Bad news on Gary Carter and other baseball stories

The news came out today that wasn't very good concerning Gary Carter and his battle with cancer.  He is a former Met and Expo, a Hall Of Fame Catcher.  The doctors found more spots on his brain and are deciding what to do.  It sounds very grave and they may stop the treatments.  He is only 57 years old, he does have faith which along with his family is seemingly sustaining him right now.  His daughters released a statement today as well.  His daughters said they are crying for him, they feel so bad for their dad.  He is way too young and all anyone can do right now is pray for he and his family.  Tyler Kepner wrote a nice little article regarding Carter.  The link to that story is here http://bats.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/19/on-gary-carter-and-faith/?smid=tw-nytimesbats&seid=auto

The Yankees still haven't made the trade with Seattle official or the deal with Hiroki Kuroda.  It isn't that anything is happening to stop the deals.  It is mainly logistics.  Kuroda is still in Japan, Montero is having visa issues and Jose Campos is still in Venezuela. 

Derek Jeter opened up his annual golf tournament down in Tampa yesterday.  He also received the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award.  Here is what he had to say in reference to that "Any award named after Lou Gehrig, it probably means a lot more to me than some other players." 

How about the Fausto Carmona story that came out today.  Police in the Dominican republic say he has been using a fake name and he is actually 31 and not 28 years old.  This happens all the time in other countries like that.  The players fake their age because it looks better for them and helps them get out and to the big leagues.  We are seeing more stories of fake identities also lately.  His real name is being reported as Roberto Hernandez Heredia.  The Cleveland Indians have been blindsided by this and are scrambling to see how they can handle the situation. 

Yankees avoid arbitration with a couple more and other notes

The New York Yankees yesterday agreed to one year deals with relievers Joba Chamberlain and David Robertson.  The deals were for 1.675 million and 1.6 million plus 25,000 in incentives respectively.  The Yankees still have three players who remain eligible for arbitration.  They are Russell Martin who filed for 8.2 million and the Yankees are countering with 7 million, Brett Gardner who filed for 3.2 million and the team offered 2.4 million and Boone Logan who asked for 2.1 million and the team came back with 1.7 million.  We will see if they get deals done with those guys, I would say yes before they go to a hearing. 

The Texas Rangers did what most expected today.  They signed Yu Darvish before the deadline.  He signed a six year deal worth 60 million.  The deadline to reach an agreement was 4:00PM Central time.  Texas feels this is a guy who can help the Rangers get back to the World Series and win it.  They are the two time defending American League Champs but they lost both World Series.  Darvish is a two time Pacific League MVP.  Darvish is guaranteed 54 million plus 4 million possible in roster bonuses.  He can opt out after the fifth year depending on him winning or placing high in the Cy Young race.  A News conference at the ballpark is planned for Friday as Darvish is still in Japan. 

ESPN released it's Sunday night schedule today.  The Yankees will be on Sunday night twice in the first month of the season.  They will be on Sunday night in the third home game of the season against Albert Pujols and the Angels and then again against their rivals the Boston Red Sox.  The New York Mets aren't scheduled to be on at all this year.  I guess I understand it but wow are the Mets really in bad shape right now.  It will be interesting to see how many people decide to show up to Citi Field this season. 

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.