Saturday, November 01, 2008
Yankees Free Agents and Off-Season News
THIS POST WILL BE UPDATED AS THE NEWS AND RUMORS ROLL IN
Filed for FA:
Chad Moeller, C
(B) Ivan Rodriguez, C
(A) Bobby Abreu, OF
Sidney Ponson, SP
(A) Mike Mussina, SP - Retired. One of five pitchers to retire after winning 20 games the previous season.
(A) Andy Pettitte, SP - Yankees will talk with Mussina first before Pettitte.
Non-tendered Contracts (became free agent)
Chris Britton
Justin Christian
End of Contract:
Jason Giambi, 1B/DH (Club option not picked up)
Carl Pavano, SP (Club option not picked up)
Damaso Marte, RP (Club option not picked up)
-Nov 12: Signed a three-year $12MM contract with team option for 2012
Arbitration
Offered:
Not Offered:
Mike Mussina
Bobby Abreu
Andy Pettitte
Yankees Watch List:
C.C. Sabathia, SP
-Nov 14: Initial offer: around $140 Million for six years
-Dec 8: Sabathia met with GM Brian Cashman
-Dec 9: Rumor that Sabathia declined Yankees offer was wrong.
-Second meeting with Cashman
-Dec 10: Expected to sign a 7-year $160MM deal
-Agreed on 7-year $161MM deal with opt out clause after third year
-Yankees to officially introduce Sabathia Dec 18
Teixeira and Manny Ramirez watch lists removed due to no interest
Other Signings and deals:
Nov 3
Sergio Mitre, SP: Signed to MiLB for one year with team opt for 2010.
Nov 13
Traded Wilson Betemit (IF), Jeff Marquez (MiLB SP) and Jhonny Nunez (MiLB SP) to the White Sox for Nick Swisher (OF) and Kanekoa Texeira (MiLB SP)
Nov 15
Sold Darrell Rasner to Japan's Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles for $1 million
Dec 12
A.J. Burnett agreed on a preliminary 5-year $82.5MM contract
-Yankees give Toronto 2009 second round draft pick and a supplementary pick
Rule V Draft result:
MLB Round 1 - pass
-Mariners draft SS/2B Reggie Corona
Marlins draft SP Zack Kroenke
-Twins draft SP Jason Jones
MLB Round 2 - no pick
-Padres draft SP Ivan Nova
AAA Round 1 - pass
-Pirates draft SP Andres Santos
AAA Round 2 - no pick
-Athletics draft SP Josue Salinas
Rumor Mill:
Jake Peavy has added the Yankees to the list he would like to get traded to.
-Peavy's agent has only spoken to NL teams, not AL.
Hideki Matsui is being shopped around
Cashman met with Sabathia's agent
Nov 4
A.J. Burnett opted out of team contract with TOR
Nov 6
Talks of a Mike Cameron for Melky Cabrera and Ian Kennedy have surfaced.
Ian Kennedy is off-limits for any trades.
Nov 7
A rumor to send Robinson Cano to LA for Russell Martin and Matt Kemp are unlikely.
Brewers expressed interest in Melky Cabrera and Ian Kennedy
Nov 8
A rumor that was downplayed to send Hideki Matsui to Seattle in return for a pitcher, then send the pitcher (or different pitcher) and Robinson Cano to Colorado for Matt Holiday.
-Holiday has been traded to the Athletics.
-If Seattle loses Raul Ibanez, talks for Matsui might resurface.
Nov 10
The Yankees chances of grabbing Jake Peavy are slim to none.
Nov 11
The Houston Astros would like to sign Pettitte. Also, the Cubs and Cardinals are interested in him.
Nov 12
Marlins have expressed interest in Carl Pavano
Nov 13
New York Mets expressed interest in Bobby Abreu but not his asking salary
Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays have expressed interest in Jason Giambi
Yankees are expected to make an offer for C.C. Sabathia tomorrow
Nov 18
Yankees prepare to offer A.J. Burnett a 5-year $80MM deal
Yankees to offer Abreu arbitration
Peavy talks are pretty much dead
Nov 19
A.J. Burnett is only considering 5-year offers, the Yankees have not committed to it yet. The offer from yesterday is now rumored false. The projected offer was 4 years at $13.5MM per year.
Bernie Williams is still not set on retirement
Nov 20
Yankees expressed interest in Orlando Hudson
Sabathia is rumored not to sign until after Thanksgiving
George Steinbrenner stepped down as principle owner of the Yankees. Hal Steinbrenner has taken over.
Nov 21
Sabathia has one week to either accept or decline the offer, otherwise the Yankees will remove the offer and move on.
Yankees and Red Sox may be the top two suitors for Derek Lowe
Nov 22
The Cubs have expressed interest in Bobby Abreu
The Yankees will not offer A.J. Burnett a five-year contract
Nov 25
No news...too quiet...
Nov 26
Andy Pettitte spoke with Dodger's and former manager Joe Torre. Dodgers say they are unlikely to sign Pettitte.
Dec 1
Dodgers GM Ned Colletti expressed "some" interest in Pettitte
Ivan Rodriguez is not expected to return for the 2009 season. Posada is projected to be the Opening Day starting catcher
Dec 3
Dodgers gather info on Pettitte
Yankees start to pursue Rays OF Rocco Baldelli
Dec 8
General Manager Winter Meetings started
Dec 9
If the Sabathia deal does not go through, Yankees may bump up offer for A.J. Burnett
Dec 10
Yankees extend original offer to Burnett with a fifth year
Dec 11
The Yankees may trade Melky Cabrera to the Brewers for OF Mike Cameron
Jason Giambi would like to return to the Yankees
Brian Cashman flew to Pettitte's home with a $10MM offer for the 2009 season
White Sox have infomation on Bobby Abreu
Johan Santana is pushing for the Mets to sign Abreu
Yankees and Braves are the "finalists" for A.J. Burnett
Dec 12
Cubs, Rays, Dodgers, and Angels expressed interest in Bobby Abreu
Dec 14
The Melky Cabrera for Mike Careron deal is close, but not complete
Yankees want to unload Kei Igawa's contract on the Brewers, but the Brewers do not want to pay it
Yankees refuse to trade any pitcher on their 40-man roster
If the Yankees do not sign Mark Teixeira, then they will focus on Manny Ramirez
Dec 15
Rumor has it Andy Pettitte could be offered a three-year $36MM offer
The Melky Cabrera for Mike Careron deal is getting cold and may not happen
Dec 16
The Melky Cabrera for Mike Careron deal is now confusing. One source says a tentative deal has been reached, another source says the Brewers haven't heard from the Yankees. Who the hell knows now.
If the Yankees do not sign Pettitte, they will resume talks for Derek Lowe
Dec 17
GM Brian Cashman in not fond of Manny Ramirez, but Hank and Hal Steinbrenner are.
Yankees express interest in Ben Sheets
Dec 18
Brewers may keep Mike Cameron
White Sox express interest in Bobby Abreu
Andy Pettitte wants to return to the Yankees
Rumor of a possible offer to Manny Ramirez was debunked
Dec 19
Athletics will begin talking about a contract with Jason Giambi. Rays have expresserd interest in him as well
Yankees will avoid any signing talks with Ben Sheets
Dec 20
A source familliar with Andy Pettitte says a signing with the Yankees is "inevitable"
Dec 21
Yankees have not made an offer to Mark Teixeira, but are discussing it within the front office
Dec 22
Yankees resigned Chein-Ming Wang to a one-year $5MM deal
A Dominican Republic source says the Yankees offered Manny Ramirez a 3-year $75MM deal. Brian Cashman says the report in untrue
If the Yankees sign Teixeira, they will pay only slightly more than they did for Sabathia
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Labels: Burnett, free agents, hot stove, Manny Ramirez, Mark Teixiera, Sabathia, signing, trade, Yankees


Posted by Steve Kenul at 12:27 AM

Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Hawkins Traded
LaTroy Hawkins who was recently released and placed on waivers, was picked up by the Houston Astros and worked out a deal to send minor leaguer (A) 2B Matt Cusick to the Yankees farm system.
This will be updated until the final release.

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Labels: Houston Astros, LaTroy Hawkins, Matt Cusick, minor leagues, trade, trade deadline, Yankees



Posted by Steve Kenul at 8:10 PM

Pinstriped Pudge
Yankees sent middle reliever Kyle Farnsworth to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for Ivan Rodriguez. Rodriguez has won 13 gold gloves through out his career with Texas and Detroit and was named to 14 All-Star teams.
Granted Pudge is in his 18th season and is older than Posada, he is a veteran, and the Yankees need one especially with the young pitching.
His presence in the line up is a boost for the offense which has been known to fail with runners in scoring position, and giving strong outings by pitchers a stingy lead.
Farnsworth on paper has had the best season of his career, but wathcin ghim pitcher day after day, he was nothing lioke his stats claim.
Yankees again rob another team. I love the Evil Empire.

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Labels: 2008, Ivan Rodriguez, Kyle Farnsworth, Pudge, trade, trade deadline, Yankees



Posted by Steve Kenul at 4:56 PM

Monday, July 28, 2008
Yankees: Pretender or Contender
After winning nine straight division titles, and making the playoffs every year since 1995, the dynasty known as the Yankees are in a decline.
Last season we saw the Yankees stumble out of the gate only to regain their footage, make a run towards the playoffs fitted with young stars who came up and damn near saved the season. Oh, they also had an MVP named Alex Rodriguez.
This season is almost a replica of last year. Poor clutch hitting, bullpen implosions, and another slow start. At least they still have that MVP fella.
A rash of injuries have taken playing time away from A-Rod, ace Chein-Ming Wang, pitcher friendly Jorge Posada, two break through seasons from Hideki Matsui and Johnny Damon, plus the injuries from Phil Hughes, Ian Kennedy, and Brian Bruney (was paid to mention Bruney's name).
The Yankees, in desperate need of relief pitching and a live bat have made headlines.
Joba Chamberlain was removed from the pen to the starting rotation raising questions on who the bridge will be to Rivera. Kyle Farnsworth and LaTroy Hawkins do not have impressive resumes.
Richie Sexson was recently taken from waivers and thrown in the line up and will be used against left-handed pitchers giving more power to the line up who suffer heavily under lefties.
But before I give my two cents, it does amaze me how things just fall in place. Mussina has already matched last seasons win total, Chamberlain has been a very effective starter, and Farnsworth made a turn around providing just enough support to get to Rivera. And speaking of Rivera, 23 for 23 in save opportunities is something to be noticed.
What the Yankees need to do before the July 31 deadline is trade away a bat for an arm. Granted the Yankees are suffering in the once surplussed outfield, I say trade Bobby Abreu for a #2 or #3 starting pitcher.
Randy Wolf of the Padres, Paul Byrd of the Indians, and even Bronson Arroyo from the Reds are all possibilities.
The Yankees have plenty of bats, trade one for a pitcher to bolster the rotation, and better yet, the relief corps. Granted, good relievers are hard to come by, but if there is a will, Big Stein will pay.
The offense is still there, only down by about a run per game from last year. Hitting will only improve. If the pitching stays the same, and the Yankees add one arm, whether it be a starter or reliever, the Yankees have a great chance of reaching the playoffs again.
With that, the Yankees
can be a contender. But until then, and it pains me to say this, right now they are pretenders.

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Labels: 2008, bullpen, pitching, trade, trade deadline, Yankees



Posted by Steve Kenul at 3:54 PM

Friday, July 25, 2008
Nady to Yanks
The Pittsburgh Pirates have dealt OF Xavier Nady and reliever Damaso Marte to the Yankees for Ross Ohlendorf, Jose Tabata, Jeff Karstens, and Dan McCutchen.
Original reports of the deal included two Yankees Minor League pitchers, Phil Coke and George Kontos, who are no longer included in the trade.
Marte is scouted to be a great pitcher with closer material. A good move for New York with the decline of Rivera. Melky Cabrera may return as a bench player as Nady could be his replacement.

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Labels: 2008, Damaso Marte, Dan McCutchen, Jeff Karstens, Jose Tabata, Pittsburgh Pirates, Ross Ohlendorf, trade, Xavier Nady, Yankees



Posted by Steve Kenul at 7:12 PM

Friday, March 21, 2008
Joba, Hughes on the Trading Block
Athletic's staff have offered Joe Blanton (14-10/140/3.95) to the Yankees for both Joba Chamberlain
and Phil Hughes. What, why? I know the A's are expected to be cellar dwellers, but the even considerer the fact that the Steinbrenner Reich will make such a lop sided trade is, well.....


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Labels: Joba Chamberlain, Oakland Athletics, Philip Hughes, trade, Yankees



Posted by Steve Kenul at 8:30 PM

Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Proctor for Betemit
Scott Proctor (2-5/3.81/37) has been traded.
The relief pitcher for the Yankees who has been on a roller coaster type season with inconsistency has been traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for infielder Wilson Betemit.
Betemit (.231/10/26) was a promising star prospect for the Dodgers will be the new reserve infielder sharing roles with Miguel Cairo.
Nice to see the Yankees are improving the already weak pitching staff. Rumor still has it the Yankees are still interested in Eric Gagne and the Detroit Tigers are interested in Kyle Farnsworth.
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Labels: Los Angeles Dodgers, Scott Proctor, trade, Wilson Betemit



Posted by Steve Kenul at 12:58 PM

Monday, July 30, 2007
Yanks Quiet in Trade Talks
As of now the Yankees have remained somewhat quiet this trade season.
With interest in both first baseman Mark Texeria and closer Eric Gagne, the Yankees have not advanced further.
Texeria may remain with the Rangers as talks of trades with him have ceased and the Rangers are asking about pitches Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain, and outfielder Melky Cabrera.
Yankees brass refused to deal the three prospects and ended talks for both forementioned players.
Kyle Farnsworth may be on the move out of New York, but so far there have been no requests and Kei Igawa may be on the move, but with his recent failures, he may have trouble finding a new home.
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Labels: Joba Chamberlain, Kei Igawa, Kyle Farnsworth, Melky Cabrera, Philip Hughes, trade



Posted by Steve Kenul at 9:52 AM
