Yankees Off-Season Plans

[riverside sluggers]

somehow I think this was coming, I wonder how Mets fans will be if this comes official. All I can remember is the showdown of Piazza and Clemens.

 

The Yankees are considering offering a contract to free agent Mike Piazza, according to Newsday. With Piazza, Frank Thomas and Erubiel Durazo all sitting out there and not likely to require much of an investment, the Yankees would be silly to go into the season with Bernie Williams as their designated hitter. Piazza is probably the worst hitter of the trio at this point, but he is the healthy one and the fact that he could catch if Jorge Posada were to get hurt is a big bonus. If the Yankees can sign him for $3 million or so, they should absolutely make the move.

[RedRuffing15]

wow..I thought that idea ended like a month ago...I don't really want him, but I'll have to see how it plays out, becuase in the end it could really be a great move

[Optimist]

NEW YORK -- Mike Piazza to the Yankees? It's unlikely, but not impossible.

 

Two published reports on Tuesday indicated that Piazza's agents reached out to the Yankees on Monday, gauging the team's interest in the catcher.

 

Where that interest level resides, however, is unclear.

 

Newsday reported that although the Yankees "can't yet be considered aggressive pursuers" for Piazza, general manager Brian Cashman did not dismiss the idea.

 

"We're fairly set. Our designated hitter spot is taken by Bernie Williams and Andy Phillips. But I'll keep an open mind," Cashman told the paper. "I'm always open to consider any possibility that may help the ballclub."

 

The GM said the organization had not yet weighed all of the pros and cons with regard to Piazza.

 

Andy Phillips...DH? First time I've heard about this idea.

 

The Daily News' Bill Madden also reported that Cashman spoke with Piazza's agents on Monday, but he went on to write that "the Yankees' response was that there was no room at the inn."

 

[riverside sluggers]

something you yankee fans will be having high hopes for I bet

 

Rotoworld: Andy Pettitte, who will be eligible for free agency at season's end, isn't prepared to discuss a contract extension with the Astros this spring. Pettitte hasn't ruled out a return to New York. "I'm going to play this year out and then I'm going to evaluate how my body feels and mentally how I feel," he said. "To say that (coming back to the Yankees) would never happen -- I couldn't say that, because I never would have dreamed that I would have left here. But in the same breath, it seems so far gone since I was here and everything's changed so much. ... I'm extremely happy in Houston. I didn't realize how special it would be to be home." Pettitte also said that he's unlikely to pitch in the WBC.

[AlexanderTheGreat13]

I love Pettitte but that ship has sailed IMO. I'd rather sign Zito or Mulder. We need to get younger in the roto.

[AlexanderTheGreat13]

Robinson Cano has decided to withdraw himself from contention for a spot on the Dominican Republic's roster in the WBC.

"They've got (Alfonso) Soriano, they've got (Luis) Castillo," Cano said. "If I'm there, I'm sitting on the bench." More good news for the Yankees. They're also still hopeful that Chien-Ming Wang and Alex Rodriguez will withdraw. Feb. 1 - 3:08 am et

[26 to 6]

I love Pettitte but that ship has sailed IMO. I'd rather sign Zito or Mulder. We need to get younger in the roto.

No way. I'll take Pettitte in a second. He had a GREAT year last year, he is proven in New York, hes really not that old, and he was a integral part of our 4 championships. I would LOVE for Andy to come home.

[Soxfan1]

Watch andy coming to the sox. Ultimeate revenge for damon and Wells all over again.

[AlexanderTheGreat13]

No way. I'll take Pettitte in a second. He had a GREAT year last year, he is proven in New York, hes really not that old, and he was a integral part of our 4 championships. I would LOVE for Andy to come home.

Pettitte didnt seem to think this was his home when he left after the 03 season. He would be 34 by opening day of 07. Hes not the faired haired kid I remember back in 96. You also have to look at his injury history that certainly wont get better with age. Hes not a strong bet for 3 years(which I'm assuming he would want) when you have guys like Zito and Mulder out there.

[AlexanderTheGreat13]

Watch andy coming to the sox. Ultimeate revenge for damon and Wells all over again.

In this day and age if the Sox offered more money then the Yankees and he went to the Red Sox it would not bother me at all.

[Redguitar985]

If Pettitte went to either Yankees or the Red Sox, would he really do as well? It seems as if everytime someone moves to the NL, they get better, and when they move to the AL, they get worse. Look at Johnson, Pedro, and Clemens. With Pettitte's age plus the hitters in the AL, I wouldn't be surprised if he struggled in Boston or New York.

[KeepTheFaith1229]

If Pettitte went to either Yankees or the Red Sox, would he really do as well? It seems as if everytime someone moves to the NL, they get better, and when they move to the AL, they get worse. Look at Johnson, Pedro, and Clemens. With Pettitte's age plus the hitters in the AL, I wouldn't be surprised if he struggled in Boston or New York.

 

 

Those guys were monsters wherever they played...

 

(exception: 2005 Randy Johnson was good but not a monster, Seattle Randy Johnson was)

[yankeessuck013]

"'Manny really wants out of Boston, just so he can relax and chill,' Damon told Kay. 'If he played for the Mets, he probably wouldn't be able to chill much. But I think the Yankees would be a perfect fit for him, as well as for David Ortiz.'" -- 2.1.06, Tyler Kepner, New York Times

 

hahahahha keep dreaming Johnny, papi will be signed to an extension before ST most likely.

[Redguitar985]

hahahahha keep dreaming Johnny, papi will be signed to an extension before ST most likely.

 

Woah! Johnny's, uh, really liking his new team it appears.

[riverside sluggers]

just something that had caught my eye

 

Rotoworld: Yankees manager Joe Torre said that Bernie Williams would get some time at left field and right field during spring training. The Yankees never liked the idea of using Bernie anywhere other than center, but it would be for the best if he spends his outfield time in left this year. Hideki Matsui is the better choice in center when Johnny Damon needs a day off, and Bubba Crosby will also be on the roster.

[TheRivernator]

just something that had caught my eye

 

I enjoy the fact that the yankees finally have some guys on the bench who will not be a total waste when the stars need says off. I like Cairo as a backup IF and I like Bernie and Crosby as backup OFers. I think our bench is underestimated, but then again nobody really cares about bench...

[ORS]

The Yankees and Chacon avoided arbitration today.

 

NEW YORK - Pitcher Shawn Chacon and the New York Yankees agreed Friday to a $3.6 million, one-year contract and avoided a salary arbitration hearing scheduled for next week.

 

The 28-year-old right-hander was acquired by New York from Colorado on July 28 and went 7-3 with a 2.85 ERA in 12 starts and two relief appearances. It was a startling turnaround for the former All-Star, who was 1-7 with a 4.09 ERA for the Rockies.

 

In addition to his salary, Chacon can earn $100,000 in performance bonuses: $25,000 each for 180, 190, 200 and 210 innings.

 

After making $2.35 million last year, he had asked for $4.15 million in arbitration and had been offered $3.1 million.

 

His agreement leaves the Yankees with a projected opening-day payroll of $195 million to $197 million, down about $10 million from their record-setting figure at the end of last season.

 

Yahoo.com

[26 to 6]

I was really hoping it would come to this. Had my doubts though, with the arbitration approaching it looked more and more unlikely they would come to terms. Good stuff.

[Optimist]

I like the fact that it's a one year deal, just in case last year was a fluke (I don't think it was, but you never know.)

[riverside sluggers]

Rotoworld: Yankees claimed RHP Darrell Rasner off waivers from the Nationals.

Jim Bowden throwing away valuable pitching depth again. It's ridiculous that Rasner was the player he chose to DFA to make room for Matthew LeCroy when he now has 14 infielders on the 40-man roster. Jamey Carroll, Tony Blanco, Bernie Castro and Tyrell Godwin all could have been let go first, and those are just the hitters. Ryan Drese and Josh Karp should have gone first among pitchers. Rasner doesn't have a lot of upside, but his sinker could make him a fourth or fifth starter. Unfortunately, he's in a worse situation now. The Yankees shouldn't have any need for him this year, and if they ever do, their poor infield defense would likely lead to some ugly numbers. They should be hoping he turns himself into trade bait with his performance in Triple-A.

[26 to 6]

cool

 

Been a while since we picked someone up

[jsinger121]

Carl Pavano visited a California back specialist last week after feeling lower back stiffness during a throwing session. Pavano felt twinges after throwing on flat ground about two weeks ago at the Yankees' minor league complex. He received a clean bill of health from the specialist, but this is just another reason not to be especially optimistic about his chances for this season. The Yankees believe Pavano's shoulder troubles last year were a result of him hurting his back in spring training and changing his motion to compensate.

-new york daily news

[riverside sluggers]

Anyone feel free to come up with a caption for this photo of Jeter training

[yeszir]

Anyone feel free to come up with a caption for this photo of Jeter training

[KeepTheFaith1229]

 

(Yeszir's pic)

 

:lol:

[KeepTheFaith1229]

Anyone feel free to come up with a caption for this photo of Jeter training

 

Okay here's my caption: "Alex let me go! I'm not in the mood right now!"

[Optimist]

(Picture of a kid on a leash)

That's the first thing that came to mind too.

[26 to 6]

Anyone feel free to come up with a caption for this photo of Jeter training

where'd you get that pic? Ive been looking for Yankee Spring Training pics.

[riverside sluggers]

oh sure thing go to http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/gallery;_ylt=An2cW5WSpXleUwO4H1V0nYgRvLYF

[riverside sluggers]

This doesnt come as a shock really, but I hope he does good in future endeavors along with taking a job with ESPN. A real classy guy and I give him his due.

 

Rotoworld: 38-year-old Tino Martinez is expected to take a job with ESPN, ending his playing career. "I don't want to make this a big deal," Martinez told the Tampa Tribune. "I'm done. I'm not going to play anymore. I'm 100 percent decided." Martinez is calling it quits following a season in which he hit .241/.328/.439 in 303 AB for the Yankees. The two-time All-Star hit .271/.344/.471 with 339 HR and 1,271 RBI over 16 seasons. His best year was 1997, which he finished at .296/.371/.577 with 44 HR and 141 RBI.