rate which would indicate his average last year was some bad luck.  He also may have needed a change of scenery  with the Diamondbacks not playing him every day as they had some other good shortstop prospects.  He may sit against some tough lefties early on but could end up as the full time shortstop very quickly.  Brendan Ryan is the backup and he could see some time against lefties but we will see. 

Andrew Miller has been dominant in the bullpen over the last three years.  He was a big prospect who signed with the Detroit Tigers but was a failed starter.  He is basically the left handed version of Dellin Betances and that is pretty scary stuff.  The Yankees are still talking to their closer David Robertson but if they do lose him they would have Miller and Betances for the last 6-9 outs and they still have Shawn Kelley, Justin Wilson and Adam Warren if he isn't in the rotation.  Jacob Lindgren is a lefty prospect who they also love who could be pitching in the majors this year also.  If the Yankees do sign Robertson though also they will have a super pen with he, Miller and Betances to lock down the final three or four innings.  It appears the Yankees strategy this winter is run prevention and they see that by getting better defensively at short and also by pitching especially in the bullpen.  The Yankees figure that if they are going to get better offensively it will be by the players they signed last year in Brian McCann and Carlos Beltran and also from Mark Teixeira, Alex Rodriguez and a full year of Martin Prado.  They also are very high on prospects Jose Pirela and Rob Refsnyer who could be competing for the starting second base job. 

New York Yankees news and notes

The New York Yankees have been pretty quiet so far this offseason.  They did sign Chris Young to a one year 2.5 million dollar deal before last week GM meetings took place.  David Robertson did turn down the qualifying offer last Monday as expected.  He seems to have a lot of suitors but it doesn't mean he won't return to the Yankees.  I would still bet on that happening although I didn't think Robinson Cano would leave last year either. 

The Yankees did make a minor trade last week and also signed a very minor player also last week.  They traded fan favorite Francisco Cervelli to the Pittsburgh Pirates for left handed reliever Justin Wilson.  I think this was a good move because they had a surplus of catchers and Cervelli is a career backup with a big injury history.  They are very high on their minor league catchers such as John Ryan Murphy and Austin Romine and then Gary Sanchez is considered their number one prospect and this should open up the AAA starting catcher spot for him.  Romine and Murphy will battle it out for backup catcher in spring training although Romine is out of options.  It appears that Murphy has the edge for the spot but we will have to wait and see.  As for Wilson he has very good stuff and is young and controllable right now.  The Yankees do have some left handed relievers in the minors they are very high on.  Wilson though is more of a proven commodity, I wouldn't rule out Jacob Lindgren making the team along with Wilson.  Wilson was 3-4 with a 4.20 ERA 70 appearances last season with the Pirates.  He is 6'2  and in three major league seasons is 9-5 with a 2.99 ERA. 

The other minor move that they made was picking up Jose De Paula on a one year split contract.  He will receive 510,000 if he appears in the majors and 175,000 in the minors.  He was with AAA Fresno in the San Francisco Giants organization last season.  De Paula went 4-3 with a 4.21 ERA.  He has never appeared in the majors but the Yankees like his stuff and he will have a chance to compete for a starting spot.  If not he will be AAA insurance.  This is one of those moves that can't hurt, if it works out great and if not then you didn't lost much. 

The Yankees are talking with Robertson and they have made offers to Chase Headley and Brandon McCarthy from what I understand but they are in wait and see mode.  It appears that if Headley doesn't resign with them then Martin Prado will be their third baseman with Rob Refsnyder and Jose Pirela battling it out for second base.  If no McCarthy the Yankees could look at other middle tier alternatives such as Jason Hammell. 

New York Yankees Hot Stove notes

New York Yankees Hot Stove notes


The New York Yankees officially announced a two-year deal with Brendan Ryan. There is a third year option. He is a defensive whiz who played a lot of SS for them at the end of last year. He is insurance for Derek Jeter. They are giving him two million a year and the third year option is for one million.

The Yankees apparently extended an offer to Hiroki Kuroda. It is for one year and 15-16 million. He takes his time and the Yankees know that but they are really trying to entice him. He has been very good for the Yankees the last two years. He has burned out at the end of the year but the Yankees have enough pitching that they could protect him more now. This would be a big signing for the Yankees considering they only have CC Sabathia and Ivan Nova as sure bets. They want Tanaka from Japan but don’t know when and if he will be posted. If they have CC, Nova and Kuroda they can fill out the other two spots with Phelps, Pineda, Warren, Nuno and feel comfortable.

The Yankees traded what ended up as their starting catcher last year. Chris Stewart is headed to the Pittsburgh Pirates for a player to be named later. He was a guy that most likely would have been non-tendered so instead they traded him getting something for him. It will most likely be a single A player.

The Yankees non-tendered David Adams who was a huge disappointment last year when he got his chance. Matt Daley and Jayson Nix were the other two players who were non-tendered. There were no surprises with this.

How about Robinson Cano, the Yankees and him remain about 80 million apart. He wants somewhere in the neighborhood of nine years and 250-260 million. The Yankees have offered him seven years and 160-170 million. I expect the Yankees and him to eventually come to an agreement but I don’t think the Yankees are going to budge much. They may go to 8 years and 200 million. He could find a team but right now there doesn’t appear to be any other team.

R.A. Dickey is traded to the Toronto Blue Jays

The New York Mets traded the ace of their staff and 2012 Cy young award winner. It seems like that wouldn’t be a good idea. I think the Mets actually did the right thing though and made out well for themselves. They got two of the Blue Jays top three prospects and they traded a 38 year old knuckle ball pitcher who is coming off of his best season. He was good in New York but never close to as good as he was last season. It is hard seeing him duplicate that performance and his value will never be higher. 
The Mets are a team that has been bad for a while, they are stocking up their farm system now and hoping that within the next couple of years they will make an impact and lead them back to the postseason and beyond. The Mets have the makings of some very good and talented players. They have a good young pitching staff and Dickey if not part of the long term future would just be blocking one of the youngsters. The Mets need some outfield help and need as much money as possible to concentrate on that. They are set in the infield and pitching staff, they could maybe use some bullpen help also but that may come from within as well.

The Mets got top catching prospect Travis d’Arnaud, major league catcher John Buck, pitching prospect Noah Syndergaard and minor leaguer Wuilmer Becerra. Here is what Mets GM Sandy Alderson had to say. “It was an extraordinary privilege for us to be part of his career over the past three years.” “The final chapter has not been written, but it has been an extraordinary career, arcing from disappointment to jubilation.”

The Mets also sent catchers Josh Thole and Mike Nickeas to the Blue Jays. The Mets catching situation was not good at all and although d’Arnaud has had injury problems he is considered the top catching prospect in all of baseball and the Mets are willing to bet he will make the team before long and be their catcher for a long time. Dickey came out on twitter and wrote a nice message to the Mets fans.

If you are wondering Dickey is the seventh Cy Young Award winner to open the following season with a new team and fourth to be traded.

New York Yankees moves and a big trade in baseball

The New York Yankees have signed Kevin Youkilis to play third base for them in 2012. Alex Rodriguez is their third baseman but he is having hip surgery and will miss at least half the season. If Rodriguez comes back in half a season who knows how he will be and if he can play the field anymore. I know that Youkilis is one of the most hated players to go against the Yankees for all those years in Boston. The signing though one year for 12 million is not a bad move in my opinion. I would say he was clearly the best option out there, he is not as good as he used to be but he still hits lefties and can get on base. He walks a lot and gets hit by pitches. It will be interesting to see how he is received by Yankees fans and of course how they react in Boston to him.

Ichiro Suzuki hasn’t officially signed yet but he is coming back to the Yankees. The only question now is if he is coming back for a year, a year and an option or two years which is being rumored. Ichiro has a chance of reaching 3000 hits and the Yankees may tie bonuses to his contract if he does that. I like the move with Ichiro to be the right fielder, he does so many things right. He also brings that speed element which I think is so important. I think the Yankees will have a different offensive team next year. They will have to create more runs which in the long run is good for them. They have become too reliant on the homerun and that has cost them in the postseason. I think the Yankees will also sign a right handed outfielder to complement Ichiro but we will see. Scott Hairston is an option.

There was also a big three way trade in baseball on Tuesday between the Cleveland Indians, Arizona Diamondbacks and Cincinnati Reds. The Indians got Drew Stubbs a center fielder, right handers Trevor Bauer, Matt Albers and Bryan Shaw. Shin-Soo Choo has been the right fielder for pretty much the last seven years for the Indians. He went to the Reds, Jason Donald and 3.5 million also went to the Reds. Tony Sipp a reliever and first baseman Lars Anderson went to Arizona. It looks like Cleveland may have gotten the upper hand in this deal but we will wait and see how it all plays out.

Yankees Notes from the GM Meetings

Here is some notes from the GM meetings courtesy of the Lohud Yankees Blog.  I put my own thoughts mixed in there.  It really is laying the groundwork because no real trades or anything get done but this will set up the Winter meetings where most of the action takes place. 

Surrounded by media standing four or five deep, Scott Boras just spoke in the hotel lobby and left little doubt that his client, Rafael Soriano, will decline the Yankees qualifying offer.

“Most qualifying offers are really for players of the highest value,” Boras said. “When teams make them, they’re acknowledging the value and other teams know that, as well. I don’t anticipate many players accepting single-year contracts that are in that arena.”
  I would agree that for the most part they won't take the offer.  I don't think the Yankees want him too take it though, they just wanted to protect themselves from him leaving. 
As for current value, Boras made the case that Soriano might have been the difference in some teams making or missing the playoffs this season, and he played up the idea that the Yankees shouldn’t easily let go of such late-inning comfort.

“If you look at the Angels, Dodgers, White Sox, Milwaukee; those teams would have been in the playoffs if they had a closer that had the efficiency rating of Soriano,” Boras said. “The Yankees took advantage of that. If that was a really good business decision for the Yankees two years ago, and it proved to be so valued today, it certainly would be a wiser decision when (Mariano) Rivera is older and coming off an injury.”  It sounds wise but the Yankees are trying to get under the cap and also Soriano wants to close and he won't be a closer with the Yankees unless Rivera gets hurt. 

Brian Cashman said he hasn’t heard and hasn’t asked whether Soriano, Nick Swisher or Hiroki Kuroda will accept or decline their qualifying offers — “We’d be very happy (if they accept), let’s put it that way,” Cashman said — but it’s becoming clear that the Yankees are setting priorities this offseason. One-year deals are one thing, but with $189 million in mind for next year, the Yankees have to pick and choose where they allocate funds.  It sounds like tonight that Swisher and Soriano will definitely decline, Kuroda is still up in the air. 

That alone might be enough to keep the Yankees out of the Soriano bidding should he hit the open market.

“It would be great if we had them both (Soriano and Rivera),” Cashman said. “The only bad side to having them both — and I don’t have Mo, and I don’t have Soriano (right now) — but obviously it would affect dollars to be spent elsewhere. But bullpens are big time, so do I have to replace him? I think it’s relative to how that would impact the other side of it.”

Boras certainly sounded as if he’s not expecting to come to terms on a contract extension for Robinson Cano any time soon. “He’s there for another year,” Boras said. “I talked to Randy (Levine) a few times this week. I talked to Cash. These are things that, I’m sure as time goes forward, we’ll continue to talk about. But nothing current.”

Just to be clear, Cashman said that if Soriano does happen to accept the qualifying offer, he has no problem with paying both Soriano and Rivera closer money next season. “That would happen,” Cashman said. “If he accepts, yeah, absolutely. We made that decision when we tendered the offer.”

Because Tino Martinez was serving as a senior advisor in the Yankees organization, he had to receive permission to interview for the Marlins hitting coach job. “You combine the great player with that type of experience in seeing how things get done, and I think he’s got a tremendous amount to offer,” Cashman said.  I am sure they are happy he went to Miami and not Boston. 

The Yankees never talked about making Martinez their hitting coach. “We didn’t have any vacancies,” Cashman said. “The Yankees, we’ve been blessed to have some tremendous hitting coaches, from Don Mattingly to Kevin Long, so it’s not an area that’s needed to be addressed at all.”

Although he hasn’t asked whether Kuroda will accept a qualifying offer, Cashman said he has spoken to Kuroda’s agent. “Yes,” Cashman said. “I wouldn’t say, and I couldn’t say (what exactly the conversation was about).”  I have a feeling Kuroda will come back but if he gets a two year offer somewhere and it is pretty significant money you never know he could go there. 

Just something to keep in mind: Ken Davidoff brought up that the $189 million luxury tax threshold includes more than player salary. There’s a certain amount of money — something around $10-12 million, Cashman said — that’s automatically factored in for things like travel expenses. So in terms of player contracts, the Yankees have to get closer to $177 million to stay below the luxury tax.

Cashman dismissed the idea that the Yankees can’t get better while also working to control spending. “Didn’t we get better this year?” he said. “Ninety-five wins. Won the American League East. Went farther in the playoffs (than the year before). Got older, probably. … Improved flexibility. Kept financial costs in check. Lined ourselves up for the long term going that route in certain areas, and we’re better.”  I agree with him, pitching is the most important, they still have a lot of good players and if they get good bench players and have good pitching they will be fine. 

Yankees news and notes

The New York Yankees made their big splash of the offseason the other day and it was in a 45 minute span.  Other then that they have been quiet and continue to be quiet.  There have been some rumors the last couple of days because the Yankees appear to have a need for a DH now.  Jesus Montero was expected to fill that role this season but is now out in Seattle.  The Yankees do have Andruw Jones back on the team and may still resign Eric Chavez, could they fill the role along with the veterans on the team the Yankees like to put in that position at times to give them a rest in the field??  I would say they could but the Yankees appear to be shopping for a bat but one they can sign to a very limited one year contract.  I would say something like one year for three million maybe, if even that much.  Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui and Carlos Pena are all still out there, who would you like the Yankees to get??  How about Jorge Vazquez who has been in AAA and mashed the ball throughout his minor league career.  Could the Yankees trade one of their pitchers like Phil Hughes or A.J. Burnett and get a bat or free up some more money to go and sign someone or jump in on the Prince Fielder sweepstakes. 

I personally think they may just sign someone like Johnny Damon for one year and see what happens.  I think they have enough offense and feel they will be fine there.  The biggest need they have had in the last couple of years was pitching and they have seemed to solve that problem with a trade and a signing.  The Yankees other then that don't have much else to do except get ready for spring training next month. 

The Yankees did officially announce a one year deal with Phil Hughes today to avoid arbitration.  It was one year for 3.2 million.  I wonder if this helps his value in a potential trade, I would think so because he still is the guy that won 18 games a couple of years ago and was a first round pick and major prospect not that long ago.  That contract is very cheap and could be enticing to some team out there looking for young pitching.  The Yankees could still keep him though and put in the bullpen, he would be easier to trade then Burnett though I would assume for obvious reasons. 

New York Yankees vs. Texas Rangers-Lineup and Notes

The New York Yankees will begin a three game series with the Texas Rangers tonight weather permitting.  It has been raining off an on and right now it is raining.  The tarp is on the field at Yankee Stadium.  It will be C.C. Sabathia vs. Alexi Ogando if the game is played.  The Yankees have some things going on and here is the news and notes and also their lineup for the game. 

The Yankees will decide at 6:00PM if Derek Jeter will go to the disabled list or not.  He is trying to talk his way out of it and the Yankees are leaning that way.  The Yankees don't want to be shorthanded going to the National League parks starting this weekend.  The pitchers have to bat so there are more bench players used in the games.  Jeter feels he may only miss five or six days but the best bet is probably for him to go on the 15 day disabled list where he hasn't been since 2003.  The Yankees either way will be calling up Ramiro Pena, Eduardo Nunez will start at short and Pena will be the backup for now. 

The Yankees also have to make a decision on Russell Martin.  If he isn't able to play a couple of games in a row or he just can't play they may want to DL him also and call up Jesus Montero from the minor leagues.  It looks like though for whatever reason they don't want to do that.  Francisco Cervelli is the starter right now with Posada as the backup although Posada will not catch unless it is an emergency.  There is talk that they may even call up Gustavo Molina if they have too.  I don't see why they can't call up Montero and see what he has, he will only be the backup anyway and maybe he hits and you get to showcase him a little for a possible trade if the Yankees aren't going to keep him. 

The Yankees still need a starter for Thursday.  It looks like it will be Hector Noesi if he isn't needed in the next couple of days.  If he does pitch in the next couple of days then it will be David Phelps from AAA Scranton. 

Yankees Lineup:Brett Gardner, Curtis Granderson, Mark Teixeira(DH), Alex Rodriguez, Robinson Cano, Jorge Posada(1B), Nick Swisher, Eduardo Nunez(SS), Francisco Cervelli. 

The Yankees will announce something shortly after 6:00PM with Jeter, I would expect him to go to the DL and be eligible to be activated on the next homestand which will give him three home games to get to 3000 before they go to Citi Field. 

Some baseball news

It looks like Mark DeRosa will be heading to San Francisco on a 2 yr deal for 12 million. Matt Capps has signed with the Washington Nationals who continue to try and get better while the Mets just sit around and wait. The Mets supposedly are going after Joel Piniero now and waiting for Jason Bay who they believe has no other serious suitors. If I was the Mets it would scare me then that it is taking so long because apparantly he doesn't want to come to their team. The DeRosa signing means he won't be a Yankee and takes a name off of their list for leftfield. I still think the Yankees will get a leftfielder but it doesn't look like it will be a big name. They could still sign Marlon Byrd or get someone like Jermaine Dye who I don't think they will go for. They could sign Reed Johnson or Xavier Nady or Johnny Gomes. I think they will go with one of those lesser guys and be content, they could always make a trade at the deadline if they needed too.

Nick Johnson officially signs

Here is the official press release from the Yankees: The New York Yankees signed today 1B/DH Nick Johnson. Nick 31 was third in the majors last season with a 426 obp combined between Washington and Florida. He trailed only AL MVP Joe Mauer(444) and NL MVP Albert Pujols(443). He placed 6th in the NL with 99 walks while batting a career high 291 with 24 doubles, 2 triples, 8 homeruns and 62 rbi's. The Sacremento native began 2009 with the Nationals batting 295(104 for 353) with 6 homeruns, 44 rbi's and a 408 obp in 98 games before being traded with cash on July 31st to the Marlins in exchange for left handed pitcher Aaron Thompson. In 35 games for Florida he hit 279 with 2 homeruns, 18 rbi's, 36 walks and a 477 obp. Johnsons 402 career on base percentage since 2001 his rookie season is 8th among players with at least 3,000 plate appearances over the span. He had his best overall season in 2006 with Washington, batting 290 and having career bests in games played(147), plate appearances(628),at-bats, hits, doubles(46), homeruns(23), rbi(77), stolen bases(10) and walks(110). His 428 on-base percentage was a career best and the second highest single-season mark in Washington franchise history behind Tim Raines 429 in 1987. Despite the numerous career highs, Johnson season was cut short on Sept 23, 2006 by a fractured right femur which forced him to miss the entire 2009 season. Johnson wwho is a lefthanded batter, is a 292 career hitter with 16 homeruns and a 424 on-base percentage against left-handed pitching and a 266 career hitter wiht 73 homeruns and a 394 on-base percentage against righ tnaded pitching. he owns a 992 career fielding percentage, having committed just 48 errors in 5,719 career chances. He began his professional career in the Yankees organization. after being selected by the club in the 3rd round of the 1996 First-year player draft. In 3 major league seasons with the Yankees from 2001-03, he batted 256 with 36 doubles, 31 homeruns, 113 rbi, 125 walks and a 376 on-base percentage. He posted a team leading 422 on-base percentage in his final year with the club before being traded on December 4, 2003 with outfielder Juan Rivera and lefthanded pitcher Randy Choate to the Montreal Expos in exchange for right-handed pitcher Javier Vazquez. In 8 major league seasons with the Yankees, Montreal/Washington(2004-06, 08-09) and Florida(2009) he owns a 273 career batting avg with 165 doubles, 5 triples, 89 homeruns, 379 rbi, 27 stolen bases and 487 walks. The Yankees 40 man roster now stands at 38 players.

The Vasquez trade

There are several things that come out of this trade, first of all the Yankees have a very solid rotation. The 5th starter will be a competition between Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain, Sergio Mitre, Chad Gaudin and Alfredo Aceves. It is assumed that Phil Hughes will get the job and Joba will head back to the bullpen but that isn't set in stone, everything has to be earned in the Yankees world and according to Brian Cashman the GM. Joel Sherman of the NY Post was reporting that Mitre and Gaudin could be trade bait now probably in spring training. The Yankees reiterated once again today that Granderson is the CF and the only way he won't be is if Brett Gardner is the best centerfielder in spring training which I don't see happening. I do think they will get a leftfielder but I have no idea who, I could see Damon coming back now. Brian Cashman said today he will not get anyone big for leftfield but we have heard this before so who knows, I don't see them getting Bay or Holliday but I could see Damon coming back or maybe Mark DeRosa. Here are some quotes from Javier Vasquez: " I am glad to be back, I am excited to be part of the team again. Everyone that knows me knows that I didn't want to leave the first time, I am just happy to be back." He also talked about his 2004 season with the Yankees and had this to say. " My arm didn't feel as good in the second half as it did in the first half. It really was the first time in my career and only time that I felt that my arm wasn't where it should of been. I started getting treatment later then I should have. I went out there every 5 days, I hated not being out there. It may have been my mistake, I didn't say anything." Javier Vasquez is the first player the Yankees have traded for twice since Jeff Nelson. Here are some quotes from Yankees GM Brian Cashman. " He is a tremendous pitcher who has a long career of success and durability, and really the second half of 04 which was poor can't erase the long success he has had as a major league pitcher." Cashman was talking about his 04 season. On Hughes and Joba he said whoever doesn't win the 5th spot in the rotation could go to the bullpen or AAA, I just don't see either of them going back to AAA. On the payroll, " I do have a number and we will be at that number and it will be less then last year. I will continue to look at any remaining piece for the outfield but it won't be a big piece."

Yankees remain busy

The New York Yankees have aquired Javier Vasquez and Boone Logan from the Atlanta Braves for Melky Cabrera, Mike Dunn and Arodys Viscaino. Mike Dunn was a left handed reliever from the minors who had a cup of coffee in Sept with the Yankees and Arodys Viscaino was a lower level starting pitcher. Javier Vasquez was with the Yankees in 2004 and most people will not forget him giving up the grand slam to Johnny Damon in game 7 of the ALCS but he is now a #4 starter not 1 or 2. He is actually I think a better pitcher then people give him credit for. He has pitched 200+ innings every year since leaving the Yankees and has won a pretty good amount of games, last year being his best season at 15-10 with a sub 3 era. Logan is a left handed reliever who has bad overall numbers but if you look at his numbers against lefties they are pretty good and he will be a lefthanded specialist with Marte as the other leftie who can face more guys. I will get into this trade more later but with Melky gone the Yankees currently don't have a leftfielder so who will they get Holliday, Bay, Damon, DeRosa, Dye?? I think DeRosa makes the most sense fitting into the budget of under 200 million but the Yankees being the Yankees I wouldn't put anything past them.

Hot Stove Burns up

Today started out as a routine Monday and then this afternoon the Hot Stove really started burning up. Monday's are usually a big football day with all of the analysis of the Sunday games and looking ahead to the Monday night game but baseball took center stage on this Monday. The Boston Red Sox were especially busy signing pitcher John Lackey to a 5 yr 85 million dollar deal and now pending a physical signing Mike Cameron for 2 yrs and 15.5 million. Hideki Matsui became the first World Series MVP to leave since John Wetteland in 1996. Matsui signed a 1 yr 6 million dollar deal with the Anaheim Angels. The biggest news of the day was that Roy Halladay was traded from the Blue Jays to the Phillies and the Phillies traded Cliff Lee to the Seattle Mariners and the Blue Jays are getting back prospects which we don't know yet because Halladay is still working out the extension and the deal won't be official to maybe tomorrow. I think the Seattle Mariners have had a good offseason and may have surpassed the Angels by getting Chone Figgons and now Cliff Lee. The New York Mets and their fans have had a very bad day. The Mets biggest need was pitching and now they don't have anywhere to turn as their are no other big pitchers left. They may land Jason Bay now that everyone else is out on that but that isn't going to solve the problem of having Johan Santana and then a bunch of questions. Roy Halladay going to the hated Phillies is just a stab in the heart but the truth is they aren't that much better since they did trade Cliff Lee away. The Yankees side of things isn't really all that bad, they don't have to face Halladay anymore who owned them and John Lackey doesn't have very good numbers against the Yankees and he has really bad career numbers in Fenway. John Lackey is also a injury risk as he has been injury prone over the last couple of years. I don't think it was terrible for the Red Sox because you can never have enough pitching and he is a gritty guy who usually pitches well in big games. I do find their offense curious though with Bay gone and being replaced by Cameron and maybe Hermidia in a platoon. It doesn't look like the Lowell trade will go through now since he has a thumb injury and may need surgery. I wonder if the Red Sox may try and trade for Adrian Gonzalez and move Youkilis to third base?? If they did this I think they would be pretty even with the Yankees but right now as a Yankee fan I don't think you have to be that worried because I don't think their offense is so great. I wonder what tomorrow will bring with the Hot Stove after this busy day.

Some Winter Meeting final things

There were no major free agent signings over the last few days from the Winter Meetings. The Yankees were the big movers, as they traded Brian Bruney to Washington for their Rule 5 pick which ended up being Jaime Hoffman and outfielder from the Dodgers and then of course the big 3 team trade. The Yankees now have Curtis Granderson as their center fielder but I think they may still bring back Johnny Damon and if that is the case Melky or Brett Gardner would become expendable. I dont see Matsui coming back as they really don't have a place for him but there doesn't seem to be a big market for him so maybe he will come back on a cheap 1 year deal. The Mets tonight were offering Jason Bay a contract for 4 years and 65 million. I know they could use him as they have a hole in left field but wouldn't they be better off getting a #2 starter to put behind Johan Santana?? They were also offering Bengie Molina a contract and I think that is fine as they could use a good catcher. The Tampa Bay Rays added Rafael Soriano from the Atlanta Braves. This is a very good move for them as their bullpen was a real problem last season and he will definitely help. There was a report that the Yankees were negotiating with Johnny Damon today but the Yankees shot that report down. It also looks like right now the Angels and Phillies are the front runners for Roy Halladay and the Yankees are backing off and going to look to solidify the back end of their rotation.

Yanks Rule 5 Pick from Nats

The New York Yankees completed their trade with the Washington Nationals this morning by obtaining their Rule 5 pick that the Yankees had them choose. The pick was from the Dodgers Jamie Hoffman a outfielder. He has some pop and is a good defender, what the Yankees really liked about him is that he hits lefthanders well and he will have a chance to stick as a bench player out of spring training. I find this kind of curious because he seems like a Shelly Duncan type and why didn't the Yankees just keep Shelly. I think Shelly never got a fair shot after him coming up in 2007 and becoming a fan favorite and belting all of those homeruns. We will see how this works out. I have one other thought which is thinking outside of the box. I have no knowledge of this at all but could the Yankees include Brett Gardner or Melky Cabrera in a trade with the Blue Jays for Roy Halladay and have him as the extra outfielder. If Johnny Damon does come back I can see him more of a DH now, I guess we will wait and see what happens.

Winter Meetings Day 2

There is a lot of buzz coming out of the Winter Meetings and the Yankees are involved. Last night there was a rumor about a three was trade involving the Yankees, Diamondbacks and Tigers. The proposed trade had the Yankees getting Granderson, Mike Dunn, Phil Coke, Austin Jackson and Ian Kennedy leaving the Yankees and Max Sherzer leaving the Diamondbacks. The deal had appeared to be dead late last night but has picked up steam again this morning and now a couple of sources have indicated it is getting close. The new deal that is being tossed around has the Yankees giving up Austin Jackson to Detroit getting Granderson and giving up Ian Kennedy and Phil Coke and maybe a lesser prospect then Mike Dunn to Arizona. The Tigers would still get Max Sherzer from Arizona. I don't know this for sure but seems to me that the Yankees may get Granderson to play CF, keep Damon to play LF and now that makes Melky or Gardner expendable and I can see one of them being put into a Doc Halladay deal. It also looks to me that they are clearing out space in the bullpen starting with trading Brian Bruney to put Hughes or most likely Joba in the pen if they don't get traded. I wish the Yankees would have Edwin Jackson put into this deal and then I would really like it and they wouldn't need to get Doc Halladay, i can see the Yankees getting a 4th starter and having Phil Hughes as the 5th and Joba as the main setup man for MO with David Robertson, they also really like Mark Melancon to step up this year and be a main bullpen piece. The Angels appear interested in Hideki Matsui as well as Jason Bay. The main teams for Jason Bay are the Angels, Red Sox and Mariners. The St. Louis Cardinals have signed Brad Penny. The Washington Nationals have signed C Pudge Rodriguez for 2 years and 6 million. It looks like the Brewers will sign Randy Wolf but nothing is official yet. UPDATE: 4:25PM- The Yankees have traded OF prospect Austin Jackson and lefty relief pitcher Phil Coke to the Detroit Tigers for CF Curtis Granderson. The Yankees will send right handed pitcher Ian Kennedy to Arizona and Edwin Jackson will go from Detroit to Arizona. Arizona will send pitchers Max Sherzer and Daniel Schlereth. The Chicago White Sox finalized a deal for 3B Mark Teahen for 3 years and 14 million.

Yankees offer Arbitration to No One

The New York Yankees offered arbitration to no one again this year. If they offered arbitration and that player signed elsewhere they would be awarded a draft pick as compensation but then they would also risk having that player sign and go to arbitration. This really wasn't a suprise as they will still try and retain Damon and Pettitte. I am almost certain Hideki Matsui will be gone. Joe Girardi was out at Jets camp today teaching Mark Sanchez how to slide. The Jets were worried about him not knowing how to do that well and contacted the Yankees to see if they could help. Today was the day that Joe Girardi was available to come out to Florham Park and help the Jets out. I read today that A.J. Burnett was pushing for Doc Halladay, that is no suprise but I don't think the Yankees will end up getting him. The Yankees would have to give up a lot in prospects and money to sign him to an extension and that is too much. John Henry the Red Sox owner had a interesting take on the revenue sharing system today. He did basically bash the Yankees but at the same time he kind of defended them. The website www.waswatching.com has all the information on that. Dustin Pedroia stated today that he would move to shortstop to help the Red Sox with that problem. I don't think that is going to happen though and they will end up signing Marco Scutaro away from the Blue Jays. Did the New York Mets really sign Alex Cora for 2 million?? They also signed Chris Coste and are thinking of adding Henry Blanco also. I know the bench was criticized last year but is Omar Minaya going to be short sighted again and not worry about LF, SP, 1B?? I really hope not because after last season the Mets have to do something to excite their fan base.

Yankees at White Sox

The Yankees will try to get a win in Chicago today in the 3rd of 4. The Yankees have lost the first 2 and haven't looked good especially last night. I am not going to do the pregame notes just the lineup here with a couple tid bits of information. Yankees Lineup: Jeter(SS) Swisher(RF) Tex(DH) A-rod(3B) Posada(C) Cano(2B) Cabrera(CF) Hairston(LF) Ransom(1B) Shelly Duncan was sent back down to Scranton to make room for Hairston who will make his Yankees debut. Pettitte and Mitre will start in Toronto and then for the Red Sox series it will set up like this: Chamberlain, Burnett, Sabathia, Pettitte. Enjoy the game on Fox at 4:00PM

Game 97: Athletics at Yankees

Here is the link to the notes and lineup via Peter Abraham's Lohud Yankees Blog. It is a beautiful day out and I want to get out there in the sun and do some swimming so that is why I left the link instead of typing everything out. The Yankees are rolling and going for their 9th straight this afternoon. Andy Pettitte will try and make it 2 straight strong starts after 2 straight bad ones before the break. The Yankees ended Hope Week yesterday and I am sure all you Yankee fans out there know about this. I am not just saying this because I am a Yankees fan but they do these things right. It was a tremendous week for them being out there in the community doing all these good things and all the players and staff were involved and they also went 5-0 during this time. I don't know if it is coincidence or not but there seems to be a lot of good karma going around and maybe that is helping. The trade talks are heating up with Matt Holliday going to the Cardinals yesterday, this was a good move for them for right now because they have protection for Pujols in the lineup and they should win that division now and who knows once you get to the postseason especially in the NL. Roy Halladay seems on his way to Philidelphia which will really make Mets fans sad but nothing has happened as of yet. The Yankees I am sure are working the phones, I know they inquired into Cliff Lee but the price is too high, I would look for a Jarrod Washburn or someone like that and it may even happen after the deadline in a waiver deal. Everyone go out and enjoy the day and hope the Yankees get another win. Game 97: Athletics at Yankees Posted using ShareThis

Updates roster moves

Brian Bruney had his MRI and he has a strained flexor mass. He will not throw for a week and could be back in two to three weeks. Humberto Sanchez was released as he has been a huge disappointment since coming over in the Gary Sheffield trade. Angel Berroa will be the everday third baseman, he hasn't really played third in the majors but has been hitting well and has much more pop then Cody Ransom so that may not be the worst thing, it will be interesting to see if he is bad if A-rod gets rushed back. Phil Hughes will be taking Wang's spot in the rotation as expected and will remain there. Joe Girardi said it wouldn't be fair to have him make one start and then decide from start to start, he is in the rotation. I am very excited to see Mark Melancon and we have seen some of Dave Robertson already, they are two power arms that could become late inning guys in this bullpen for a long time to come, this is their oppurtunity as well as Phil Hughes. Phil Hughes gets to redeem himself and see what happens.