Brings 10 Gold Gloves to the Bronx, and Hopes of Past Glory
(New York, NY) – The Yanks bolstered their outfield this past week with a 1-year deal with former center-field gold-glover Andruw Jones. The cost is $2M but also eliminated the option of bringing back Johnny Damon who eventually joined Manny Ramirez and went to Tampa. Jones will replace Marcus Thames, although he is much better defensively than Marcus while not having the same offense pop. Jones, who hit 19 home runs and drove in 48 runs in 328 plate appearances for the White Sox, will turn 34 when the season gets underway in April. These types of signings have generally worked out well for the Yanks but time will tell.
(New York, NY) – The Bombers have beefed up the bullpen by adding Rafael Soriano. He was a 45-save closer for Tampa last year and brings a 1.73 ERA and should be a very strong bridge to Mariano this year. At $35 Million we hope so. However the Yanks did give up a first-round pick and Soriano has players options to leave both after the 2011 and 2012 season. Assuming he stays put he will take over as the closer of the future in 2013 when Mo’s contract expires. Do you think that will happen? Cast your vote or comment.
(New York, NY) – Many interest signings this winter as each day unfolds. Cliff Lee returned to the Phillies, while Kerry Wood to the Cubs and Austin Kearns to the Indians. Of course Captain Jeter and Mo returned home to the Yanks but they never really left. But so has Luis Vizcaino as well to a minor league deal announced today. Per an AP spokesperson Vizcaino would get a $750,000, one-year contract if added to the 40-man roster and the chance to earn an additional $850,000 in performance bonuses.
(New York, NY) – In a surprising day all around the famous QB streak for Brett Favre has ended at 297 regular season games (321 with the playoffs) while the more important news for baseball fans was the end of the Cliff Lee saga: He has decided to spurn the Yanks and Texas offers at 7-years and go to Philadelphia where they offered 5-years and a 6th year option. It is less money and somewhat of a surprise as once again the media was wrong as they said he would take the biggest offer. This gives the Phils a very strong rotation with Oswalt, Halladay and Hamels besides Lee. We’ll see what the Yanks do for Plan B!!!
(New York, NY) – Just like the Yanks did after missing the playoffs in 2008, the Bosox are off to the races with 2 major signings so far. First Adrian Gonzalez inked a big deal as their new first basemen while today the huge signing of Carl Crawford to a 7-year, $142 Million deal was announced. With the departure of Crawford as well as Carlos Pena (to the Cubs for 1 year at $10 M) the Rays have taken a hit as well and the balance of power in the AL East may be shifting again. With Jason Bartlett also traded by the Rays, it will be an interesting team that takes the field in the spring in Florida. Comments as you can.
(New York, NY) – With the Winter Meetings about to begin next week, 2 of the Bombers icons appear ready to return to pinstripes. If all goes well before the weekend ends, the Yanks will announce Mariano for 2 more years while the Captain is set for 3 with a reported option for a 4th year. Quite an interesting turn of events, with rumors that the Red Sox offered Mo more years and money were out there while the protracted Jeter talks finally made progress with both sides moving on their stances.
Meanwhile the Red Sox have upgraded themselves well with a move to match our Tex with taking Adrian Gonzalez from the Padres.
(New York, NY) – Been a little while so time to catch up on various items. Comment on any or all but most of all give thanks to living in a great country! For the past season it was a good one although the team came up short at the end of the regular season and lost the division and then in the ALCS to lose the pennant. The Hot Stove league is officially open now.
The Yanks decided to pass on arbitration for all major names: Wood, Jeter, Berkman, Mariano, Andy etc. but did decide to give it to Javy Vazquez
Josh Hamilton won the MVP with Robbie Cano coming in 3rd. Congrats on a great season Robinson by far the team’s MVP last year. Joey Votto won the for NL.
The Jeter negotiations have turned somewhat sour and look a little like an emerging soap opera with both sides taking their positions to the media. Talk radio shows predicted this would never happen. Those guys get paid a lot of money to be wrong.
Still no news on Pettitte other than he will not sign with any other team so it will be the Bombers or the golf course.
The Mets announced Terry Collins as their new manager. He last managed a team in 1999.
(New York, NY) – Well it seems it is down to four although some think it is already set for one player. Joba Chamberlain is expected to arrive in camp on Wednesday and will be competing with Phil Hughes, Alfredo Aceves, Chad Gaudin and Sergio Mitre for a chance to serve as the fifth starter in the Yanks rotation.
Cast your vote or comment on who you think should be that 5th starter behind C.C., A.J., good old Andy and Javy.
(New York, NY) – The infamous PECOTA projections has made a tweak and the Yanks and Red Sox are now predicted to tie for best record in AL East and all of baseball for that matter. Notice there are 3 teams with 90 wins, all in the AL East. See revised table here.
(New York, NY) – We love our team and in just one year we’ve truly come to respect Tex, CC, AJ and the like. But it is sometimes interesting to look at the past and how far we’ve come so fast. Here is the opening day roster from 2008 just two seasons ago. Only 4 of the 10 remain as Yanks today: Jete, Jorge, A-Rod and Cano. 60% has turned over in 2 seasons.
(New York, NY) – The Yanks bolstered their outfield this past week with a 1-year deal with former center-field gold-glover Andruw Jones. The cost is $2M but also eliminated the option of bringing back Johnny Damon who eventually joined Manny Ramirez and went to Tampa. Jones will replace Marcus Thames, although he is much better defensively than Marcus while not having the same offense pop. Jones, who hit 19 home runs and drove in 48 runs in 328 plate appearances for the White Sox, will turn 34 when the season gets underway in April. These types of signings have generally worked out well for the Yanks but time will tell.
Friday Nite Yanks - Stories from Section 22 and 430 